One of the most frequently asked questions here at the Seconline support desk at Seconline is in regard to three-point lock systems seemingly not functioning correctly. A very simple and easy test to ensure that your lock is installed and operating as it was designed is as follows:
Step one: Open the door.
Step two: Pull down on the door handle and release and whilst you are testing the lock refrain from touching the door handle again.
Step three: On the main lock body there is the main tongue and just above it is the trigger to the main tongue. By pulling down on the handle as you've done in step two you have automatically engaged the locking tongue into the open position. To trigger it into the locking position simply depress the small trigger located just above the main tongue. Once you've done this immediately the main tongue will engage into the fully ready-to-lock position.
Step four: Now using the internal chrome Snib that should be located in the upright 12 o'clock position regardless of whether the door is a left- or right-hand lock (if this is not the case then under the two screws that hold the lock furniture in place, correct the internal Snib to be in the upright 12 o'clock position), roll the Snib to the 10 past or 10 to the hour position which will release the top and bottom locking tongues into the following lock position. Roll Snib back and forth aggressively whilst looking to ensure that the lock is functioning correctly. Pay particular attention to the action and the sound of this function so that you gain a memory of exactly how it works whilst in the outside-the-door-jamb position. If you close the door and do not get this same action within the door jamb then you have a restriction somewhere within the lock hole cut outs.
Troubleshooting Tips
If after repeating the steps above you have identified that it is an issue with the door jamb, then the following tips may help to identify the problems.
Step one: Start with the middle central lock with your identification of the problem. Open the door and repeat step one, two and three above. Whilst the main locking tongue is in the open lockable position make a mark with a pen or pencil very close to the door to identify that tongue is fully engaged. Now close the door and look to see that the lock tongue is engaging to the same position inside the door jamb as it is in the open position. If this is not the case then you need to identify exactly why this is the case and rectify.
Step two: Once you have identified that the main locking tongue is engaging correctly then repeat this same process with both top and bottom locking tongues.
It may be necessary to use a small step ladder to gain the correct height for the top locking tongue and it may be necessary to get down on your hands and knees to properly identify issues with the bottom locking tongue.
It is our absolute intention that you receive your three-point lock security door in great working condition. From time to time issues can arise in transit that may cause issues with locks and we identify with this. At all times please feel free to contact the Seconline support desk at Seconline after applying the above to problematic locks and we will be only too happy to assist you further.
