Nine Things That Your Parent Teach You About Repair Patio Door Lock

How to Repair a Bad Patio Door Lock

A secure patio door is essential for home security. If your door becomes difficult to lock, it could be frustrating.

A locked that isn't working properly could be caused by misalignment or even simple wear and tear. Lubricating the lock or changing its position may help to restore its function. If these methods of troubleshooting aren't working, you can replace the mortise lock and handle.

Clean and Lubricate

A door lock can be difficult to open and close due to dust, dirt and grime. A regular cleaning and lubrication routine will keep your security device from becoming stiff or stymied, saving you money on Repair Patio Door bills and allowing your door to reach its full potential.

In the beginning, you'll need to clean the lock the cylinder. Use WD-40 or another penetrating spray to accomplish this. Spray a small amount of oil into the keyhole and then rotate the key to spread it. Avoid using household oils or other solvents which could harm your locks. Make sure to spray a little on the key itself.

After cleaning your lock cylinder, it's time to lubricate. You can use a silicone spray or a dry lubricant, such as graphite powder. Graphite powder has a long life and doesn't attract dust as liquid lubricants, so it's a great choice for lubricating sticky locks. Silicone sprays are water resistant and can withstand moist and cold temperatures, however they may require several coats to be effective.

You can also apply a de-icer spray, which is specifically designed for cold weather and will remove frost and ice from the lock mechanism. A couple of sprays will aid your lock unlock and then re-lock more easily.

How often you have to oil your locks will be contingent on the environmental conditions. A coastal location exposes your door to salty air and cause corrosion. Temperature changes can affect the efficiency of your lock. The general rule of thumb is to oil your locks twice per year or more often if you live in an area that experiences extreme weather conditions. Lubricating your patio door locks can save the cost of repairs and ensure that it will continue to function in a good way for many years.

Reposition the Lock Cylinder

If your patio door lock doesn't perform as it should it could be because one or more of its parts may be damaged or misaligned. Regular inspection and timely repair of a damaged patio door lock can prevent additional damage and ensure that your doors are safe. To fix a locked or unlocked patio door, tighten loose screws or adjust the lock mechanism, or replace the lock cylinder.

Begin by looking at the exterior and inside of the lock to find signs of damage or misalignment. The patio door track repair door locks can expand or contract in response to the weather, and they might even shift with time. This slight movement could cause the locking mechanisms to stop aligning correctly and lead to problems with opening or closing the door.

Examine the keyway hole in the lock cylinder. An obstructed or corroded lock cylinder is difficult to open and could eventually cause damage to the pins, cams, or latch springs. If the cylinder isn't simple to insert, you might be able of removing any obstruction using a pair of tweezers, or a picklock. If the problem persists then you'll need to remove the cylinder and disassemble it to find the source of the obstruction.

If the lock cylinder hasn't been screwed into the lock body, you can loosen it by uncrewing the screw that is flat inside the cylinder's faceplate. This screw will let you rotate the cylinder, and it could also help restore the alignment.

Check the cylinder for a little tab that moves up and down with the key, usually towards the very end. This little clip, also known as a "release tab" is what keeps the cylinder from sliding all the way into the lock body. A standard key can slide this tab back to let the cylinder out and allow it to be removed and put back in.

If the lock cylinder of yours is stuck, you might be able restore proper alignment by rotating it until the latch bolt is in contact with the strike plate, and the knob or handle can be pushed into and out. Reassemble the lock after you have restored alignment. Test it to see if it works. If your patio door lock is still difficult to use, it's likely that a component, like the latch spring or latch is damaged or worn and will need to be replaced.

Tighten the Screws

Patio door locks can be damaged by regular use, extreme temperatures dust and dirt. These delicate parts may be damaged if not properly maintained, leading to your door to not lock properly. Fortunately, the majority of lock issues can be fixed easily by following a few easy maintenance steps.

The first thing to do is clean the lock mechanism. Make use of a damp cloth to get rid of any dust or dirt that may be present, and then dry the lock thoroughly. After cleaning some silicone-based lubricant will help keep the moving parts functioning smoothly and efficiently. Avoid lubricants that contain oil bases, they can attract dust and debris which can cause further problems.

If your patio door is equipped with an electronic footlock for security, make sure that the footlock is aligned properly with the strike plate. In most cases this will require you to adjust the screws that secure your foot lock to the frame of the patio door lock repairs near me door. To adjust the footlock simply loosen the screw using a Robertson screwdriver and gently pull it up or down. Once the adjustment has been completed then tighten the screw.

The most frequent issue when it comes to fixing patio door handles is misalignment of the strike plate and latch. This can be caused by normal wear and tear or the latch could be placed lower or higher than it is supposed to be.

Begin by removing the old handle, then find the screws or bolts that hold it in place. Make sure to keep track of these since you will require them when installing the new handle. Then, take off the old spindle, and then slide the new spindle into position on the side of the door, making sure that it is aligned with the holes in the exterior and interior handles. Reinstall the interior and external handles once the spindle has been installed. Make sure that they're aligned properly with the bolts or screws holding them in place.

Close and lock the patio door after you have made any necessary adjustments. If the door is properly aligned, it should be able to open and shut without needing any additional force. If you're having difficulty it could be necessary to move the latch or strike plate, or the lock's cylinder might be damaged and need to be replaced.

Replace the Latch

If your glass patio door repair door locks not working, it could be time to replace the lock. Most homeowners can replace a lock themselves. Begin by sliding the glass patio door repair door all the way open and unscrewing the existing lock from the interior side of the door. Be sure to study the way in which the current lock is screwed into the door and the door jamb so that you can determine the type of lock you'll need purchase.

Before installing the new latch take off the screws that secure the strike plate (the part of the lock that's positioned on the outside of the door frame) and then adjust it vertically or horizontally to align it with the hole in the jamb in the door. Once you have repositioned the latch plate, tighten the screws and screw it in place.

After all the components are repositioned or modified then assemble and secure the patio door according to the instructions of the manufacturer. When you're done, check the latch to ensure that it fits and catches the latch hasp when the door is closed. If it does, then your patio door lock has been put in place correctly and is ready to provide the security and privacy you have come to expect.

Like other parts of your home the patio doors have to be properly aligned for them to function efficiently. Over time, temperatures and cold weather, dirt and debris, and other factors can cause the hinges, door frame and locking mechanism to shift. Misaligned hinges, door frames and locking mechanisms are like trying to put a key in the wrong keyhole. It's not working. It is possible to fix a problem which seemed impossible by following these simple steps. So go ahead and give yourself a pat on the back for tackling this task and reclaiming your patio door's locked position! We bet that you'll have no issues opening or closing your patio door once more. Good luck! We're here if you have any concerns or questions.