How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can fix your locks yourself, or engage a professional locksmith when they start to malfunction. Repairing locks can be difficult and a wrong choice could cause more damage. The first step is to make sure the issue isn't caused by dust or dirt. Graphite spray or silicone-based oil can be used to eliminate this issue. 1. Locked Door Knob or Handle Over time door knobs and handles could become loose. This can result in the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult to open. Loose door knobs aren't just annoying, they can also compromise your building's security, making it important to find and solve the issue quickly. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is fairly simple to fix. Depending on the lock system installed in your door, there are many options to fix this. Certain systems have mounting screws that are easy to access, whereas others use a backplate that obscures the screws holding it together. If your door is the second type, this process could be more complex. The majority of doorknobs for interior use are designed to slip over a spindle that is cylindrical, which is mounted in the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours is not jiggly, it could be due to a small screw called a setscrew located on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding over the spindle. You can utilize an flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it with an Allen wrench. Once it's tightened, test the knob and see if it no longer feels jiggly. If your knob still feels uneven, it could be that the set screw isn't in place properly. To ensure that the screw is positioned correctly, look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver with a flat head. As you do so the knob should begin to click, indicating that it is placed correctly on the spindle. After ensuring the set screw is properly positioned then tighten it once more to secure the knob or handle in place. If this does not 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 the screws in this case before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact a professional who specializes in damaged lock repair. 2. Key won't turn in the Lock There are a number of reasons that your key may stop turning in the lock. One of the most common causes is that the pins within the cylinder have worn down. This means that they no longer have the proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to move by the key. In this instance spraying the lock with lubricant made of silicone or graphite spray will coat the pins and make them move again. If the issue is more serious, and the key has bent or twisted, you may need to have it straightened by an expert. A professional locksmith can employ a specialty tool to straighten the key, that is designed with a curved end to fit into the groove in the tip of the key. This type of tool cannot be found in hardware stores. However you can buy an entire kit with the required tools on the internet or from an experienced locksmith. Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or contaminated. The accumulation of dust over time can cause problems in the lock's cylinder and cause the pins or springs to become stuck. In this situation, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to remove the pins, and then return them to their original position. It may also be a problem when the key has been damaged. In time, repeated use may wear out the grooves on a keys. This can result in the key not being able to fit in the cylinder. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/croydon-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ is essential to regularly check to ensure that the key is fitted correctly. In the winter months locks can freeze, which will prevent the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This can be a nagging issue, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock up with hot water and changing the lubricant. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to need to be replaced by an expert. 3. The lock isn't turning It can be frustrating to have locks that aren't turning or open. If this happens often it is advisable to consider hiring a locksmith to examine the lock to see whether they can help. This is not always necessary since some issues can be fixed by yourself. The key will not turn inside the lock if it's damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key, or if it is damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to get it out of the lock, which could cause the broken piece of the key to push further into the mechanism and make the problem much worse Try using pliers with needles to take it out of the lock. Be careful not to break off any of the broken piece using the pliers, or you may cause damage to the lock. It's also possible that the lock isn't aligned correctly, which can cause the door to not latch properly. If you're fortunate enough to have an extra key, it can be tested inside the lock to ensure that it is working properly and doesn't cause the issue. If you find that the lock isn't aligned correctly, tightening screws around the strikeplate will solve the issue and allow the lock to function normally. A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. This issue can be fixed by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up & down in a normal manner. It's important not to use products that contain oil such as WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause blockages later on. It's important to note that certain keys won't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you might require a new key created by a local hardware store. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder is rotated within a confinement. These vortices can impose significant forces on the rotating cylinder. These forces are proportional the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model presented here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque of the cylinder that is confined. The head, tube and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy. If you're able to get your key inside and turn it however the lock isn't turning it could be due to an issue with the cylinder itself. Rekeying your lock can resolve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose online or in a lot of big box stores.