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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can either fix your locks yourself or engage a professional locksmith when they start to malfunction. Repairing locks can be a challenge, and the wrong approach could cause more damage. You must first find out if the issue is caused by dirt or dust. mouse click for source is usually solved by applying a graphite spray or silicone based oil. 1. Door Handle or Knob Loose Door knobs and handles can get loose in time, which can result in an unbalanced door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. Loose door knobs are not only annoying but they can also compromise your building's security, so it is crucial to fix the problem quickly. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively simple to fix. There are several ways to do this, dependent on the lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates that hide the screws. This is a more complicated method if your door uses an underlay that hides the screws. Most doorknobs with interiors have a tiny screw referred to as a setscrew that is located on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding over the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a tiny screw, known as a setscrew, located on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over the spindle. Use an flashlight to locate the set screw, and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. After it's tightened, turn the knob to check if it no longer feels jiggly. If your knob is jiggly, it could be that 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 across the spindle. The knob should click into position when you do this, indicating it is properly positioned on the spindle. After ensuring that the set screw is in the correct position, simply tighten it again to fix the knob or handle in place. This should solve the issue If not then you might require removing the knob and check the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll have to replace the screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this kind of repair, contact an expert who is skilled in repair of damaged locks. 2. The key won't spin in the lock There are a variety of reasons your lock key won't be turning. One of the most common reasons is that the pins in the cylinder have worn down. This means that they do not have the proper shape that allows for the sliders or wafers to move with the key. In this case, spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray will help coat the pins and make them move again. However, if the problem is more severe and the key is bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will employ an exclusive tool that has an angled edge that fits into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool is not available in hardware stores, but you can purchase a kit with the right tools online or at a locksmith shop. Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or damaged. Dust can accumulate over time in the lock's cylinder and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In this situation, you'll need to spray the lock with graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to get rid of it and return the pins to their original positions. If the key itself is damaged, it could also be a cause for concern. Over time, the repeated use may wear out the grooves on a key. This can cause the key to not fit into the cylinder. It is essential to check frequently to make sure that the key fits correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will stop the springs and pins from moving when keys are put in. This can be a frustrating problem, but it is usually quite simple to solve by warming up the lock with hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it will likely require replacement by an expert. 3. The lock isn't turning If you've had a lock that doesn't turn and can't be opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If it occurs frequently, you may want to consider contacting locksmiths to come take a look and see if they can help. It is not always necessary since some issues can be resolved by yourself. The key won't turn inside the lock if it's damaged. This could happen if you have lost your keys, or it has been damaged inside the lock. Instead of trying to pull keys out of the lock which could result in it being further pushed into the mechanism and increase the risk using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by breaking off any of the broken key using the pliers. It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned correctly which could cause the door to not latch properly. If you happen to have an additional key, it could be tested in the lock to make sure it is working properly and doesn't cause the issue. If you find that the lock is not properly aligned, tightening the 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. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant could solve this problem by coating the pins inside the lock, allowing them to move up and down normally. It's crucial not to use oil based products like WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause obstructions later on. It is important to remember that some keys don't fit into all locks. If this is the case, you'll need to have a new key made by a local shop for hardware. 4. The Cylinder Is Rotating When a cylinder is turned within a confinement gap it can cause the formation of hairpin vortices which can lead to significant forces on the cylinder. The forces are proportional to the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model described here will predict the effect of these parameters on the force and torque of an encircled rotating cylinder. The cylinder's head, tube, and main body are all composed of aluminum alloy. If you can insert your key and turn it, but the lock does not rotate the cylinder could be damaged. Rekeying the lock can solve the issue. You can purchase kits for this purpose on the internet or in a lot of big box stores.