Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself
When a door lock starts to begin to show signs of wear it is crucial to have it repaired quickly. In the event that it doesn't, you risk leaving your property vulnerable to burglaries.
Fortunately, a lot of the most frequent issues that arise with door locks can be fixed without the need for the help of a professional. Find out more about the most frequently occurring issues with door locks, and how to fix them yourself.
Damaged Lock Cylinder
While they are less common on newer vehicles as power door locks are now the norm vehicle security, car owners must be aware of and look out for any damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the mechanical tumbler the key slides into and it can be damaged or worn out which causes keys to stick when you insert them or turned into a tense. It is essential to immediately take action if you notice your vehicle has this issue.
The most effective way to address this problem is by spraying the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clear out any debris that could be blocking it. You can also lubricate it with a silicone or graphite spray. Be careful not to overdo it because this will cause the pins wear out faster. If your key won't turn after trying these different methods it may be necessary to replace the cylinder. Or have it repaired by an expert locksmith.
After spraying the cylinder with the correct spray and using a different type of key, you may require to loosen the screws holding the cylinder in place and manually move the cylinder in such a way that it aligns properly with the keyhole. Make sure to tighten the screws afterward, but not too tight as this can cause internal components to wear or damaged.
Depending on the type of lock you are using, you may have to take off the faceplate as well to gain access to the screw heads that hold it. You can locate them by looking behind seams, indentations or holes on the outside of your faceplate. You can also use a screwdriver or putty knife to reach these areas. After you've removed the faceplate, make use of a screwdriver to remove the internal parts of the lock and replace any that are damaged or worn.
Assemble the lock and attach the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. You should also test the cylinder to ensure that it can be inserted and turned without any issues. If you encounter difficulties doing this, it's likely that you should call an expert because the lock cylinder might need to be replaced.
Loose Door Handles
Over time, the handle of a door may become loose and begin to spin or even fall off completely. This could be a problem since it makes it difficult to open the door and puts people at risk. It is essential to know why the handle is loosened and how it can easily be fixed.
This is often because of a loose screw in the doorplate. Certain modern doors have chassis screws hidden in the door which are difficult to reach, but older designs have them accessible and visible. It is easy to tighten these screws but it is preferential to use threadlocker, which will lock the screws into place.
If the screw is visible, you can take it off it and tighten the screws. It is possible to loosen the ring at the base of the handle before you can pull the knob off by pressing the detent pin made of metal. You can then take off the rose and expose the screws for the mounting plate which you then tighten. You should also examine the strike plate screws that hold the plate on the edge of the doorway which the latch clicks into when it closes.
Sometimes, the problem is the spring cassette that's in the handle. It's prone to wear over time. A simple replacement is typically needed.
You can install it yourself or have a local locksmith do it for you. There are many kinds of cassettes and you should get the right one for your particular handle.
It can also be down to a broken mounting ring or faceplate, but this is not common with the newer handles. You can find a replacement at a hardware store or on the internet. Once you've put in the new part it is time to tighten all the fixings and re-attach the handle. You should also re-align the holes on the handle with those on the plate. If you're worried about this being too much of a DIY job, your locksmith can provide the price for this service.
Keys that don't turn
There are many reasons why keys do not turn inside locks. Often, this is due to an absence of lubrication. You can fix this by using a lubricant, such as WD-40 or a silicone-based spray. Applying the lubricant and then inserting the key will allow the pins to move up and down again, which should enable the key to unlock the lock.
Other times it could be the key itself that can be the cause. The point of a key may become blunt over time if it is used for purposes other than getting into your home. The key may not fit into the lock cylinder correctly and can cause it to get stuck or jammed in the lock. Re-tipping the lock key with an instrument for bastards can aid in fitting it better.
Another reason why keys may not work in a lock is that it is damaged or bent. Utilizing keys as tools to cut objects or as a can opener could cause the point of the key to be bent and make it difficult for it to fit into the lock cylinder in a proper way. In this instance you may have to re-tipping the key with a bastard or replace the entire key.
It is important to know that gluing two pieces of steel together won't work when a key is damaged inside a lock. This can cause further damage to the locking mechanism. lock repair services near me is best to contact a locksmith that offers replacement keys.
If the key isn't damaged, it is likely that the lock cylinder has been blocked by dust or other debris. In this case, it can be helpful to warm up the cylinder by placing the key in hot water for just a few minutes. Once the cylinder is been warmed up, you will be capable of inserting the key into the cylinder to unlock the door. Alternately, you can use a hair dryer to blow air directly into the lock mechanism to melt it out.
Sticky Locks
Locks are a crucial element of your home security. But the fact is that they're often ignored until they stop working correctly. Sticky locks can be a problem. However, they're simple to fix and help prevent more serious problems from arising.
One of the most likely reasons for a sticky lock is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and grimy. This can be easily repaired with a little cleaning and lubrication.
Dry lubricant like sprays of WD-40 or GT85 spray, is a common solution. The key is inserted into lock and then rotated back and forth in order to spread lubricant on the internal mechanisms. The key is then removed and the lock should turn smoothly once more.
A graphite lubricant can be another option. Graphite is an excellent grease for small metal parts and doesn't wash away or attract dirt as oil-based solutions do. Many hardware stores carry powdered graphite which can be directly applied to the keyhole. You can also use a pencil to serve the same purpose, as it's made from the same material.
Make sure to clean up any lubricant that you may have applied after having used it. This will stop it from accumulating and creating future issues. If your lock that is sticky isn't moving after trying all the above suggestions it's time to call a professional locksmith who will assess the situation and determine what the best option is. Locks that are stuck if not addressed can turn into major hassles and can lead to keys snapping out of the lock, or even the door handle. A lock that is stuck can be extremely frustrating, so it's always better to act earlier rather than later. Regular lubrication can help keep these kinds of problems from happening in the first place. You can be assured of peace of mind knowing that your locks work correctly and protect your home by adding this to your annual maintenance tasks.