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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

If your locks start to fail, you can try to fix them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. However, lock repair can be tricky and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could result in further damage.

You must first see if the problem is caused by dust or dirt. Graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can be used to clear this problem.

1. Door Handle or Knob Loose

Door knobs and handles may get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle, or a knob that is difficult to open. It is essential to repair loose door knobs as they're not just annoying and can also compromise the security of your building. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. Based on the type of lock system installed in your door, there are many ways to fix this. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others have backplates that conceal the screws. This method is more difficult when your door has a backplate that conceals 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 not jiggly, it could be due to a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding over spindle. Make use of an flashlight to locate the set screw, and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened, try turning the knob to see if it no longer appears to be as jiggly.





If your knob is moving, it could be because the set screw hasn't been positioned correctly. To make sure the screw is properly positioned you should look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Press the button with the flat-head screwdriver, then slide the knob across the spindle. As you do this the knob should begin to click which indicates that it has been placed correctly on the spindle.

After you've made sure the set screw is in the correct position, simply tighten it again to secure the knob or handle in place. This should fix the problem however, if it doesn't, you may have to take the knob off and inspect the backplate for loose or missing screws. It is necessary to replace the screws in the event of this before you can install the knob or handle. If you're not happy with this kind repair, you must call an experienced locksmith who can provide repairs for damaged locks.

2. The key won't turn in the lock

There are a variety of reasons why your key might cease to turn in the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are beginning to wear out and, consequently, they no longer have the proper shape to move the wafers, sliders or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this instance spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray will help coat the pins to enable them to move.

If the problem is more serious, and the key has bent, you may have to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith can use an instrument specifically designed to straighten the keys, which is designed with an angled tip that fits into the recessed groove of the key's tip. This kind of tool isn't available at hardware stores, but you can purchase a kit that includes the proper tools online or at an establishment that sells locksmith tools.

A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. As helpful resources , dust will accumulate in the lock cylinder, which could cause the pins and springs to swell up. In this situation spray the lock with WD-40 or graphite spray to clear the pins and return them to their original position.

If the key itself has become damaged, it could be a cause for concern. A key can be worn down with time due to repeated use, which will cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This can lead to the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it is important to be aware and make sure whether your key fits properly.

In colder weather locks can freeze, which prevents the pins and springs from moving when the key is placed. This is a problem that can be frustrating however, it can be resolved by warming the lock with hot water and applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it may need to be replaced by an expert.

3. The Lock Isn't Turning

It can be frustrating to find locks that aren't turning or open. If it occurs frequently, you may want to contact locksmiths to come check it out and see if they are able to help. This is not always necessary however, as some issues can be solved by yourself.

Often the key won't rotate in a lock if it is damaged. You may experience this if you have lost your key, or it has been damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to get keys out of the lock, which could result in it being further pushed into the mechanism, and make it worse, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to scratch the lock by breaking off any part of the broken key with the pliers.

There could be a misaligned lock, which could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can try it to make sure that the lock is working properly. If you find that the lock is misaligned by tightening the screws around the strike plate will fix the issue and allow the lock to work normally.

A lock may not turn because of dirt or dust. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins inside the lock, allowing them to move up and down in a normal manner. It's crucial not to use oil based products like WD-40 to solve this problem, however, because they can cause clogging problems down the road.

It's important to know that some keys don't fit into all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to get a new key from the local 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 space, it may cause hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional to the curvature radius that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented here predicts the effect of these parameters on the torque and force on the cylinder that is confined. The head, tube and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminum alloy.

If you can insert your key and turn it, but the lock is still rotating, the cylinder may be faulty. Rekeying the lock may fix the issue. There are kits designed for this purpose that can be purchased on the internet or at many big box stores.