15 Pinterest Boards That Are The Best Of All Time About Lock Repair

How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

If your locks start to fail, you can try to fix them yourself or employ an professional locksmith. Lock repair can be tricky and a wrong choice could cause further damage.

You must first see if the problem is due to dust or dirt. Graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant can be used to eliminate this issue.

1. Door Handle or Knob Loose

As time passes doors knobs and handles can become loose. This can lead to a jiggly knob or handle that is difficult for you to open. Knobs that are loose in the door aren't just annoying but they could compromise your home's security, so it is essential to identify and fix the problem quickly. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to repair. Depending on the lock system that is installed on your door, there are several ways to fix this. Some systems have exposed mounting screws that are accessible, while others use a backplate that hides the screws that hold the lock together. This method is more difficult in the case of a backplate that hides the screws.

The majority of interior doorknobs are designed to slide over a spindle that is cylindrical, which is attached to the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a small screw known as a set screw located inside the knob that prevents it from sliding over the spindle. Utilize a flashlight to help you locate the set screw, and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened, turn the knob to verify if it feels secure.

If your knob feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't positioned properly. To make sure the screw is in the correct position Look for a small, corresponding button on the spindle. Move the knob over the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver with a flat head. As you do this, the knob should begin to click, indicating that it is rightly positioned on the spindle.

After you've confirmed that the set screw is properly placed, tighten it once more to secure the knob. This should solve the issue however, if it doesn't then you might require removing the knob and check the backplate for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, call an expert locksmith who can offer repair for damaged locks to assist.

2. The key won't spin in the lock

There are many reasons why your key could cease to turn in the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are worn out. This means that they no longer have a proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to move with the key. In this situation, spraying the lock with lubricant made of silicone or graphite spray will help coat the pins and allow them to move again.

However, if the issue is more serious and the key has been bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith can employ a specialty tool to straighten the keys, which has an angled end that fits into the groove that is recessed on the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't readily sold at hardware stores, however you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools.

Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or affected. Dust can accumulate over time in the lock cylinder and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In  window door repairs locks glass hinges , spray the lock with WD-40 or graphite spray to clean out the pins and restore them to their original positions.

If the key itself has become damaged, it could also be a problem. Over time, the repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves on a keys. This could result in the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it is important to be aware and check regularly that your key is fitted correctly.

Locks can freeze during the winter months. This will stop the springs and pins from moving when keys are inserted. This can be a nagging issue, but it is usually fairly easy to solve by warming up the lock with hot water and then using an oil-based lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced.

3. The lock isn't turning

If you've ever encountered a lock that doesn't turn and isn't able to be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If this happens frequently it is advisable to consider calling a locksmith to inspect the lock to see whether they can help. Fortunately, this isn't necessary as there are some things that can be solved without professional assistance.

The key may not turn in a lock because it's damaged. This could happen in the event that you've lost your key, or if it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to pull the key out of the lock which could result in it being forced deeper into the mechanism, and cause it to get worse you can use needle-nosedpliers to take the key from the lock. Be careful not to harm the lock by breaking off any of the broken key using the pliers.

You could also have an incorrectly aligned lock, which can cause the door to latch properly. If you have an additional lock key, you may test it to verify that the lock is working correctly. If you discover that the lock isn't aligned correctly, tightening screws around the strikeplate will fix the issue and allow the lock function normally.

A lock might not rotate because of dirt or dust. Using an graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins in the lock so that they are able to move up and down in a normal manner. It's crucial not to use oil based products like WD-40 for this though because they can cause obstructions later on.

It's also worth noting that there are certain types of keys that aren't able to fit into all locks. If yours is one of them then it's time to get a new key from an area hardware store so that it will work inside the lock.

4. The Cylinder is Rotating

When a cylinder is turned within a confinement gap it can cause the formation of hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional to the radius of curvature that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque of a confined rotating cylinder. The tube, head and main body of the cylinder are made of aluminum alloy.

If you are able to insert your key and turn it, but the lock still rotates the cylinder could be faulty. Rekeying the lock could fix this problem. There are kits made specifically for this purpose and can be purchased online or at most big box stores.