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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keeping your patio doors in good working in good order will keep your home safe from intruders who aren't yours. The elements can cause damage or misalignment to your patio doors and their locks. If your patio door lock doesn't work properly You can make basic repairs at home. These steps will fix issues with the latch, keyway, and handle. Inspect the Lock Patio doors are often targeted by burglars due to their huge glass size and their central position within a home. It is important to ensure your home is secure. There are easy solutions to fix patio door locks which have stopped functioning. The first step is to check the lock to ensure nothing is preventing it from locking or latching. You should address any issues you find such as loose screws or rust. In some cases an adjustment of the door's location could be sufficient to fix the problem. Another common issue is debris or dust that can cause the lock mechanism to cease functioning properly. To prevent this from happening, make sure to clean your patio door frequently and wipe down the lock's hardware. You can use a mild detergent solution in the event of need, but ensure that you dry the lock thoroughly afterwards. In addition, it is recommended to oil the lock on a regular basis. Many of the moving parts of your uPVC patio door lock are like those of a finely tuned machine, which means that they can be jammed and stuck just like any other mechanical device. Using a graphite pencil or a light lubricant will help dislodge any dirt or debris that may have accumulated inside the lock cylinder and keep it operating smoothly. Knowing the exact dimensions of the patio door lock is crucial. This will help you choose the perfect lock to match the existing mechanism. If you aren't sure how to do this, it's best to talk to a locksmith or professional tradesperson for assistance. Clean the Lock Over time, cold and hot weather, dust, and dirt can cause the intricate parts of your door lock to get blocked. These problems can threaten your home security. These problems are easy to solve if you know what to do. Clean your lock prior to making any repairs. Using a damp cloth, wipe away any debris or stains that could hinder your lock from working correctly. Make sliding glass patio door repair RepairMyWindowsAndDoors of hot soapy water and a bit of grit to clean the lock mechanism. After you've cleaned your locks, allow them to dry completely before re-using them. The majority of patio doors have a mortise lock, which is secure but can be prone to problems over time. If you're uPVC locks have become stuck, you should first clean and lubricate them. Start by cleaning the latch using hot soapy water. Next, you'll want to loosen the screws that secure the latch body in the position. Once you have the latch plate and handle removed, you can remove the latch from its slot in the door frame. After the latch has been removed then you can lubricate it using a light engineering lubricant like WD40. If you don't have WD40 or a graphite pencil, a graphite pens can be used to clean dirt and grit from the mechanism. If your uPVC locks still don't work you may need to reposition lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools and is best done by a professional. You can try repositioning the cylinder without removing it from the door by closing and opening the door while keeping the cylinder in the lock position, after which drawing pencil marks on the inside of the frame where the screws keep the cylinder in place. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free of dirt and debris it's a good idea to lubricate the keyhole as well as the locks themselves. Using the correct type of lubricant will keep your lock in top condition, and extends its life. Dry graphite is a great option to lubricate tiny metal parts, such as locks. It's oil-free and non-sticky. It is also longer-lasting than liquids. 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 don't attract dust and dirt as much as other liquid fluids. They work well in low and high temperatures. Some silicone lubricants can get accumulated over time, and can displace other lubricants you've tried. Teflon oil can be an ideal substitute for silicone lubricants, because they last longer and don't attract dust or dirt. They are also great for cold conditions, since they can help prevent ice accumulation within the lock. If the lock cylinder you have is stiff and difficult to turn, then it's likely to be worn out. It will need to replaced. A professional locksmith can take apart the lock mechanism, and then install a new cylinder that matches your current keys. They can also repair and modify existing locking mechanisms. If your door doesn't have the lock cylinder or faceplate, a professional can install it to increase security and safety. They can also put a new lock faceplate on your patio door to be in line with the rest of the hardware. Reposition the Lock Cylinder If cleaning the lock and lubricating it do not work, the issue could be that the latch isn't aligned with the side jamb or frame of the door. To determine this you need to open the sliding patio door, and look upwards and downwards from the latch opening to determine whether the door is in line to the frame or jamb. If not, loosen the screws that hold the latch body and adjust it up or down until the latch is able to catch the latch hasp tightly when the door is shut. Sometimes, the latch can be difficult to close due to a worn-out or damaged cylinder. You'll require a new cylinder if the worn one is making it difficult to turn the key. It is essential to select an alternative cylinder that is the same size as the old one and has the same keyway, which means you can easily replace it by screwing the two halves of the lock apart and then inserting the new one. There are replacement cylinders available at many home improvement stores. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of the existing cylinder in order to buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't have the manufacturer or model number you can take a photograph of the cylinder as well as its mounting screws, and then go to the hardware store for assistance. Once you have the new cylinder in place remove it from the screw that holds it in place. Take off the escutcheon. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon and door frame using the screwdriver. Put the screw in a secure place to ensure that you don't lose or damage it. Then, loosen the set screw on the cylinder keep (the metal piece that fits into the rectangular hole in the door). Replace the Lock A patio door lock that's not working properly could pose an extremely risk to security. It's not common for dirt and other debris to get stuck inside the lock mechanism If this isn't addressed quickly enough the lock will eventually fail and stop providing security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively simple DIY project that requires just some tools and a bit of time. Begin by examining the lock to determine what's causing the problem. If cleaning and lubricating the latch fails the latch could be bent too much to function properly. If this is the case, replace the latch using a mortise locking system to ensure it's as secure and strong as you can. If you're not comfortable with this DIY task yourself seek out a locksmith or door hardware specialist to help you with the installation of a new lock. They will have all the tools and expertise needed to properly install the lock. Routine maintenance is essential to keeping your patio door lock working correctly. Check that the knobs and handles are not loose and tighten them if necessary. Lubricate the lock at least once per year to prevent it from sticking or becoming stiff. It is recommended that locks that are exposed to heavy use or extreme weather conditions should be lubricated more often. It is important to use a lubricant that 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.