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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in good condition to guard your home from intruders. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to the patio doors and their locks. You can fix your patio door lock by yourself if it is not working correctly. These steps will fix problems with the handle, keyway, and latch. Check the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of their large amount of glass and convenient position within a house. It is essential that your locks are working properly to ensure your home is safe. Luckily, there are some easy ways to troubleshoot and repair patio door locks that aren't working correctly. The first step is to check the lock to ensure nothing is hindering it from locking or latching. You should take care to address any issues you discover such as loose screws or corrosion. In some cases, a small adjustment to the direction of the patio door could suffice to solve the issue. Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism to fail to function properly. Clean your patio door and wipe down all hardware of the lock regularly to prevent this. You can make use of a mild detergent in the event of need, but ensure that you dry the lock thoroughly afterwards. Additionally, it's recommended to oil the lock regularly. The moving parts in your uPVC patio lock are comparable to those in a precision-tuned machine. They are susceptible to jamming and become stuck like any mechanical device. Using graphite pencils or light lubricant can help remove any dirt or debris that has collected in the lock's cylinder, and ensure that it is operating efficiently. Identifying the exact dimensions of the patio door lock is important. This will allow you to find a lock that perfectly matches your existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to accomplish this, it is advisable to talk to a locksmith or professional tradesperson for assistance. Clean the Lock Over time, hot and cold weather dust, dirt, and even dust can cause the delicate parts of the door lock to become blocked. These issues can compromise your security at home. But it's easy to fix these issues If you know how. Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. With a damp cloth, clean any dirt or stains that may hinder your lock from working correctly. Use soapy water with hot water and a small amount of grit to clean the mechanism of your lock. After you've cleaned your locks, allow them to dry completely before using them again. Most patio doors are fitted with mortise locks, which is secure but can be prone to problems with time. If your uPVC lock is stuck, the first step is to clean and lubricate it. Start by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to unfasten the screws that secure the latch body in place. 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 it with a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't have WD40 or similar product, you can use graphite pencils to help get rid of 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 will require some additional tools and should be done by an expert. You can practice repositioning the cylinder without having to remove it from the door. Open and close the door while the cylinder is in the lock position. Then make pencil marks on the frame where the screws holding the cylinder in place are. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free of dirt and debris, it's a good time to lubricate your keyhole and locks themselves. Using the correct type of lubricant can keep your lock in good shape, extending its lifespan. Dry graphite is a fantastic way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's oil-free and non-sticky. It is also more durable than liquids. It's easy to apply, and you can also apply it to sliding doors, door hinges, and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil type graphite lubricant designed specifically for lock-cylinders. Liquid lubricants are more effective than graphite, particularly in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are water resistant and will not attract as much dust or dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They are effective at both high and low temperatures. Certain silicone lubricants may get accumulated over time, and can displace other lubricants that you've used. Teflon oil can be an excellent alternative to silicone lubricants because they last longer and don't attract dust or dirt. They're also suitable for colder environments since they can help prevent ice from building up inside the lock. If your lock's cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, it's likely to be worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith will dismantle the lock mechanism and install an entirely new cylinder that is compatible with your existing keys. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with an cylinder for your lock an expert can replace it to improve security and safety. They can also put 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 cleaning and lubricating the door does not work, the problem could be that the latch on the door is not aligned correctly with the jamb or frame. To determine this you need to open the sliding patio door, and look up and down from the latch opening to determine whether the door is in line with the jamb or frame. If not, loosen screws fixing the latch body and adjust it either upwards or downwards until the lock latch is securely catching the latch's hasp as the door closes. The latch can also be difficult to close because the cylinder has worn out. A worn-out cylinder makes it difficult to turn the key, which is why you'll need to get a replacement. It is essential to select a new cylinder that is similar in size to the old one and has the same style keyway, so you can easily replace it by removing the two halves of the lock apart and then inserting the new cylinder. Many home improvement stores sell replacement cylinders. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of the existing cylinder so you can buy one that matches it. If you don't know the model or manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder and its mounting screws. Then visit fixing patio door for help. Once you have a new cylinder, remove the flat screw that holds it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Use a screwdriver to unscrew the lock cylinder and the escutcheon plate from the door and door frame. Set the screw in a safe 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 inside the door) and let it loose enough to rotate the cylinder. Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't working properly can be a major risk to your security. Dirt and debris could get stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this issue isn't treated immediately, the lock will eventually stop working and won't will be able to provide security. It's a simple DIY task to replace the patio door lock. It's all you need are a few tools and some time. Begin by looking at the lock to see what is causing the problem. If cleaning and lubrication don't help, the latch could be bent too much to perform as it should. In this case it is recommended to replace the latch with a brand new mortise lock to ensure it's as strong and secure as possible. If you're not confident in tackling this DIY task yourself, consult with a locksmith or door hardware expert to assist you in the installation of the new lock. They will have the experience and tools to do it properly and ensure that the new lock is compatible with your patio door. Routine maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock working correctly. Check that the knobs and handles are not loose and tighten them as needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to keep it from squeezing or becoming stiff. Locks that are exposed to extreme use or temperatures should be lubricated frequently. It is crucial to use a lubricant that is specifically made for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant directly to the keyhole of the lock mechanism to achieve the best results.