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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Maintaining your patio doors in good working in good condition will protect your home from unwanted intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and their locks to become damaged or misaligned. If your patio door lock doesn't operate properly You can make basic repairs at home. These steps will address problems with the latch, keyway, and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of their huge glass size and their convenient location within a home. It is essential to ensure that your home is secure. There are easy ways to repair patio door locks that have stopped functioning. The first step is to check the lock to make sure nothing is preventing it from latching or locking. If you spot any issues like loose screws or rust, or even misalignment, these should be addressed promptly. In some instances an adjustment of the position of the patio door could be sufficient to fix the issue. Dust or debris can also cause the lock mechanism not to function properly. Clean your patio door and clean the lock hardware frequently to prevent this. If you need to, use a mild soap solution. However, make sure that you dry the lock completely afterwards. Additionally, it's a good idea to lubricate the lock on a regular basis. Many of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are similar to those of a fine-tuned machine, and they could be jammed and stuck just as any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or a tiny amount of lubricant can be used to remove any dirt or debris from the lock's cylinder. This will help keep it running smoothly. It is essential to be aware of the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This can help you choose the right lock replacement that fits perfectly with your existing mechanism. If you are unsure about how to go about this, it's best to talk to a locksmith or professional tradesperson to get help. Clean the Lock Over time, hot and cold weather dust and dirt can cause the intricate parts of your door lock to become stuck. These problems can threaten your home's security. But it's easy to fix these issues if you know how. Clean sliding patio door repair before attempting any repairs. Clean up any stains or debris with a moist cloth. Make use of hot soapy water and a little grit to clean the lock mechanism. Dry your locks completely after cleaning them. The majority of patio doors are secured by a mortise locking system. This is a safe lock, but it is susceptible to problems over time. If your uPVC lock has become stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. Start by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to loosen the screws that keep the latch in the position. After removing the latch plate and handle and handle, you can then remove it from its slot on the door frame. After the latch has been removed and lubricated, you can apply with a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't have WD40 or similar product, you can use a graphite pencil to get rid of any dirt or grit within the mechanism. If your uPVC locks aren't working, you might need to move the your lock cylinder. This will require additional tools and should be handled by a professional. However, you can practice repositioning the cylinder without removing it from the door by closing and opening the door with the cylinder in the lock position, and then drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are located that secure the cylinder. Lubricate the Lock After your lock is clean and free of dirt and debris it's time for lubrication of the lock and the keyhole themselves. The right lubricant will keep your lock in good shape and prolong its lifespan. Dry graphite powder is excellent for lubricating small metal components such as locks, because it's not sticky or oily and lasts for longer than liquid fluid lubricants. It's easy to use and is suitable for use on sliding doors tracks for garage doors and door hinges. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant made specifically for lock-cylinders. Liquid lubricants can be more effective than graphite powder, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and don't attract dirt and dust as much as other liquid fluids. They work well at low and high temperatures. However, some silicone lubricants can cause accumulation over time and could be displaced by other lubricants that you've used. Teflon lubricants can be a good substitute for silicone lubricants, as they are long-lasting and do not attract dirt or dust. They are also great for cold conditions, since they prevent the build-up of ice inside the lock. If your lock cylinder is extremely stiff and difficult to turn, it's probably damaged and will need to be replaced. A professional locksmith can disassemble the lock mechanism and replace it with a an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with your keys. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with a lock cylinder an expert can replace it to improve security and safety. They can also install new faceplates for your lock on your patio door that match the rest of the door. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning the lock with lubricant and lubricating it do not work, the issue could be that the door latch isn't aligned with the side jamb or door frame. Open the sliding patio door, and examine the top and bottom of the opening for the latch. If the door is aligned with the frame or jamb and you are able to check, then it is. If not you can loosen the screws that hold the latch body in place and adjust it up or down until the lock latch catches the latch tightly when the door is closed. The latch may also be difficult to close as the cylinder is worn out. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, so you'll require a replacement. It's important to choose an alternative cylinder that is exactly the same size as the old one and has the same style keyway, which means you can easily replace it by screwing the two halves of the lock to one side and then inserting the new one. You can find replacement cylinders at a variety of home improvement stores. You'll need the name and model number of your existing cylindrical to purchase the replacement. If you don't have the model or manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder as well as its mounting screws and go to an hardware store for assistance. Once you have the new cylinder installed remove it from the screw that holds it in place. Take off the escutcheon. Remove the lock cylinder, the escutcheon and door frame with the help of a screwdriver. Place the screw in a secure place so that you don't lose it or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder's keep (the metal part that fits into the rectangular cutout in the door) and let it loose enough to allow the cylinder to rotate. Replace the Lock A patio door lock that's not functioning properly could pose a serious security risk. Dirt and debris can get stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this is not treated promptly, the lock may eventually stop working and won't longer provide security. It's a simple DIY project to change the patio door lock. You only need just a few tools and a bit of time. Begin by inspecting the lock and determining what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubrication do not help, the latch may be bent too much to perform as it should. If this is the case, replace the lock latch with mortise locking systems to ensure that it's as solid and secure as you can. Get help from a door hardware expert or locksmith if you're not sure about tackling this DIY project. They will have the experience and tools to do it correctly and make sure that the new lock is compatible with your patio door. Routine maintenance is essential to keep your patio door lock operating properly. Make sure that the knobs and handle aren't loose and if they're tight, tighten them when needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to keep it from becoming stuck or stiff. It is recommended that locks exposed to heavy use or extreme weather should be lubricated regularly. It is important to select a lubricant which is specifically created for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). For the best results apply the lubricant directly onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.