Question ::

Is there a way to buy just parts? the stainless threaded rod broke on my latch [ residential lokk-latch ] and now is to short, but otherwise the rest of the latch mechanism is fine.

Answer ::

We do offer repair / replacement parts on a number of our gate latches.  Before we get to whats available and where to find them, first realize that the hardware from D&D Technologis comes with a Limited Lifetime Warranty to the original owner.  Click the link for details.  Here are some links to our repair parts. If you don’t find what you need please feel free to use the form to the right to contact me and we can look through our “miscellaneous” bin.

Magna Latch Repair Parts

Lokk Latch Repair Parts

Lokk Latch Pro Self Locking

Question ::

I have 2 Lokk Latch Pro locks but no key. Does your but key fit all or do I need to buy new lock cylinders?

Answer ::

Latches from D&D Technologies come in 2 different cylinders.  The Magna Latch Top Pull, Vertical Pull and the Residential Lokk-Latch all use the same stamped key and have so for years now.  This key has “D&D” stamped on one side and the number 62462 on the other.  The latches that have 6 pin keyways include the Lokk Latch Deluxe, Lokk Latch Pro, Lokk Latch Self Locking, Z-Lokk and Lokk-Bolt ( drop rod ).

The latches with 6 pin keyways are available from the manufacturer in 2 different ways, all keyed differently and all keyed the same (this is what we currently stock).  It is hard to determine which category your latch falls into just by looking at the latch.  To add another wrinkle these latches are often re-keyed by a locksmith to match your house door or another lock.

Cut key for Lokk Latch Deluxe and Pro

So what’s the answer?  Try your house key first.  If that does not work you could take a shot in the dark and purchase the cut key we have.  Another option is to take the latches off the fence and take them to a locksmith or have them make a house call.

Has anyone noticed that dogs cost more than kids?  They have to be taken to the veterinarian, they need nutritious food and sometimes even need an education.  We even have to worry about their safety and keep them from harming others.  This post follows one I did on things you need to consider when looking at invisible fences (one’s that are buried in the ground).  From that post you probably got the distinct impression that I am not a big fan of invisible fencing, so what do I recommend?

When it comes to the actual fencing itself, you need something that is sturdy enough to handle a dog jumping up against it whether from the inside or the outside. A big mistake some people make is thinking, “Well I only have an 8 pound toy poodle, so I only need a 3 foot high fence.”  It is true that will save you a bunch of money on the fence, but it will not protect your dog.  Whether you have a big dog or a small one the fencing should be the same in my opinion.  Either you are trying to keep your big dog in or other big dogs out ( as well as children ).

So, what do I recommend?  Start with a fence that is 5 feet in height.  This is sufficient to keep most dogs on or out and little kids can not reach over the top.  Also,  the spacing between pickets or the diamond size of chain link should be less than 2-1/4 inches.  This should keep the heads of most dogs from poking through.  If you are concerned about little fingers from children go with a solid type fence, but keep in mind that a solid fence can cause your dog to bark at every little noise that occurs outside of his/her vision.

Most fencing found at home improvement stores present you with another problem.  In an effort to give you the lowest price possible a certain, mostly unseen, detail is compromised …. the thickness of the profiles.  Chain link fencing should be a minimum of 11-1/2 gauge ( the higher the number the thinner the wire ).  If the chain link is vinyl coated you want a gauge of 8 overall ( this includes the metal core wire and the vinyl coating ).  Wood fencing should have vertical boards at least 1/2 inch thick ( a standard 1×4 board is 3/4 inch thick ) and horizontal “backers” at least 1-1/2 inches thick and 3-1/2 inches tall ( this is a standard 2 x 4 ).  The pickets should be nailed, never stapled. When it comes to Vinyl / PVC fencing I like pickets that are 1/2 inch square or 7/8 inch thick by 3 inches wide.  On an ornamental aluminum fence the pickets should be at least 5/8 x 5/8 inch and have a wall thickness no less than .050 .

The final detail is also the most important, the gate hardware.  The gate hardware is often times the last thing to go on the fence. Because of this people often try to save money here.  Resist this temptation !!   The gate is the part of the fence that you will interact with the most, sometimes several times a day.  Because of this your dog follows you to and from it constantly and if he / she is going to try and get out, this is the place. For this reason I tell people to use the same type of hardware you would use for pool gate safety.  This will consist of a self-closing hinge and a self-latching latch.  A good choice for the self-closing hinge is the Tru-Close Hinge.  It is tension adjustable and come with a limited lifetime warranty.  A good choice for the self-latching latch is the Magna Latch Top Pull or Magna-Latch Vertical Pull.  Both of these latches offer no resistance to closure ( little chance of bounce back ) and dogs can not lift/open the latch with their nose ( like they do with traditional fork type latches ).  An added benefit is small kids have a hard time opening the latch, so they can’t let the dog out.

It’s that time of year again when frozen temperatures and precipitation cause inconvenience in our lives.  Just like windshield on your car or the lock on the door can freeze over, so can your Magna Latch.  Below is a letter from the manufacturer on how to help prevent the freezing and steps to take if your latch is already frozen.

Dear Magna-Latch User:

The Magna Latch has been tested to temperatures of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.  As happens with most mechanical devices, freezing rain or snowing-thawing-refreezing conditions, while rare, may cause problems that are easily corrected with the following steps. (Please see the attached warranty).

WEEP HOLE DRAINAGE:

If you have the Series 1 model, be sure the weep hole at the top of the unit, near the release knob, is clear of debris.  For both Series 1 and 2 models, ensure that both striker body weep holes (located in the cup that the latch bolt goes into when the gate is in the closed position) are clear of debris, allowing water to escape properly.

