Watch Out: How Upvc Door Handle Replacement Is Taking Over And What We Can Do About It
Choosing the Right UPVC Door Handle Replacement Replacing your upvc door handles is an easy task but selecting the correct handle can be tricky. Modern double glazed handles are fitted with spring cassettes, whereas older handles do not. If the upvc handle of your multipoint lock is sloppy and floppy, it could be an internal problem. This article will look at a number of possible issues and their causes. Handles that sag or loosen uPVC handles are susceptible to wear and tear. This is especially true in older properties. The most common reason that the handle becomes floppy because of a broken spring cassette in the door lever. This is usually caused by excessive force, and the square spindle which holds the cassette can become displaced or rounded off. The good news is that replacing the door handle made of uPVC is a fairly simple task and can be completed in just a few minutes. The first step is to take off the old handle unit. To do this, unscrew the fixing screws visible on the back of the handle lever. Once the handles are removed you can then unscrew the cassette from the square spindle, and replace it with the new one. You can find a vast variety of uPVC door handles to choose from on the internet and a lot of them come in different finishes. The finish you choose will determine the life span of your handle as well as how it is easy to clean. Finishes like Resista Stainless Steel, or PVD are designed to resist corrosion and last up to 25 years. After you have selected a colour or style, you can choose the type of handle you require. The most popular types are the lever and pad configurations. Lever pads feature a lever on the inside and an outside paddle and are often used as a security feature to stop unauthorised access. The next step is to determine the dimensions of your existing handle and record them. You will need to know the PZ dimension (the distance from the screw hole to the center of the lever), the length of the handle, and the dimensions of the keyhole. You can compare the measurements with the handle size matrix to determine the appropriate replacement. Broken springs Over time, handles made of uPVC can become loose or wobbly. The spring cassette may also break. The springs are used to ensure that the lever is in a horizontal direction. Without them your doors will not lock properly. Modern uPVC handles are designed with these cassettes integrated directly into the backplate. The springs are usually installed into older uPVC doors mechanisms. This can't be fixed on your own, but it's worth contacting your locksmith to take a look at this as it could be the reason for the sagging or drooping uPVC door handles. One of the most frequent issues associated with uPVC door handles is that they become loose or wobbly with time. This is usually due to worn out springs which can be easily fixed. The reason for this is usually excessive handling of the handle. The square spindle of the handle will wear out and causes the springs to move. In order to rectify this issue, open the door and loosen the fixing screws at the back of the handle plate. This can be done by using a Philips screwdriver and once the screws have been removed, the handle can be removed and the plates pulled apart with care. You can then remove the springs from the old ones and replace them with new springs. This is important to note when buying a replacement handle. This measurement is referred to as the PZ and it is important to use a calibrated measuring tape in order to get an precise reading. After replacing the springs, you will be able to operate the handle without issue. It's worth lubricating the internal mechanism to make sure that everything is functioning just as it should. This will not just ensure that your uPVC doors are as secure as they can be but also make them more comfortable to operate over time too. Handles that slide around Handles that slide could be caused by a variety of factors. One of the most common causes is when the levers of the handle aren't aligned with the lock. This is a problem that can occur with both uPVC and composite doors, but is generally more noticeable on older doors as they are typically made of cheaper materials that don't hold up to the elements. A professional can address this problem by realigning the handles so that they are aligned with the lock. They'll also examine the lock to see whether anything requires fixing. In many cases, a simple adjustment to the handle springs is all it takes to resolve this issue. It's easy to replace your uPVC handle, but you need to measure the handle that you are replacing to ensure that the replacement is the correct size. You'll need to determine the distance between the two screws, the size of the keyhole and lever, and the distance between them. You can then make use of this uPVC handles size guide to locate an appropriate replacement for your home. Once you have the measurements then the next step is to take off the existing uPVC handles. It is usually quite easy and requires only a screwdriver to reach the screws on the interior of the door. After the screws have been removed, you'll need to take off the handle, and then replace the new handle. Before starting making any changes, make sure that the door is secured open by a wedge to stop it from closing during the course of your work. After you have removed the handle it is now possible to access the underlying parts of the door to fix the problems that are causing it to slide. A handyman from Fantastic Services will be able to assist you if want to do the job yourself or aren't confident enough. They'll employ locksmith methods to unlock the door without causing any damage and will then replace the faulty handle, ensuring that everything is working just as it should. Gearbox damaged A damaged gearbox can cause the upvc door handle to become stiff or lose functionality. This could also stop the lock from being able be opened with a key. This can be very dangerous and should be addressed as soon as possible. It is important to call an expert locksmith if you can't solve the issue yourself. They have the tools and know-how to complete the task correctly. The first step is to remove the handle from the cover plate. This can be done using an instrument that has flat-headed tips. After you have removed the handle, you are able to remove the middle screw that holds the cylinder in position. Once you have removed this middle screw, you can then loosen the two screws that hold the barrel. Then, you can remove the barrel away from the door. You will need to open the door to accomplish this, so make sure you have someone on hand to assist you. After taking the cylinder off you can replace it with a new cylinder. Make sure that the new cylinder is the exact size as the previous one. You might have an incorrectly aligned handle. This could cause a range of issues, including leaks and drips. Many upvc doors have adjustable slots which can be used to adjust the handle's tension or release. The slots are typically located on the inside of the doors, near the place where the handle meets with the cylinder. Allen wrenches can be used to tighten the slots of adjustment. After you've made all the necessary adjustments then you can screw the handle back in and then put it back into its place. Then, you can test the handle and ensure it functions as intended. If the door handle of upvc is loose or sloppy when it is closed, it is typically a sign that the upvc gearbox has failed or the internal spring components are breaking down. This could cause the multipoint lock from upvc to fail, leaving your door open to intruders. If this happens, it will be necessary to replace the upvc gearbox. It will cost between PS145 between PS145 and PS280, including labour.