Winlock Product Catalogue 2023 - Catalog - Page 9
Door Maintenance
GENERAL
At least twice a year, open the door fully and clean out any debris, cobwebs or insects from the sash and
frame, particularly around any hardware parts.
PVC frames can generally be cleaned with warm, mildly soapy water and a non-abrasive cloth.
It is important that as a general preventative measure, door locks are routinely kept with all locking and
sealing points engaged - this normally means throwing the handle up. If this advice is not followed and the
door is routinely held on the latch only then you can expect PVC or composite doors to warp over time which
may eventually break the locking system or otherwise, become unserviceable.
LUBRICATION OF HARDWARE
The hinge mechanisms and locking mechanisms would benefit from lubrication at least once and preferably
twice a year. Lubricate with a silicon spray around all parts with metal to metal contact. This means the
moving locking parts of the door lock and the load-bearing parts of the door hinges.
ADJUSTMENT OF HARDWARE
If the door operates easily, and without undue resistance, then lubrication is enough, but if the locking
mechanism is becoming stiff, then in most cases, it is possible to adjust the compression on either the lock
or the lock keeps.
It is worth pointing out that dark coloured PVC doors in particular are prone to expansion and contraction
with temperature and sunlight – doors in direct sunlight may be difficult to operate at the end of a hot day
but maybe fine the next morning.
The door lock will probably have round compression points with Allen key adjustment, and if the door is stiff
to operate, then the cams should be individually adjusted towards the opening side of the door as far as
possible. If this is not sufficient or the cams are not adjustable, then the lock keeps on the outer frame
normally have side to side adjustment. Again move the top plate of the keeps as far towards the opening
side of the door as possible If the locking system is still too stiff, having fully adjusted the locking points out,
then there is something else wrong with the mechanism, and you should call the original installer if still
under warranty or a door maintenance specialist.
Adjustment of door hinges is not recommended by anyone other than a tradesman - adjustments to the
hinge side will invariably have an impact on the locking side.
REPLACEMENT OF HARDWARE
The only components on a door that are easily replaced by a DIYer are the door handle and euro-cylinder. It
is important to find a handle with exactly the same fixing and handle positions as the one being replaced, but
many good internet sites will help you source the right component, among them Duffells, Aldridge Security
and King Solutions. It is important to get the correct length of the spindle and screws, or the handle will not
fit properly.
The size of the euro-cylinder is critical – it cannot be too short. Take out the existing cylinder (see our cylinder
security upgrade notes) and measure from the outside edges to the middle of the black cam ring. We would
recommend any replacement cylinder to be to the 3 star TS007 standard – call us on 01952 602250 with the
dimensions of your cylinder, and we will supply a 3-star replacement.
It is not recommended that door hinges or locking systems are replaced by anyone other than a tradesman
– even replacing like for like might be a mistake if the hardware is wrong for the door in the first place. It is all
too easy to ruin a perfectly serviceable door if not properly skilled.
sales@winlock.co.uk
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