Home safety begins with secure ingress and egress. All windows and doors must be equipped with proper locking mechanisms which are inoperable from outside the house. Sliding patio door locks are infamous for providing grossly inadequate security. This is particularly true of older locks.
Many people do not understand that multiple means of securing a door exists. A lock built into the door handle is somewhat useful. Experienced burglars can easily bypass this precaution, however. This is typically done by merely pressing down the door until the lock detaches from external latching. Enhanced sliding door lock security often entails installing additional mobile stops or placing a pole inside the empty track. Such devices make the door virtually undefeatable.
Periodically check your sliding door lock for sufficient structural integrity and security maintenance. Start by jiggling the lock built into the handle back and forth several times. If you note any play at all, use a screwdriver to tighten all screws by which it is mounted into place. Next, exit the door while a family member or friend stands on the other side to lock it after you. Press firmly on the handle using a forward motion as you attempt to slide the door open. If you can open it, this indicates that immediate patio door lock replacement is necessary. If you think that age, defect, or damage has caused its deterioration, it is relatively easy to install a new patio door lock.
First, ascertain exactly what kind of sliding patio door lock you already have. Sliding doors employ a series of tracks and attached rollers to accomplish proper movement. If you want, the whole door can be taken off the frame by unscrewing the attached rollers and lifting out the sliding panel. Be aware that patio doors are usually quite heavy, so obtain assistance for this step of the process in advance. Once removed, lay the door flat and simply remove its entire lock assembly your trusty screwdriver. Consult the manufacturer’s directions to properly switch the new and old locks.
Patio door locks may also be reinforced by other locking mechanisms. One particularly reliable solution that is also cost-effective is called a “movable” door stop. Such stops are placed inside the door’s empty track portion while it is closed. A small thumb screw may then be hand tightened to prevent its opening from outside. Even a wooden stock of dowel cut to the appropriate length works very well to properly secure these doors.