Locksmith StorIES 1 - Sliding Patio Door Repair

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 Location: Camberley, Surrey
Service: Sliding patio door lock repair
Client Result: Successful repair of a discontinued mechanism 

 I received a call from a homeowner in Camberley who was unable to lock their sliding patio door. While that may sound like a simple issue, it often involves hidden damage to the internal mechanism. 

 Upon arrival, I inspected the aluminum sliding patio door and found that the gearbox operating the locking mechanism had failed completely. To fix it, the door had to be removed — which initially made the client hesitant, especially since another locksmith had already attempted the job without success.

With the client’s assistance, we carefully removed the door and extracted the damaged gearbox.

 After identifying the gearbox, we discovered that it had been discontinued by the manufacturer — a common issue with older patio door models.

Instead of walking away, we sourced a compatible component online, disassembled the sealed gearbox (which required precision drilling), and rebuilt it using custom screws to hold the housing together.

 The refurbished gearbox was installed successfully, and the patio door now locks smoothly and securely. This job is a perfect example of how experience, problem-solving, and resourcefulness can turn a difficult situation into a win — even when parts are obsolete. 

If your patio or sliding doors aren’t locking properly:

• Don’t force them — it may worsen the damage.
• Avoid DIY fixes if internal gearboxes are involved. 
• Call a local, trusted locksmith who can handle rare or discontinued mechanisms.

 EPRLocksmith provides:

• Sliding door repairs 
• Gearbox replacements 
• Custom lock repairs for discontinued systems 

🛠️ Fast, mobile, and experienced locksmiths in Camberley and surrounding Surrey areas.