How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

If your replacement window locks start to fail If your locks fail, you can fix them yourself or employ an professional locksmith. However, repair of locks can be tricky and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could lead to further damage.

You should first check to see if the problem is caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can be used to clear this problem.

1. Door Handle or Knob Lock

Door knobs and handles can get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle, or a knob that is difficult to open. Loose door knobs aren't just annoying but they could compromise your home's security, making it essential to identify and solve the issue quickly. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. There are several ways to fix this dependent on the lock system your door is using. Some lock systems have visible mounting screws that are easy to access, while others use a backplate that obscures the screws holding the lock together. If your door is the one that is hidden, the process may be more complicated.

Most interior doorknobs are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle that is inserted into the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours feels jiggly, it could be because of the small screw, also known as a setscrew, that is located on the inside of the doorknob, which is hindering it from sliding across the spindle. You can utilize an flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it using an Allen wrench. Once the screw is tightened then turn the knob to verify if it feels secure.

If your knob still feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't in place correctly. Find an oblique button that is positioned to match the spindle to make sure the screw is in the correct position. Depress the button with the flat-head screwdriver, then slide the knob across the spindle. The knob should click into place as you do this, indicating it is properly positioned on the spindle.

Once you have ensured that the set screw has been properly positioned, tighten it once more to secure the knob. This should solve the issue however, if it doesn't then you might have to take the knob off and check the backplate for loose or missing screws. You will need to replace the screws in this case before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, you should contact an experienced locksmith who can provide repair for damaged locks to assist.

2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock

There are many reasons why the lock key might stop turning. One of the most frequent causes is that the pins inside the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have the proper shape that allows the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In this situation, spraying the lock with lubricant made of silicone or graphite spray will coat the pins and enable them to move.

However, if the issue is more severe and the key has been bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will use an instrument specifically designed to straighten the key, which is designed with an angled end that fits into the recessed groove of the tip of the key. This type of tool isn't available at hardware stores, but you can purchase an entire kit of the correct tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools.

A soiled or dirty lock is also a possibility. As time passes, dust will build up in the lock's cylinder, which can cause the springs and pins to swell up. In this situation you'll be required to spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to clean it out and restore the pins to their original position.

If the key itself has been damaged, it could also be a cause for concern. Over time, repeated use may wear out the grooves on a keys. This could lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, so it's important to pay attention and make sure whether your key fits properly.

In colder weather, double glazed window lock mechanism replacement glazing window door repairs locks glass hinges locks replace - why not find out more, can freeze, which will prevent the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating, but it is usually relatively simple to fix by warming up the lock using hot water and using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced.

3. The lock isn't turning

If you've ever had an unresponsive lock and isn't able to be opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If this happens frequently you might want to think about calling a locksmith to inspect the lock to see whether they can assist. Fortunately, this isn't necessary since there are issues that can be easily repaired without the need for professional assistance.

The key won't turn inside the lock if damaged. It could happen if you have lost your key, or it has been damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish the key from the lock which could result in it being forced deeper into the mechanism, and increase the risk using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. You should be cautious not to cut off the broken piece by using the pliers or you may end up damaging the lock.

You may also have an incorrectly aligned lock, which could cause the door not to latch properly. If you have an additional lock key, you can test it to make sure that the lock is operating correctly. If you discover that the lock is not aligned correctly, tightening screws around the strikeplate will fix the issue and allow the lock to function normally.

A lock might not rotate because of dirt or dust. This issue can be fixed by using the lubricant based on silicon or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up and down as normal. It is recommended to avoid products that contain oil, like WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more blockages in the future.

It's important to note that some keys don't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you might require a new key created by a local hardware store.

4. The Cylinder Is Rotating

When a cylinder rotates in a confinement gap, it can cause the formation of hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. The force is proportional to dimensionless curvature radius and the confinement factor. The cylinder's head, tube, and main body are composed of aluminum alloy.

If you're able to get your key inside and turn it but the lock is still rotating there could be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying your lock could resolve the problem. You can buy kits to do this online or in many big box stores.