How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks fail, you can try to fix them yourself or hire an professional locksmith. Repairing locks can be a challenge and if you take the wrong route, it could cause more damage. The first step is to confirm that the issue isn't caused by dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying a graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant. 1. Door Knobs or Handles that are loose Door knobs and handles may be loose as time passes, which could result in an unbalanced door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. Door knobs that are loose aren't just annoying but they can also compromise your building's security, making it important to find and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. A doorknob that is loose is easy to repair. There are many ways to fix this dependent on the lock system your door is using. Some systems have exposed mounting screws that are accessible, while others utilize a backplate which obscures the screws holding it together. If your door uses the second type, this process could be more complex. Most interior doorknobs have a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a small screw called a setscrew located inside the knob, which prevents it from sliding across spindle. Utilize https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/poole-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ to help you locate the set screw, and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, test the knob and check if it no longer appears to be jiggly. If your knob feels jiggly, it's possible that the set screw isn't positioned correctly. To ensure that the screw is properly positioned Look for a small, matching button on the spindle. Press the button with an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob across the spindle. When you do this, the knob should click and show that it is placed correctly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw is properly placed and tightened it again to ensure that the knob is secured. This should fix the problem however, if it doesn't it is, you will have to take the knob off and check the backplate for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an experienced locksmith who can provide repairs for damaged locks. 2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock There are a number of reasons why your key might stop turning in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder are beginning to wear down and, consequently, they do not have the right shape to move the sliders, wafers or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this instance, a quick fix is to spray the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and make them move again. If the issue is much more serious and the key is been bent out of shape you might need to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will use a special tool that has an angled edge that fits into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This type of tool cannot be found in hardware stores. However you can purchase a kit that includes the required tools online or from locksmiths. Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or affected. As time passes, dust will accumulate in the lock cylinder, which could cause the pins and springs to swell up. In this instance you'll have spray the lock with graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to get rid of it and then reposition the pins back to their original position. It could also be a problem when the key has been damaged. A key can be worn down with time due to frequent use, which could result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This could cause the key to not fit into the cylinder. It is important to check frequently to ensure that the key fits correctly. In colder weather locks can freeze which will prevent the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This can be a nagging issue however, it's usually fairly easy to solve by warming the lock with hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. However, if the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it may require replacement by a professional. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning It can be a hassle to have locks that don't turn or open. If it happens frequently you may want to consider contacting locksmiths to examine the lock and see if they can help. This is not always necessary, as some problems can be solved by yourself. The key won't rotate in the lock if it's damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key, or it is broken in the lock. Instead of trying to get the key from the lock, which could result in it being further pushed into the mechanism and make it worse, use needle-nosedpliers to remove the key from the lock. You should be cautious not to break the broken piece by using the pliers or you could damage the lock. You could also have an improperly aligned lock that could cause the door not to latch properly. If you're fortunate enough 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 do discover that the lock is misaligned tightening the screws on the strike plate can fix the problem and allow the lock to perform normally. Another reason your key may not be turning is that there is dust or dirt in the lock that is preventing it from moving. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant can solve this problem by coating the pins within the lock so that they are able to move up and down in a normal manner. It is important to avoid using oils-based products such as WD-40 for this though because they can cause clogging problems down the road. It's also worth noting that there are certain kinds of keys that don't be used in all locks. If your key is one of these you might want to purchase a replacement key from an area hardware store to ensure that it will work in the lock. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder rotates in a confinement space. These vortices may exert significant forces on the cylinder rotating. 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 force and torque on the cylinder that is confined. The cylinder's head, tube and main body are composed of aluminum alloy. If you are able insert your key and turn it but the lock is still rotating the cylinder could be damaged. Rekeying the lock may fix the issue. You can purchase kits to do this online or in many big box stores.