PROPER STRIKER ADJUSTMENT:

The Magna Latch needs to be properly adjusted.  If there has been ground settling or if the gate has gone out of alignment for some reason, The Magna Latch is vertically and horizontally adjustable.  Ice build up and subsequent freezing can occur if the latch is not in proper alignment.  All you need to correct this is a Phillips head screwdriver.  There is a setscrew at the bottom of the latch that can be removed allowing the latch body on the post to be adjusted vertically.  Once properly aligned, re-insert the setscrew.  On the side of the striker body on the gate is an adjustment screw.  Turn the screw so that the striker body moves back and forth.  The striker body should line up with the contour of the latch body.

DE-ICING A FROZEN UNIT:

Before you can properly adjust the Magna-Latch and clean out obstructions in the weep holes, you may need to use a de-icer to unlatch the latch.  Spray the de-icer around the lift knob at the top and at the area where the two parts meet at the bottom when the gate is closed.  Spray around the moving parts on the exterior.  There are several de-icing products on the market that are kid-safe and environmentally friendly.  Examples would be windshield de-icer or products used on car or home locks.  Be sure the product you use is not oil or petrochemical based.  This breaks down plastic.  Your local hardware store, home center or auto parts store will typically sell these products.  On the Internet, go to any search engine and type in: Non-toxic De-icer.  You will find several products that will work.  If you need further assistance, please contact me directly.

Best regards,

George Acevedo

D&D Technologies

7731 Woodwind Dr.

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

800-716-0888 x234

gacevedo@ddtechusa.com

www.ddtechglobal.com

Click here to view the Limited Lifetime Warranty

The following information is from a brochure from D&D Technologies called “A Blueprint for Pool Gate Safety”.

A swimming pool can be a beautiful oasis in your backyard, affording many hours of family fun, serving as a great, low-impact exercise center, and adding value to your home. Protect your investment and ensure you’ll always enjoy your pool by taking steps to make it a safe environment.

Supervision of children around water is essential, but most parents and caregivers will admit that constant, uninterrupted supervision of children is an unrealistic expectation. Toddlers’ curiosity and lack of fear can test even the best caregiver’s ability to keep up. This brochure will give you helpful safety suggestions.

In the time it takes to answer your door or phone, a child can wander to your backyard and fall into your pool. Layers of protection between your home and the water can give you those critical few seconds needed to re-establish contact when a momentary lapse in supervision occurs.

Isolation fencing, which completely separates the pool from the home, has been proven in numerous studies to be the most effective barrier to keep children away from a pool or other danger.

The Latch

The latch should offer extensive vertical and horizontal adjustment so it can be adjusted after installation if needed, due to ground shifting or children swinging on the gate.

The latch bolt should not be able to be opened using implements such as popsicle sticks, pencils, screwdrivers, etc.

The latch should not be able to be disengaged by pulling, shaking or twisting the gate.

The release knob should work independently of the latch bolt, so that if the release mechanism fails, the latch will still trigger shut.

The latch should be key lockable for added security, and should not be able to be locked in the ‘open’ position, as this could prevent safe latching.

The Fence and Gate

• Should be minimum of 48″ tall – five feet is even better! (Check with your local building department for requirements in your area)

• The latch and the hinges should be rust-free, as rust impedes closure. (Non-corrosive materials such as high-tech polymers used in D & D Technologies’ products ensure they’ll be rust-free for life)

• Must be non-climbable, with no footholds or handholds

• The gate must open away from the pool, and must be self-closing and self-latching

• Vertical bars should not permit the passage of a 4″ sphere

• Fence clearance should be no more than 4″ from the ground for a solid surface, 2″ above a non-solid surface such as gravel or grass

D & D Technologies’ Magna Latch, the World’s #1 child safety gate latch

This magnetic, self-latching gate latch and Tru-Close self-closing hinges meet or exceed all the requirements listed in this brochure. The Magna Latch comes in a longer Top Pull model to bring the latch release to the required height on a shorter fence; the Vertical Pull model is ideal for gates at least five feet tall.

The Hinges

• All hinges should be self-closing (spring loaded). Ensure both hinges carry a spring. (D & D Tru-Close hinges enclose stainless steel springs.)

• Hinges should be tension adjustable so the gate doesn’t close too slowly or too quickly. Both hinges must be adjusted to the same tension.

Safety Checklist:

• Gate opens away from the pool or other danger
• Latch release is at least 54″ above ground level (or to local requirements)
• Latch and hinges are rust-free
• Gate is self-latching
• Hinges are self-closing and easily tension-adjustable
• Both hinges carry a closing spring
• Latch cannot be locked in the ‘open’ position
• Latch cannot be opened using implements (popsicle stick, etc.)
• Gate latch cannot be shaken, jolted or bounced open
• Gate will latch from any position, including resting on the latching mechanism
• Gate complies with all local, state and federal codes and regulations

NOTE: The information provided in this brochure is supplied an expressed by D & D Technologies (USA) Inc. in the interest of public safety. Fences, gates and latches cannot substitute for adult supervision.

For more detailed recommendations, see the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website at www.cpsc.gov or call the CPSC @ 800.638.2772

Latches and Hinges are Critical to Safety Gates

Generally, latches mounted with the release mechanism at least 54″ above the ground level offer child-resistance for children under five years. Check with your building department for local requirements.

Isolation fencing around pools is vital. Gates with faulty or inadequate latches and hinges, or gates that have been propped open by adults or older children, present a danger to young children which can lead to accidental drowning.

Most codes require latches to be key-lockable which provides added peace of mind. Gates must open away from the hazard (pool, traffic, etc.), so any attempt by a child to use chairs or other equipment to access the latches will be foiled.

The most reliable hinges and latches will never rust or bind.