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Patio Door Lock Repairs Over time, patio door wear and tear can cause lock malfunctions. There are fortunately, a number of simple and effective ways to restore your uPVC patio door's security. If it's resetting the lock or cleaning the mechanism for locking, these quick fixes can increase the security of your home. Clean the Lock While patio doors are an excellent way to let the outside in and keep out the elements, they can also be security risks when your lock isn't functioning as it should. As time passes wear and tear, cold and hot weather, dirt and debris can take their toll on your patio door's lock and cause it to become difficult to open. With a little care you can ensure that your lock for your patio door is always working in a proper manner. It's essential to clean the lock of your patio door and all of its moving parts. This will help to remove any dirt or coatings that might be hindering your lock from working properly. Begin by wiping the moving parts of the lock for your patio door using a damp cloth. then make use of a scouring pad, or a rough damp cloth to scrub any hard-to-reach parts of the door and frame that are coated with dirt. You should then wipe down the entire lock with a dry cloth to remove any remaining dampness, and allow it to dry completely before applying it to the next time. If you have an outdoor door that has a pin tumbler latch mechanism, you can lubricate the lock by applying graphite powdered to the key or applying an lubricant based on Teflon such as WD-40 Multi-Use Product. This type of lubricant can be easy to apply and it won't disintegrate as time passes. If you're unable find the correct lubricant for your lock, make use of a pencil with a thicker tip. Insert RepairMyWindowsAndDoors in the lock, then shake it around to spread the graphite. Regular maintenance is also essential to keep the tracks of sliding patio doors clear from dust, dirt and other debris. These tracks can be especially vulnerable to snow and ice which can cause them to become stuck or slack which makes it difficult for your patio doors to open and close. You can clean the track rails and rollers on sliding patio doors by removing damaged or dirty weather stripping. Clean it, and then 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, like sliding patio doors, operate with 3 to 4 or sometimes 5-point locking mechanisms which include the lock cylinder and handle operated by keys. They require maintenance and the lubrication of moving parts. This can be done using a thin oil (never WD40) and should be done every year. If hinges that are sagging don't cause the issue, it could be that the door isn't aligned. It could be rubbing or catching the hole of the strike plate in the frame. Remove the strike plate, and use a sharp tool to increase the size of its mortise. This allows the latch to sit perfectly in the hole and prevents rubbing or catching on the frame. Once the cylinder is cleared of the way take a measurement of its width using the help of a book or piece wood that fits into the gap between the adjustment screw and the lock. The outer dimension is measured from the outside of the door to the center of cylinder. The inner dimension is measured from the center adjustment screw to the end of the cylinder. Verify the lock's width If your patio door latch is difficult to turn even after cleaning and lubricating, it's possible that it's not in alignment with the strike plate hole. Make sure that your door is in a balanced position, and that the hinge screws are secure. In a lot of instances, moving the strike plate downwards or upwards could fix the problem. The latch might not work properly when the strike of the lock is not large enough. In this instance you'll have to increase the opening using a chisel or hammer and then test the latch to make sure that it connects to the strike plate smoothly without rubbing against or getting caught on the door's frame jamb. It is important to identify the type of mortise lock you currently are using before you purchase the replacement. You can do this by taking a look at the faceplate of the lock and determining whether it is square or round. Look at each screw hole in the existing lock and note the size. This will enable you to locate an alternative lock that is exactly the same width and fits into your existing hole. You'll want to identify the mortise lock and examine it for any scratches, bends, or other damage that needs to be fixed. A damaged or bent latch is more likely than one that has frequently used to break. Replace the lock if you notice signs of damage. Once you've identified the type of lock replacement you require, it's now time to begin the actual repair. The old handle and spindle must be removed from the patio door. Install the new handle. Start by installing the inside handle. Align it with the spindle and then secure it into position using two bolts or screws. Install the exterior handle following the interior handle. After you've completed these steps check the handles to make sure they open and shut easily and that the latch is in contact correctly with the strikeplate. Check the Door's Strike The door latch and strike plate are the two parts of the lock that work to ensure the latch secures the door. A misaligned strike plate or door latches can cause the latch to not latch the door in a proper manner. Fortunately, this problem is usually easy to correct. First, examine the strike plate's holes for receiving to ensure they are free of obstructions like dirt or plastic plugs. Release the screws that hold the strike plate in position. 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 test if the door closes smoothly. These plates are difficult to reach for homeowners with sliding patio doors. However they are crucial for locking and unlocking your door. The plates made of metal are located between the top and bottom jambs of the door where they serve as the support for the latch. Then, the door latch is able to slide into the strike plate, creating a seal when closed. If the strike plate is damaged, rusted, or not properly installed, it could stop the latch from locking the door securely. One of the most common reasons for the patio door lock to become stuck or not close is a misalignment of the latch and the strike plate. This can be checked with the “lipstick” test. Apply some lipstick on the outside of the deadbolt, then cover it with masking tape. When you shut the door, the lipstick will leave a mark on the tape that will show exactly where the latch meets the strike plate. If the mark is too high or low you can easily adjust the strike plate. If your sliding patio door locks aren't working correctly, they can keep your home safe from burglars. It is imperative to repair the issue as soon as possible. If you follow these steps, you can fix the lock on your patio door and restore its functionality within a short time.