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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks fail You can attempt to fix them yourself or employ an expert locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice could result in more damage. The first step is to ensure that the problem is not caused by dust or dirt. This is usually solved by applying a graphite spray or silicone-based fluid. 1. Locked Door Knob or Handle Door knobs and handles can become loose over time, which can result in an unbalanced door handle or knob that is difficult to open. It is essential to fix loose door knobs as they're not just annoying and can also compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is fairly simple to fix. There are many ways to fix this depending on what kind of lock system your door is using. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others have backplates that conceal the screws. This method is more complex if your door uses a backplate that conceals the screws. The majority of doorknobs for interior use are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle, that is inserted into 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 use an flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it using an Allen wrench. After the screw has been tightened by turning the knob, check if it feels solid. If the knob is jiggly, it could be that the set screw isn't placed correctly. Find a small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the correct position. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver that has a flat head. As you do this the knob should click into place and show that it is rightly positioned on the spindle. After ensuring the set screw is properly positioned, simply tighten it again to fix the knob or handle in the correct position. This should resolve the issue, but if not, you may have to take the knob off and check the backplate for loose or missing screws. You'll need to replace the screws if this is the situation before you can replace the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, you should call an expert locksmith who can offer repair for damaged locks to assist. 2. The key won't turn in the lock. There are many reasons why the lock key might stop turning. Repair My Windows And Doors of the most common reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder are beginning to wear down and don't have the correct shape to move the sliders, wafers, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this situation spraying the lock with lubricant made of silicone or graphite spray can help coat the pins to allow them to move again. However, if the issue is more serious and the key is been bent out of shape, you might need to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will employ an instrument that is specially designed with a curved edge to fit into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This kind of tool isn't readily available in hardware stores, but you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or at the locksmith shop. A dirty or contaminated lock is a different possibility. Over time, dust can build up in the lock's the cylinder, which may cause the pins and springs to seize up. In this instance, you'll need to spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to get rid of it and return the pins to their original positions. If the key itself has been damaged, it could be a problem. Over time, the repeated use may wear out the grooves of a key. This can cause the key to not fit into the cylinder. It is essential to check regularly to ensure that the key fits properly. In the winter months locks can freeze which can stop the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating however it is quite simple to solve by warming the lock using hot water and using the lubricant again to re-lubricate. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it may require replacement by an expert. 3. The Lock isn't Turning It can be frustrating to have a lock that won't turn or open. If this happens often, you may want to consider calling a locksmith to inspect the lock to determine whether they can assist. Fortunately, this isn't necessary since there are issues that can be easily solved without professional assistance. Often the key won't turn in a lock because it's damaged. This could happen if you've lost your keys or it's broken in the lock. Instead of trying to pull keys out of the lock, which could result in it being forced deeper into the mechanism, and cause it to get worse you can use needle-nosedpliers to take the key from the lock. Be careful not to harm the lock by tearing off any part of the broken key with the pliers. It's also possible that the lock isn't aligned correctly, which can cause the door to not latch properly. If you happen to have an extra key, it could be tested in the lock to make sure it functions properly and isn't the cause of the problem. If you find that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate can solve the issue and allow the lock to function normally. A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant will solve this problem by coating the pins inside the lock to allow them to move up and down normally. It's crucial not to use products that contain oil such as WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause obstructions later on. Also, it's important to note that there are certain types of keys that simply can't fit into all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to purchase a replacement key from the local hardware store to ensure that it can be used in the lock. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating When a cylinder rotates within a confinement gap it could cause hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional to the curvature radius that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model presented here will predict the effect of these parameters on the force and torque on the cylinder that is confined. The cylinder's tube, head and main body are all composed of aluminum alloy. If you're able to get your key in and turn it however the lock is still rotating it could be due to an issue with the cylinder itself. Rekeying the lock may fix this problem. There are kits made for this purpose that can be purchased online or in most big box stores.