Stripped Threads In Upvc Door

adonis

All the screw threads are stripped in the lock plate strip (if its called that ) on my upvc french door, what would be the best way of fixing it.?

ClaireLR

Is it the actual lock where the latch is or the lock keep?

adonis

Its the plate that does not have the lock on ,the door without the handles.

in2deep_2

You mean the strike plate.



The part on the right.?

maninthestreet

Can't you use bigger (i.e bigger diameter) self-tapping screws, that will cut a new thread as they are screwed in? You might also try using a rawl plug.

ukwoody

UPVC repairs is a major growing area of my business, accounting for probably 35% of my work currently - and growing. They can be a pain in the backside. Depending on exactly what sort of keep(striking) plate you have depends on the outcome here. You can usually move the plate up or down by about 5mm and still have alignment for the lock. if this is the case you can simply remove it, and re-use the selfdrilling screws in a new position. Now, if the plastic has a metal frame within it you will have to use the correct screws (the self drilling ones) if not then either 3.5 x 30mm or 4x30 mm should suffice to refix the strip if the screws are useless.

If you are not sure if everything will line up heres how you do it.

use a pencil to mark on the edge of the opening door where the top and bottom of both the latch snib and deadbolts are. Mark around the corner onto the edge of the door so you can see them when closed. Push door too, and transfer marks onto closed door. Then simply see where the tops and bottoms fall against the keep. You normally find enough slack to be able to move them.

You may want to use a 1mm drill to just predrill a couple of the new screw holes to get the screws close to their old position without slipping into the old holes.

If you have a very long strikeplate that also encompasess the hook bolts/rollers/mushroom catches, then you will have to ensure evrything lines up, but again, you'lll probaly be fine just marking the latch and deadbolt.

A general word of advice here. If you have a PVC-U door where the lock is begginning to play up and sticking or getting hard to turn the key in - especilly if the handles are wobbly and you have to force them up to lock the door, or they slip. Get it sorted SOON. It is much cheaper generally to prevent the final collapse of the system, then have to resort to various methods to remove the old lock with the door closed. BUT, if the whole Multipoint system is getting knackered expect a BIG bill, often £200 or more to replace it. They are not cheap and many are absolute pigs to identify, fit and re-align, with several manufacturers changing their designs and new ones not fitting the old positions.

Woody

adonis

I have the long strike plate that goes the full length of the door, i have tried larger screws with no success.
I wondered about drilling new holes in the plate or trying those nylon cavity fixings to see if they would do the job.

ukwoody

Nylon fixings are unlikely to work. With the long plate, you can usually move the whole unit up or down by a few mm making new screw holes as detailed above. Then there is usually adjustment for each securing bit, ie, the latch, deadbolt etc. I'd be very surprised if there is no leeway at all.

woody