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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Maintaining your patio doors in good in good condition will protect your home from intruders who aren't yours. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned. You can repair your patio door lock yourself if it is not working correctly. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway and handle. Check the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of their large quantity of glass and their convenient location within a home. It is essential to ensure that your home is secure. There are simple ways to troubleshoot and repair patio door locks that have stopped working correctly. First, inspect the lock and ensure that nothing is blocking it from latching or locking. You must deal with any issues you spot like loose screws or corrosion. In some cases an adjustment of just a few inches to the direction of the patio door may suffice to solve the problem. Dust or debris can also cause the lock mechanism not to work properly. To avoid this happening, make sure to clean your patio door frequently and wipe down the lock hardware. If necessary, you can use a mild soap solution. However, make sure that the lock is dried completely afterwards. It is also a good idea to lubricate your lock regularly. The moving parts of your uPVC patio lock are similar to those found in a machine that is finely tuned. They can jam and become stuck as with any mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or even a small amount of lubricant could be used to get rid of any debris or dirt from the lock's cylinder. This will keep it running smoothly. The exact dimensions of your patio door lock is also crucial. This will help you locate an alternative lock that is compatible perfectly with the current mechanism. If you aren't sure how to accomplish this, it's advisable to contact a locksmith or professional tradesperson to get help. Clean the Lock Over time, cold and hot weather dust, dirt, and even dust can cause the delicate parts of your door lock to get blocked. These problems can threaten your security at home. But patio doors repairs near me to fix these problems when you know how. Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. Utilizing a damp, clean cloth, remove any stains or debris that may be preventing your lock from functioning properly. Make use of hot soapy water and a small amount of grit to clean the lock mechanism. Allow your locks to dry completely after cleaning them. Most patio doors are secured by a mortise locking system. This is a secure lock, but it is susceptible to problems in time. If you find that your uPVC locks has become stuck, you must first clean and lubricate them. For an uPVC lock you can begin by cleaning the latch plate using a small amount of hot soapy water. Then, remove the screws that hold the body of the latch in the position. After you have removed the latch plate and handle then you can take it from its slot on the door frame. Once the latch is removed, you can lubricate the lock with a light engineering oil such as WD40. If you don't own WD40, you can also use graphite pencils to help remove any dirt or grit in the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you may have to relocate the your lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools and is best done by an expert. You can practice repositioning the cylinder without having to take it off the door. Open and close the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Then, draw pencil marks on the frame inside the area where the screws that support the locking cylinder are. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is clean and free of dirt and debris it's time to lubricate both the keyhole and the locks themselves. Using the right kind of lubricant will keep your lock in top shape, extending its lifespan. Dry graphite is a great way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's oil-free and non-sticky. It is also more durable than liquids. It is easy to use and can be used on sliding doors tracks for garage doors and hinges for doors. Master locksmith Shawn Fago recommends using a pencil-like graphite lubricant designed specifically for lock cylinders. Liquid lubricants are more efficient 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 are suitable for high and low temperatures. However, certain silicone lubricants may create buildup over time and can be displaced by other lubricants that you've used. Teflon oil can be a good alternative to silicone lubricants as they are long-lasting and don't attract dust or dirt. They're also great for cold climates since they'll keep ice from accumulating inside the lock. If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, then it is probably worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith can dismantle the lock mechanism and put in a new cylinder that matches your existing keys. They can also make repairs and modifications to existing locking mechanisms. If your door does not have an cylinder for your lock an expert can replace it to increase security and safety. They can also install new lock faceplates on your patio door that match the rest. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If lubricating the lock and cleaning it doesn't work, the problem may be that the latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or the door frame. Open the sliding patio door and look up and down at the opening of the latch. If the door is parallel to the jamb or the frame then you can test. If not, loosen the screws fixing the latch body and adjust it upwards or downwards until the latch is firmly catching the latch's hasp as the door closes. Sometimes the latch is difficult to close due to a worn-out cylinder. You'll require a new cylinder if the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. It is recommended to select a cylinder that has the same keyway and size as the one you had previously. This allows you to replace it easily by unscrewing the two halves and inserting the new cylinder. Many home improvement stores sell replacement cylinders. You'll need the brand and model number of your current cylinder to buy the replacement. If you aren't sure of the model or manufacturer, take a photo of the cylinder along with its mounting screws. Then visit your local hardware store to seek help. When you have a new cylinder, loosen the flat screw 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. Set the screw somewhere secure so you don't lose it. Then, loosen enough 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 not working properly can pose a serious risk to your security. It's not unusual for dirt and other particles to get lodged inside the lock mechanisms however if the issue isn't dealt with quickly enough the lock could eventually break down and no longer provide security. Replacing the patio door lock is a simple DIY project that requires just a few tools and a small amount of time. Begin by examining the lock to determine what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubrication do not aid, the latch could be bent too much to perform as it should. If this is the case, you should replace the lock latch using mortise locking to ensure that it's as strong and secure as it can be. If you aren't comfortable tackling this DIY project yourself, consult with a locksmith or door hardware specialist to help you with the installation of an entirely new lock. They'll have the expertise and tools to complete the task correctly and ensure that the new lock works with your patio door. Maintaining your patio door lock in good condition is a matter of routine maintenance. Make sure the knobs and handle aren't loose and if they're tighten them as required. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to avoid it from squeezing or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks subject to heavy use or extreme weather conditions should be lubricated more frequently. The type of lubricant you use is vital, so be sure to choose one that's specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Anti Friction Dry PTFE). For the best results apply the lubricant directly onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.