Double Glazing Door Lock Repairs Are you experiencing issues with your uPVC door or window mechanism not working properly? Perhaps the window or door handles don't meet up properly or are difficult to use. It is crucial that the double glazed doors work smoothly, otherwise you'll lose energy and increase the chances of burglary. Owen the Locksmith can repair your door lock at an affordable price. Snapped Key It can be quite frustrating when a key gets stuck into the lock. It can also be a security risk because it could leave you vulnerable to burglars if your door does not lock. There are a few quick fixes you can make to fix the problem and get your door working again. Remember to remain calm. If you panic you could end up pushing the broken key further into the lock. Then, spray WD-40 or another penetrating oil into the lock to help the broken piece slip out more easily. You can also use a screwdriver to break off any pieces that are stuck. If you have a chunk of the key stuck out then grab it using a paperclip or another thin metal object and pull it. Both methods are effective, but you need to be careful not to push the damaged key piece further into the keyway. Some paperclips have grooved edges that could serve as a hook extractor and some jigsaw blades are also suitable for this purpose. If you do not have any of these available, you can use needle-nose pliers to bend them and create hooks. You can also make use of a pair of tweezers to grab and pull out the remaining pieces of broken keys. If you can't get the broken piece of key out, you can try using a lock de-icer. It is available in most hardware stores and is used to freeze any moisture present within the lock. If none of these solutions work, it might be time to call a locksmith. Fitlocks experts can quickly solve problems with uPVC door locks and mechanisms that have snapped keys as well as broken handles. They can also alter the double glazing door mechanisms so that they are more easy to use. Book a double glazing repair via our website, or give us a call to discuss your needs. Broken Cylinder A damaged cylinder poses an extremely risky security issue. A professional locksmith is able to repair the cylinder. Locksmiths will need to tap the cylinder in order to repair it. They can do this with the hammer or any other tools, but the most effective method is to use an extended match or piece of wire. Position the match or the wire end near the keyway. After this, the locksmith will strike the lock to crack it open. This is more secure than using a hammer that could damage the lock. The most common cause of cracks in the cylinder head is overheating. This can happen when the block and cylinder head are made from different metals like cast-iron and aluminum. Different metals can heat up and cool off at different rates. This can cause localised hotspots to expand more quickly than the rest of the cylinder. Another possible cause for cylinder cracks is corrosion. If the cylinder head and cylinder block are not properly maintained, it can result in corrosion or rust, which may cause them to expand at a a higher rate than they ought to. This could lead to cracks as time passes. If your uPVC window lock or door is stiff or requires an enormous amount of pressure to turn, it can be the result of many things. This issue could result from a defective locking mechanism or misalignment, or a worn-out handle. Fortunately it is a simple and cost-effective fix for the majority of double glazing owners. A professional locksmith will usually solve the issue within one hour of arriving at the property. They can repair the locking mechanisms, or change the window handles and change the gearboxes, depending on your specific needs. A professional locksmith can always advise you on the most cost-effective options for your home. They may suggest upgrading to 3 Star TS007 Euro Cylinders that offer an additional security layer from burglars. It's a small price to get the peace of mind that comes from knowing your uPVC door is secured. Broken Handle It's not surprising that window handle locks could break. They have complex mechanisms that become less effective over time. If yours breaks it may be difficult to identify the cause of the issue. Make sure you fix it correctly. Fixing the broken handle, whether it's the internal latch or locking mechanism can increase the security of your uPVC door and stop draughts. Incorrectly repairing or replacing your handle can be costly and may harm the door's frame as well as lock and frame, so it's worth spending the time to do it correctly. double glazing repairs near me : With the window open, loosen the screw holding the handle. This should be located on the inside face of the back plate, normally concealed by an attractive cover for the screw for aesthetic reasons. Be sure not to damage any of the internal components within the handle, for example the plates or levers on the opposite side of the spindle. Keep them in the same order so that it is easier to replace if necessary. Then, using another screwdriver loosen the screw that holds the handle to the spindle on the back. Once this is released, you'll be capable of pulling the handle off and take off the damaged spindle. Replace it with a brand new one, making sure it's the same size as the old one (you will typically find them on the internet or at hardware stores) and then securely screw it into the correct position. Be careful not to overtighten as this could cause damage to the handle or the window frame. Make sure the new handle is fitted Close the window and test the handle. Hopefully, it will work smoothly and you'll be able open your window again. Don't forget to double-check that your uPVC window is closing properly when you're working with the handle. If they're not closing properly, you may experience damp or draughts in your home. It could also affect the energy efficiency of your home. A local window company, like Core Sash Windows, will be in a position to adjust the hinges on your window frames to ensure they can shut properly. Broken Spindle It is more common for the spindle to break rather than the handle. This is especially frequent in uPVC tilt and turn windows. These windows require a handle which operates a locking mechanism in the window frame. The handle is attached a central rod that activates a series of locks that are shaped like mushrooms and secure the window frame keep. If the dead latch mechanism does not open when the handle has been turned, it's likely the spindle is broken. This can be a frustrating problem. There are solutions to this issue. A reputable locksmith can quickly and efficiently repair this issue. A professional locksmith will be able disassemble the window's handle using a tool to take out the wheel portion that houses the spindle. This can be done without causing any damage to the handle or causing any other damage to the frame of the window. Once the wheel is removed, the technician can examine the spindle to determine what has caused it to break. This involves breaking down the spindle into its individual parts and carefully recording their general condition as well as any specific areas of wear or damage. The process is done in a clean environment by highly skilled technicians. Then, clean the damaged spindle. This will remove any dirt or other debris that may be obstructing it from working normally. The spindle can then be repaired or replaced. If it is being replaced the technician could use the dowel that is similar in size to the original and drill mating holes into both parts of the spindle. This will ensure that the spindle is perfectly matched with the handle. If the damaged spindle is beyond repair, it could be required to replace it completely. Home centres sell generic substitutes however if your window style is rare you'll require contacting an expert in woodworking or cabinet making who can replicate the exact part. After the spindle is installed, it is attached to the handle. Line up the screw holes on the handle to the screws that are already in the frame. Once the handle is securely seated, you can operate your uPVC windows.
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