How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail If your locks fail, you can repair them yourself or hire an professional locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult, and the wrong approach could cause further damage. The first step is to ensure that the problem is not caused by dust or dirt. Graphite spray or silicone-based oil can be used to eliminate this issue. 1. Loose Door Knob or Handle Door knobs and handles can be loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. It is important to repair loose door knobs since they're not just annoying, but can compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is relatively easy to fix. Based on the type of lock system installed in your door, there are many solutions to fix it. Certain systems have mounting screws that are easy to access, whereas others have a backplate that conceals the screws that hold it together. If your door is the latter type, this method could be more complex. The majority of doorknobs for interior use are designed to slide over a cylindrical spindle, which is attached to the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours feels jiggly, it could be due to the small screw, also known as a setscrew, that is located on the inside of the doorknob which is hindering it from sliding across the spindle. Make use of an flashlight to locate the set screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, turn the knob to test if it no more feels jiggly. If your knob is moving, it could be because the set screw isn't properly positioned. Look for a small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the correct position. Depress the button with the flat-head screwdriver, then slide the knob over the spindle. When you do this, the knob should click, indicating that it is rightly positioned on the spindle. After ensuring https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/gloucester-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ is properly positioned then tighten it once more to secure the knob or handle in the correct position. If this does not resolve the problem, you may have to take the knob from the backplate and check for loose or missing screws. You will need to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can install the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, you should call an expert locksmith who can offer repairs for damaged locks. 2. The key won't spin in the lock. There are a number of reasons why your key might stop turning in the lock. One of the most common causes is that the pins within the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have a proper shape that allows the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In this instance an easy fix would be to spray the lock with graphite spray or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and allow them to move once more. However, if the issue is more serious and the key has bent out of shape, you may need to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will use a special tool to straighten the key that is designed with a curved end to fit into the recessed groove of the tip of the key. 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. Over time, dust may accumulate in the lock the cylinder, which may cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this case you'll be required to spray the lock with graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to remove it and then reposition the pins back to their original positions. If the key itself is damaged, it could also be a problem. Over time, repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves of a key. This can lead to the key not fitting into the cylinder, which is why it is important to be aware and make sure that your key fits correctly. Locks can freeze during the winter months. This will stop the springs and pins from moving when keys are placed. This can be a frustrating problem, but it is usually fairly easy to solve by heating the lock with hot water and then using the lubricant again to re-lubricate. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it will likely require replacement by an expert. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've ever encountered an unresponsive lock and isn't opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If this happens often it is advisable to consider having a locksmith come and inspect the lock to determine whether they can help. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary since there are things that can be easily fixed without the need for professional assistance. The key may not turn in a lock due to it is damaged. You may experience this if you have lost your key, or it has been broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish keys out of the lock which could cause it to be pushed deeper into the mechanism and cause it to get worse using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by breaking off any of the broken key with the pliers. There could be a misaligned lock, which could cause the door not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you may test it to ensure that the lock is operating correctly. If you find that the lock isn't aligned properly by tightening the screws around the strike plate could fix the problem and allow the lock to function normally. Another reason your key might not be turning is because there is dirt or dust inside the lock that is blocking it from moving. This issue can be resolved by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to cover the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up and down in a normal manner. It's important not to use oils-based products such as WD-40 to solve this problem, however, since they could cause more blockages later on. It's also worth noting that there are some types of keys that aren't able to be used in all locks. If this is the case, you might 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 rotating. The force is proportional to dimensions of the curvature radius x and the confinement factor. The cylinder's tube, head, and main body are all composed of aluminum alloy. If you're able to get your key inside and turn it, but the lock isn't rotating there could be an issue with the cylinder itself. Rekeying your lock may solve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in many big box stores.