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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in a good condition to safeguard your home from intruders. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors and their locks. You can fix your patio door lock by yourself in the event that it isn't working properly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway, and handle. Check the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars due to their huge glass size and their convenient location within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore crucial to ensure your home is secure. There are easy ways to troubleshoot and fix patio door locks that have stopped functioning properly. The first step is to inspect the lock and ensure that there is nothing that is hindering it from latching or locking. You must take care to address any issues you discover, such as loose screws or corrosion. In some instances the slightest adjustment to the door's location could be sufficient to fix the issue. Dust or debris could cause the lock mechanism to function properly. To avoid this occurring, be sure to clean your patio door frequently and wipe down the lock's hardware. If necessary, you can use mild soap. However, you must be sure that you dry the lock completely afterwards. Additionally, it's an ideal idea to lubricate the lock regularly. A lot of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are similar to those of a fine-tuned machine, so they can get stuck and jammed just as any other mechanical device. Using graphite pencils or a light lubricant can help remove any dirt or debris that may have accumulated inside the lock cylinder and keep it operating smoothly. Knowing the exact dimensions of your patio door lock is also important. This will help you find the perfect lock to match the existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to proceed get help, consult a professional locksmith or tradesperson to get help. Clean the Lock Over time, cold and hot weather, dust, and dirt can cause the delicate parts of your door lock to become stuck. These problems can threaten your security at home. But it's easy to fix these issues when you know how. Clean your lock before attempting any repairs. Wipe away any stains and debris with a moist cloth. Then, use a small amount of hot soapy water to wash the lock mechanism and remove any dirt or grime that has built up over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before re-using them. Most patio doors use mortise locks that is secure, but can be prone to issues in the course of time. If your uPVC lock is stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. Begin by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to loosen the screws that secure the latch body in place. After you have removed the latch handle and plate, you can remove it from its slot on the door frame. After the latch has been removed and lubricated, you can apply by using a lubricant for engineering like WD40. If you don't have WD40 alternative, you could use graphite pencils to help remove any dirt or grit within the mechanism. If your uPVC locks are still not working, you may have to relocate the locks cylinders. This requires additional tools and should be performed by a professional. You can practice repositioning a cylinder, without having to take it off the door. Open and close the door while the cylinder is in lock position. Make pencil marks on the frame the area where the screws that support the cylinder in place are. Lubricate the Lock After your lock is clean and free of dirt and other debris, it's time to lubricate both the lock and the keyhole themselves. Using the right type of lubricant helps keep your lock in top shape, extending its lifespan. Dry graphite powder is excellent for lubricating small metal parts such as locks, because it's not sticky or oily and lasts for longer than liquid greases. It's easy to apply and you can apply it to sliding doors, door hinges, and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-type graphite lubricant that is specifically designed for lock cylinders. Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite powder particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and don't attract dust and dirt as much as other liquid lubricants. They are suitable for high and low temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants can cause buildup over time and can displace other lubricants you've used. Teflon-based lubricants are an excellent alternative to silicone lubricants since they last longer and do not attract dirt and dust. They are also great for cold environments, as they can prevent ice buildup within the lock. If your lock cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, it is probably worn out. It's going to need to be replaced. A professional locksmith can dismantle the lock mechanism, and then install the cylinder of a new model that matches your existing keys. They can also perform repairs and modifications to existing locking mechanisms. If your door does not have a lock cylinder, a professional can replace it to improve security and security. They can also put a new lock faceplate on your patio door to match the rest of the hardware. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning it and lubricating it doesn't work, the issue could be that the latch on the door isn't aligned correctly with the jamb or frame. Open the sliding patio doors and take a look upwards and downwards at the opening of the latch. If the door is aligned with the jamb or the frame then you can test. If not, loosen the screws holding the latch body and adjust it downwards or upwards until the lock latch is securely catching the latch hasp when the door is closed. The latch can also be difficult to close as the cylinder has worn out. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll need to get a replacement. You should choose a cylinder that has the same keyway and dimensions as the previous one. This will allow you to change it quickly by unbolting the two halves before inserting the new cylinder. There are replacement cylinders available at a variety of home improvement stores. You'll need the brand and model number of your existing cylinder to purchase an alternative. If you don't know the model or manufacturer, take a photo of the cylinder with its mounting screws. Then go to your local hardware store to seek assistance. Once you have the new cylinder in place take it off the screw that holds it in place. Take off the escutcheon. Use a screwdriver for the removal of the lock cylinder, escutcheon plates and lock from the door and door frame. Set the screw in a secure place to ensure that you don't lose or damage it. Then, loosen enough the set screw on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole of the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't working properly could pose a serious security risk. It's not uncommon for dirt and debris to get lodged inside the lock's mechanisms however if the issue isn't dealt with quickly enough the lock could eventually fail and stop providing security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively easy DIY project that requires a few tools and small amount of time. Start by inspecting the lock and determining the cause of the issue. If lubricating and cleaning don't help, the latch could be bent too much to function properly. In this situation, it would be best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock to ensure that it is as secure and strong as is possible. If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY task yourself, consult with a locksmith or door hardware specialist to help you with the installation of a new lock. They'll have all the tools and expertise needed to install the lock properly. Routine maintenance is essential to ensure that your patio door lock operating properly. Make sure the knobs and handles aren't loose and tighten them if necessary. Lubricate your lock at least every year to avoid it sticking or becoming stiff. Locks that are subjected to heavy use or extreme temperatures should be lubricated regularly. double glazed patio door repairs is essential to use a lubricant that is specifically created for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism to get best results.