How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
You can repair your locks yourself or hire a professional locksmith when they start to malfunction. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice may cause further damage.
It is important to first see if the problem is caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant can be used to eliminate this issue.
1. Door Handle or Knob Lock
Door knobs and handles may get loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle, or a knobs that are difficult to open. It is important to replace loose door knobs since they're not just annoying, but can compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to repair. There are a few different ways to fix this dependent on the type of lock your door comes with. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others have backplates that conceal the screws. If your door is the latter type, this method could be more complex.
Most interior doorknobs have a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a small screw known as a set screw located inside the knob that prevents it from sliding over spindle. double glazed window lock mechanism replacement can utilize a flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it using an Allen wrench. Once it's tightened, try turning the knob to see if it no longer appears to be as jiggly.
If your knob is still jiggly it could be because the set screw hasn't been properly positioned. Look for the small button that matches the spindle to make sure the screw is in the right position. Slide the knob over the spindle after pressing the button with the flathead screwdriver. When you do this the knob should click which indicates that it has been rightly positioned on the spindle.
After ensuring that the set screw is properly positioned and tighten it once more to fix the knob or handle in place. This should resolve the issue however, if it doesn't it is, you will need to remove the knob and check the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not happy with this kind of repair, you should contact an experienced locksmith who can provide repairs for damaged locks.
2. The key won't turn in the lock.
There are a number 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 have begun to wear out, which means they no longer have the proper shape to move the wafers, sliders, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this situation the best solution is spraying the lock with graphite or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins and help them move again.
However, if the problem is more severe and the key has been bent out of shape you may need to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will use a special tool to straighten the key that is designed with an angled end that fits into the recessed groove of the key's tip. This type of tool is not available in hardware stores, however you can purchase a kit with the right tools online or at a locksmith shop.
Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or contaminated. Dust can build up over time in the lock cylinder and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In this case, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clear the pins and restore them to their original position.
It could also be a problem if the key has been damaged. Over time, the repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves on a keys. This could result in the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it is important to be aware and make sure that your key fits correctly.
Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will prevent the springs and pins from moving when keys are put in. This can be a frustrating problem, but it is usually relatively simple to fix by heating the lock with hot water and using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to need to be replaced by an expert.
3. The lock isn't turning
It can be a hassle to find locks that aren't turning or open. If this happens frequently, you may want to think about hiring a locksmith to inspect the lock to determine whether they can assist. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary since there are things that can be repaired without the need for professional assistance.
The key may not turn in a lock because it's damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key, or it is broken in the lock. Instead of trying to fish keys out of the lock, which could cause it to be further pushed into the mechanism and increase the risk using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to harm the lock by cutting off any part of the broken key with the pliers.
You may also have an incorrectly aligned lock, which could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you have an additional lock key, you may test it to ensure that the lock is working correctly. If you do discover that the lock is not aligned correctly by tightening the screws around the strike plate could solve the issue and allow the lock to work normally.
A lock may not turn due to dust or dirt. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can solve this problem by coating the pins within the lock to allow them to move up and down in a normal manner. Avoid using oils-based products, like WD-40, because they can cause more clogging in the future.
Lastly, it's worth noting that there are certain kinds of keys that don't be used in all locks. If this is the case, you may require a new key made by a local shop for hardware.
4. The Cylinder is Rotating
Hairpin vortices may form when a cylinder turns in a confinement space. These vortices can impose significant forces on the rotating cylinder. The forces are proportional to the radius of curvature that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model presented here predicts the effect of these parameters on the torque and force on a confined rotating cylinder. The cylinder's head, tube and main body are all made of aluminum alloy.
If you can insert your key and turn it, but the lock does not rotate, the cylinder may be faulty. Rekeying your lock could solve the issue. There are kits specifically designed for this purpose, and can be purchased on the internet or at most big box stores.