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How to Troubleshoot and Repair Patio Door Locks Keep your patio doors in good condition to safeguard your home against unwanted intruders. The elements can cause misalignment or damage to your patio doors and their locks. You can repair your patio door lock by yourself if it is not working properly. These steps will resolve issues with the latch, keyway and handle. Check the Lock Patio doors are frequently targeted by burglars because of their large amount of glass and convenient position within a home. Having well-functioning locks is therefore crucial to ensure your home's security. Fortunately, there are easy ways to troubleshoot and fix patio door locks that aren't functioning properly. First, inspect the lock to ensure there is nothing that is hindering it from latching or locking. If you find any issues like loose screws, rust, or the wrong alignment, these must be addressed promptly. In some cases, a small adjustment to the location of the patio door might be enough to fix the issue. Debris or dust can cause the lock mechanism not to function properly. Clean your patio door and wipe down all lock hardware regularly to avoid this. If needed, you can apply a mild soap solution. But, be sure that the lock is dried completely afterward. It is also a good idea lubricate your lock regularly. A lot 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 as any other mechanical device. A graphite pencil, or even a small amount of lubricant can be used to get rid of any dirt or debris that has accumulated on the lock's cylinder. This will help keep it functioning smoothly. It is essential to know the exact dimensions of the patio door lock. This will help you find the perfect lock to match the existing mechanism. If you're not sure how to do it you can contact a professional locksmith or tradesperson for help. Clean the Lock The intricate parts of the door lock can get jammed over time because of dirt, dust and cold and hot weather. These issues could compromise your home's security. However, it's not difficult to fix these issues when you know how. Before you attempt any repairs, first clean your lock. With a damp cloth, clean any debris or stains that may be preventing your lock from working correctly. Make use of hot soapy water and a small amount 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 are secured by mortise locking systems. This is a safe lock, but it is susceptible to issues 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. Then, remove the screws that are holding the body of the latch in place. After you have removed the latch plate and handle, you can remove it from its slot on the door frame. Once the latch has been removed then you can lubricate it by using a lubricant for engineering like WD40. If you don't own WD40 then a graphite pen can be used to remove any grit and dirt from the mechanism. If your uPVC lock still doesn't work, you might need to relocate the lock cylinder. This requires some additional tools and is best done by an expert. You can practice repositioning the cylinder without having to remove it from the door. Close and open the door while the cylinder is in lock position. Then, draw pencil marks on the frame inside where the screws that hold the locking cylinder are located. Lubricate the Lock When your lock is free of debris and dirt it's a good idea to lubricate your keyhole and locks themselves. Using the correct type of lubricant can keep your lock in good condition, and extends its life. Dry graphite is an excellent way to lubricate small metal parts, like locks. It's non-sticky and oily. It also lasts longer than liquids. It is 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 are more effective than graphite, especially in humid climates. Silicone lubricants are resistant to water and won't attract as much dust and dirt as other kinds of liquid lubricants. They are suitable for low and high temperatures. Some silicone lubricants can accumulate over time and eventually replace other lubricants you've tried. Teflon lubricants can be a good substitute for silicone lubricants, as they are long-lasting and do not attract dust or dirt. They're also suitable for cold climates since they'll prevent ice from building up inside the lock. If your lock cylinder feels stiff and difficult to turn, then it's probably worn out. It's going to need to be replaced. A professional locksmith can take apart the lock mechanism and replace it with a new cylinder matched to the keys you have. They can also perform repairs and adjustments to existing lock mechanisms. A professional can install a new lock cylinder if your door does not have one. This will increase 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 is not properly aligned with the side jamb or door frame. Open the sliding patio door and examine the top and bottom of the opening of the latch. If patio doors repairs is parallel to the frame or jamb and you are able to check, then it is. If not you can loosen the screws that hold the latch in place and adjust it upwards or downwards until the latch catches the latch's hasp with a tight snap when the door is shut. The latch can also be difficult to close due to the cylinder has worn out. It is necessary to replace the cylinder if the worn cylinder is making it difficult to turn the key. You should select a cylinder that has the same keyway and dimensions like the one that came before it. This will allow you to change it quickly by unscrewing the two halves before inserting the new cylinder. You can purchase replacement cylinders in a variety of stores for home improvement. You'll have to know the manufacturer and model of your current cylinder in order to buy one that is compatible with it. If you don't know the model or manufacturer, take a picture of the cylinder and its mounting screws. Then, visit your local hardware store to seek help. If you have a brand new cylinder, remove the flat screw that is holding it in place and remove the plate that holds it in place. Remove the lock cylinder, escutcheon, and door frame with the screwdriver. Place the screw in a safe place so you don't loose 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 functioning properly can be a serious security risk. Dirt and debris could become stuck in the lock mechanisms. If this issue isn't treated immediately, the lock will eventually stop working and no longer offer security. Replacing the patio door lock is a relatively easy DIY project that requires just a few tools and little time. Start by examining the lock to see what's causing the issue. If cleaning and lubricating the latch fails it could be bent too far to perform as it should. In this instance it's best to replace the latch with a brand new mortise lock to ensure that it's as strong and secure as is possible. Contact a door hardware store or locksmith if you're not sure in tackling this DIY task. They'll have the tools and experience to install the lock properly. Regular maintenance is the key to ensure that your patio door lock working properly. Make sure that the knobs and handle aren't loose and, if they are, tighten them as needed. Lubricate the lock at least once a year to keep it from becoming stuck or stiff. It is recommended that locks subject to heavy use or extreme weather conditions should be lubricated regularly. It is important to choose a lubricant that is specifically designed for locks (WD-40's Specialist Dry PTFE Anti Friction or GT85). Apply the lubricant to keyhole of the lock mechanism to get the best results.