How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can fix your locks yourself or engage a professional locksmith when they begin to fail. Repairing locks can be difficult and if you take the wrong route, it could cause more damage. The first step is to confirm that the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can be used to solve this issue. 1. Loose Door Knob or Handle Over time, door knobs and handles could become loose. This could result in a jiggly knob or handle that is difficult to open. Knobs that are loose in the door aren't just annoying, they can compromise your building's security, making it crucial to fix the problem quickly. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is fairly simple to fix. Based on the type of lock system that is installed on your door, there are many solutions to fix it. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates that hide the screws. This method is more difficult if your door uses an underlay that hides the screws. Most interior doorknobs are designed to slide over a cylindrical spindle, which is mounted in the door as a part of the latch assembly. If the knob you have is jiggly it could be because of a small screw, called a set screw, located on the inside of the doorknob that's stopping it from sliding over the spindle. Use flashlights to locate the screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. After it's tightened, try turning the knob to see if it no longer feels like it's jiggly. If your knob feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't positioned properly. Find a small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the right position. Press the button with an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob over the spindle. The knob should click into position after you have done this, signalling that it is properly positioned on the spindle. After you've confirmed that the set screw has been properly positioned then tighten it a second time to secure the knob. If this does not solve the problem, you may need to remove the knob from the backplate, and then check for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll need to replace these screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an expert who is skilled in damaged lock repair. 2. The key won't turn inside the lock There are many reasons why the lock key might stop turning. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins in the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have the proper shape that allows the wafers or sliders to move by the key. In this case spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray will help coat the pins and make them move again. If the issue is more serious and the key has been bent out of shape you might need to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will employ an exclusive tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This type of tool isn't readily available in hardware stores, but you can find an entire kit of the correct tools online or at an establishment that sells locksmith tools. A soiled or dirty lock is another possibility. Dust can accumulate over time in the lock's cylinder and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In this situation, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clean out the pins and return them to their original positions. It could also be a problem if the key has been damaged. Keys can wear down with time due to frequent use, which could cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This could cause the key to not fit into the cylinder. It is important to regularly check to ensure that the key is fitted correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This can stop the pins and springs from moving when keys are inserted. This is a problem that can be frustrating however it is quite simple to solve by warming up the lock using hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to need to be replaced by an expert. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've had locks that don't turn and isn't able to be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If this happens frequently, you may want to think about hiring a locksmith to inspect the lock to determine whether they can help. This is not always necessary, as some problems can be solved by yourself. Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it's damaged. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/derby-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ could happen in the event that you've lost your key, or if it has been broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish the key out of the lock which could cause it to be further pushed into the mechanism, and increase the risk, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to break any of the broken piece with the pliers or you could damage the lock. It's possible that your lock isn't aligned properly which could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you're fortunate enough to have an extra key, this can be tested inside the lock to confirm that it functions properly and isn't the cause of the problem. If you do discover that the lock is not aligned correctly by tightening the screws around the strike plate will fix the issue and allow the lock to perform normally. Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt in the lock that is blocking it from moving. This problem can be solved by using the lubricant based on silicon or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down as normal. It's crucial not to use products that contain oil such as WD-40 for this though since they could cause more obstructions later on. It's also worth noting that there are some types of keys that simply can't fit into all locks. If your key is one of these then it's time to get a new key from the local hardware store, so that it works in the lock. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. When a cylinder is turned within a confinement gap it can cause hairpin vortices that can result in 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 torque and force on a confined rotating cylinder. The cylinder's head, tube, and main body are all made of aluminum alloy. If you are able to insert your key and turn it, but the lock still rotates, the cylinder may be faulty. Rekeying your lock can fix this issue. There are kits made for this purpose, and can be purchased on the internet or at most big box stores.