uPVC door won't lock? The usual causes

A uPVC door that won't lock is one of the most common jobs we see. Most have one of a handful of causes.

The handle won't lift

Often the door has dropped slightly on its hinges, so the bolts and hooks no longer line up with the keeps in the frame. It can often be fixed by adjusting the hinges and keeps.

The handle has gone floppy

A handle that drops or spins usually means a broken spring in the handle or a worn gearbox inside the door. The gearbox can be replaced without replacing the whole lock.

The key won't turn

If the key goes in but won't turn, the cylinder may be worn, or the mechanism behind it may be under strain. Lifting the handle fully before turning the key sometimes helps. If it doesn't, don't force it.

It only sticks in hot weather

uPVC expands in the heat, so a door that's slightly out of line can stick on warm days. Adjusting it properly usually stops it.

Don't force it

Forcing a handle or key is the quickest way to turn a small adjustment into a broken gearbox. Ring us, describe it or send a photo, and we'll tell you the price before we start.