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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in a good condition to guard your home from intruders. However, the elements may cause the doors and locks to become misaligned or damaged. If your patio door lock does not work properly it is possible to make basic repairs at home. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars due to their large amount of glass and convenient position within a house. It is important that your locks work properly to keep your home secure. There are easy solutions to repair patio door locks that have stopped working. The first step is to check the lock to see if anything hinders it from locking or latching. You should deal with any issues you spot, such as loose screws or corrosion. In patio door repair , a slight adjustment to the door's location could suffice to resolve the problem. Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism not to work properly. Clean your patio door and wipe down all lock hardware regularly to prevent this. You can use a mild detergent solution if necessary, but always be sure to dry the lock thoroughly afterwards. It is also a good idea that you regularly lubricate your lock. The moving parts inside your uPVC patio lock are similar to those in a machine that is finely tuned. They are susceptible to jamming and become stuck as with any mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or even a small amount of lubricant, can be used to remove any debris or dirt from the lock's cylinder. This will help keep it running at a high speed. It is crucial to be aware of the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you choose a lock that perfectly matches your existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to go about this, it's best to contact an expert tradesperson or locksmith for help. Clean the Lock The intricate parts of the door lock may get jammed over time due to dust, dirt and cold and hot weather. These issues can affect your home's security. However, it's not difficult to fix these issues when you know how. Clean your lock prior to attempting any repairs. With a damp cloth, wipe away any debris or stains that could be preventing your lock from working correctly. Then, use a small amount of hot soapy water to clean the lock mechanism and remove any grit or grime that has accumulated over time. Allow your locks to dry completely after cleaning them. Most patio doors are fitted with mortise locks, which is secure however, it is susceptible to problems with time. If your uPVC locks are stuck, it is important to clean and lubricate them. Begin by cleaning the latch with hot soapy water. The next step is to unfasten the screws that hold the latch body in the position. Once you have the latch plate and handle removed, you can take the latch out of its slot in the door frame. After the latch has been removed, you can lubricate it using a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't have WD40, you can also use a graphite pencil to help remove any dirt or grit in the mechanism. If your uPVC lock still doesn't work it is possible to move the lock cylinder. This will require some additional tools and should be done by an expert. But you can practice repositioning the cylinder without removing it from the door by opening and closing the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, then making pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws are that keep the cylinder in place. Lubricate the Lock Once your lock is clean and free of dirt and other debris, it's time for lubrication of the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the right type of lubricant helps keep your lock in top condition, and extends its life. Dry graphite powder is great to lubricate small metal parts like locks because it's not sticky or oily and lasts longer than liquid greases. It's easy to apply and you can use it on sliding doors, door hinges, and garage door tracks. Master locksmith Shawn Fago suggests using a pencil-like graphite lubricant made specifically for lock-cylinders. Liquid lubricants work better than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants resist water and won't attract as much dust and dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They are efficient at high and low temperatures. However, certain silicone lubricants could cause accumulation over time and could replace other lubricants you've tried. Teflon-based lubricants are an excellent alternative to silicone-based lubricants as they last longer and do not attract dirt and dust. They're also excellent for cold climates, since they can prevent ice buildup within the lock. If the lock cylinder you have is stiff and difficult to turn, then it is probably worn out. It's time to get it replaced. A professional locksmith can take apart the lock mechanism and replace it with the new cylinder that matches the keys you have. They can also perform repairs and modifications to existing locking mechanisms. If your door isn't equipped with an cylinder for your lock an expert can replace it to increase security and security. They can also put an entirely new faceplate for your lock on your patio door to match the rest of the hardware. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If lubricating the lock and cleaning it do not work, the issue could be that the door's latch is not properly aligned with the side jamb or door frame. To check this open the sliding patio door and look upwards and downwards from the latch opening to see if the door is parallel with the jamb or frame. If not, loosen screws that hold the latch body and adjust it either upwards or downwards until the latch is firmly catching the latch's hasp when the door is closed. The latch may also be difficult to close because the cylinder has worn out. You'll require a new for the cylinder when the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. You should choose a cylinder with the same keyway and size like the one that came before it. This allows you to replace it easily by unscrewing the two halves and inserting the new cylinder. There are replacement cylinders available at many home improvement stores. You'll have to know the manufacturer 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 help. If you have a brand new cylinder, loosen the flat screw that holds it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon, and door frame using the help of a screwdriver. Put the screw somewhere safe so you don't lose it. Then, loosen the set screw that is on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole in the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that isn't functioning properly could pose an extremely risk to security. It's not common for dirt and other debris to get lodged inside the lock's mechanisms If this isn't addressed quickly enough the lock could eventually break down and stop providing security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires just some tools and a little time. Begin by looking at the lock to see what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubricating the lock latch fails the latch could be bent to far to work properly. In this case it's best to replace the latch with a new mortise lock so that it is as secure and strong as possible. Contact a door hardware store or locksmith if you're not sure about tackling this DIY project. They will have all the equipment and know-how to install the lock properly. Regular maintenance is the key to keep your patio door lock functioning properly. Make sure the handle and knobs aren't loose and, if they are tight, tighten them when needed. Lubricate your lock at least once a year to avoid it sticking or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks exposed to heavy use or extreme weather should be lubricated more often. The type of lubricant is vital, so be sure to select one that's specifically designed for use on locks (GT85 or WD-40's Specialist Friction Dry PTFE). For best results apply the lubricant directly onto the key hole of the lock mechanism.