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10 Facts About Patio Door Lock Repair That Make You Feel Instantly A Good Mood
Patio Door Lock Repairs

Over time, patio doors go through wear and tear that could result in locks that fail. There are fortunately, a number of easy and efficient steps that can help restore your uPVC patio door's security.

These simple fixes can make your home safer regardless of whether you re-align the lock or clean the locking mechanism.

Clean the Lock

Although patio doors are a great way to let in the outside and keep the elements out, they can also be security risks in the event that your lock isn't operating as it should. Over time wear and tear, hot and cold weather dirt and debris can cause damage to your patio door's lock and cause it to become difficult to open. With some minor maintenance you can make sure that your patio door's locks will always function effectively.

It's essential to clean the lock on your patio door and all its moving parts. This helps to get rid of any grime and coatings that may be preventing the lock from working in the way it should. Begin by wiping down the moving parts of your patio door's lock using a damp cloth. then make use of a scouring pad, or a rough damp cloth to scrub any hard-to-reach areas of the door or frame that are coated with dirt. Then clean the lock using a dry towel to remove any remaining moisture. Allow it to air-dry before using it.

If you have a patio door that uses pin tumbler latch mechanisms You can grease the lock by applying graphite powdered to the key or using a lubricant made of Teflon, like WD-40 Multi-Use. This type of lubricant can be easy to apply, and doesn't break down over time. If you're not able to locate the right lubricant for your needs You could try using a pencil that has an extremely thick tip. Put the pencil into the lock and move it around a bit to spread the graphite.

Regular maintenance is also required to keep the tracks of sliding patio doors free of dust, dirt and other debris. These tracks are particularly vulnerable to ice, snow, and other debris that can cause them block or become stuck. This could make it difficult for your patio door to open and shut.


Sliding patio door track rails and rollers can be cleaned by removing dirty or damaged weather stripping and cleaning them before installing it. The rollers of patio doors can be cleaned and sprayed with an oil that is nonstick.

Lubricate the Moving Parts

uPVC french doors, similar to sliding patio doors, work by using 3-4 or sometimes five-point locking mechanisms, which include the handle and lock cylinder operated by a key. These doors require maintenance, lubrication of the moving parts. This can be done using an oil that is thin but not WD40. It is recommended to do it at least once a year.

If sagging hinges aren't the reason, the door could be skewed and catch or striking the strike plate hole in the frame. Take off the strike plate and employ a sharp tool to expand the mortise. This lets the latch sit properly in the hole and prevents getting caught or rubbing against the frame.

While the cylinder is out of the way and out of the way, measure its width using an object or a piece of wood that will fit in the gap of adjustment screw above the lock. The outer dimension is the distance from the outside of the door to the middle of the cylinder, while the inner measurement runs from the center of the adjustment screw to the end of the cylinder.

Check the Lock's Width

If your patio door latch is difficult to turn even after cleaning and lubricating, there's a possibility that it's out of alignment with the strike plate hole. Examine if the door is in balance and whether the hinge screws are tight, but in many cases, moving the strike plate upwards or downwards can fix the issue.

Oftentimes, the problem occurs when the strike of the lock is too small for the latch to engage. In this situation, you'll need to enlarge the opening using either a hammer or chisel, and then test the latch to make sure that it contacts the strike plate smoothly without rubbing against or catching on the frame of the door jamb.

Before you purchase a replacement lock, you should first identify the type of mortise lock you currently have. This can be done by looking at the end faceplate and observing whether it is round or square. Look at each screw hole on the current lock and note their dimensions. This information will aid you in finding an alternative that is the same width and fits perfectly into the hole you have already.

You'll need to locate the mortise lock, and then examine it for any bends, scratches or other damage that requires to be repaired. A badly bent or damaged latch is more likely than one that has frequently used to break. Replace the lock if it displays evidence of damage.

After you've determined the type of lock replacement that you require, it's now time to begin the actual repair. Remove the handle and spindle out of your patio door, and then install the new one. Start by installing the interior handle. Align it with the spindle and then secure it into by using two bolts or screws. Once the handle's interior is installed, you can install the handle that is outside and screw it in place, too. After you've completed the steps you can test the new handles to ensure that they are able to open and close with ease and that the latch is catching correctly with the strike plate.

Make sure you check the Strike of the door.

The strike plate and the door latch are two pieces that work together in order to lock the door. If these are misaligned, the latch won't latch the door shut correctly. Fortunately, this problem is often easy to fix.

First, examine the holes in the strike plate's receiving to ensure that they are free of obstructions such as dirt or plastic plugs. Loosen the keeper screws holding the strike plate in position. This will allow it to move vertically, but not separate it from the frame. Adjust patio door repair to align its holes for receiving with latch hooks of the door latch. After the strike plate is adjusted tighten all screws and test whether the door closes smoothly.

Door strike plates can be a bit difficult to locate for homeowners with sliding patio doors, however they are essential to lock and unlock your door. The plates made of metal are located between the top and bottom jambs of the door, where they support its latch. Then, the door latch is able to slide into the strike plate to form an airtight seal when closed. If the strike plate is damaged, rusted, or not installed correctly, it can stop the latch from locking the door securely.

A misalignment of the strike plate and latch is the most common reason for a patio lock to not close or stick. The most effective way to test for this is by performing the "lipstick test." Apply some lipstick along the edge of the deadbolt and apply masking tape over it. The lipstick will leave a mark when you shut the door. This will indicate exactly where the latch connects to the strike plate. If the mark is too high or low you can easily alter the strike plate.

If your patio door locks for sliding aren't functioning properly, they can keep your home secure from intruders. You must fix this problem as soon as you can. By following these easy steps, you can repair your patio door's lock and regain its functionality in no time.

Website: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/patio-door-repairs-peterborough/