How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

When your locks become faulty, you can try to fix them yourself or hire an professional locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice could result in more damage.

You must first see if the problem is caused by dust or dirt. This is usually resolved by applying some graphite spray or silicone-based fluid.

1. Door Knobs or Handles that are loose

Door knobs and handles could get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle or knob that is difficult to open. It is crucial to replace loose door knobs as they are not only annoying but also can affect the security of your home. Fortunately, a doorknob that is loose or handle is fairly simple to repair. There are many methods to fix it, dependent on the lock system your door is using. Some lock systems have visible mounting screws that are easy to access, while others utilize a backplate which hides the screws that hold the window lock replacement together. If your door is the latter type, this method could be more complex.

The majority of doorknobs for interior use 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 tiny screw, known as a setscrew, located inside the knob that blocks it from sliding over the spindle. Make use of flashlights to locate the screw and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. After it's tightened, turn the knob to test if it no more appears to be as jiggly.

If your knob is still jiggly, it could be that the screw that sets it hasn't been positioned correctly. To ensure that the screw is positioned correctly you should look for a small, matching button on the spindle. Move the knob over the spindle after pressing the button using the flathead screwdriver. As you do this the knob should click and show that it is positioned properly on the spindle.

After ensuring that the set screw is properly positioned, simply tighten it again to secure the knob or handle in place. If this does not solve the issue, you may have 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 happy with this type of repair, you should contact a professional locksmith who offers damaged lock repair to help.

2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock

There are many reasons why the lock key might stop turning. One of the most common reasons is that the pins within the cylinder are worn out. This means that they do not have the proper shape that allows for the wafers or sliders to be moved by the key. In this situation an easy fix would be to spray the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and allow them to move once more.

If the issue is more serious and the key is bent, you may have to have it straightened by an expert. A professional locksmith will use an exclusive tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't available in hardware stores, however you can purchase a kit with the right tools online or in a locksmith shop.

A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. Over time, dust can accumulate in the lock cylinder, which can cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this situation you'll be required to spray the lock with graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to clean it out and return the pins to their original positions.

If the key itself is damaged, it could be a problem. In time, repeated use may wear out the grooves on a keys. This can lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, therefore it's crucial to pay attention and regularly check that your key fits correctly.

Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will stop the pins and springs from moving when a key is placed. This can be a frustrating issue however it is usually resolved by warming the lock up with hot water and changing the lubricant. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has froze the lock, it will have to be replaced.

3. The Lock isn't Turning

It can be frustrating to find locks that aren't turning or open. If this happens frequently it is advisable to think about having a locksmith come and inspect the lock to see whether they can help. It is not always necessary, as some problems can be solved by yourself.

Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it is damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key, or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish the key from the lock which could cause it to be pushed deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. You should be cautious not to break off any of the broken piece using the pliers, or you could end up damaging the lock.

It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned correctly, which can cause the door to not latch correctly. If you have an extra upvc window replacement lock key, you may test it to make sure that the lock is operating correctly. If you find that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate could fix the issue and allow the lock function normally.

Another reason why your key may not be turning is that there is dust or dirt in the double glazed window lock mechanism replacement that is preventing it from turning. Using an graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins within the lock, allowing them to move up and down as normal. It is important to avoid using oils-based products such as WD-40 to solve this problem, however, since they could cause more clogging problems down the road.

It's important to know that certain keys won't fit in all replacement locks for double glazed Windows. If this is the case, you'll need to have a new key created by a local hardware store.

4. The Cylinder is Rotating

Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder rotates in a confinement space. These vortices may exert significant forces on the rotating cylinder. These forces are proportional the the dimensionless curvature radius and the confinement factor. The tube, head and 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 damaged. Rekeying your lock could solve the issue. You can purchase kits to do this online or in a lot of big box stores.