If your screen door lock isn’t working properly, you’ll need to know how to storm door lock repair. The Lock on your screen door might develop various issues, ranging from simply sticking when you try to release the Lock to not properly fastening the door and even malfunctioning. A broken screen door lock can be quite inconvenient, and you may be unable to afford to replace it fast without professional assistance. However, if you are certain that you can repair the Lock without consulting a locksmith, you can follow several basic actions to guarantee that the Lock is back in working condition in a short period.
Storm door lock repair - step by step guide
Step 1 - Examine The Lock:
The first thing you should do is figure out what is wrong with the Lock. Examine the keyhole, in particular, to see if anything obstructs the Lock from rotating correctly. Look for evidence of insects in the hole or damage caused by dirt, weather, or other issues. You may notice a thick coating of grime or oil surrounding the keyhole, which indicates that the Lock is simply unclean. As a first step, put a pin into the keyhole and wipe away any dirt. After you’ve completed this, re-test the Lock.
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Step 2: Cleanse The Lock:
If this does not work, another attempt should be made to clear the Lock of debris. Purchase some graphite powder from a hardware or home improvement store and put some to the Lock, either by placing some on the spoon’s handle or soaking the key and then adding some powder. To remove dirt from the Lock, insert the coated key and turn it.
Step 3: Defrost Your Lock:
If you’re experiencing difficulty with the Lock in the winter, it may have become iced over. Using a hairdryer, warm the Lock from the outside to release the locking mechanism. It should allow the Lock to restore to regular operation in a few minutes. To maintain the Lock operating properly, keep it at room temperature. It would be best if you also try to cool down the Lock during the summer since metal might shift when it warms up.
Step 4: Reinstall The Lock:
If you’re still experiencing trouble with your Lock, you may have to replace it entirely. Remove the locking mechanism by unscrewing the storm door Lock from the door. Clean the remaining parts of the Lock and lubricate them with grease. Reattach the door after installing the new locking mechanism. After that, you should be able to use the Lock normally.
However, if you are still unable to repair your storm door lock, you might need to contact a professional locksmith. You can search for lock repair and replacement in Chicago.
How To Repair Broken Storm Door Handle:
Equipment Needed:
This damaged door handle project will necessitate the use of the following tools. Have all of the equipment you’ll need for this DIY broken door handle repair ready before you begin to save time and aggravation.
- Screwdriver with four blades
- Drill without a cord
- Set of drill bits
Procedure:
Discard The Old Door Handle:
Firstly, unscrew the two screws that keep the two sections of the storm door together to remove the old handle.
Identify New Hole Placements:
Secondly, by Using the template included with the new door handle, mark the door for the new hole placements. Place the template so that the new holes do not overlap with the old ones.
Drill New Handle Holes:
After that, Drill 1/8-inches Pilot holes through the door at the template-marked places. Then, using a 5/16-inches Drill bit, drill halfway through the door from both sides to widen these holes to 5/16 inches.
Assemble The Doorknob:
Now, Assemble the door handle in the manner specified. Using the machine screws provided, join the two sections together. Before tightening the screws with a screwdriver, start them by hand to ensure the threads are aligned.
Secure The Striking Plate:
Lastly, Close the door and secure the strike plate while marking the screw slots. Remove the plate and drill a 1/16-inch hole. Mark the center of each slot with pilot holes. If required, shim the plate with the included plastic shims. Screw it to the door frame after that. Tighten the screws after adjusting the striking plate until the storm door locks firmly.
Broken storm-door handles are simple to repair if you buy the same type, but upgrading to a high-quality brass handle, as we did, requires a little more effort. This handle looked to fit in the original holes at first inspection.
A careful examination of the instructions revealed that the handle needed to be relocated slightly away from the door’s edge. Rather than expanding the holes and risking a poor fit, we lowered the handle and drilled new holes. The manufacturer foresaw this issue and included a cover plate to disguise the old holes on the inside of the door. To execute this task, you’ll need a drill with 1/8-inches and 5/16-inches bits, as well as a Phillips screwdriver.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, we can say that it is easy to perform storm door repair at home. However, if the damage is severe and mechanical, either you need to replace the lock entirely or you need to contact a professional locksmith immediately. If you are a resident of Oak Park, you can easily contact any locksmith by searching lock repair and replacement in Oak Park.