How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
If your locks start to fail, you can try to repair them yourself or hire an professional locksmith. However, lock repair isn't easy and the wrong approach could lead to further damage.
The first step is to confirm that the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying a graphite spray or silicone based oil.
1. Loose Door Knob or Handle
Door knobs and handles could get loose as time passes, which could result in an unbalanced door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. Door knobs that are loose aren't just annoying, they can compromise your building's security, which is why it's important to find and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. A doorknob that is loose is easy to repair. There are several ways to fix this depending on what kind of lock system your door has. Certain systems have mounting screws that are easy to access, while others have a backplate that obscures the screws holding the lock together. This is a more complicated method when your door has a backplate that hides the screws.
The majority of doorknobs for interior use are designed to slide over a cylindrical spindle, which is mounted in the door as 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. Utilize flashlights to locate the screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. After it's tightened, try turning the knob to test if it no more appears to be like it's jiggly.
If your knob is still jiggly, it could be that the screw that sets it hasn't been placed correctly. Look for an oblique button that is positioned to match the spindle to make sure the screw is in the correct position. Press the button using an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob across the spindle. As you do so the knob should begin to click and show that it is placed correctly on the spindle.
After ensuring that the set screw is positioned properly then tighten it once more to fix the knob or handle in place. If this doesn't solve the issue, you might have to take the knob from the backplate and look for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact a professional who specializes in repairing damaged locks.
2. Key Won't Turn in Lock
There are a variety of reasons why your key might cease to turn in the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are worn down. This means that they do not have the proper shape that allows for the sliders or wafers to be moved by the key. In this instance spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray can help coat the pins in order to make them move again.
If the issue is more serious and the key has bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will use a specialty tool to straighten the key, which has a curved end to fit into the groove that is recessed on the tip of the key. This kind of tool is not available at hardware stores, but you can purchase an entire kit of the correct tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools.
Another possibility is that the lock is dirty or affected. Dust can build up over time in the lock cylinder and causes the springs or pins to become stuck. In this instance you'll have spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to get rid of it and return the pins to their original positions.
If the key itself has become damaged, it could also be a problem. In time, repeated use can wear down the grooves on a key. This could result in the key not fitting into the cylinder, which is why it's important to pay attention and check regularly that your key is fitted 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 is usually resolved by warming the lock by using hot water and then re-lubricating it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen, it will need to be replaced.
3. The Lock isn't Turning
If you've ever had an unresponsive lock and isn't opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If this happens frequently it is advisable to consider hiring a locksmith to take a look at the lock to see whether they can assist. This is not always necessary, as some problems can be solved by yourself.
The key will not rotate in the lock if it's damaged. This could happen if you have lost your key, or if it has been broken inside the lock. Rather than trying to fish it out of the lock, which could cause the broken piece of the key to push further inside the mechanism and make the problem much worse Try using pliers with needles to take it out of the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by breaking off any of the broken key with the pliers.
There could be RepairMyWindowsAndDoors aligned lock that could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you happen to have an extra key, this could be tested in the lock to ensure that it functions properly and isn't the issue. If you find that the lock isn't aligned properly tightening the screws on the strike plate could solve the issue and allow the lock to function normally.
A lock might not rotate due to dust or dirt. This issue can be resolved by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to cover the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up and down as normal. It is recommended to avoid oils-based products, such as WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more blockages in the future.
It is important to remember that some keys simply won't fit into all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to get a new key from the local hardware store so that it will work inside the lock.
4. The Cylinder is Rotating
When a cylinder is turned in a confinement space, it may result in hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. The forces are proportional to the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model described here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque on the cylinder that is confined. The cylinder's head, tube and main body are made of aluminum alloy.
If you are able insert your key and turn it, but the lock is still rotating, the cylinder may be faulty. Rekeying the lock could fix this problem. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in most big box stores.