10 Things That Everyone Is Misinformed About Lock Repairs

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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself

When a lock on your door begins to appear worn, it's important to have it repaired promptly. You could leave your property open to burglars.

Fortunately, a majority of the most frequent problems that arise with door locks can be fixed without calling in a professional. Find out more about the signs to look out for and how you can fix the problem at home.

Damaged Cylinder of Lock Cylinder

While they aren't as prevalent on modern vehicles, as power door locks become the standard vehicle security, car owners must be aware of and watch for any damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the mechanical tumbler that your key slides into. It's prone to wear or break, causing keys to become stuck or hard to turn. It's important that you respond quickly if you observe your vehicle is experiencing this issue.

Spray compressed air inside the cylinder to eliminate any debris that could be blocking it. You can also lubricate it using a graphite or silicone spray. Be cautious not to overdo the procedure as this could cause the pins to wear out faster. If your key doesn't turn after trying these different methods, you may need to replace the cylinder. You can also have it repaired by an experienced locksmith.

After you've sprayed your cylinder and tried the same key, it might be necessary to loosen the screws that hold the cylinder in place and manually move it so that it is properly aligned with the keyhole on the door. Retighten the screws, but not too tightly as this could cause internal components to wear out or get damaged.

Depending on the type of lock you are using, you may have to remove the faceplate in order to access the screw heads that hold it. If this is the case, you'll locate them behind seams or indentations at the faceplate's edge or by inserting screwscrewdrivers or putty knives into these areas. After removing the faceplate from the lock, you can use a screwdriver and disassemble its internal components. Replace any damaged or worn parts.

Install the lock and attach the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. Test the cylinder by inserting and turning it. If you encounter difficulties doing this, it's that you should call an expert as the lock cylinder may need to be replaced.

Loose Door Handles

Sometimes the door handle can loosen over time, and it can start to spin freely or fall off the door completely. This can be a big issue because it makes the door difficult to open and endangers the people who use it. It is essential to know the reason for the handle being loose, and how it can be repaired.

This is usually due to loose screws in the doorplate. Modern doors might have difficult-to-reach screws for the chassis, while older models are easily accessible. You can tighten these easily, though it is best to use threadlocker, which will lock the screws into the correct position.

If the screw is exposed, you can take the handle off and expose the screws to tighten. It is possible to loosen the ring around the base of the handle first, and then you can pry it off from the knob by pressing the metal detent pin. Then, you can remove the rose and expose the screws for the mounting plate which you then tighten. Also, you should check the strike plate screws, which secure the plate to the edge of the doorway that the latch clicks into when it is closed.

Sometimes, the issue could be due to the handle's spring cassette. It can wear out over time, but most of the time it's just down to wear and tear and requires an easy replacement.

You can do this yourself, or your local locksmith can fit it for you. There are many different types of cassettes and you should select the correct one for your particular handle.

It can also be down to a damaged mounting ring or faceplate, but this is not common with modern handles. You can usually find a replacement to yours at hardware stores or online. Once you've put in the new part it is time to tighten all fixings and then re-attach the handle. Re-aligning the holes in the handle with the holes on your plate is also crucial. If you're worried that this is too much of a DIY task, a locksmith will provide a quote.

Keys that won't turn

There are a variety of reasons why keys do not turn inside locks. It is usually due to a lack of lubrication. This can be remedied by using a lubricant like WD-40, silicone-based spray or graphite lubricant. Applying the lubricant and inserting the key will allow the pins to move back and forth and this should enable the key to unlock the lock.

Sometimes it is the key that causes the issue. The key's tip will become blunt over time if employed for a different purpose than to get into your home. The key might not fit into the lock cylinder properly which can result in it becoming stuck or jammed in the lock. Re-tipping the lock key using a bastard tool can aid in the fitting.

A key that is not turning inside a lock can also be damaged or bent. Utilizing keys as a tool to cut things or as a can opener could cause the tip of the key to become bent and make it difficult for it to fit into the lock cylinder in a proper way. In this instance it is possible to re-tipp the key using a bastard or replace the entire key.

If keys have snapped inside of the lock, it's important to be aware that attempting to put the two pieces of metal back together will not work. This could cause further damage to the lock mechanism and it is advised to seek out a locksmith who provides replacement keys to fix the problem.

If the key is not damaged, it could be that the cylinder of the lock is blocked by dust or other debris. In this situation it could be beneficial to warm the cylinder by putting the key in hot water for just a few minutes. When the cylinder is warm, it should be possible to insert the key and then unlock the door. Alternately, you can make use of a hair dryer and blow air directly into the lock mechanism to melt it out.

Sticky Locks

Locks are an integral component of the security of your home. Locks are often taken for granted until they stop functioning properly. Sticky locks can be a problem. However, they are simple to fix and could stop bigger problems from arising.

A malfunctioning mechanism is one of the most common causes of stuck locks. This is easily remedied with a little bit of cleaning and lubrication.

A dry lubricant like sprays of WD-40 or GT85 spray is a typical solution. The key is inserted into lock and rotated back and forward to spread the lubricant on the internal mechanisms. The key is then removed and the lock should be able to turn smoothly.

Another option is to choose an lubricant made of graphite. Graphite is a great oil for small parts of metal and won't wash away or draw dirt like oil-based solutions. Powdered graphite is sold at a wide range of hardware stores and can be applied to the keyhole directly. You can also use pencils, which are made of the same material.

It is recommended to clean off any excess lubricant after applying it to stop it from building up and becoming a source of future issues. If you've tried these suggestions and your sticky lock still doesn't change, it could be time to call in an expert locksmith to evaluate the situation and determine the most effective option. If you don't address the problem, it can turn into major hassles and lead to keys snapping inside the lock or even in the door handle. It's better to take action now than later if you have an unresponsive lock. Regular lubrication can help to keep these kinds of problems from happening in the here first place. Add this to your annual maintenance routine will give you peace of heart that your locks are operating properly, securing your home.