20 Things You Need To Be Educated About Lock Repair
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
You can fix your locks yourself, or engage a professional locksmith when they start to malfunction. However, repair of locks isn't easy and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could result in further damage.
You should first check to find out if the issue is due to dust or dirt. This is usually resolved by applying some graphite spray or silicone-based fluid.
1. Locked Door Knob or Handle
Door knobs and handles may be loose over time, which can result in a jiggly door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. It is crucial to repair loose door knobs because they are not only annoying and can also compromise the security of your home. A doorknob that is loose is easy to repair. Depending on the type of lock you have installed on your door, there are a variety of options to fix this. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates that hide the screws. If your door uses the latter type, this method might be more difficult.
Most doorknobs with interiors have a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is not jiggly, it could be due to a small screw called a setscrew located on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over spindle. Utilize an flashlight to locate the screw and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened then turn the knob to test if it is solid.
If the knob is jiggly, it could be that the set screw isn't positioned correctly. To make sure the screw is positioned correctly, look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Slide the knob over the spindle after pressing the button using the screwdriver that has a flat head. As you do so the knob should click into place, indicating that it is rightly positioned on the spindle.
After you've made sure the set screw is positioned properly then tighten it once more to secure the knob or handle in the correct position. This should solve the issue, but if not then you might have to take the knob off and check the backplate for missing or loose screws. You'll need to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you aren't comfortable with this type of repair, seek out an expert locksmith who can offer repair for damaged locks to assist.
2. The key won't turn in the lock
There are many reasons why your key might stop turning inside the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder are worn out. This means that they do not have a proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to move by the key. In this situation, spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray will coat the pins and make 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 professionally straightened. A professional locksmith can use a special tool to straighten the keys, which has an angled end that fits into the groove that is recessed on the key's tip. This type of tool is not sold at hardware stores, but you can find a kit with the right tools online or in the locksmith shop.
A soiled or dirty lock is a different possibility. Dust can build up over time in the lock cylinder and cause the springs or pins to become stuck. In this case, spray the lock with WD-40 or graphite spray to remove the pins, and then return them to their original position.
It may also be a problem when the key has been damaged. Over time, the repeated use may wear out the grooves on a key. This can lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, so it's important to pay attention and regularly check 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 put in. This can be a frustrating issue however it is usually solved by warming the lock up with hot water and applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has froze it must be replaced.
3. The Lock isn't Turning
If you've ever encountered locks that don't turn and isn't opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If this happens frequently you might want to consider hiring a locksmith to examine the lock to see whether they can help. This is not always necessary since some issues can be fixed by yourself.
The key won't turn in the lock if it is damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key, or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to get keys out of the lock, which could result in it being pushed deeper into the mechanism, and increase the risk you can use needle-nosedpliers to take the key from the lock. You'll want to be careful not to cut off any broken pieces using the pliers, or you could damage the lock.
It's possible that your lock is misaligned, which can cause the door to not latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can test it to ensure that the lock is working correctly. If you find that the lock is not correctly aligned, tightening screws around the strikeplate could solve the issue and let the lock to function normally.
A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. Using an graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant could solve this problem by coating the pins in the lock to allow them to move up and down in a normal manner. It's important not to use oil based products like WD-40 for this though since they could cause more obstructions later on.
It is important to remember that some keys simply won't fit into all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to purchase a replacement 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 could result in hairpin vortices which can cause significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensions of the curvature radius and the confinement factor. Keep Reading , tube and main body are composed of aluminum alloy.
If you're able insert your key inside and turn it however the lock isn't rotating, there may be an issue with the cylinder itself. Rekeying your lock could fix this problem. There are kits specifically designed for this purpose that can be purchased online or in the majority of big box stores.