A customer in Ashford called because the patio door could no longer be opened.
The door was locked shut by a failed multipoint system and protected by a high-security cylinder, so it was not the easiest opening to be greeted with.
I explained the available options before starting and then worked on releasing the failed locking system.
Eventually I managed to open the door while preserving the existing cylinder, which saved the customer the unnecessary cost of replacing a perfectly good high-security barrel.
The multipoint mechanism itself could not be saved. The original system was obsolete, so I fitted an overnight lock to give the customer secure use of the door while I sourced a replacement.
An overnight lock is essentially a temporary centre locking section used when a complete multipoint repair cannot be finished immediately. It gives the customer a secure lock while the correct replacement parts are being obtained.
For the obsolete system on this door, I ordered a three-part replacement for the following day.
A three-part system is useful when an old multipoint strip is no longer available because it can be adapted to the existing door and keep positions. Instead of unnecessarily cutting a new series of openings into the frame, the replacement sections can be positioned and cut to suit much of the existing layout.
It takes more fitting work, but where the old system is obsolete it can provide a much neater solution.
I returned the next day, fitted the new three-part mechanism and made the required adjustments.
Once everything was aligned and tested, the patio door was opening, closing and locking normally again.
