The History Of Lock Repair

How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

You can either fix your replace window locks yourself or employ a professional locksmith if they become faulty. However, the process of fixing locks can be a challenge and the wrong approach could cause further damage.

You must first see if the problem is due to dust or dirt. This is usually resolved by applying a graphite-based spray or silicone based oil.

1. Locked Door Knob or Handle

Over time doors knobs and handles can become loose. This can result in the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult for you to open. Loose door knobs aren't just annoying, they can compromise your building's security, which is why it's essential to identify and resolve the issue as quickly as possible. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is fairly simple to fix. There are several ways to do this, dependent on the type of lock your door comes with. Certain systems have mounting screws that are accessible, while others use a backplate that obscures the screws holding it together. If your door uses the second type, this process could be more complex.

Most interior doorknobs are designed to slip over a spindle that is cylindrical, which is attached to the door as a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly it could be due to a tiny screw known as a set screw located inside the knob that blocks it from sliding across spindle. You can make use of an flashlight to locate the set screw and then tighten it using an Allen wrench. Once the screw is tightened by turning the knob, test if it is solid.

If the knob is still like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't placed correctly. To make sure the screw is in the correct position, look for a small, matching button on the spindle. Press the button with a flathead screwdriver, and then slide the knob over the spindle. The knob should click into place when you do this, indicating it is in the correct position on the spindle.

After ensuring the set screw is positioned properly then tighten it once more to secure the knob or handle in place. This should resolve the issue If not it is, you will need to remove the knob and inspect the backplate for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will require replacing these screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're not happy with this kind of repair, you should call a professional locksmith who offers repair for damaged locks to assist.

2. Key won't turn in the Lock

There are many reasons that your key may 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 don't have the correct shape to move the wafers, sliders or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this instance, spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray can help coat the pins in order to make them move again.

However, if the issue is much more serious and the key is been bent out of shape, you might need to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will use an exclusive tool that has an angled edge that fits into the groove at the tip of the key. This type of tool isn't readily available at hardware stores, but you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or at the locksmith shop.

A dirty or contaminated lock is a different possibility. The accumulation of dust over time can cause problems within the lock's cylinder, and causes the springs or pins to become stuck. In this situation you'll need to spray the double glazing window lock repairs with WD-40, graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to remove it and restore the pins to their original positions.

If the key itself has been damaged, it could be a cause for concern. A key can be worn down over time through repeated use, which will cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This can cause the key to not fit in the cylinder. It is crucial to check frequently to make sure that the key fits properly.

In colder weather locks can freeze, which can stop the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating, but is usually easily solved by warming the double glazing window lock repair with hot water and re-lubricating it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced.

3. The lock isn't turning

If you've ever had a lock that doesn't turn and isn't opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If it happens frequently you may want to consider contacting locksmiths to come check it out and see if they can help. This isn't always needed since some issues can be solved by yourself.

Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it is damaged. This can happen if you've lost your keys or it is broken in the lock. Instead of trying to pull the key out of the lock which could cause it to be pushed deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to break any broken pieces by using the pliers or you may end up damaging the lock.

It's also possible that the window lock repair is misaligned, which can cause the door to not latch properly. If you happen to have an extra key, it can be tested inside the lock to ensure that it functions properly and isn't the issue. If you do discover that the lock is not aligned correctly tightening the screws on the strike plate could fix the issue 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 preventing it from turning. This problem can be solved by using a graphite or silicone-based lubricant to cover the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up and down normally. It's important not to use products that contain oil such as WD-40 for this though as these can cause further clogging problems down the road.

It's important to know that certain keys won't fit into all locks. If your key is one of these you might want to get a new key from an area hardware store to ensure that it will work in the lock.

4. The Cylinder Is Rotating

When a cylinder is rotated in a confinement space, it could cause the formation of hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional the the dimensionless curvature radius x and the confinement factor. The head, the tube and the main body of the cylinder are made of aluminum alloy.

If you can insert your key and turn it, but the lock still rotates the cylinder, it could be damaged. Rekeying your lock could solve the problem. There are kits designed for this purpose that can be purchased on the internet or at many big box stores.