How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
You can either fix your locks yourself, or hire a professional locksmith when they become faulty. Repairing locks can be difficult and if you take the wrong route, it could result in more damage.
It is important to first determine if the issue is caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based oil can be used to eliminate this issue.
1. Door Knobs or Handles that are loose
Door knobs and handles could be loose in time, which can result in an unbalanced door handle or knob that is difficult to open. Loose door knobs are not only annoying but they could compromise your home's security, so it is essential to identify and solve the issue quickly. A loose doorknob is relatively easy to repair. There are many ways to fix this depending on what kind of lock system your door is using. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates to hide the screws. If your door has the second type, this process might be more difficult.
Most interior doorknobs have a tiny screw referred to as a setscrew on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If the knob you have is jiggly it could be due to the small screw, also known as a set screw, located on the inside of the doorknob, which is hindering it from sliding across the spindle. Utilize flashlights to locate the set screw, and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, test the knob and check if it no longer appears to be as jiggly.
If your knob still feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't in place correctly. Look for the small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the right position. Depress the button with the flat-head screwdriver, then slide the knob across the spindle. The knob should click into place after you have done this, indicating it is properly positioned on the spindle.
Once you've verified that the set screw has been properly positioned and tightened it again to secure the knob. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may have to remove the knob from the backplate and look for loose or missing screws. If click here to investigate is the case, you'll need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, you should contact an experienced locksmith who can provide damaged lock repair to help.
2. Key Won't Turn in Lock
There are many reasons why the lock key might stop turning. One of the most common reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder are beginning to wear down and, consequently, they do not have the right shape to move the sliders, wafers, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this case spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray can help coat the pins to enable them to move.
If the issue is more serious and the key is bent it may be necessary to have it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith can use an instrument specifically designed to straighten the key, that is designed with an angled end that fits into the groove in the key's tip. This kind of tool can't be found in hardware stores. However you can buy an entire set of necessary tools through the internet or from an experienced locksmith.
A dirty or contaminated lock is a different possibility. Over time, dust may build up in the lock's cylinder, which could cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this case you'll have to spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to remove it and restore the pins to their original positions.
It may also be a problem when the key has been damaged. A key can be worn down over time through frequent use, which could result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This could lead to the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, therefore it's crucial to pay attention and make sure that your key fits correctly.
Locks can freeze during 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, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock with hot water and applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has frozen it must be replaced.
3. The lock isn't turning
It can be a hassle to find locks that aren't turning or open. If it occurs frequently, you may want to contact locksmiths to examine the lock and see if they are able to help. This is not always necessary, as some problems can be resolved by yourself.
Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it's damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key, or it is broken in the lock. Rather than trying to fish it out of the lock, which could cause the broken piece of the key to be pushed further into the mechanism and cause the issue to get worse, try using needle-nosed pliers to take it out of the lock. Be careful not to harm the lock by breaking off any piece of the damaged key using the pliers.
You may also have a misaligned lock, which could cause the door not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can try it to ensure that the lock is operating correctly. If you discover that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate could solve the issue and allow the lock to function normally.
A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. This issue can be fixed by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to cover the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down as normal. You should avoid using oils-based products, such as WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more clogging in the future.
It's also worth noting that there are certain types of keys that aren't able to fit in all locks. If yours is one of these, it might be time to get a replacement key made at the local hardware store, so that it works inside the lock.
4. The Cylinder is Rotating
Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder rotates in a confinement area. These vortices can exert significant forces on the rotating cylinder. These forces are proportional the radius of curvature that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented here will predict the effect of these parameters on the force and torque of the cylinder that is confined. The cylinder's head, tube and main body are all made of aluminum alloy.
If you're able to insert your key in and turn it however the lock isn't rotating it could be due to an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying the lock could solve the issue. There are kits made for this purpose that can be purchased online or at most big box stores.