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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in good condition to safeguard your home from unwanted intruders. However, the elements can cause the doors and their locks to be misaligned or damaged. You can fix your patio door lock on your own when it's not functioning properly. These steps can fix issues with the handle, keyway, and latch. Check the lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars due to their huge glass size and their central location within a home. It is important that your locks work properly to keep your home safe. There are a few easy solutions to fix patio door locks that have stopped functioning. The first step is to check the lock to make sure nothing is hindering it from latching or locking. If you notice any issues, such as loose screws or rust, or even the wrong alignment, these must be addressed immediately. In some instances an adjustment of just a few inches to the location of the patio door might suffice to resolve the issue. Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism to fail to perform as it should. Clean your patio door and wipe down all hardware of the lock regularly to avoid this. If needed, you can apply mild soap. But, be sure that the lock is dried completely afterward. In addition, it is a good idea to lubricate the lock regularly. The moving parts of your uPVC patio lock are similar to those in a precision-tuned machine. They can jam and get stuck just like any mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or even a small amount of lubricant, can be used to clean any debris or dirt from the lock's cylinder. This will keep it running at a high speed. It is important to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you choose an appropriate lock that is compatible with the existing mechanism. If you're not sure what to do you can contact a professional tradesperson or locksmith for assistance. Clean the Lock The intricate parts of the door lock could become jammed due to dust, dirt, and hot and cold weather. These issues could compromise your home's security. But it's simple to fix these problems if you know how. Before making any repairs, first clean your lock. Clean any stains and debris with a damp cloth. Use soapy water with hot water and a little grit to clean the lock mechanism. After you've cleaned your locks, let them dry completely before re-using them. The majority of patio doors are secured by mortise locking systems. This is a safe lock, but it can also cause problems with time. If you find that your uPVC locks has become stuck, it is important to clean and lubricate them. For a uPVC lock you can begin by cleaning the latch plate with a little of soapy water. The next step is to unfasten the screws that hold the latch body in the position. With the latch plate and handle removed, you'll be ready to remove the latch from its slot in the door frame. After the latch has been removed, you can lubricate the lock using a light engineering oil like WD40. If you don't have a WD40, you can also try using a graphite pencil to dislodge any grit or dirt in the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you might need to move the your lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools and should be done by an expert. You can practice repositioning the cylinder without needing to remove it from the door. Close and open the door while the cylinder is in lock position. Make pencil marks on the frame inside where the screws holding the locking cylinder are located. Lubricate the Lock Once your lock is clean and free of dirt and other debris, it's time to grease the keyhole and the locks themselves. Lubricants that are properly applied will keep your lock in good shape and prolong its lifespan. Dry graphite is an excellent method to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It is also more durable than liquids. It's easy to apply and you can apply it to sliding doors, door hinges and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant that is designed specifically for lock-cylinders. Liquid lubricants are more efficient than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are resistant to water and won't attract as much dust and dirt as other kinds of liquid fluids. They are efficient at low and high temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may accumulate over time, and displace other lubricants you've used. Teflon oil can be an ideal substitute for silicone lubricants, since they are long-lasting and do not attract dust or dirt. They're also ideal for cold climates, since they can help prevent ice accumulation within 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 a new cylinder matched to your existing keys. They can also repair or modify existing locking mechanisms. A professional can also replace the lock cylinder in case your door does not have one. This will improve safety and security. They can also install the faceplate of your new lock on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If lubricating the lock and cleaning it don't work, the issue could be that the door latch isn't aligned with the side jamb or the door frame. To test this you need to open the sliding patio door and look up and down from the opening of the latch to see whether the door is aligned to the frame or jamb. If not, loosen screws that hold the latch body and adjust it upwards or downwards until the lock latch is firmly catching the latch hasp when the door is closed. The latch is also sometimes difficult to close as the cylinder is worn. It is necessary to replace the for the cylinder when the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. You should select a cylinder that has the same keyway and dimensions like the one that came before it. This will allow you to replace it with ease by unbolting the two halves and inserting the new cylinder. There are replacement cylinders available at many home improvement stores. You'll be required to know the name and model of your existing cylinder to be able to purchase one that matches it. If you don't know the model and manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder along with its mounting screws. Then, visit your local hardware store to seek assistance. When you have a new cylinder, unscrew the flat screw that is holding it in place and remove the escutcheon plate. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon and door frame using a screwdriver. Place the screw in a secure place to ensure you don't loose or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole of the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly can be an extremely risk to security. Dirt and debris can become stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this is not treated promptly, the lock may eventually stop working and no longer provide security. It's a simple DIY task to change the patio door lock. You'll only need the tools you need and some time. Begin by examining the lock to determine what is causing the problem. If lubricating and cleaning don't help, the latch could be bent too much to work properly. In this situation it is recommended to replace the latch with a new mortise lock to ensure that it's as sturdy and secure as is possible. If visit this page 're not confident in tackling this DIY project on your own seek out a locksmith or door hardware expert to assist you in the installation of a new lock. They will 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 handles are not loose and tighten them if necessary. Lubricate your lock at least once a year to avoid it sticking or becoming stiff. Locks that have been subjected to heavy use or extreme temperatures should be lubricated regularly. The type of lubricant used is crucial, so make sure to select one that's specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). Apply the lubricant to the keyhole of the lock mechanism to get the best results.