A ranchslider that won't lock is one of the most common problems we see on the North Shore, and the lock often isn't what's broken. Here's how to work out what's going on.
Quick checks
- With the door open, does the key or snib turn freely? If it does, the lock works and the problem is alignment. If it doesn't, the cylinder or lock body is the issue.
- Is the door sitting low? An uneven gap at the top or bottom usually means worn rollers, so the hook no longer meets its keeper.
- Look at the keeper on the frame. Fresh scratch marks above or below the slot show where the hook is hitting.
Common causes
- Worn or dropped rollers.
- A keeper that has moved or loosened.
- A worn or seized cylinder, especially near the coast.
- A broken spring or hook inside the lock body.
Repair or replace?
Repair when the handle set is sound and parts are still made for it: adjust the rollers, reset the keeper, or fit a new cylinder. Replace when the lock body is worn out, the model is discontinued, or you want better security or a keyless lock.
Make it harder to get in
A second lock or patio bolt, and anti-lift blocks where a panel can be lifted off its track, make a big difference to a slider's security for little cost.
We repair and replace sliding door locks across the North Shore. See ranchslider and sliding door locks or call 09 972 4640.