Over time, all doors and windows will face wear and tear. However, there are some issues that uPVC door owners will face more so than others, and with these doors being among the most common front doors in Britain, they are very common. We will go over these uPVC door problems as well as how to fix them in order to keep your property secure.
uPVC Door Problem #1 – Misaligning locks
Although the problem of locks becoming misaligned isn’t unique to uPVC doors, it is the most common problem that owners of these doors face. The locks in the door becoming misaligned means that the door will often be very difficult to lock or unlock due to the locking mechanism in the door not matching up to the doorframe.
This can happen due to the door naturally ‘dropping’ out of alignment due to general wear and tear on the door, or because fluctuating weather conditions have caused the door to warp.
You can check to see if this is the problem you are facing by opening the door and locking it while it is still open. If the door locks and unlocks with ease away from the doorframe, it is likely that the locks are misaligned. However if the problems still arise while the door is open, that could be a problem with the locking mechanism and would need to be checked by a locksmith.
How to fix it?
To fix this problem, you may be able to do it yourself by loosening the fixings on the inside of the doorframe (using either an allen key or screwdriver) and then moving it into a position where it can meet the lock. You may need to try this multiple times to get the right fit. Once you are happy with the position, tighten it back up.
Alternatively, you can call on your local locksmith to realign the locks for you.
uPVC Door Problem #2 – Locks breaking from pressure
Over time, locks can weaken and break due to the pressure that is put through them with regular use. This would then mean that you are stuck with a door that is either locked or unlocked- neither of which is in your best interest.
How to fix it?
Maintaining the locks in the door by keeping them lubricated with the likes of WD40 will help to increase the longevity of the locks.
Additionally, ensuring that no excessive force is used when raising the handle to lock the door will reduce the pressure put on the locking mechanisms. This in turn will then keep your locks stronger for longer.
uPVC Door Problem #3 – Easily manipulated locks
Typical locks that are put into uPVC doors can be cheap and therefore easily tampered with to gain access to your property. They are used to keep the cost of the door down but can lead to expensive items in your home needing to be replaced if someone does break in.
How to fix it?
To reduce the possibility of an intruder getting in, consider changing the locks on your uPVC doors to ones that are more sturdy and complex. Additional protection such as bolts or chains attached to your door can also be a deterrent to intruders.
If you have experienced any of these uPVC door problems and would like some professional advice on how to solve them, please get in touch with our NandU Glass team.