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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can either fix your locks yourself or employ a professional locksmith if they become faulty. Repairing locks can be a challenge and a wrong choice could cause more damage. The first step is to ensure that the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying some graphite spray or silicone based oil. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock Over time doors knobs and handles can become loose. This could result in the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult to open. It is crucial to repair loose door knobs as they are not only annoying, but can compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively easy to fix. There are many methods to fix it, depending on what kind of lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates to hide the screws. If your door has the one that is hidden, the process may be more complicated. 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 not jiggly, it could be due to a small screw known as a set screw located on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over spindle. Use flashlights to locate the screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, turn the knob to see if it no longer feels as jiggly. If your knob feels uneven, it could be that the set screw isn't in place correctly. To make sure the screw is positioned correctly you should look for a small, matching button on the spindle. Press the button with the flat-head screwdriver, then slide the knob across the spindle. As you do so, the knob should begin to click, indicating that it is positioned properly on the spindle. After you've confirmed that the set screw has been positioned correctly, tighten it once more to secure the knob. If this does not solve the issue, you may need to remove the knob from the backplate and check for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you aren't comfortable with this type of repair, you should contact an expert locksmith who can offer repairs for damaged locks. 2. Key Won't Turn in Lock There are many reasons why your key could stop turning in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder have begun to wear down and, consequently, they don't have the correct shape to move the wafers, sliders, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this instance, a quick fix is spraying the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and help them move again. However, if the issue is more severe and the key has bent out of shape, you might need to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will employ a special tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This kind of tool is not available at hardware stores, however you can find a kit with the right tools online or at a locksmith shop. A soiled or dirty lock is a different possibility. As time passes, dust will build up in the lock's cylinder, which could cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this instance, you'll need spray the lock with graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to clean it out and restore the pins to their original positions. It may also be a problem when the key has been damaged. Keys are worn down over time through frequent use, which could cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. 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. In colder weather locks can freeze, which can stop springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. double glazing window locks repairs Repair My Windows And Doors is a problem that can be frustrating however, it's usually quite simple to solve by warming up the lock with hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen it must be replaced. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've had a lock that doesn't turn and isn't opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If it occurs frequently, you might consider getting locksmiths to come examine the lock and see if they can assist. This is not always necessary since some issues can be fixed by yourself. The key won't rotate in the lock if it's damaged. This could happen in the event that you've lost your keys, or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to pull the key out of the lock which could cause it to be further pushed into the mechanism, and cause it to get worse using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. You should be cautious not to break off the broken piece with the pliers or you may cause damage to the lock. There could be a misaligned lock, which could cause the door not to latch properly. If you happen to have an additional key, it can be tested inside the lock to confirm that it is working properly and doesn't cause the cause of the problem. If you discover that the lock isn't aligned properly, tightening the screws around the strike plate will fix the issue and allow the lock to perform normally. Another reason your key might not be turning is because there is dirt or dust in the lock preventing it from moving. This issue can be fixed by using the lubricant based on silicon or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up & down in a normal manner. It is important to avoid using oil based products like WD-40 to solve this issue, as these can cause further clogging problems down the road. It is important to remember that some keys simply won't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you'll require a new key created by a local shop for hardware. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. When a cylinder rotates in a confinement space, it can cause hairpin vortices to form which can cause significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensionless curvature radius and the confinement factor. The head, the tube and main body of the cylinder are made of aluminum alloy. If you are able to insert your key and turn it, but the lock is still rotating the cylinder could be faulty. Rekeying your lock may solve the problem. You can buy kits to do this online or in many big box stores.