Double Glazing Door Lock Repairs Has your uPVC window or door mechanism deteriorated? Perhaps the door or window handles aren't able to connect properly or are hard to use. You will lose energy in the event that your double-glazed doors fail to work properly. This can also increase the likelihood of burglaries. Owen the Locksmith can fix your door lock for a reasonable price. Snapped Key It can be a hassle when a key snaps into a lock. It's also potentially a security risk, as the door may not be locked and make you vulnerable to intruders. There are a couple of quick fixes you can make to repair the issue and make your door work again. Be sure to remain calm. If you panic and start playing around with your keys you could end up pushing the broken piece of the key further into the lock, making the situation worse. Spray WD-40, or another penetrating oil, into the lock. This will assist the broken piece emerge more easily. You can also employ a screwdriver in order to break up any pieces stuck that could be hindering the flow. If you have a chunk of the key that's still sticking out, grab it with the help of a paperclip or any other thin metal object and pull it. Both methods work, but be careful not to push the damaged key piece further into the keyway. Some paperclips have grooved edges which can be used as hook extractors. Jigsaw blades are also well for this. If you don't happen to have any of these items, you can bend a hook using needle-nosed pliers. Also, a pair tweezers can be used to grip and pull out the remaining piece of the key that was broken. If you are unable to get the broken piece of the key out, you can try using a lock de-icer. It's available at most hardware stores and is used to freeze any moisture that may be present within the lock. If double glazing repairs near me of these tricks are working, it might be time to call locksmith. Fitlocks specialists are able to quickly solve problems with uPVC door mechanisms and locks such as snapped keys and broken handles. They can also modify your double glazing door mechanisms to make them more user-friendly. You can book an appointment online for a double-glazing repair or contact us to discuss your requirements. Broken Cylinder A broken cylinder can pose an extremely risky security issue. A professional locksmith can easily fix the cylinder. To fix the cylinder, locksmiths will need to tap it. This can be done with a hammer, or any other tool. However, the best method is to make use of a wire or a long match. Position the match or the wire's end close to the keyway. The locksmith can then hit the lock to break it. This is much safer than using a heavy hammer that can cause damage to the lock. The most frequent cause of cylinder head cracks is overheating. This can happen when the cylinder head and block are made of different metals such as cast-iron and aluminium. Different metals can heat up and cool off at different rates. This could cause localized hotspots to expand faster than the rest of the cylinder. Corrosion can be a reason for cracks in the cylinder. If the cylinder head as well as the block of the cylinder are not maintained properly, this could result in corrosion or rust that could cause them to expand at a greater rates than they ought to. This could lead to cracks in the future. If your uPVC window lock or door is stiff or requires a lot of pressure to turn, this could be due to several things. A faulty locking mechanism, misalignment, or an old handle are the most common reasons for this issue. Fortunately, this is an easy and inexpensive fix for most double glazing owners. A professional locksmith should be able to solve this issue within a matter of hours of arriving at your property. Depending on the needs of your home they will be able to replace the locking mechanism, change the window handles, or change the gearboxes. A locksmith with experience will always be able advise you on the most cost-effective options for your home. They may suggest upgrading to 3 Star TS007 Euro Cylinders which provide an additional layer of protection from burglars. It's a small amount to get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your uPVC door is secure. Broken Handle It's not surprising that window handle locks can break. They have intricate mechanisms that become less effective over time. If yours breaks, it can be difficult to pinpoint the cause of the issue. Make sure you fix it correctly. Whether the problem is related to the locking mechanism inside or the latch, fixing the broken handle can improve your uPVC double glazing door's security and allow you stop draughts. Incorrectly repairing or replacing your handle can be very expensive and can damage the door's frame and lock and frame, so it's worth spending some time to make sure you do it correctly. With the window in the open position, loosen the screw that holds the handle using the screwdriver. This should be located on the inside face of the back plate, and is normally concealed by an aesthetically pleasing cover for the screw reasons. Be careful not to lose any internal components inside the handle, like the levers or plates on either side of the spindle. Keep them in the same order so that it is easier to replace if necessary. Next, turn the handle until it's 90 degrees to the window frame. Finally, loosen the screw at the back of the handle which holds it to the internal spindle using another screwdriver. Once the screw is free, you can remove the handle and remove the broken spindle. Replace it with a new one, making sure that it is the same length as the previous one (you can typically find these on the internet or in hardware stores) and securely screw it in the right place. Do not overtighten the screw because this could harm the handle as well as the window frame. Ensure the new handle is fitted, then close and test the handle. It should work smoothly and you'll be able to open your window after a few times. Make sure to check that your uPVC window is shut correctly when you're working with the handle. If they're not closing correctly, you could encounter draughts or damp in your home. You could also compromise the energy efficiency of your home. A local window company, such as Core Sash Windows, will be in a position to adjust the hinges on your window frames to ensure they shut correctly. Broken Spindle It is quite common that the spindle inside the handle is broken, not the handle itself. This is particularly common with uPVC tilt-and-turn windows. These types of windows require a handle which is a lock mechanism that is located in the frame of the window. The handle is attached to a central rod which triggers a set of mushroom-like locking cams, these secure the frame of the window. If the dead latch mechanism does not open when the handle has been turned, it is likely the spindle has been damaged. This can be a problem that is frustrating. There are solutions to this problem. A professional locksmith can quickly and effectively address this problem. A good locksmith will be able to disassemble the window's handle using a tool to remove the wheel part that houses the spindle. This can be done without causing any damage to the handle or causing any other damage to the window frame. Once the wheel is removed, the technician can examine the spindle to determine what has caused it to break. This involves disassembling the spindle, and then examining each component, noting any damage or excessive wear. This procedure is typically carried out by technicians in a clean and safe environment. Next, clean the damaged spindle. This will help remove any dirt or debris which might be preventing it from operating normally. After that the spindle can be repaired or replaced. If the technician is replacing the spindle, the dowel can be used that is comparable in size to the original. Then, he will drill matching holes into both pieces. This ensures that the new spindle is a precise fit with the handle. If the spindle is damaged and cannot be repaired, it could require replacement. Home centres sell generic substitutes, but if your window design is unique, you will require contacting an expert in woodworking or cabinet making who can make the exact component. Once the new spindle has been installed it can be fitted to the handle by line up the screw holes on the handle and the frame existing screws. Once the handle is securely set, you are able to operate your uPVC windows.
double glazing repairs near me
