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Patio Door Lock Repairs Over time, wear and tear can cause lock malfunctions. However, there are simple and effective methods that can restore your uPVC patio door's security. These quick fixes will make your home safer no matter if you adjust the lock or clean the mechanism. Clean the Lock While patio doors are a great way to let the outside in and keep the elements out however, they can also pose an issue for security when your lock isn't functioning as it should. As time passes wear and tear, cold and hot weather dirt and debris could cause damage to the lock of your patio door and make it difficult to open. With a little effort, you can make sure that your patio door's lock always works properly. It's important to clean the lock on your patio door and all its moving parts. This will help remove any dirt and coatings that could hinder the lock from functioning as it should. Start by wiping down the moving parts of your patio door's lock with a damp, clean cloth. then make use of a scouring pad, or a rough damp cloth to scrub the hard-to-reach areas of the door and frame that are covered in dirt. Then, wipe the entire lock using dry cloth to get rid of any remaining dampness and let it to air dry before making use of it again. If your patio door uses a pin-tumbler latch You can apply powdered Graphite to the key. You can also use a Teflon oil like WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This kind of lubricant is easy to apply, and doesn't break down over time. If patio door repairs near me to locate a suitable lubricant, you could use a pencil with an extremely sharp tip. Insert the pencil in the lock, and shake it around to spread the graphite. Regular maintenance is also necessary to keep the tracks of sliding patio doors clear of dust, dirt and other debris. These tracks can be especially susceptible to snow and ice, which can cause them to be stuck or jammed and make it difficult for your patio doors to open and close. Sliding patio door track rails and rollers can be cleaned by removing dirty or damaged weather stripping and then cleaning it, before installing it. The rollers for patio doors can be cleaned and sprayed down with an oil that is nonstick. Lubricate the moving parts uPVC French Doors, like sliding patios, operate with 3 to 4 or sometimes 5 point locking mechanisms. This includes the lock cylinder and handle which is operated by keys. These doors also require maintenance, specifically lubrication on the moving parts. This can be accomplished using a thin oil (never WD40) and should be done once per year. If sagging hinges aren't the reason, the door could be misaligned and caught or rubbing against the strike plate's hole in the frame. Remove the strike plate, and use a sharp tool to expand its mortise. This will permit the latch to fit into the hole and stop it from hitting the frame. Find the width of the cylinder with a piece of book or wood that fits into the gap above the adjustment screw. The outer dimension is the distance from the outside of the door to the center of the cylinder, while the inner dimension runs from the center of the adjustment screw to the end of the cylinder. Check the lock's width If your patio door latch isn't able to turn, even after cleaning and lubricating, there's a possibility that it's not in alignment with the strike plate hole. Check if your door is balanced, and that the hinge screws are tight. In a lot of cases, however, simply moving the strike plate upwards or downwards can solve the issue. The most common issue is when the lock's strike is too small for the latch to engage. In this case you'll have to increase the hole with either a hammer or chisel, and then test the latch to ensure that it contacts the strike plate smoothly without rubbing against or getting caught on the frame of the door jamb. Before purchasing a new lock, first determine what kind of mortise lock you currently have. This can be done by taking a look at the faceplate of the lock and determining if it is square or round. Then, look at the screw holes on the existing lock and note the size of each. This will aid you in finding an alternative that is of the same size and fits perfectly into your existing hole. In addition to identifying the mortise lock that is currently in use, you'll also need to check it for any bends or scratches that might require repair. A damaged or bent latch is more prone to break than one that's not utilized often, so make sure to replace the lock with a brand new secure and safe version if you find any signs of wear or damage. After you've determined the type of lock replacement that you require, it's now time to start the actual repair. The spindle and handle should be removed from the patio door. Install the new handle. Start by putting in the handle inside by aligning it with the spindle, and then fixing it by using the two screws or bolts which hold it. Install the exterior handle after the interior handle. Once you have completed these steps, test the handles to ensure that they are able to open and close easily and that the latch engages properly with the strikeplate. Check the Door's Strike The door latch and strike plate are two parts of the lock that work together to ensure that the latch locks the door. A misaligned strike plate or door latches can cause the latch to not latch the door properly. This issue is usually simple to fix. Check the receiving holes of the strike plate to ensure they are clear of obstructions such as dirt or plastic plugs. Remove the screws that hold the strike plate in place. This allows it to move vertically but not separate it from the frame. Then, you can adjust the strike plate until its receiving holes align with the latch hooks on the door latch. Once the strike plate has been adjusted tighten all screws and check if the door closes smoothly. Door strike plates can be a bit difficult to access for homeowners with sliding patio doors, but they are essential to lock and unlock your door. These metal plates are located between the top and bottom jambs of your door, where they support its latch. Then, the door latch is able to slide into the strike plate to form an airtight seal when closed. If the strike plate has been damaged, rusted, or is not installed correctly the latch might not be able to lock the door properly. A misalignment of the latch and strike plate is the most common reason for a patio lock to not close or stick. The easiest method to check for this is with the “lipstick test.” Apply some lipstick on the outside of the deadbolt, then attach masking tape over it. The lipstick will leave a mark when you close the door. This will show you exactly where the latch meets the strike plate. If the mark is too high or low you can adjust the strike plate. If your sliding patio door locks are not working properly, they can keep your home safe from burglars. You need to resolve this issue as quickly as possible. If you follow these steps, you can fix the lock on your patio door and restore its functionality in no time.