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Hi my upvc door is about 18 years old,i have noticed when trying to lock my upvc door that when in the closed posistion  i am finding  hard to lift the handle and to lock with the key, the lock has two bolts one at the top one at the bottom and the latch and mortice in the middle . when the door is opened i can lift the handle and operate the door lock with the key, i have noticed some abrasion  inside the top part of the frame where the bolt goes past the top keep, so the bolt is rubbing against the frame, the hinges are lift off type with an allen key hole at the side and bottom ,also i cannot see anywhere on the lock strip the name of the manufacturer,any ideas how i can fix the problem many thanks

sounds like a union monarch L2272 the door has dropped and needs to be adjusted. however that door i feel cant be. lift the door as u lock it and that will tell u if it needs lifting or dropping. try moving the keeps this is another option.

Is it glazed or panelled?

If it is glazed you could de-glaze and re-pack the glass.

Thanks , why do you think the door cannot be adjusted,its the inside  vertical face of the the top bolt,not the bottom of the bolt thats seems to to be rubbing againt s the door frame,can the keeps be moved sideways , the door is half glazed.

give me a call or pm me 07725 947254 i will talk through it. it will be easier

ok thanks , i have pmd you.

ok so the door works when not shut so something is rubbing close the door but dont shut it shot the bolts and look at where they are in relation to the keeps. mark the position of the keeps and work out which one is rubbing. then move the keep up or down. the door maybe able to adjust from the hinges there will be allen screws moving the top screw in will lift the door, then trial and error till the door closes.

Ok thanks i will check,but i think it is the  rear  face of the bolt that is stopping it from locking not the bottom or top of the bolt.

Adjusted the hinges ,still no joy ,as i said the  rear face of the bolt seems to be rubbing against inner side of the frame ,i suppose i will have to file some of the frame away to stop it from rubbing against it,do upvc doors warp or twist in different temperature changes thanks.

You should be able to adjust the keep (unless you just have a hole in an aluminium frame).  Take a look before filing to see what has changed / moved.  If all else fails you still have the option of filing if you are happy to do so to your own front door,

The keep has just two screws that holds it in place so cannot be adjusted, there are 3 seperate keeps one for the top bolt one for the latch and mortice and one for the lower bolt. ,thanks anyway

You really shouldn't need to file any of the UPVc away. The door fitted correctly once, and should do again once the correct adjustment is carried out. I do several UPVc Mech replacements/door adjustments every week, and don't think I've ever filed any UPVc out for 'adjustment' purposes. Stick with it, and you'll get there in the end, but it can take a decent amount of time if you're not used to it.

There is a thread on here somewhere on how to pack the door correctly which might help?

Start by removing the glazing beads, after 18 years the packers might have slipped, re-toe and heel the glass (makes a big difference).

Spirit level on the door frame, see if the weight of the door has sunk the hanging side any, if so a small packer under the cill should sort that one out (loosen the screws slightly on the hanging side first).

Good luck.

ok thanks.

if the hinges have allen scerws in you should be able to adjust, are you using the correct size, can you see any movement?

I have adjusted up down sideways still no joy,so i am thinking the door must be slightly twisted thus causing the bolt to snag against the frame when lifting the handle to lock thanks.

try marking the position of the keeps. then removing the keeps. and tryin the lockin procedure. then put thenm back 1 by 1, testing inbetween to try and find the offender. might need to reposition a keep slightly due to wear. hope that helps but on third glass of wine now so dont know if explained too good

The keeps cannot be adjusted they have two screws but no adustemant for up and down or side ways, i will give it a try ,and then maybe file some off the keep cheers.

I have noticed when lifting the handle the top and bottom  straight bolts come out at a slight angle downwards,is this usual.