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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in good condition to safeguard your home from intruders. However, the elements can cause the doors and locks to be misaligned or damaged. If your patio door lock doesn't operate properly You can make basic repairs at home. These steps will resolve 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 central place within a house. A lock that is functional and secure is essential to ensure that your home is secure. There are a few easy ways to fix patio door locks which have stopped functioning. First, inspect the lock and ensure that nothing is blocking it from locking or latching. It is important to deal with any issues you spot like loose screws or rust. In some instances the slightest adjustment to the door's location could be enough to solve the problem. Dust or debris could cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. Clean your patio door and clean all lock hardware regularly to avoid this. If necessary, you can apply mild soap. But, be sure that the lock is dried completely afterward. Additionally, it's recommended to oil the lock regularly. Many of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like those of a fine-tuned machine, and they could become stuck and jammed as any other mechanical device. Using graphite pencils or a light lubricant will help dislodge any dirt or debris that has accumulated inside the lock cylinder and ensure that it is operating efficiently. It is crucial to be aware of the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This can help you choose the right lock replacement that fits perfectly with the existing mechanism. If you're unsure of what to do you can contact a professional tradesperson or locksmith for assistance. Clean the Lock The intricate parts of the door lock can get jammed over time because of dirt, dust and cold and hot weather. These issues can affect the security of your home. These issues are easy to solve if you know how to do. Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. Clean up any stains or debris with a damp cloth. Then, use a little hot soapy water to wash the mechanism of your lock and wash away any grit or grime that has accumulated over time. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before using them again. Most patio doors are secured by mortise locking systems. This is a secure lock, but it is susceptible to issues in time. If your uPVC lock is stuck the first step is to clean and lubricate it. Start by cleaning the latch with hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to unfasten the screws that hold the latch body in place. After removing the latch handle and plate and handle, you can then remove it from its slot on the door frame. After the latch has been removed, you can lubricate the lock with a light engineering oil like WD40. If you don't own WD40 alternative, you could try using a graphite pencil to help get rid of any dirt or grit within the mechanism. If your uPVC lock doesn't work it may be necessary to relocate the lock cylinder. This requires additional tools and should be performed by a professional. But you can practice moving the cylinder around without removing it from the door by closing and opening the door with the cylinder in the lock position, then drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws keep the cylinder in place. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is clean and free of dirt and other debris, it's time to lubricate both the lock and the keyhole themselves. The right lubricant will keep your lock in good shape and prolong its life. Dry graphite is a fantastic option to lubricate tiny metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable than liquids. It is easy to use and can be used on sliding doors tracks for garage doors, and door hinges. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant made specifically for lock-cylinders. Liquid lubricants work better than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and will not attract as much dust and dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They work well at low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time and eventually replace other lubricants you've used. Teflon oil can be an excellent substitute for silicone lubricants, as they are long-lasting and do not attract dirt or dust. They're also good for colder environments since they can help stop the accumulation of ice inside the lock. If your lock's cylinder is extremely stiff and hard to turn, it's likely damaged and will need to be replaced. A professional locksmith will disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with your existing keys. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door does not have an cylinder for your lock or faceplate, a professional can install it to improve security and safety. 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 and lubricating the door does not work, the problem could be that the latch on the door is not aligned correctly with the frame or jamb. Open the sliding patio door 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 check. If not then loosen the screws that hold the latch in place and adjust it up or down until the latch catches the latch hasp tightly when the door is closed. The latch is also sometimes difficult to close due to the cylinder is worn. It is necessary to replace the cylinder if the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. It is recommended to select one with the same keyway and dimensions as the one you had previously. This will allow you to replace it with ease by removing the two halves and putting in the new cylinder. There are replacement cylinders available in a variety of stores for home improvement. You'll be required to know the name and model of your existing cylinder in order to buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the model or manufacturer number, take a picture of the cylinder along with its mounting screws, and then go to the hardware store for assistance. Once you have a new cylinder, unscrew the screw with a flat head that holds it in place, and remove the escutcheon plate. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lock cylinder and the escutcheon plate from the door as well as the door frame. Place the screw in a secure location so that you don't lose it or damage it. Then, loosen repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout inside the door) and let it loose enough to rotate the cylinder. 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 stuck inside the lock mechanism however if the issue isn't addressed quickly enough, the lock can eventually break down and stop providing security. It's a simple DIY task to replace the patio door lock. It's all you need are just a few tools and a bit of time. Start by inspecting the lock and determining what's causing the issue. If lubricating and cleaning don't aid, the latch may be too bent to function properly. If this is the case, replace the lock latch using a mortise locking system to ensure that it's as secure and strong as possible. Get help from a door hardware expert or locksmith if you're not sure about tackling this DIY project. They'll have all the equipment and know-how to properly install the lock. Keeping your patio door lock in good working condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Check that the knobs and handle aren't loose and, if they are, tighten them as needed. Lubricate your lock at least once a year to avoid it getting stuck or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks that are exposed to heavy usage or extreme weather should be lubricated regularly. It is crucial to use a lubricant that is specifically made for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). To get the best results apply the lubricant direct onto the key hole in the lock mechanism.