11 Strategies To Completely Block Your Lock Repair
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
If your locks fail If your locks fail, you can repair them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. However, repair of locks isn't easy and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could cause further damage.
The first step is to confirm that the problem is not caused by dust or dirt. This can usually be cleared by applying some graphite spray or silicone-based fluid.
1. Loose Door Knob or Handle
Door knobs and handles may become loose in time, which can result in a jiggly door handle, or a knob that is difficult to open. Loose door knobs are not only annoying but they can compromise your building's security, which is why it's essential to identify and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. Based on the type of lock you have installed on your door, there are a variety of solutions to fix it. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others have backplates that conceal the screws. If your door is the latter type, this method may be more complicated.
Most interior doorknobs are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle which is attached to the door as a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a tiny screw, known as a setscrew, on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding over spindle. You can use a flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it with an Allen wrench. After it's tightened, try turning the knob to see if it no longer appears to be jiggly.
If the knob is jiggly it could be because the set screw hasn't been placed correctly. To make sure the screw is properly positioned, look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Press the button using a flathead screwdriver, and then slide the knob across the spindle. As you do so, the knob should click, indicating that it is placed correctly on the spindle.
Once you've verified that the set screw has been properly positioned, tighten it once more to ensure that the knob is secured. This should fix the problem, but if not, you may require removing the knob and inspect the backplate for loose or missing screws. You'll need to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're uncomfortable with this type of repair, call an expert who is skilled in repair of damaged locks.
2. The key won't turn inside the lock
There are many reasons why your lock key may stop turning. One of the most common causes is that the pins in the cylinder have worn down. This means that they do not have a proper shape to allow the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In this case an easy fix would be to spray the lock with graphite spray or lubricant based on silicone to coat the pins and make them move again.
If the problem is more serious and the key is bent or twisted, you may need to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will employ an exclusive tool that has a curved edge to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This type of tool isn't readily available at hardware stores, however you can purchase an entire kit of the correct tools online or in the locksmith shop.
A dirty or contaminated lock is also a possibility. Dust can build up over time in the lock cylinder and cause the pins or springs to become stuck. In this case you'll be required spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to clean it out and restore the pins to their original position.
If the key itself has been 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 properly into the cylinder, therefore it is important to be aware and regularly check that your key fits correctly.
Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will stop the springs and pins from moving when keys are put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating however, it can be solved by warming the lock with hot water and re-lubricating 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
It can be a hassle to have a lock that won't turn or open. If this happens often, you may want to think about hiring a locksmith to examine the lock to determine whether they can assist. This is not always necessary since some issues can be resolved by yourself.
The key will not turn inside the lock if it's damaged. It could happen when you've lost your keys, or it is damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish the key from the lock which could result in it being forced deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. You'll want to be careful not to cut off any of the broken piece by using the pliers or you could damage the lock.
You could also have an incorrectly aligned lock, which can cause the door to latch properly. If you're fortunate enough to have an extra key, it can be tested inside the lock to make sure it works correctly and isn't the issue. If you discover that the lock isn't correctly aligned, tightening screws around the strikeplate could solve the issue and allow the lock function normally.
Another reason your key may not be turning is that there is dirt or dust in the lock that is preventing it from turning. This issue can be resolved by using a graphite or silicone-based lubricant to cover the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down normally. It's important not to use oils-based products such as WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause clogging problems down the road.
It's important to note that some keys simply won't fit in all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to purchase a replacement key made at an area hardware store so that it will work inside the lock.
4. The Cylinder is rotating.
When a cylinder is rotated within a confinement gap it could result in hairpin vortices to form which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model described here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque of an encircled rotating cylinder. The head, the tube and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy.
If you are able insert your key and turn it, but the lock is still rotating, the cylinder may be defective. Rekeying the lock can fix the issue. There are window locks repair near me RepairMyWindowsAndDoors designed for this purpose that can be purchased online or in most big box stores.