Double Glazing Door Lock Repairs Is your uPVC window or door mechanism broken? Maybe the window or door handles aren't able to connect correctly or are difficult to use. It's important that your double-glazed doors work smoothly, otherwise you will lose energy and increase the chance of burglary. Owen the Locksmith can repair your door lock at a reasonable price. Snapped Key It can be quite frustrating when a key is snapped inside a lock. It could also be a security risk, as the door may not lock and leave you vulnerable to intruders. There are a couple of quick fixes you can try to repair the issue and get your door working again. First, remember to stay calm. If you panic and begin doing a lot of fumbling around you could end up pushing the broken piece of the key deeper into the lock, making the situation worse. Spray WD-40, or any other penetrating oil, into the lock. This will assist the broken piece come out more easily. You can also use a screwdriver to help break up any pieces stuck that could be hindering the flow. If you're lucky enough to have a little bit of the key sticking out and you want to remove it, make use of a paperclip or other metal object with a thin surface to grab it and then pull it out. Both methods are effective, but you need to be careful not to push the broken key further into the keyway. Some paperclips have grooved edges that can be used as hook extractors. Jigsaw blades can also work well for this. If you don't happen to have any of these items then you can bend a hook using needle-nosed pliers. Additionally, a pair of tweezers can be used to grasp and pull out the last bit of the broken key. If you can't get the broken piece of key out, try using a lock de-icer. It's available in many hardware stores and is used to freeze any moisture present inside the lock. If none of these tricks appear to be working then it's probably time to call in locksmith. The experts at Fitlocks can quickly solve problems with uPVC door locks and mechanisms, including snapped keys and broken handles. They can also reconfigure your double glazing door mechanisms to make them easier to operate. You can schedule repairs to your double-glazing online or contact us to discuss your requirements. Broken Cylinder A broken cylinder can be an extremely risky security issue. It's fortunately a simple repair for a professional locksmith to complete. To fix the cylinder locksmiths will need to tap it. They can do this with an hammer or another tool, but the best way is to make use of a long match or a piece of wire. Position the match or the wire's end in the keyway. After that, the locksmith can hit the lock to break it open. This is much safer than using a hammer, which could damage the lock. The most frequent cause of cracks in the head of a cylinder is due to overheating. This can happen when the block and the cylinder head are made of various metals like cast-iron and aluminium. Different metals can be heated and cool at different rates. This can cause localized hotspots to expand more quickly than the rest of the cylinder. Corrosion is another possible reason for fractures in cylinders. If the cylinder head and cylinder block are not properly maintained, this can cause corrosion or rust and cause them to expand at a higher rate than they ought to. As time passes, this may also cause cracks. If your uPVC window lock or door is brittle or requires an enormous amount of pressure to turn, it can be caused by a number of things. This issue could be caused by a malfunctioning locking mechanism or misalignment or a worn-out handle. Fortunately it is a simple and cost-effective fix for the majority of homeowners of double glazing. A professional locksmith will usually be able solve this issue within a matter of hours of arriving at your property. They can fix the locking mechanisms, or replace the window handles and replace the gearboxes based on your specific needs. A professional locksmith will always be able advise you on the most cost-effective solutions for your home. They can even suggest upgrades to 3 Star security euro cylinders TS007 that give you an additional layer of protection against burglars. It's a small price to pay for the security that comes with knowing your uPVC doors are secure. Broken Handle Window handle locks are complex mechanisms that deteriorate with age and usage, so it's no surprise they occasionally break. It isn't always easy to pinpoint the reason behind the problem and fix it correctly. The issue could be with the internal locking mechanism or the latch, fixing the broken handle can improve your uPVC double glazing door's security and allow you stop the draughts. If you do not repair or replace the handle could be expensive and could harm the door's frame as well as lock and frame, so it's worth spending some time to make sure you do it correctly. Screwdriver Open the window, loosen the screw holding the handle. This should be located on the inside of the back plate, and is normally hidden by an aesthetically pleasing cover for the screw reasons. You should not lose any internal components of the handle, such as the levers and plates on either side. Keep them in the same order to make it easier to replace if necessary. Next, turn the handle until it's 90 degrees to the window frame and loosen the screw at the back of the handle that fixes it to the internal spindle using a second screwdriver. Once the screw is free, you can remove the handle and take the broken spindle out. Replace it with a brand new one, making sure it's the same size as the old one (you will typically find them online or in hardware stores) and screw it securely into the correct position. Do not overtighten the screw because this could cause damage to the handle and window frame. Make sure the new handle is correctly fitted after which you can close and test the handle. It should operate smoothly, and you will be able to open your windows after a few times. While you're working on the handle, be sure to ensure that your uPVC windows are shut properly. If they don't then you may experience draughts and damp in your home as in addition to compromising the energy efficiency of your home. A local window company, like Core Sash Windows, will be capable of adjusting the hinges on your window frames so they are able to shut properly. Broken Spindle It is often the case that the spindle in the handle breaks, rather than the handle itself. This is most common in uPVC tilt-and-turn windows. These windows require a handle to operate an electronic locking mechanism within the frame of the window. The handle is attached to a rod in the centre that is then activated by a series of cams that look like mushrooms, they lock into window frame keeps. If the dead latch mechanism is not able to open when the handle is turned it is possible that the spindle has been damaged, this can be a frustrating problem. There are ways to fix this issue. A reputable locksmith can quickly and effectively address this problem. A reputable locksmith will be able to disassemble the window's handle using a tool to take out the wheel part in which the spindle is. This is done without damaging the handle or causing any other damage to the frame of the window. Once the wheel is removed, the technician can inspect the spindle to determine what has caused it to break. This involves disassembling the spindle and examining each component part, noting any wear or damage. This process is usually carried out by technicians in a clean and safe environment. double glazing window repairs is to clean the damaged spindle. This will help get rid of any debris or dirt that might be preventing it from functioning normally. After that, the spindle can be repaired or replaced. If the technician is replacing the spindle it is possible to use a dowel that is the same size to the original. He will then drill holes that are identical to both pieces. This will ensure that the spindle fits perfectly with the handle. If the damaged spindle cannot be repaired, it might require replacement. Home centers sell generic replacements, but if your window design is unique, you will require contacting an expert in cabinet making or woodworking who can replicate the exact part. Once the new spindle is in place it can be attached to the handle by lining up the screw holes in the handle with the frames existing screws. Once the new handle is installed, you are now ready to operate your uPVC window.
double glazing window repairs
