4 Things You Can Try Before Calling a Locksmith

If your lock isn't functioning properly, it could require repair or replaced. There are some things you can do prior to calling a locksmith professional.

Dirt and dust can accumulate in locks, making it difficult to turn. Using a graphite spay or silicone lubricant inside the keyhole could help.

Locked Door Knob or Handle

Over time door knobs and handles can become loose. This is especially true if they are used regularly. This can cause the handle knob to move or pull away from the door as someone attempts to open it. This issue is usually solved by tightening screws. This is a manageable project that anyone can complete even if they have no knowledge or tools.

There are many reasons why a doorknob or handle may break, but they all have one thing in common: age and wear. As time passes opening and closing the door can gradually loosen the tiny screws that secure the mechanism. It is essential to have your doors inspected and maintained regularly to limit the risk.

Many modern doors have knobs that slide over a spindle that is cylindrical and attached to the door. This is part of the latch assembly. These types of knobs have hidden screws hidden behind the faceplate that connect them to the spindle. If your door has this kind of knob, you'll need to remove the ring to expose the screws hidden behind it. Remove the ring carefully with a flathead screwdriver, taking care not to scratch the backing plate. Once the ring has been removed it is possible to tighten the screws exposed with a regular screwdriver.

Some older doors have knobs attached to the spindle using a detent system. This keeps the knob in place without the need for visible screwdrivers. If this is the case for your door then look for a small gap on the knob's surface and find a spring-activated retaining pin that sticks out. The pin is attached to a small lever on the inside of the door, and you'll need to use a screwdriver or wrench to press it down and then expose the screwscrew.

If your door has set screws instead of detent pins, you will need to use an Allen key to loosen them, and then remove the knob from the spindle. Once the knob has been removed, you can loosen or tighten the set screw using an screwdriver.

Dirty Keyway

The parts that make up locks require a tiny amount of oil to operate smoothly, but the oil may dry out or mix with dirt. The lock mechanism and the key can become stuck together and become difficult to take it off. Spraying the lock with graphite powder or lubricant can help loosen them up. WD-40 works well in the absence of any other lubricant to choose from, however, this liquid lubricant could attract dirt and leave residue inside the lock, so make sure you regularly spray it over and over.

If the key is stuck in the lock, try moving the key into and out. This will loosen the lock enough for you to be capable of pulling the key out with a little effort. It could help in removing dirt from the lock. If you are unable to grasp the key using pliers with needle-noses, hold the end of the key and then wiggle it. Don't use too much force, since you could bend or break the key.

If the lock is brand-new and the key isn't able to enter or exit easily, it may have rough spots on its tip that need to be filed off. The key can be blackened with soot by placing it in the middle of a lit candle. Next, employ a file to eliminate the sharp edges. If you don't have a rotary tool, a hacksaw can be used. Contact a locksmith if your key is too hard to take off or turn. A professional can verify that all components are aligned properly and lubricated, ready to accept the correct key.

Poorly cut key

When you visit locksmiths to get your key copied, it's usually done quickly and easily, however, there are several ways that duplicates may be mis-cut which means they will not fit or function in the lock. This can be due to a number of reasons like the fact that the original key is worn down or, even more importantly when it was used to open the lock. It could also be due to the fact that the locksmith wasn't able cut the key in a precise manner.

This issue can be swiftly solved by shaking the lock's key while you try to turn it. This will cause the pins of the key to rise above the cuts, door allowing the key to turn. You can also employ graphite powder or spray to coat your key and insert it into the lock. This will act as a lubricant and aid in removing the lock tumblers from jams.

Another reason your key might not be working could be that you have actually taken the wrong key to the locksmith, replace and they copied what they saw. This is a frequent issue, and it is quite easy to get people to misinterpret keys as they look very similar, so if you think this might be the case, place your key side by side with the one you had copied.

You can also duplicate a key yourself with a small file and a lighter or cigarette lighter as well as clear packing tape and tracer material (like old credit cards). They will be able to verify that they're cutting the correct blank. You can also duplicate a key yourself with the smallest file or lighter, a lighter, clear packing tape and the material you want to trace your key on (like old credit cards) Ideally, you'll need an Pippin or Dremel file but with a bit of improvising the majority of small files can be used.

If your keys won't open your security door repairs then it is time to contact the experts at Lincoln Lock & Safe. We can fix your lock or replace the lock cylinder quickly so you have access to your home. We provide competitive rates and are available 24/7 so give us a call.