17 Reasons You Shouldn't Be Ignoring Lock Repair
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail If your locks fail, you can fix them yourself or employ an professional locksmith. Repairing locks can be a challenge, and the wrong approach could cause more damage. You must first find out if the issue is due to dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can be used to solve this issue. 1. Door Handle or Knob Loose As time passes door knobs and handles could become loose. This can lead to the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult for you to open. It is important to fix loose door knobs as they are not only annoying but also can affect the security of your home. A doorknob that is loose can be easy to repair. Depending on the type of lock you have installed on your door, there are many options to fix this. Some lock systems have visible mounting screws that are easy to access, while others have a backplate that conceals the screws that hold it together. If your door is the latter type, this method may be more complicated. Most doorknobs with interiors have a small screw called an setscrew located on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is 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 keeping it from sliding over the spindle. You can utilize an flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it with an Allen wrench. After the screw has been tightened then turn the knob to test if it is solid. If your knob still feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't placed properly. To make sure the screw is properly positioned, look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver that has a flat head. When you do this the knob should click into place, indicating that it is placed correctly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw has been properly positioned, tighten it once more to ensure that the knob is secured. This should fix the problem however, if it doesn't, you may have to take the knob off and examine the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before you can secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an expert who is skilled in repairing damaged locks. 2. Key Won't Turn in Lock There are many reasons that your key may cease to turn in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins within the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have a proper shape to allow the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In this case an easy fix is spraying the lock with graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins and allow them move again. If the problem is more serious and the key has bent or twisted, you may need to have it straightened by an expert. repair window locks RepairMyWindowsAndDoors can employ a special tool to straighten the key, which is designed with an angled tip that fits into the groove in the key's tip. This type of tool isn't sold at hardware stores, but you can find an entire kit of the correct tools online or in the locksmith shop. A soiled or dirty lock is also a possibility. Dust can build up over time within the lock's cylinder, and cause the pins or springs to get stuck. In this situation spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clean out the pins, and then return them to their original places. It may also be a problem in the event that the key is damaged. Keys can wear down with time due to repeated use, which will result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This can lead to the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it is important to be aware and check regularly that your key fits correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will prevent the springs and pins from moving when keys are placed. This is a problem that can be frustrating, but is usually easily resolved by warming the lock with hot water and changing the lubricant. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has frozen it must be replaced. 3. The lock isn't turning If you've had a lock that doesn't turn and can't be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If this happens frequently, you may want to consider having a locksmith come and take a look at the lock to determine whether they can help. This is not always necessary since some issues can be fixed by yourself. Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it's damaged. This could happen if you've lost your key, or it's broken in the lock. Instead of trying to pull 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. Be careful not to harm the lock by breaking off any of the broken key using the pliers. It's possible that your lock isn't aligned properly which could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you're lucky enough to have an extra key, it can be tested inside the lock to confirm that it works correctly and isn't the cause of the problem. If you discover that the lock isn't aligned properly by tightening the screws around the strike plate will fix the problem and allow the lock to work normally. Another reason your key may not be turning is that there is dirt or dust inside the lock that is blocking it from moving. This issue can be resolved by using the lubricant based on silicon or graphite to cover the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up & down normally. It's crucial not to use oils-based products such as WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause blockages later on. It's also worth noting that there are certain types of keys that aren't able to be used in all locks. If this is the case, you'll require a new key created by a local shop for hardware. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating When a cylinder rotates in a confinement space, it could result in hairpin vortices to form which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. The force is proportional to dimensionless radius x of curvature and the confinement factor. The head, tube and the main body of the cylinder are made of aluminum alloy. If you're able to insert your key inside and turn it however the lock isn't turning, there may be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying your lock may solve the problem. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in many big box stores.