3 Common Reasons Why Your Patio Door Lock Repair Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)

Patio Door Lock Repairs Over time, patio doors undergo wear and tear that could result in lock malfunctions. There are fortunately, a number of easy and efficient ways to restore your uPVC patio door's security. It's about realigning the lock or cleaning the mechanism for locking these simple fixes will help you make your home more secure. Clean the Lock Patio doors are fantastic to let the outdoors inside and keeping out the elements. However, they can be an issue for security in the event that the lock isn't working correctly. As time passes wear and tear, cold and hot weather dirt and debris can cause damage to your patio door's lock and make it difficult to open. Fortunately, with a little care you can make sure that the locks on your patio door always perform properly. To begin with, it's essential to clean your patio door's lock and all of its moving parts. This will help get rid of any grime and coatings that could hinder the lock from working as it should. Start by wiping the moving parts of the lock for your patio door with an aqueous cloth. Then apply a scouring pad or a rough damp cloth to scrub the dirt-infested parts of the frame and door. Then wipe the lock with a dry cloth to get rid of any moisture. Allow it to air-dry before you use it. If your patio door has pin-tumbler latches, you can apply powdered Graphite on the key. You can also use a Teflon oil like WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This type of lubricant is able to be applied quickly and will not disintegrate over time. If you're not able to find an appropriate lubricant You could try using a pencil with an extremely thick tip. Insert the pencil in the lock, and shake it to distribute the graphite. Regular maintenance is also required to keep the tracks of sliding patio doors free from dirt, dust and other debris. They are particularly susceptible to snow, ice, and other debris, which could cause them to block or become stuck. This can make it difficult for your patio door to open and shut. You can clean the track rails and rollers on sliding patio doors by removing any weather stripping that is dirty or damaged. Clean it and replace it. The rollers for patio doors can be cleaned and sprayed down with an oil that is non-stick. Lubricate the moving parts uPVC french doors, which are similar to sliding patio doors, work by using 3-4 or occasionally 5-point locking mechanisms which include the handle and lock cylinder controlled by keys. These doors require maintenance, oiling of the moving parts. This can be accomplished using an oil that is thin (never WD40) and should be done every year. If sagging hinges aren't the cause, the door could be misaligned and catching or hitting the strike plate hole in the frame. Remove the strike plate and use a sharp tool to increase the size of its mortise. This will permit the latch to fit into the hole and also prevent it from rubbing against the frame. While the cylinder is out of the way take a measurement of its width using an object or a piece of wood that can fit into the gap between the adjustment screw and the lock. The outer dimension is the distance from the outside of the door to the center of the cylinder. the inner dimension runs from the center of the adjustment screw until the end of the cylinder. Check the lock's width If your patio door latch is hard to turn even after cleaning and oiling it could be because it's not aligned with the strike plate. Verify that the door is properly balanced and whether the hinge screws are secure however, in many instances, moving the strike plate upwards or downwards can fix the issue. The latch may not be able to engage properly when the strike of the lock is too small. In this situation, you need to widen the opening with an hammer and chisel. Then test the latch to ensure that it doesn't rub against the jamb frame of the door or fall on it. Before buying a replacement lock, you should first determine what kind of mortise lock you currently have. This can be done by looking at the faceplate on the lock and determining whether it is round or square. Examine each screw hole in the existing lock, and note their size. This will help you to locate an alternative lock that is exactly the same width and fits into the hole you have already. In addition to identifying the mortise lock that is currently in use, you'll also want to inspect it for any nicks or bends that may need repairing. A badly bent or damaged latch is more likely than one that has frequently used to break. Replace the lock if you notice signs of damage. Once you've checked the lock and identified which type of replacement you need, it's time to start working on the actual repair. Take the old handle and spindle from your patio door, and then install the new one. Start by putting in the interior handle by aligning it with the spindle and then securing it in place with the two bolts or screws that hold it. Install the exterior handle after the interior handle. After you've completed these steps check the handles to ensure that they can be shut and open easily and that the latch is in contact correctly with the strikeplate. Check the Door's Strike The door latch and strike plate are two parts of the lock that work to ensure the latch secures the door. If these are misaligned and the latch isn't latching the door properly. Fortunately, this issue is often easy to fix. Check the holes for receiving of the strike plate to ensure they are clear of obstructions like dirt or plastic plugs. Remove click this link that hold the strike plate. This will allow it to move vertically but not separate it from the frame. Then adjust the strike plate so that its receiving holes align with the latch hooks on the door latch. Once the strike plate is adjusted then tighten the screws and test the door to see if it shuts smoothly with the new adjustment. These plates are difficult to reach for homeowners with sliding patio doors. However they are crucial to secure and unlock your door. These metal plates are located at the top and bottom jambs of your door, where they serve as the support for the latch. The door latch is inserted into the strike plate and forms the seal. If the strike plate is damaged or rusted, or if it is not properly installed the latch might not lock the door properly. One common reason for an outdoor door lock to stick or not close is a misalignment between the latch and strike plate. The most effective way to test for this is to perform the “lipstick test.” Rub some lipstick on the edge of the deadbolt, and then apply masking tape over it. The lipstick will leave a mark when you close the door. This will show you exactly where the latch joins the strike plate. If the mark is too low or high you can alter the strike plate. If your sliding patio door locks are not working properly they can help keep your home secure from intruders. It is imperative to repair the issue as soon as possible. By following these simple steps, you can fix the lock on your patio door and restore its functionality within a short time.