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How French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement Propelled To The Top Trend In Social Media Fixing French Door Locking Mechanism Replacement You'll want to secure your french doors with security. This can be accomplished by choosing a lock that keeps your door secure while not restricting airflow or affecting the aesthetics of your space. French door locks are typically an all-point lock system that has flush bolts on the upper and lower edges of each door panel, and an operable door. This lockset is very hard to break. How to fix a French door that won't lock If your doors don't lock or don't latch properly, it could be a major safety issue. This could also be an indication of a serious problem such as a broken locking cylinder. But don't despair you can fix the issue with just a few steps. A door that won't latch is usually due to obstructions that block it. This could be as simple as a small piece of dirt that has gotten stuck in the lock, or it could be an issue with the latch itself. If you take a look at the strike plate, (the metal piece that is on the inside of the doors which rests against the frame) You can determine if it is true. If there is a small metal tab protruding from the strike plate, tap it gently using a screwdriver and use a hammer to bend it a bit, this will make the hole in the plate, allowing bolts can be dropped in more easily. A latch that is seized is typically due to poor alignment or improper installation. Lubricating the latch can help it to function better, but it doesn't solve problems with how it aligns with the strike plate. If you do not have a strike plate, it is easy to install one. The lock body (the part that screws into the door frame) must be removed from the door and the lock assembly replaced. You will need a phillips-head screwdriver and an electric drill for this, but it is not a major task. To ensure that the lock works as efficiently as possible it is a great practice to regularly lubricate it especially the cylinder. You can use graphite or silicone-based oil to do this. Apply the lubricant to the key, then rotate it several times slowly until the cylinder moves freely. It is an excellent idea to purchase double-cylinder deadbolts for your French doors, rather than simply a standard deadbolt. A handle twist lock will not be enough to deter intruders as a door deadbolt that has a thumb turn can be defeated if you break the glass. Repairing a French Door that won't latch The problem is often caused by the latch of the door not engaging properly with the hole of the strike plate. This is usually caused by sagging hinges but it could also be due to the location of the latch or the latch itself. To help identify which one is the cause, use lipstick or a similar marker to pinpoint where the latch is in contact with the strike plate hole. The location of the mark will help you to determine the source of the issue For instance, if it contacts below the strike plate's hole, the hinges are the likely reason, however if it is above then the latch's position could be the reason. When installing handles or a new lock mechanism on an external French Door it's important that the strike plate and latch holes are properly aligned. This is particularly important when one door has been closed for a long period of time. During this time the door might be a little shifted. This is most common for wooden and composite doors since they are prone to expansion or contraction depending on the weather or the environment. To correct this issue, first remove the lock latch from the door's edge, then remove the locking strip from the handle. Then, using a sharp chisel and hammer, you can increase the strike plate hole on the door frame. This will allow the latch to be placed in a better location for the door and when the door is opened and closed it will close easily without catching or rubbing on the frame. After the hole for 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 correct position. Test the door. Make any adjustments that are needed. The lock cylinder on the external French doors won't turn. This can be caused by dirt or wear and tear, however it is usually easy to resolve. The lock may be obstructed, or the pins in the cylinder are worn. A simple cleaning can make a world of difference to the operation of the mechanism, and it's well worth giving this an attempt. If the problem persists, it may be necessary to replace the lock cylinder. Fixing a French Door that won't open If your French door doesn't lock due to dirt or debris It is likely that the mechanism is obstructed. The first thing you should take is to ensure that the frame of the door is free from obstructions and that there is nothing blocking the mechanism for locking. There could also be an issue with the alignment of the French door and its frame. they said could cause the door to slide over the frame, which can eventually cause jamming. The lock mechanism is straightforward. A key rotates a spindle, which then moves the bolt up and down on a rail. If the handle is turning but the bolt does not move this could mean that something is stuck. There could be an issue with the mechanism of the lock itself or it could just need lubricating. Try using the silicone spray. It will come with a pipe you can use to direct the lubricant to the mechanisms of the lock. Spray liberally and then turn the handle to ensure that all parts of the lock mechanism are fully lubricated. It is also possible to alter the position of the latch on the French door. It is usually possible to do this from the outside. If your French doors have just been installed they should be able to screw the latch and handle into the door without difficulty. If they are old, you will be required to mark the positions of the holes for the handles on the door and the latch on the frame of the door using a template included in the lock kit. Then, you'll need to drill the hole for the handle/knob at the correct height (commonly about 36 inches from floor) and then make a smaller hole along the door's edge to install the latch. Once the hole has been made, you must ensure that the latch plate is set over the strike plate of the door frame. If it doesn't then the deadbolt might not retract into the strike plate when you push the lever to lock. In the end, you'll need to screw the latch plate in place. Fixing a French Door that isn't closing The latch on the latch of a French Door may become stuck and can't be closed. This makes the doors unusable. This is usually a simple problem to resolve, but it could require removal of one of the doors that are heavy. In the majority of cases, the issue is that the latch is misaligned either with the strike plate or with the jamb of the door or both. It could also be because the dead bolt isn't being extended or fully retracted. It is common for the dead bolt to misalign over time, due to weather conditions or the shifting of the home. It is sometimes difficult to open doors that are stuck. To solve this issue take off the screws that secure the hinge to the frame, and then put in shims so the door is raised or lowered. This will bring the latch closer to lock mechanism and solve the issue. Similarly, if the latch isn't able to get into position with the strike plate's hole on the door jamb it is usually possible to solve the issue by loosing the screw that holds the strike plate and using an electric or metal planer to remove a portion of the edge of the plate 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 in the event that it is it is necessary. The locks on French doors are often unable to properly engage. This could be due to an issue with the cylinder that locks if you're using a more recent lock system. If the lock is not working properly, you'll have remove it and look for visible damage. If you have an older door with a draft entering, you can replace the weatherstripping on the outside of the door. This will create a tight seal, and prevent the doors from sticking. You can also add door sweeps to ensure that all the gaps that could be created are sealed. If you choose to do this, be sure that you place the sweeps on both sides of the door and that they overlap with each other at the bottom.
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