How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

If your locks fail You can attempt to fix them yourself or employ an expert locksmith. However, the process of fixing locks can be a challenge and the wrong approach could result in further damage.

The first step is to ensure that the problem is not caused by dust or dirt. A Graphite-based spray or a silicone-based lubricant are a good choice to eliminate this issue.


1. Door Handle or Knob Loose

Door knobs and handles may get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle, or a knob that is difficult to open. It is important to fix loose door knobs since they're not just annoying but also can affect the security of your home. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to repair. Based on the type of lock system that is installed on your door, there are many ways to fix this. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates that hide the screws. If your door is the one that is hidden, the process might be more difficult.

The majority of interior doorknobs come with a small screw known as an setscrew located on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is not jiggly, it could be due to a tiny screw, known as a setscrew, located inside the knob, which prevents it from sliding over spindle. Make use of flashlights to locate the screw and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened, try turning the knob to test if it no more appears to be as jiggly.

If the knob is still like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't in place correctly. To make sure the screw is in the correct position you should look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the flathead screwdriver. As you do this the knob should click into place, indicating that it is positioned properly on the spindle.

After ensuring the set screw is properly positioned then tighten it once more to fix the knob or handle in place. This should solve the issue If not, you may require removing the knob and examine the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the screws before you can secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, you should contact a professional locksmith who offers damaged lock repair to help.

2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock

There are a variety of reasons that your key may stop turning in the lock. One of the most frequent causes is that the pins inside the cylinder have worn down. This means that they do not have a proper shape that allows for the sliders or wafers to move by the key. In this case, spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray will help coat the pins and allow them to move again.

If the issue is more serious, and the key has been bent, you may have to have it straightened by an expert. A professional locksmith will use an exclusive tool that has a curved edge to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This type of tool cannot be found in hardware stores. However you can purchase a kit that includes the necessary tools on the internet or from locksmiths.

Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or affected. Over time, dust may build up in the lock's cylinder, which could cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this case, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clear the pins, and then return them to their original positions.

It could also be a problem if the key has been damaged. A key can be worn down with time due to repeated use, which can cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This can result in the key not being able to fit into the cylinder. It is crucial to check regularly to make sure that the key fits correctly.

In the winter months locks can freeze which will prevent springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This can be a nagging issue however, it's usually quite simple to solve by heating the lock using hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has froze it must be replaced.

3. The lock isn't turning

It can be a hassle to find locks that don't turn or open. If it happens frequently you may want to consider contacting locksmiths to come take a look and see if they are able to help. This isn't always needed however, as some issues can be fixed by yourself.

Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it's damaged. You may experience this in the event that you've lost your key, or it's damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to get the key from the lock, which could result in it being forced deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to scratch the lock by breaking off any of the broken key with the pliers.

It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned correctly which could cause the door to not latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can try it to ensure that the lock functions correctly. If you discover that the lock is not properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate can solve the issue and allow the lock function normally.

Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dirt or dust in the lock that is hindering it from moving. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins inside the lock, allowing them to move up and down normally. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is recommended to avoid products that contain oil, such as WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more obstructions in the future.

Also, it's important to note that there are certain kinds of keys that simply can't fit into all locks. If yours is one of them then it's time to get a replacement key from the local hardware store to ensure that it can be used inside the lock.

4. The Cylinder Is Rotating

When a cylinder is turned in a confinement space, it could result in the formation of hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensionless curvature radius and the confinement factor. The head, the tube and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy.

If you're able insert your key in and turn it, but the lock is still rotating, there may be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying your lock could resolve the problem. There are kits designed specifically for this purpose and can be purchased on the internet or at many big box stores.