5 Lock Repairs Projects For Every Budget
Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself
When a lock on your door begins to appear worn it is crucial to have it replaced promptly. Your home could be open to burglars.
Many of the most common problems with door locks can be solved without the need for a professional. Learn more about the most frequently occurring issues with door locks and how to fix them yourself.
Damaged Cylinder of Lock Cylinder
While they are less common on newer vehicles as power door locks become standard and standard, car owners must be aware of and look out for any damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the tumbler that your key slides into, and it is prone to be damaged or worn out which causes keys to become stuck when you insert them or turned into a tense. It is essential to respond quickly if you observe your vehicle is experiencing this issue.
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 with a graphite or silicon spray. Be cautious not to overdo the procedure as this could cause the pins to wear out faster. If your key doesn't turn, it could be time to replace the cylinder or repair it by a locksmith.
After spraying the cylinder with the correct spray and using a different kind of key, you may need to loosen the screws holding the cylinder in position and manually move the cylinder so that it is in alignment with the keyhole. Be sure to retighten these screws, but not too tightly as this may cause the internal components to become worn or damaged.
You may also need to take off the faceplate of the lock in accordance with the type of lock. You can find them by looking behind seams, indentations or holes on the edges of your faceplate. You can also make use of a screwdriver or a knife to get into these areas. After you've removed the faceplate, employ a screwdriver for disassembling the internal components of the lock and replace any that are damaged or worn.
Install the lock and attach the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. Test the cylinder by inserting and turning it. If you encounter difficulties doing this, it's likely time to contact a professional as the lock cylinder might need to be replaced.
Loose Door Handles
Over time, the handle of a door can loosen and begin to spin or fall off completely. This can be a problem because it makes it difficult to open the door, and also puts people at risk. It is crucial to know the reason for the handle being loose and how it can easily be repaired.
It is usually caused by a loose screw on the doorplate. Some modern doors have chassis screws hidden in the door that are hard to reach, however older styles will have them visible and easily accessible. You can tighten these easily however it is recommended to use a threadlocker, which will lock the screws into place.
If the screw is visible, you can remove it and tighten the screws. It is possible to loosen the ring on the base of the handle first, and then pull it off from the knob by pressing the metal detent pin. The mounting plate screws can be tightened by removing the rose. Examine the strike plate screws that hold the plate to the edge of the doorway where the latch snaps in when it closes.
Other times, the problem could be due to the spring cassette on the handle. It is prone to wear out over time. A simple replacement is usually needed.
You can do it yourself, or your local locksmith can install it for you. There are a variety of cassettes and you should get the right one for the type of handle you have.
It could also be due to a broken faceplate or mounting ring, but this is not common with modern handles. You can locate an alternative in a hardware store or online. After you have fitted the new part you will need to tighten all the fixings, and then reattach the handle. Also, you should align the holes on the handle to the holes on the plate. If you're worried that this is too much of a DIY job, a locksmith could provide a quote.
Keys that don't turn
There are many reasons that keys may not turn inside locks. Most often, this is due to the lack of lubrication. This can be fixed by using a lubricant, such as WD-40 or a silicone-based spray. Applying the lubricant, and then inserting the key will allow the pins to move up and down again, which should enable the key to unlock the lock.
Sometimes it is the key that causes the issue. Making use of a key as an instrument for cutting boxes, a can opener, or for something other than entering your home could cause the tip of the key to become blunt over time. The key may not fit into the lock cylinder properly which can result in it becoming stuck or jammed inside the lock. Re-tipping the key of the lock with an instrument for bastards can help it fit better.
Another reason that the key may not turn inside a lock is that it is bent or damaged. Using keys as a tool to cut objects or as a can opener could cause the tip of the key to bend and prevent it from fitting into the lock cylinder properly. In this situation, re-tipping with a bastard file or replacing the entire key could be necessary to fix the issue.
If keys have snapped inside of the lock, it's important to be aware that attempting to glue the two pieces of metal back to each other won't work. This could cause further damage to the locking mechanism. It is best to contact a locksmith that provides keys replacement.
If the key isn't damaged, it is likely that the lock cylinder is blocked by dust or other debris. In this situation, it may be helpful to warm the cylinder up by putting the key in hot water for a couple of minutes. After the cylinder has warmed up, you should be in a position to insert the key into the cylinder and unlock the door. You can also make use of a hairdryer to blow hot air directly into the lock to thaw out the mechanism.
Sticky Locks
Locks are an essential part of your home security. But the fact is that they're often taken for granted--until they stop working properly. Locks that stick are a frequent issue, but they're difficult to fix yourself and can prevent larger issues from developing.
One of the most likely causes for a lock to become sticky is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and filthy. This can be easily fixed by a bit of cleaning and lubrication.
A common solution is to make use of a dry lubricant, such as WD-40 or GT85 spray. The key is inserted into lock and rotated back and forward in order to spread grease on the internal mechanisms. The key is then removed and the lock should be able to turn smoothly again.
A graphite-based lubricant is a different option. Graphite is an excellent lubricant to use on small metal parts. It doesn't wash off or attract dirt, as opposed to oils-based solutions. Powdered graphite is available at a wide range of hardware stores and can be sprayed onto the keyhole directly. You can also employ a pencil for the same purpose, since it's made of the same material.
Always wipe away lock repairs that you may have applied after having used it. This will prevent it from accumulating and creating future issues. If your lock is stuck and doesn't move even after you've tried all of the above methods it's time to call an expert locksmith who will evaluate the situation and decide what the best option is. Locks that are stuck if not addressed can become major nuisances and result in keys snapping inside the lock or even in the door handle. A lock that is stuck can be extremely frustrating, so it's always better to take action sooner rather than later. And regular lubrication can help prevent these kinds of problems from happening in the first place. In addition to your regular maintenance tasks will provide you with peace of mind that your locks work effectively, protecting your home.