Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement
When you lock your french doors, you need to make sure they're secure. This can be accomplished by selecting locks that keep your door safe without blocking airflow or affecting the appearance of your home.
French door locks are typically an all-point lock system which includes flush bolts at the lower and upper edges of each door panel and a lockset on the operable door. This lockset is difficult to crack.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Lock
If your doors don't lock or don't latch properly, it can be a major safety issue. It could also be an indication of a serious issue such as a cracked locking cylinder. But don't despair you can fix the issue with just a few simple steps.
The majority of the time, a door that won't lock is because there is an obstruction blocking the latch. It could be as simple as dirt getting stuck in the latch, or the latch may be defective.
If you examine the strike plate (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which rests against the frame) It is possible to determine if it is true. If there is a small metal stub sticking out from the strike plate, gently tap it using a screwdriver to bend it. This will allow the bolt to slide in more easily.
A seized latch is usually caused by poor alignment or installation. Lubricating the latch can make it to function better, but it won't solve issues with the way it lines up with the strike plate.
If you don't have a strikeplate it's simple to install one. You will need to remove the lock body from the door (the part that screws into the door frame) and then replace the whole lock assembly with a new one. You will need a phillips-head screwdriver and a power drill to do this, but it's not a daunting task.
To ensure that the lock works effectively it is a great practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. You can use silicone or graphite lubricant to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key, then turn it several times slowly until the cylinder is able to move freely.
It is an excellent idea to invest in double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than just a standard one. A lock that is a twist on the handle will not be enough to deter burglars, and the standard deadbolt for doors that has a thumb-turn can be destroyed if you smash the glass.
How do you fix a French door that won't latch
The issue is usually caused by the door latch not connecting to the strike plate hole. It is usually caused by the hinges being sagging. However, it could be caused by a problem with the position of the latch or the latch itself. To determine which causes the problem, use a lipstick or similar marker to pinpoint the point where the latch comes into contact with the strike plate hole. The position of the mark will help you understand where the problem is If, for instance, it contacts below the strike plate hole, then hinges are likely to be the reason, however if it is above then the latch's position could be the reason.
french door repairs near me www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is crucial to be sure to align the strike plate and latch holes when installing handles or a lock mechanism on a French Door. This is especially important if a door has been closed for an extended period of time. During this time the door might be a little shifted. This is especially common with wooden or composite doors since they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather and the environment.
To fix this, first remove the lock latch from the active door's edge and unscrew the locking strip from the handle. Then with a chisel that is sharp and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a better position for the door, and when the door is opened and closed it will close without catching or rubbing on the frame.
Once the hole in the latch has been enlarged, carefully insert the new latch into the strike plate hole and screw it into. Then adjust the strike plate with the screw, hammer and nut until it is in the right position. Test the door. Make any necessary adjustments.
The lock cylinder of external French Doors won't turn. This could be due to obstructions or wear and tear, but it's usually easy to fix. The lock may be blocked or the pins of the cylinder wear. A simple clean can make a big difference in the performance of the mechanism, and it's well worth giving this an attempt. If the issue persists, it's often necessary to replace the entire lock cylinder.
How do you fix a French door that won't open
If your French doors won't lock the way you want, the issue is most likely caused by debris and dirt blocking the lock mechanism. The first thing you need to take is to ensure that the frame of the door is clear of obstructions and that nothing is blocking the mechanism that locks. It is possible that the French door frame and the French door aren't aligned properly. This can cause the French door to slide against the frame, resulting in jamming.
The lock mechanism is simple. A key turns the spindle, and then moves the bolt up and down on the rail. If the handle moves, but the bolt doesn't there is a problem, then something is not working. It could be that the lock's mechanics aren't working or it might require lubrication. Make use of a silicone spray. It will come with a nozzle that can be used to direct the lubricant directly to the mechanism. Spray liberally and turn the handle until the lubricant has reached all parts of the mechanism.
It is also possible to alter the position of the latch on the French door. This is easy to do and can usually be done from the outside of the door. If you're French doors are just installed and you are able to screw the latch and handle in the right position without any difficulty. If they're old then you'll be required to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the door frame using an outline provided by the lock kit. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly approximately 36 inches above the floor) and then drill a smaller hole on the edge of the door for the latch.
Once the hole is drilled it is important to make sure that the latch plate is positioned correctly over the strike plate that is on the door frame. If the latch plate doesn't fit properly the deadbolt will not retract into the strike plate if you pull the lever to lock. The latch plate will need to be screwed into place.
Fixing a French Door That Won't Close
Sometimes the latch on a French door gets stuck so it won't close, making the doors unusable. There's often a simple fix for this however it may require taking down one of the doors, in particular in the case of heavy doors. In most cases the latch isn't aligned properly with the strike plate, the jamb on the door, or both. It might also be that the dead bolt isn't being extended or fully retracted. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign in time, as a result of weather conditions or the settling of the home.
It can be difficult to open the door if it is stuck. To solve this issue you need to loosen the screws that hold the hinge to the frame, and then, add shims that allow the door to be raised or lowered. This will bring the latch closer to the lock mechanism, and fix the problem.
If the latch isn't able to fit inside the hole of the strike plate, you can repair it by loosening the screw holding the strike plate, and using an electric or a metal file to trim the edge until the latch is able to fit. This might also require removing the strike plate and then chiseling out the hole to make it bigger should it be necessary.
Another common issue with French doors is that the locks don't engage correctly. If you're using a newer lock system this could be an indicator of an issue with the locking cylinder itself. You'll need to take off the lock and inspect it for obvious damage or obstructions, and if it's not functioning properly, you might need to replace it.
If you have an older door that has a draught entering, you can replace the weatherstripping that was used on the outside of the doors. This will form a tight seal and stop the doors from sagging. You can also put in door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps that could be created are sealed. Install the sweeps on both the top and bottom of the door.