How to Do Your Own Lock Repair When your locks become faulty, you can try to fix them yourself or employ an professional locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult and if you take the wrong route, it may cause further damage. The first step is to confirm that the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or silicone-based oil can be used to eliminate this issue. 1. Door Knobs or Handles that are loose As time passes doors knobs and handles can become loose. This could result in an unbalanced knob or handle that is difficult to open. It is crucial to fix loose door knobs since they are not only annoying, but can compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively easy to repair. There are a few different methods to fix it, dependent on the type of lock system your door has. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others have backplates that conceal the screws. This is a more complicated method in the case of an underlay that hides the screws. The majority of interior doorknobs have a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly it could be due to a tiny screw known as a set screw located on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over the spindle. You can use an flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it with an Allen wrench. After the screw has been tightened then turn the knob to check if it feels solid. If the knob is jiggly it could be because the set screw isn't placed correctly. Find the small button that matches the spindle, to ensure that the screw is in the correct position. Depress the button with a flathead screwdriver, and then slide the knob over the spindle. The knob should click into place after you have done this, indicating it is positioned correctly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw has been properly placed, tighten it once more to ensure that the knob is secured. If this doesn't solve the issue, you may have to take the knob from the backplate, and then check for missing or loose screws. It is necessary to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can install the knob or handle. If you aren't comfortable with this kind of repair, you should contact an experienced locksmith who can provide repairs for damaged locks. 2. Key Won't Turn in Lock There are a number of reasons that your key may stop turning in the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are beginning to wear out and do not have the right shape to move the wafers, sliders or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this instance the best solution is spraying the lock with graphite spray or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and allow them move again. However, if the problem is more severe and the key is been bent out of shape, you might need to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will employ an instrument that is specially designed with a curved edge to fit into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This kind of tool can't be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase an entire kit with the essential tools through the internet or from locksmiths. A dirty or contaminated lock is a different possibility. As time passes, dust will build up in the lock's cylinder, which could cause the springs and pins to seize up. In this instance spray the lock with WD-40 or graphite spray to remove the pins and restore them to their original position. If the key itself has become damaged, it could also be a cause for concern. Keys can wear down over time by frequent use, which could cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This could lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, so it's crucial to pay attention and make sure that your key fits correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This can stop the springs and pins from moving when a key is put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating however it is quite simple to solve by heating the lock with hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen it must be replaced. 3. The Lock isn't Turning It can be a hassle to have locks that aren't turning or open. If this happens often, you may want to consider having a locksmith come and examine the lock to see if they are able help. This isn't always needed, as some problems can be solved by yourself. Often the key won't turn in a lock due to it is damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key or it is broken in the lock. Rather than trying to fish it out of the lock which could cause the broken piece of the key to move further into 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 part of the broken key with the pliers. You may also have an improperly aligned lock that could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can test it to verify that the lock functions properly. If you find that the lock is not properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate will fix the issue and allow the lock function normally. Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt in the lock that is hindering it from turning. This issue can be resolved by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down in a normal manner. It's crucial not to use oil based products like WD-40 for this though as these can cause further obstructions later on. It's important to note that some keys don't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you may require a new key created by a local hardware shop. 4. The Cylinder is Rotating When a cylinder is rotated in a confinement space, it can cause hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensionless radius x of curvature and the confinement factor. The cylinder's head, tube and main body are composed of aluminum alloy. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/solihull-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ can insert your key and turn it, but the lock is still rotating, the cylinder may be defective. Rekeying your lock could resolve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in most big box stores.