A List Of Common Errors That People Make With Lock Repair How to Do Your Own Lock Repair

If your locks start to fail, you can try to fix them yourself or employ an expert locksmith. Repairing locks can be difficult, and the wrong approach could cause more damage.

You must first find out if the issue is due to dust or dirt. Graphite spray or a silicone-based oil can be used to solve this issue.

1. Loose Door Knob or Handle

As time passes door knobs and handles could become loose. This could result in the knob or handle becoming jiggly that is difficult to open. Knobs that are loose in the door aren't just annoying but they can compromise your building's security, so it is essential to identify and solve the issue quickly. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is relatively simple to repair. There are several methods to fix it, depending on what kind of lock system your door is using. Some systems have exposed mounting screws that are easy to access, whereas others have a backplate that hides the screws that hold the lock together. This method is more difficult in the case of an underlay that hides the screws.

Most doorknobs with interiors come with a small screw known as a setscrew that is located on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is part of the latch assembly. If yours feels jiggly, it could be because of tiny screws, referred to as a setscrew, that is located on the inside of the doorknob which is stopping it from sliding over the spindle. Utilize flashlights to locate the screw and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, test the knob and check if it no longer feels jiggly.

If your knob still feels like it's jiggly, then the set screw isn't placed properly. To make sure the screw is positioned correctly Look for a small, corresponding button on the spindle. Depress the button with a flathead screwdriver, and then slide the knob over the spindle. The knob should click into position after you have done this, indicating it is positioned correctly on the spindle.

Once you have ensured that the set screw is properly positioned and tightened it again to ensure that the knob is secured. This should resolve the issue If not it is, you will require removing the knob and examine the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll require replacing these screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type repair, call a professional who specializes in damaged lock repair.

2. Key Won't Turn in Lock

There are a variety of reasons your lock key may stop turning. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins within the cylinder are beginning to wear down and, consequently, they no longer have the proper 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 will coat the pins to allow them to move again.

If the problem is more severe, and the key has bent, you may have to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith can employ a specialty tool to straighten the key which is designed with an angled tip that fits into the groove that is recessed on the key's tip. This kind of tool can't be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase an entire set of essential tools online or from locksmiths.

Another possibility is that the lock is dirty or damaged. Over time, dust may build up in the lock's cylinder, which can cause the springs and pins to swell up. In this case spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clean out the pins and restore them to their original position.


If the key itself has become damaged, it could also be a cause for concern. Over time, repeated use can cause wear and tear on the grooves on a key. This could result in the key not being able to fit in the cylinder. It is important to regularly check to ensure that the key fits correctly.

In the colder months locks can freeze, which can stop the springs and pins from moving when the key is inserted. This can be a frustrating issue, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock up 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 had a lock that doesn't turn and isn't able to be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If this happens frequently, you may want to consider hiring a locksmith to examine the lock to determine whether they can assist. Fortunately, this isn't necessary since there are things that can be easily fixed without the need for professional assistance.

The key may not turn in a lock because it is damaged. You may experience this if you have lost your keys, or it is damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to pull it out of the lock, which could cause the damaged piece of the key to push further inside the mechanism, which could make the problem much worse Try using pliers with needles to remove it from the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by cutting off any piece of the damaged key using the pliers.

You could also have an incorrectly aligned lock, which could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you have an additional lock key, you can try it to verify that the lock is operating correctly. If you do discover that the lock is misaligned by tightening the screws around the strike plate can fix the problem and allow the lock to perform normally.

A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant could solve this issue by coating the pins within the lock to allow them to move up and down as normal. It is important to avoid using oil based products like WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause clogging problems down the road.

upvc window lock repairs '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 get a new key from an area hardware store, so that it can be used inside the lock.

4. The Cylinder is Rotating

Hairpin vortices may form when a cylinder is rotated in a confinement space. These vortices can exert significant forces on the cylinder rotating. The forces are proportional to the radius of curvature that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model presented here predicts the effect of these parameters on the torque and force on the cylinder that is confined. The head, tube and main body of the cylinder are made of aluminium alloy.

If you are able insert your key and turn it but the lock is still rotating the cylinder could be defective. Rekeying the lock could fix this problem. You can buy kits for this purpose online or in most big box stores.