How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
You can either fix your locks yourself, or employ a professional locksmith if they become faulty. Lock repair can be tricky, and the wrong approach may cause more damage.
It is important to first see if the problem is caused by dust or dirt. A Graphite-based spray or a silicone-based lubricant are a good choice to solve this issue.
1. Door Handle or Knob Lock
Door knobs and handles could be loose over time, which can result in a jiggly door handle, or a knobs that are difficult to open. blog are not only annoying but they can compromise your building's security, making it essential to identify and fix the problem quickly. A loose doorknob is relatively easy to repair. There are several ways to do this, dependent on the type of lock your door comes with. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates that hide the screws. This is a more complicated method in the case of a backplate that conceals the screws.
Most interior doorknobs have a small screw called an setscrew located on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding over the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If the knob you have is jiggly it could be because of a small screw, called a setscrew, on the inside of the doorknob, which is hindering it from sliding across the spindle. Use a flashlight to help you locate the set screw, and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. After it's tightened, try turning the knob to check if it no longer feels as jiggly.
If your knob is still jiggly it could be because the set screw isn't placed correctly. To ensure that the screw is properly positioned Look for a small, corresponding button on the spindle. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver that has a flat head. When you do this, the knob should click into place which indicates that it has been rightly positioned on the spindle.
Once you've verified that the set screw is properly placed and tightened it again to secure the knob. This should resolve the issue If not then you might have to take the knob off and inspect the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will have to replace the screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type repair, call an expert who is skilled in damaged lock repair.
2. The key won't turn in the lock.
There are a variety of reasons your lock key may stop turning. One of the most frequent causes is that the pins within the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have the proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to be moved by the key. In this instance the best solution is to spray the lock with graphite or lubricant based on silicone to coat the pins and make them move again.
However, if the problem is much more serious and the key has been bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith can use a special tool to straighten the key which has an angled tip that fits into the groove that is recessed on the tip of the key. This type of tool isn't available at hardware stores, however you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or at the locksmith shop.
A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. As time passes, dust will accumulate in the lock cylinder, which can cause the springs and pins to seize up. In this case, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clean out the pins, and then return them to their original places.
It may also be a problem in the event that the key is damaged. Keys are worn down over time through repeated use, which can result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This could result in the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, which is why it's important to pay attention and regularly check that your key is fitted correctly.
Locks can freeze up during the winter months. This will prevent the pins and springs from moving when a key is placed. This is a problem that can be frustrating, but it is usually relatively simple to fix by heating the lock with hot water and 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
If you've had locks that don't turn and isn't opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If it happens often, you may want to contact locksmiths to come check it out and see if they are able to assist. Fortunately, this isn't necessary as there are some things that can be solved without professional assistance.
Often the key won't turn in a lock due to it is damaged. You may experience this if you have lost your key, or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to get it out of the lock, which could cause the damaged piece of the key to push further inside the mechanism, which could cause the issue to get worse Try using needle-nosed pliers to remove it from the lock. Be careful not to scratch the lock by cutting off any piece of the damaged key with the pliers.
There could be an improperly aligned lock that could cause the door not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can try it to ensure that the lock is working properly. If you find that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate will fix the issue and allow the lock to function normally.
Another reason your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt inside the lock that is blocking 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 will allow them to move up and down in a normal manner. You should avoid using oils-based products, such as WD-40, because they can cause more clogging in the future.
Also, it's important to note that there are certain kinds of keys that don't fit into all locks. If yours is one of these you might want to purchase a replacement key from an area hardware store to ensure that it can be used in the lock.
4. The Cylinder is Rotating
When a cylinder is rotated in a confinement gap, it may result in the formation of hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. The forces are proportional to dimensionless curvature radius x and the confinement factor. The tube, head and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminum alloy.
If you are able to insert your key and turn it but the lock is still rotating the cylinder, it could be defective. Rekeying the lock may fix the issue. There are kits designed for this purpose that can be purchased online or at many big box stores.