Diagnose & Repair Multi-Point Lock Issues
Kensington Locksmith London Will Offer Solutions In 30 minutes
Common Composite Door Lock Faults Fixed
If you’re experiencing composite door locking mechanism problems, Kensington Locksmith London is here to help.
We are experienced and professional locksmiths operating throughout West London area, but we can also assist in South West London and nearby areas. So, whether you have a stiff composite door lock in Notting Hill or a full multi point lock failure on your composite door in Chelsea, we can assist. Of course, our main operating area will be Kensington, London – we are available around the clock.
Restore Full Security & Smooth Front Door Operation
With a composite door lock not working, your home is vulnerable, and even sticky locks that won’t allow you to secure your home leave it open to burglars, especially if it’s your composite front door.
We also provide uPVC composite door lock repair as well as repair for wooden doors, which most exterior doors are made of.
If you can’t close the door properly, then we can attend your property and check it for a range of common composite door issues, including a worn-down locking system, door hinges that are not aligned, and a locking cylinder that is blocked with debris.
Some of the problems with composite doors are easily resolved, but we don’t recommend trying to fix it yourself in case you damage it further and turn a simple repair job into an expensive one.
Just pick up the phone and call us on 07884675945 if you need emergency door repairs to improve your home security.
Common faults with composite door locks
Common composite door problems are sometimes as simple as dust interfering with the internal mechanisms, but sometimes the entire door cylinder has broken due to a failed break-in attempt or regular wear and tear.
Here are some of the most common composite door problems which affect both the front door and the back door:
You can’t lift the handle
This is a clear sign that something is not quite right with your composite door and could be an issue with the multi-point locking system. It can be caused by a misalignment with the door frame and the door itself, and suggests that the hinges might need tightening or the lock itself has seized.
You can’t lock the door
If you can close the door correctly but can’t turn the key, then it might be a faulty Euro cylinder, an issue common with composite front doors. The multipoint locking system works with the cylinder by engaging the strip, which runs the length of the door, and that’s the first place to check for issues.
Can turn the key, but it doesn’t lock
The internal mechanisms are created with millimetre precision, so if you have composite front doors that are functioning properly but the key won’t engage the lock, it suggests a buildup of debris or even rust inside the mechanism. We will always check the cam and the tailpiece to ensure they’re intact.
You are experiencing a stiff lock
When you put the key in but hear a grinding sound, then the entire mechanism might be compromised. Lock problems like this can usually be resolved with proper maintenance, and for it to shut properly but with resistance is a sign that you need to spray some lubricant in the lock or clean it out entirely.
It is difficult for a homeowner to diagnose lock problems without the proper tools, so we don’t advise taking apart the lock to see inside. You could loosen the door handle and prevent it from closing properly.
Discover the causes of common issues with a composite door and door frame
We understand that it can be frustrating when you don’t know the exact cause of issues with your composite doors, and often it takes a professional eye to diagnose the problem.
These are the most common issues we come across with composite doors:
Gearbox failure
This is one of the main causes, as it can prevent the lock from working properly, not permitting the handle and key from working together. It can be caused by parts breaking inside the mechanism or just from wear over time.
Misalignment of strike plates
The strike plate is the part of the composite door that sits on the frame and receives the bolt or latch. When your frame is not aligned properly due to door swelling or worn weather seals, the door won’t lock properly.
Damaged rollers
Composite front doors have lots of parts that need to work together, and door locks, such as a Euro cylinder, need to engage the rollers when the lock is turned. If this doesn’t happen, the door might lock but not properly, or it can cause issues when you try to push down on the handle.
Warped door frame
This is most common with traditional wooden doors and other kinds of timber doors and frames, but it can also occur with uPVC doors and composite doors too. Temperature is the main culprit, so if it’s been a very hot day, wait until the evening to see if it will lock properly.
Debris in the lock
An exterior lock exposed to the elements and dust from the road can, unsurprisingly, get clogged up with debris. If your key won’t insert properly, then have a look inside the keyhole to see if you can see any dirt. Give it a quick blow through a straw or use compressed air to blast any dirt away.
Whatever the cause is, when we arrive to diagnose your composite door problems, we’ll only leave when we are sure that the door properly locks and engages the multipoint locking system.
How multi-point locking systems work
Composite doors are a revolutionary product and have lots of security advantages over traditional doors made of wood or metal. One of those is the multi-point locking mechanism of composite doors, and here’s how they work:
When you lift the door handle, the rollers help hooks and bolts to slide into place along the full edge of the door. The hooks lock down into the door frame, and the door resting closed is shut firmly.
