How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can repair your locks yourself or employ a professional locksmith if they begin to fail. Repairing locks can be a challenge, and the wrong approach could result in more damage. It is important to first find out if the issue is caused by dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying a graphite-based spray or silicone based fluid. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock Door knobs and handles may get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle or knob that is difficult to open. It is important to fix loose door knobs as they can be a nuisance but also can affect the security of your building. A loose doorknob is relatively easy to repair. Based on the type of lock system that is installed on your door, there are several options to fix this. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others have backplates that conceal the screws. If your door is the one that is hidden, the process could be more complex. Most doorknobs with interiors have a small screw called an setscrew located on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding over the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is 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, then tighten it with an Allen wrench. Once the screw is tightened, turn the knob to check if it feels solid. If your knob is moving, it could be because the set screw hasn't been placed correctly. To make sure the screw is positioned correctly you should look for a small, corresponding button on the spindle. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button using the flathead screwdriver. As you do so, the knob should click into place, indicating that it is placed correctly on the spindle. After you've made sure the set screw is positioned properly, simply tighten it again to fix the knob or handle in place. This should resolve the issue If not then you might need to remove the knob and examine the backplate for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you aren't comfortable with this kind of repair, you should call an expert locksmith who can offer repair for damaged locks to assist. 2. The key won't turn in the lock There are many reasons why your lock key won't be turning. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins in the cylinder have begun to wear down, which means they no longer have the proper shape to move the wafers, sliders or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this case spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray will coat the pins and enable them to move. If the problem is more serious and the key has been bent, you may have to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will use a special tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove on the tip of the key. This kind of tool can't be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase a kit that includes the required tools online or from an experienced locksmith. Another possibility is that the lock is dirty or contaminated. Dust can build up over time within the lock's cylinder, and causes the springs or pins to become stuck. In this situation, you'll be required to spray the lock with graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to get rid of it and then reposition the pins back to their original position. It may also be a problem when the key has been damaged. A key can be worn down over time through repeated use, which can result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This can lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, so it's crucial to pay attention and regularly check whether your key fits properly. In colder weather locks can freeze which can stop the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This can be a nagging issue however, it can be resolved by warming the lock with hot water and applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it will likely require replacement by a professional. 3. The Lock isn't Turning It can be a hassle to have locks that don't turn or open. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southampton-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ happens frequently you might want to think about calling a locksmith to take a look at the lock to determine if they are able help. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary since there are things that can be easily solved without professional assistance. The key won't turn inside the lock if it's damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key, or it is broken in the lock. Instead of trying to get it out of the lock, which could cause the broken piece of the key to be pushed further inside the mechanism, which could cause the issue to get worse Try using needle-nosed pliers to take it out of the lock. Be careful not to scratch the lock by tearing off any of the broken key with the pliers. It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned properly which could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you have an extra lock key, you may test it to make sure that the lock is working correctly. If you find that the lock is not aligned correctly tightening the screws on the strike plate could fix the problem 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 cover the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down as normal. It is recommended to avoid oil-based products like WD-40, because they can cause more clogging in the future. Lastly, it's worth noting that there are certain kinds of keys that simply can't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you'll need to have a new key manufactured by a local shop for hardware. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder rotates in a confinement area. These vortices may exert significant forces on the cylinder that is rotating. These forces are proportional to the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented here predicts the effect of these parameters on the force and torque on an encircled rotating cylinder. The head, the tube and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy. If you are able insert your key and turn it, but the lock still rotates the cylinder could be faulty. Rekeying your lock could resolve the problem. You can buy kits for this purpose online or in a lot of big box stores.