Multipoint lock mechanism maintenance

by admin

Multipoint lock mechanisms are fitted to all Upvc, composite and some timber doors in all cases they use a series of locking points to create a strong secure locked door that excludes the elements and sound in most cases by lifting the handle – composite doors can have auto locking systems and some timber doors just turning the key activates multiple locking elements – some very old aluminium and Upvc doors used a key wind system and required multiple turns of the key to activate locking elements.

In all types of multipoint locking systems the heart of the system is a central gearbox and this is the part that if not locked after will eventually fail/break.

All modern multipoint locking systems nowadays undergo testing so that you know when you have one fitted it’s will last a certain amount of years trouble free but if we want a multipoint to last we have to add a little bit of maintenance and look out for issues that will greatly reduce its working life.

Lubrication – to lube or not to lube…

Taking a few minutes once a year to add a bit of lubrication will stop your locking system turning into the tin man in fact most manufactures even used to etch a old oil can symbol on the strip so why don’t you give it a try – first off use the correct lubrication inside the gearbox grease is used at the point of manufacture but we are not saying you should take the whole system apart and re grease no a little squirt of 3-1 oil (bicycle oil) will do the job.

To get the oil to where it’s needed first open the door and locate the latch ( in most cases it’s in the centre in line with the handles) pull the handle down to retract the latch and squirt a little out in you are aiming to get enough oil in to go about 2” this will then gradually flow down and coat all the moving parts inside the gearbox make sure you have a small container placed at the bottom of the door to catch and drips at the bottom – if you have multiple doors move onto them now and give time for the oil to drip down if it’s your only door leave for 5mins and then wipe any excess oil from the strip and the bottom of the door one you’ve closed the door lift the handle up and down a few time to work the oil in to every part.

Even if your multipoint locking system is new this will greatly add to the systems working life so make this maintenance a annual job.

Spotting issues and fixing before needing a new replacement.

90% of all failed multipoint we get called out to fix the customer gives the same answer to the question
“Has it been harder to lift the handle and lock the door?”

the answer – YES!

Having to exert more pressure to lift the handle so that you can lock the door puts a strain on the multipoint gearbox and it’s it’s already a few years old and not been properly maintained it’s only going to end one way and that’s with it breaking.

It should take almost the same amount of effort to lift the handle when the door is open as it should when it’s shut so if you feel more effort is needed you problem have a issue with the doors alignment and need to get it fixed.

Door alignment

In a perfect world your door should be aligned just like the day it came out of the factory and each locking point is thrown into its keep correctly but after years of usage and the weight of the door doors have a habit of dropping slowly but dropping non the less and this miss alignment effects how the door works in most cases a adjustment to the doors hinges will correct any drop – if your a confident DIYer you can look at our blog post on how to adjust a Upvc door hinge.

If you would like any advice or would like to talk to us about multipoint maintenance and door alignment please contact our experienced locksmith team on 0115 8320195

LS Locksmiths is local family run locksmiths based in the heart of Nottingham we offer a incredibly fast same day service, thats affordable while only using high quality branded products. Our business counts numerous letting agencies, landlords and returning customers who use and recommend our low cost, fast and service.

LS Locksmiths Nottingham is not a franchise, we do not sub contract to national locksmith companies. We never charge a call out fee and prices quoted are fixed totals no VAT.

LS Locksmiths
72 Noel Street
Nottingham
NG7 6AU