Burglars won’t be able to gain access easily to the inner parts of the lock, but you will also benefit from lower energy bills as the door won’t have gaps to make it draughty.
In one simple movement, the latch will secure into the frame, and the bolts will also lock securely in place to keep the door tightly shut.
Inside the door are rollers that control how the security features move up and down, and one of the main problems with composite doors is that these parts don’t get regular maintenance with grease lubricant, causing rubbing.
In some of the most advanced composite doors, there are self-lubricating bearings, so you don’t need to continually maintain them.
The locking mechanism works by moving all of the security bolts and latches into place, as well as the hooks, and once you have lifted the handle and locked the door, you can let it go, and all the deadlocks will be engaged.
This feature is found on many composite doors and offers a much higher level of security. When buying a new composite door, try and purchase one with this multi-lock system.
Does my door lock need to be replaced or repaired?
We can’t always tell the issues with composite doors until we get there and check out all of the moving parts as well as the door itself and the frame, but here are some telltale signs to know whether it’s a repair job or if you’ll need a replacement composite door.
If you can lift the handle but it is stiff to release then it could be a hinge that’s dropped or a misaligned strike plate on the door frame, which can be repaired by our locksmiths.
Another sign of misalignment is if you can lift the handle and lock the door when it’s open, but not when it’s closed.
If you add lubricant to the lock (silicone based, never WD-40) and it works, then it is a good sign that the composite door is not experiencing a serious mechanical issue.
You’ll know the lock might need replacing if the key won’t turn in the lock, or alternatively it turns in the cylinder with no resistance at all.
If you are turning the key with the door open and lifting the handle but the locking strip on the door edge doesn’t engage, then something inside the door lock might need replacing, such as rollers.
A lock that repeatedly seizes up or jams when you insert the key is a bad sign, and you’ll likely need to replace the whole composite door lock.
How to properly care for composite doors and prevent composite door locking mechanism problems
Replacing parts on a composite door can be expensive, so here are some top tips to keep it in the best condition.
- Take a damp, soft cloth and clean the surface as well as the frame regularly. We don’t recommend using solvents or putting water inside the lock itself, as you can cause the internal mechanisms to rust, causing a sticky lock.
- Use lubrication on the locks every few months to prevent wear and tear from metal-on-metal contact, especially the locking points. Sometimes a little silicone lubricant is the only solution you’ll need to get your doors working again.
- Thoroughly check all of the hardware on the door frequently, including the locking points, handles, screws and hinges. Some doors have a built-in drainage system, but others don’t, so make sure there is no rainwater collecting around them. Do basic tests for dropped hinges on your door frame.
- Your composite door is built to be weatherproof, but composite doors can sometimes be affected by changes in temperature. Hot weather causes them to swell, and cold weather will make them contract, so composite door warping is something to check every summer and winter.
- It’s easy to slam composite doors as you close them, but composite door warping can occur from repeatedly slamming the door into the frame. This can not only damage the door and frame, but also the hinges and glass reinforced plastic can be rattled over and over until they come loose.
Proper care of your composite door is essential, whether you have it as your front door, side door or back door. A uPVC door works in much the same way with the multi-point locking system, so you should follow the same instructions for care and maintenance as a composite door.
We supply and install composite door locking systems in Kensington
Composite doors are an excellent addition to your home, but a composite door locking mechanism can be temperamental, especially if it’s been used regularly for years on end.
This is most common with a front door, so when you get in touch with the experts here at Kensington Locksmith London, we’ll check everything from the alignment of the door to how lubricated the locking mechanism is.
Even the smallest issues can make the door challenging to lock, and a composite door that does not close properly lets heat escape and causes energy bills to rise.
Our approach to composite door locking mechanism problems
We always take a non-destructive approach to diagnosing issues with composite door warping and sticky locks, carefully taking apart the lock to find out exactly what is going wrong.
If we can’t repair the composite door lock, we’ll show you what is wrong with it and suggest a brand new door lock for your composite doors or traditional doors.
We can install a new composite door that you’ve bought online, and if it doesn’t already have a locking mechanism, we can add your choice of door furniture to a solid wood door, panel timber door, uPVC door or composite door.
Moreover, we offer same day repairs if your door is jammed or not forming a secure lock, and we’ll show you the top brands you can choose from for the replacement, such as Yale and ERA.
Reach out to the team via our website or call us on 07884675945 for a fast emergency commercial or residential locksmith service 24/7, including on bank holidays and weekends.