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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself If a door lock begins to appear worn, it's important to have it repaired quickly. It is possible to leave your home open to burglars. Most of the common problems with door locks can be solved without contacting an expert. Find out more about what to look for and how you can fix them at home. Damaged Cylinder Damaged Cylinder While they are less common on newer vehicles, as power door locks are now the norm vehicle security, car owners must be aware and watch for damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the tumbler that your keys slide into. It can wear out or break, causing keys to become stuck or hard to turn. If you notice this happening to your vehicle, it's crucial to act swiftly to prevent the issue from worsening. The easiest way to fix this problem is by spraying the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clean out any debris that may be hindering it. You can also lubricate it using a silicone or graphite spray. Be cautious not to overdo it as this will cause the pins wear out more quickly. If your key is still refusing to turn, it may be time to replace the cylinder or repair it by a 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 to its place. You can then manually move the cylinder in such a way that it is aligned properly with the keyhole. Retighten the screws but not too tight since this could cause internal components to wear out or be damaged. Depending on the type of lock you are using, you may need to remove the faceplate to gain access to the screw heads that are used to secure it. You can find them by looking behind the seams, indentations, or holes on the outside of your faceplate. You can also employ a screwdriver or knife to get into these areas. Once you've removed the faceplate, you can then make use of a screwdriver to remove the internal components of the lock. You can then replace any that are damaged or worn. When assembling the lock, be sure to attach the faceplate securely and secure the screws. Also, check the cylinder to make sure that it is able to be inserted and turned without issue. If you are having difficulty doing this, it's time to call an expert because the lock cylinder may need to be replaced. Loose Door Handles Over time, a door handle can loosen and begin to spin or drop completely. This can be a problem because it makes it difficult to open the door and can put people at risk. It is important to know why the handle is loosened and how to fix it. Most of the time, it's down to a screw in the door plate that requires tightening. Modern doors might have difficult-to-reach screws for the chassis, whereas older designs have them visible and easily accessible. locks repair near me can be tightened easily. It is recommended to employ a threadlocker to secure them in place. If the screw is exposed you can remove the handle and expose the screws to tighten. You may need to loosen the ring at the base of the handle first, then you can pry it off from the knob by pressing the metallic detent pin. Then, you can remove the rose and expose the mounting plate screws that you can tighten. Check the strike plate screws that secure the plate at the edge of the doorway where the latch snaps in when it closes. Sometimes, the issue is the spring cassette that's in the handle. This can break down over time, but most of the time it's simply due to wear and tear and needs a simple replacement. You can do it yourself or have your local locksmith do it for you. There are a variety of cassettes to choose from, so be sure to get the right one for the type of handle you have. It can also be down to a damaged mounting ring or faceplate, however this is extremely rare with modern handles. You can locate an alternative in a hardware shop or on the internet. Once you have fitted the new part, you'll have to tighten all fixings, then reattach the handle. You should also re-align the holes in the handle with the holes on the plate. If you're worried that this is too much of a do-it-yourself job, a locksmith could provide a quote. Keys that Don't Turn There are a variety of reasons why keys don't turn inside locks. This is typically due to a lack lubrication. This can be fixed by using a lubricant such as WD-40, silicone-based spray or graphite lubricant. The pins will move upwards and downwards when you insert the key and apply the grease. Other times keys could be the problem. The tip of a key will become blunt in time, especially if it's used for purposes other than to get into your home. This can stop the key from fitting into the lock cylinder properly and could result in it becoming stuck or encased inside the lock. Re-tipping the lock key using an instrument for bastards can aid in the fitting. A key that isn't turning inside a lock can be damaged or bent. Utilizing keys as tools to cut things or use it as a can opener can cause the point of the key to bend and prevent it from fitting into the lock cylinder properly. In this case it is possible to re-tippe the key using a bastard file or replacing the entire key might be required to correct the issue. If keys have snapped inside of the lock, it is important to be aware that attempting to put the two pieces of metal together will not work. This can cause further damage to the locking mechanism. It is best to contact a locksmith that provides keys that can be replaced. If the key isn't damaged, it is possible that the cylinder of the lock has been blocked by dust or other debris. In this instance it could be beneficial to warm up the cylinder by placing the key in hot water for a few minutes. Once the cylinder is warmed up, you should be capable of inserting the key into the cylinder and unlock the door. You can also use a hair dryer to blow air directly into the lock mechanism to thaw it out. Sticky Locks Locks are an essential component of home security. Locks are often taken for granted, until they stop working properly. The problem of sticky locks is a common issue, but they're difficult to fix and can prevent larger issues from arising. One of the most likely causes for a lock to become sticky is that the mechanism has become dirty and filthy. This can be easily fixed with a little bit of cleaning and lubrication. Dry lubricants, such as sprays of WD-40 or GT85 spray is a typical solution. The key is then inserted into the lock and rotated back and forth to spread the grease on the internal mechanisms. The key is then removed and the lock will be able to rotate smoothly. A graphite lubricant can be another option. Graphite is an excellent lubricant to use on small metal parts. It won't wash off or attract dirt like oil-based solutions. Powdered graphite can be found in many hardware stores and can be applied to the keyhole directly. You can also use a pencil, which is made from the same material. Always clean up any excess lubricant after applying it to avoid it from building up and causing future issues. If your lock is stuck and isn't moving after trying all the above suggestions, it's time to call an expert locksmith who will examine the situation and determine what the best course of actions is. If you don't address the problem, it can become major nuisances and can lead to keys snapping in the lock or even in the door handle. The act of ignoring a stuck lock can be extremely frustrating, so it's always better to take action sooner rather than later. Regular lubrication can help to keep these types of issues from occurring in the first in the first. You can rest in peace of mind knowing that your locks work properly and secure your home by including this in your annual maintenance routine.