There Are Myths And Facts Behind Lock Repairs
Wiki Article
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. Otherwise, you could be making your home vulnerable to break-ins.
Fortunately, a lot of the most frequent issues with door locks are fixable without contacting a professional. Find out more about the most frequent problems with door locks and how to fix them yourself.
Damaged Cylinder of Lock Cylinder
Car owners must be aware of and watch out for damage to door lock cylinders when they aren't as prevalent in the latest vehicles, as door locks with power are now the standard. This is the tumbler made of mechanical that the key slides into and it is prone to wear out or break, causing your keys to stick when you insert them or turned into a tense. It's important that you respond quickly if you observe your vehicle experiencing this problem.
The easiest method to fix this issue is to spray the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clear out any debris that may be blocking it. You can also lubricate it with a graphite or silicone spray. Be cautious not to overdo the procedure as this can cause the pins to wear out faster. If your key doesn't turn, it might be time to replace the cylinder or get it repaired professionally by a locksmith.
After spraying the cylinder with the correct spray and using a different type of key, you may have to loosen the screws holding the cylinder in position and manually move the cylinder in such a way that it is in alignment with the keyhole. Close the screws but not too much because this could cause internal components to wear out or be damaged.
Depending on the type of lock, you may need to remove the faceplate to gain access to the screw heads that are used to secure it. If this is the case, you'll find them behind seams or indentations along the faceplate's edge or by inserting a putty knife or screwdriver into these areas. After you've removed your faceplate, employ a screwdriver for disassembling the internal parts of the lock and replace any worn or damaged.
Install the lock and attach the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. Test the cylinder by inserting and turning it. If you're having issues, it is time to consult an expert because the lock cylinder might require a change.
Loose Door Handles
Over time, the handle of a door may become loose and begin to spin or fall off completely. This can 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.
Often, this is simply down to a screw in the door plate that requires tightening. Certain modern doors have chassis screws hidden in the door that are difficult to reach, but older designs have them exposed and accessible. You can tighten these easily however it is recommended to use a threadlocker, which will lock the screws in the correct position.
If the screw is exposed, you can remove the handle and expose the screws to tighten. You may need to loosen the ring around the base of the handle first, then you can pull it off from the knob while pressing the detent pin made of metal. You can then take off the rose and expose the mounting plate screws that you can tighten. Check the strike plate screws that hold the plate in place at the edge of the doorway. This is where the latch clicks in when it closes.
Sometimes, the issue is with the spring cassette inside the handle. It can wear out over time, but usually it's due to wear and tear, and will require an easy replacement.
You can do it yourself or let your local locksmith install it for you. There are a variety of cassettes, so be sure to choose the right one for your specific handle.
It can also be down to a broken faceplate or mounting ring, however this is extremely rare with modern handles. You can usually find a similar replacement to yours at a hardware store or online. Once you have fitted the new piece, you'll need to tighten all the fixings and then reconnect the handle. Also, you should align the holes on the handle to the holes on the plate. If you're worried about this being a difficult DIY job, your locksmith can provide a quote for this service.
Keys that don't turn
There are many different reasons why keys don't turn inside locks. This is typically because of a lack of lubrication. This can be remedied by applying a lubricant, such as WD-40, silicone-based spray, or graphite lubricant. The pins will move up and down when you insert the key and apply the lubricant.
Other times, the key itself might be the issue. The key's tip may become blunt over time if it is used for other purposes than to get into your home. This can prevent the key from fitting into the lock cylinder in a proper way, which could lead to it getting stuck or jammed inside of the lock. In this case it is possible to re-tippe the key using a bastard file can make it fit into the lock better.
A key that isn't turning inside a lock can also be damaged or bent. Using keys as tools to cut things or as a can opener can cause the point of the key to become bent which can hinder it from fitting into the lock cylinder properly. In this situation you may have to re-tippe the key using a bastard or replace the entire key.
If the read more key has snapped in the middle of the lock, it is important to be aware that attempting to put the two pieces of metal back to each other won't work. This could lead to further damage to the mechanism, and it is best to contact a locksmith that offers replacement keys to fix the problem.
If the key is not broken, it may be because the lock cylinder is blocked by dust or other debris. In this instance, it may be helpful to warm the cylinder by putting the key in hot water for a couple of minutes. Once the cylinder is warm and able to be used, it's time to insert the key and open the door. Alternately, you can use a hair dryer to blow air directly into the lock mechanism, allowing it to warm up and then thaw it out.
Sticky Locks
Locks are a crucial component of the security of your home. Locks are often taken for granted until they fail to function properly. Sticky locks are a common issue, but they're difficult to fix by yourself and can prevent larger issues from developing.
One of the most likely causes for a lock to become sticky is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and filthy. This can be easily fixed with a 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 forth to spread the oil on the internal mechanisms. The key should now be removed and the lock should turn smoothly once again.
A graphite lubricant can be another option. Graphite is a great for lubricant that can be used on small metal parts. It doesn't get soiled or attract dirt, as opposed to oil-based solutions. Powdered graphite is sold in a variety of hardware stores and can be sprayed onto the keyhole directly. You can use pencils that are made of the same material.
You should always wipe off any excess lubricant after applying it to avoid it from building up and becoming a source of future problems. If your lock that is sticky isn't moving after trying all of the suggestions above it's time to call a professional locksmith who can assess the situation and determine what the best course of action is. If you do not take care of the sticky locks, they could become a major problem and cause keys to snap in the lock. Ignoring a sticking lock can be extremely frustrating and it's better to take action sooner rather than later. Regularly lubricating your locks can help to keep these kinds of issues from arising in the first place. Add this to your annual maintenance routine can give you peace of heart that your locks work properly, securing your home.