5 Laws That Anyone Working In Lock Repair Should Be Aware Of
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
You can either repair your locks yourself or engage a professional locksmith when they become faulty. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice could cause further damage.
The first step is to make sure the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or silicone-based oil can be used to clear this problem.
1. Door Handle or Knob Loose
Over time doors knobs and handles could become loose. This can result in the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult for you to open. It is crucial to repair loose door knobs as they are not only annoying, but can compromise the security of your building. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. Based on the type of lock system that is installed on your door, there are many solutions to fix it. Certain lock systems come with 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 are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle, which is attached to the door as a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly it could be due to a small screw, known as a setscrew, located on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over spindle. You can make use of a flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it with an Allen wrench. Once it's tightened up, turn the knob to test if it no more feels like it's jiggly.
If your knob is moving, it could be because the set screw isn't properly positioned. Look for the small button that matches the spindle to make sure the screw is in the correct position. Move the knob over the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver that has a flat head. As you do this the knob should click into place which indicates that it has been placed correctly on the spindle.
After ensuring the set screw is properly positioned then tighten it once more to ensure that the knob or handle is in the correct position. If this doesn't solve the issue, you might have to remove the knob from the backplate and check for loose or missing screws. You will need to replace the screws in this case before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not happy with this kind of repair, you should seek out a professional locksmith who offers damaged lock repair to help.
2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock
There are several reasons why your lock key may stop turning. One of the most common reasons is that the pins within 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 situation, spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray will help coat the pins to make them move again.
If the issue is more severe, and the key is bent it may be necessary to get it straightened by an expert. A professional locksmith can employ an instrument specifically designed to straighten the key which has an angled tip that fits into the recessed groove of the tip of the key. RepairMyWindowsAndDoors of tool is not able to be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase an entire kit with the required tools through the internet or from locksmiths.
A soiled or dirty lock is another possibility. Dust can accumulate over time within the lock's cylinder, and cause the pins or springs to get stuck. In this case spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to remove the pins and return them to their original position.
It could also be an issue in the event that the key is damaged. Over time, repeated use may wear out the grooves of a key. This can lead to the key not fitting into the cylinder, so it's crucial to pay attention and check regularly whether your key fits properly.
Locks can freeze during the winter months. This will prevent the pins and springs from moving when a key is placed. This can be a nagging issue, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock with hot water and applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it will likely require replacement by an expert.
3. The lock isn't turning
If you've ever encountered an unresponsive lock and isn't able to be opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If it happens often, you might consider getting locksmiths to examine the lock and see if they can help. Fortunately, this isn't required as there are things that can be easily solved without professional assistance.
Often the key won't turn in a lock because it is 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 damaged piece of the key to be pushed further inside the mechanism and cause the problem to become more severe Try using needle-nosed pliers to take it out of the lock. You'll want to be careful not to break any broken pieces with the pliers or you could cause damage to the lock.
It's possible that your lock isn't aligned properly and this could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you have an extra lock key, you may test it to ensure that the lock functions correctly. If you do discover that the lock is misaligned tightening the screws on the strike plate can fix the problem and allow the lock to perform normally.
Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt inside the lock that is blocking it from turning. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins in the lock, allowing them to move up and down in a normal manner. It is recommended to avoid oil-based products such as WD-40 as they could cause more blockages in the future.
It's important to note that some keys simply won't fit in all locks. If your key is one of these you might want to get a replacement key from the local hardware store, so that it will work in the lock.
4. The Cylinder is Rotating
Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder is rotated in a confinement space. These vortices can exert significant forces on the cylinder rotating. The forces are proportional to dimensionless radius x of curvature and the confinement factor. The head, the tube and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy.
If you can insert your key and turn it but the lock still rotates, the cylinder may be faulty. Rekeying the lock could solve the issue. There are kits specifically designed for this purpose that can be purchased online or in many big box stores.