PVC Door Lock Problem

[Anthony Micallef]

I had a new pvc back door installed last Oct. Since then its had 2 new door barrels as after a time they get very difficult to turn. The installer said it was because a 'cut' key was being used and not an original. This 'cut' key is only used once a week by my dog walker so cant see how it would damamge the barrel. The second barrel is now starting to play up. Any thoughts/advice you could offer would be most appreciated.

[duncancallum]

have you oiled it at all?

[freecar]

The guy could be right, try looking at the cut key to see if there are any burrs on the sides, remove these burrs and it should be the same as the normal ones.

I admit I do find it a little hard to believe myself as well.

[King Herald]

Anthony Micallef said:

I had a new pvc back door installed last Oct. Since then its had 2 new door barrels as after a time they get very difficult to turn. The installer said it was because a 'cut' key was being used and not an original. This 'cut' key is only used once a week by my dog walker so cant see how it would damamge the barrel. The second barrel is now starting to play up. Any thoughts/advice you could offer would be most appreciated.

He is stalking cobblers. All our keys were 'cut' from copies of original keys, never had one get stiff. And we have 8 PVC doors on our gaff.

You need to lubricate these doors, and the locks. I find WD40 works a treat, on ALL the mechanisms, not just the turny key bit, but down the edge of the door where all that hardware and metal bits move in and out when you lock, unlock, and turn the handle.

Spray the WD40 on generously, move the movements, and it runs down inside and outside the door, so keep a rag handy.

[Wings]

King Herald said:

Anthony Micallef said:

I had a new pvc back door installed last Oct. Since then its had 2 new door barrels as after a time they get very difficult to turn. The installer said it was because a 'cut' key was being used and not an original. This 'cut' key is only used once a week by my dog walker so cant see how it would damamge the barrel. The second barrel is now starting to play up. Any thoughts/advice you could offer would be most appreciated.

He is stalking cobblers. All our keys were 'cut' from copies of original keys, never had one get stiff. And we have 8 PVC doors on our gaff.

You need to lubricate these doors, and the locks. I find WD40 works a treat, on ALL the mechanisms, not just the turny key bit, but down the edge of the door where all that hardware and metal bits move in and out when you lock, unlock, and turn the handle.

Spray the WD40 on generously, move the movements, and it runs down inside and outside the door, so keep a rag handy.

Never use WD40 in the lock cylinder, always use graphite. Oil will allow dust, dirt to clog the mechanism.

[King Herald]

Wings said:

Never use WD40 in the lock cylinder, always use graphite. Oil will allow dust, dirt to clog the mechanism.

Oops.


I just wash it out with more WD40.

[darronwall]

try pulling the handle right up ,hard,and turning the key when you are still pulling the handle up,it is more likely the door has dropped slightly and the deadbolt operated by the cylinder is rubbing on the bottom of its keep making the key hard to turn

[dudleybloke]

rub the key with a pencil lead to lubricate with graphite.

[Trooper2]

If your door locks are made from Polyvinyl Chloride you could have a problem...

Americans are ruining the English language, I get it!..

[Anthony Micallef]

I have tried using WD40 to no avail. Our front door was put in at the same time and we've never had any problems with it.

Im thinking the door my have dropped slightly as when the door is open the lock seems fine.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Anthony Micallef]

I have tried using WD40 to no avail. Our front door was put in at the same time and we've never had any problems with it.

Im thinking the door my have dropped slightly as when the door is open the lock seems fine.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

[Phooey]

Could be a crap lock. Can't remember the make of lock we had (popular make sold everywhere - 5 lever, has a brass/gold coloured key) - lasted approx 2 years too. We also have a couple more of this make of locks on internal doors - they are stiff too. A joiner friend of mine said he never fits these locks anymore.

Bugger can i remember what they are called, i will have a look when i get home

[netherfield]

Wings said:

King Herald said:

Anthony Micallef said:

I had a new pvc back door installed last Oct. Since then its had 2 new door barrels as after a time they get very difficult to turn. The installer said it was because a 'cut' key was being used and not an original. This 'cut' key is only used once a week by my dog walker so cant see how it would damamge the barrel. The second barrel is now starting to play up. Any thoughts/advice you could offer would be most appreciated.

He is stalking cobblers. All our keys were 'cut' from copies of original keys, never had one get stiff. And we have 8 PVC doors on our gaff.

You need to lubricate these doors, and the locks. I find WD40 works a treat, on ALL the mechanisms, not just the turny key bit, but down the edge of the door where all that hardware and metal bits move in and out when you lock, unlock, and turn the handle.

Spray the WD40 on generously, move the movements, and it runs down inside and outside the door, so keep a rag handy.

Never use WD40 in the lock cylinder, always use graphite. Oil will allow dust, dirt to clog the mechanism.

Also makes a grinding paste which wears the mechanism even more.

Easy enough to swap yourself.
http://www.handlestore.com/keyedalink.php

Edited by netherfield on Thursday 2nd September 09:58

[Wings]

Anthony Micallef said:

I have tried using WD40 to no avail. Our front door was put in at the same time and we've never had any problems with it.

Im thinking the door my have dropped slightly as when the door is open the lock seems fine.

Thank you all for your suggestions.

Several of my rental properties have uPVC entry doors, and as you indicated, doors can drop and also come out of alignmentm,particularly if there is a glass window in the door. If you use google there are lots of web sites advising how to re-align the door.

I have corrected the alignment by simply using a sturdy screwdriver under the bottom of the door, thereby lifting the door on it's hinges.

Another why of addressing a problem with the lock, is with the door open, on the side/edge of the door, remove the single screw holding the lock cylinder, pushing the cylinder out of the door. Then remove 8-10 screws down the side/edge of the door, once removed, use a screwdriver inside the vacant hole where the cylinder was, remove the mortice lock mechanism from the door.

Once removed from the door, then refit the cylinder into the lock, testing the lock with the keys for the cylinder, to see if there is any friction between lock and working cylinder.

Possibly the door dropping, the locks latch not lining up squarely with the lock’s keep, is the main issue with the lock not functioning correctly.