Seven Reasons Why Lock Repair Is Important
4 Things You Can Try Before Calling a Locksmith
If your lock is not working properly, it may need to be repaired or replaced. There are several things you can try before calling locksmith.
Dust and dirt can accumulate in a lock, making it difficult to turn. You can make it easier to turn the lock by applying an lubricant made of graphite or silicone into the keyhole.
Locked Door Knob or Handle
Over time knobs and handles for doors could become loose. This is particularly true when they are used frequently. If this occurs the knob or handle is swivelling or moves away from the door when someone attempts to open it. The good news is that resolving this issue typically involves tightening screws. This is a simple project that anyone with minimal tools or knowledge can complete.
There are a variety of reasons why a doorknob handle may break, but they all have one thing in common: age and wear. Over time opening and closing the door may gradually loosen the tiny screws that secure the mechanism. This is why it's important to have your doors checked and maintained regularly to reduce the chance of loosening parts.
A lot of modern doors have knobs that slide over a cylindrical spindle which is attached to the door as a part of the latch assembly. repair double glazing are made with hidden screws that are hidden behind the faceplate to fix them to the spindle. If your door is equipped with this kind of knob, you'll need to take off the ring to reveal the screws hidden behind it. With a flathead, pry the ring out with attention. Be careful not to damage the backing. After the ring is removed, you can tighten all of the screws exposed with an ordinary screwdriver (not a power tool like a drill).
Certain older doors have knobs that are connected to the spindle with a detent system. This keeps the knob in place without the requirement for visible screwdrivers. If this is the case for your door, look for a small hole on the knob's surface and locate a spring-activated retaining pin that protrudes from. The pin is connected to a lever that is located on the inside of your door. You'll require a screwdriver in order to push the lever and reveal the screwscrew.
If your door is fitted with set screws instead of detent pins, you'll need an Allen key to loosen them and remove the knob from the spindle. When the knob is off it is easy to loosen and tighten the screwscrew using a screwdriver or an allen wrench.
Dirty Keyway
The parts that make up locks require a tiny amount of oil to operate smoothly, however, the oil could dry up or get mixed in with dirt. The key and lock mechanism could become stuck together, making it difficult to take it off. You can loosen them by spraying lubricant on the lock or applying graphite. WD-40 works well if you have nothing else to choose from, however, this liquid lubricant can draw dirt and leave a an odor inside the lock so make sure you regularly spray it over and over.
If the key is stuck, try wriggling it in and out of the lock. This will let the lock loosen enough to allow you to be able to pull the key out with a little effort. It could also aid in removing dirt from the lock. If you are unable to get a grip on the key then use needle-nose pliers to hold the end of the key, and wiggle it. Don't use too much force, since you could break or bend the key.
If the lock is brand new, but the key doesn't fit or emerge easily it could have rough spots that need to be sanded away. The key can be blackened using soot by holding it over a candle that is lit. Then, you can employ a file to eliminate the sharp edges. A rotary file is ideal for this, but hacksaws are also a possibility in the absence of a Rotary file. If the key is too stiff to rotate or remove, contact an experienced locksmith for assistance. A professional can ensure that all the components are correctly aligned, lubricated, and ready to accept a suitable key.
Poorly cut key
It is generally simple and quick to get your key duplicated by locksmiths. However there are a few ways that the duplicates might be cut incorrectly. This means that they might not work or fit in the lock. This can be caused by a few things like the original key getting worn down, or worse when it was used to attempt to open your lock, and the locksmith not being able to accurately cut the new key.
A quick fix to this problem is to jiggle the key inside the lock, shake it while trying to turn it. This will cause the pins of the key to rise above the cut and allow the key to turn. You can also apply graphite powder or spray to coat your key and insert it into the lock. This acts as a lubricant to aid in the unjamming of tumblers for locks.
It is possible that you gave the wrong key to a locksmith and they copied it. This is a common problem and it's easy to make people confuse keys as they look very similar, so if you believe this is the case, place your key side-by-side with the original key that you had copied.
The best solution to fix this is to take the key back to your local locksmith They will be able to check that they're cutting the correct blank and then they can cut you a new one that will match. You can also create a copy of a key by using a small piece of paper, lighter (or lighter), clear packing tape, and a piece of material that you can trace the key on.
Lincoln Lock & Safe is the place to go if your key will not unlock your door. We can repair your key or replace the lock cylinder fast so that you can gain access to your home. We offer competitive rates and are available 24 hours a day. Give us a ring.