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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

When your locks become faulty, you can try to fix them yourself or employ an professional locksmith. However, repair of locks can be tricky and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could result in further damage.

It is important to first determine if the issue is due to dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying a graphite-based spray or silicone-based oil.

1. Door Handle or Knob Lock

Door knobs and handles could become loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. It is crucial to repair loose door knobs as they can be a nuisance but also can affect the security of your building. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to repair. There are many ways to fix this dependent on the type of lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates to hide the screws. If your door is the one that is hidden, the process might be more difficult.

Most doorknobs with interiors have a tiny screw referred to as an setscrew located on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is not jiggly, it could be due to a tiny screw called a setscrew located inside the knob, which prevents it from sliding over the spindle. You can use an flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it using an Allen wrench. After the screw has been tightened, turn the knob to test if it is solid.

If your knob is jiggly it could be because the set screw hasn't been properly positioned. Find an oblique button that is positioned to match the spindle to make sure the screw is in the right position. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver with a flat head. The knob should click into position as you do this, which indicates that it is properly positioned on the spindle.

After you've made sure the set screw is in the correct position, simply tighten it again to ensure that the knob or handle is in place. If this doesn't solve the issue, you may need to remove the knob from the backplate, and then check for missing or loose screws. It is necessary to replace window locks upvc the screws if this is the situation before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an expert who is skilled in repair of damaged locks.

2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock

There are a number of reasons that your key may cease to turn in the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder are beginning to wear out and don't have the correct shape to move the wafers, sliders 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 in order to enable them to move.

If the problem is more severe, and the key has been bent it may be necessary to have it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will use an instrument that is specially designed with a curved edge to fit into the groove on the tip of the key. This type of tool isn't sold at hardware stores, however you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools.

Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or affected. Dust can build up over time in the lock cylinder and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In this instance you'll be required to spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to remove it and restore the pins to their original position.

It could also be an issue in the event that the key is damaged. Over time, the repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves on a key. This could lead to the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it's important to pay attention and make sure that your key is fitted correctly.

In the winter months locks can freeze, which can stop the pins and springs from moving when the key is inserted. This can be a frustrating problem however, it's usually fairly easy to solve by heating the lock with hot water and then using the lubricant again to re-lubricate. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced.

3. The Lock isn't Turning

If you've ever had an unresponsive lock and can't be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If it happens often, you may want to consider contacting a locksmith to come examine the lock and see if they can assist. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary as there are some issues that can be easily solved without professional assistance.

Often the key won't turn in a double glazed window lock repairs because it's damaged. This could happen if you've lost your key, or it's broken in the lock. Instead of trying to get it out of the lock which could cause the damaged piece of the key to be pushed further inside the mechanism, which could cause the issue to get worse Try using needle-nosed pliers to take it out of the lock. You'll want to be careful not to break off any broken pieces using the pliers, or you may end up damaging the lock.

It's also possible that the lock isn't aligned properly which could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you have an additional lock key, you can try it to verify that the double glazed window lock mechanism replacement is working correctly. If you find that the lock is not aligned correctly, tightening screws around the strikeplate could solve the issue and allow the lock to function normally.

Another reason why your key may not be turning is that there is dust or dirt in the lock preventing it from turning. Using an graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant will solve this issue by coating the pins in the lock, allowing them to move up and down normally. It's important not to use oil based products like WD-40 to solve this problem, however, since they could cause more clogging problems down the road.

Lastly, it's worth noting that there are certain kinds of keys that don't fit in all locks. If yours is one of these then it's time to get a replacement window lock key from an area hardware store, so that it can be used inside the lock.

4. The Cylinder is Rotating

When a cylinder is turned in a confinement space, it could cause hairpin vortices to form that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional to the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model presented here will predict the effect of these parameters on the torque and force on the cylinder that is confined. The head, the tube and main body of the cylinder are made of aluminum alloy.

If you can insert your key and turn it but the lock is still rotating the cylinder could be damaged. Rekeying the lock may solve the issue. There are kits designed specifically for this purpose and can be purchased online or at many big box stores.