Five People You Should Know In The Lock Repair Industry
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail, you can try to fix them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. However, repair of locks isn't easy and the wrong approach could lead to further damage. You should first check to determine if the issue is due to dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can be used to eliminate this issue. 1. Loose Door Knob or Handle As time passes door knobs and handles may become loose. This could result in an unbalanced knob or handle that is difficult to open. It is important to replace loose door knobs as they're not just annoying, but can compromise the security of your building. double glazing window locks repairs that is loose is easy to repair. Depending on the lock system that is installed on your door, there are a variety of ways to fix this. Certain systems have mounting screws that are easy to access, whereas others have a backplate that hides the screws that hold it together. This method is more complex in the case of a backplate that hides the screws. The majority of interior doorknobs are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle which is attached to the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to a small screw, known as a setscrew, located inside the knob that prevents it from sliding over the spindle. Utilize flashlights to locate the screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened, turn the knob to check if it feels solid. If your knob is still moving, it could be because the screw that sets it hasn't been positioned correctly. Look for a small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the correct position. Move the knob over the spindle after pressing the button using the screwdriver that has a flat head. As you do this the knob should click, indicating that it is placed correctly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw has been properly placed then tighten it a second time to secure the knob. This should resolve the issue, but if not then you might require removing the knob and check the backplate for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type of repair, you should contact a professional locksmith who offers damaged lock repair to help. 2. The key won't turn inside the lock There are a number of reasons why your key could cease to turn in the lock. One of the most common causes is that the pins within the cylinder are worn out. This means that they do not have a proper shape that allows for the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In this situation the best solution is spraying the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and make them move again. If the problem is more serious, and the key is bent it may be necessary to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will use a special tool to straighten the keys, which has an angled tip that fits into the recessed groove of the tip of the key. This kind of tool can't be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase an entire kit with the necessary tools through the internet or from locksmiths. Another possibility is that the lock is dirty or contaminated. The accumulation of dust over time can cause problems in the lock's cylinder and causes the springs or pins to get stuck. In this situation, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to remove the pins and return them to their original places. It could also be an issue in the event that the key is damaged. Keys can wear down over time through repeated use, which will cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This could result in the key not fitting into the cylinder, so it is important to be aware and regularly check that your key is fitted correctly. In the winter months, locks can freeze, which prevents the pins and springs from moving when the key is put in. This can be a nagging issue, but it is usually relatively simple to fix by warming the lock using hot water and then using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. However, if the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to require replacement by a professional. 3. The lock isn't turning It can be a hassle to have locks that aren't turning or open. If it happens frequently you might consider getting locksmiths to come check it out and see if they can assist. It is not always necessary since some issues can be solved by yourself. The key may not turn in a lock due to it's damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key, or it is broken in the lock. Instead of trying to pull it out of the lock, which could cause the broken piece of the key to be pushed further into the mechanism and cause the issue to get worse Try using needle-nosed pliers to take it out of the lock. You'll want to be careful not to cut off the broken piece with the pliers or you could cause damage to the lock. It's also possible that your lock isn't aligned correctly which could cause the door to not latch correctly. If you happen to have an extra key, this could be tested in the lock to confirm that it is working properly and doesn't cause the cause of the problem. If you discover that the lock is not aligned correctly tightening the screws on the strike plate will fix the problem and allow the lock to perform normally. A lock may not turn because of dirt or dust. Using graphite sprays or a silicone-based lubricant can solve this issue by coating the pins within the lock, allowing them to move up and down as normal. It is important to avoid using oil based products like WD-40 to solve this issue, since they could cause more blockages later on. It's also worth noting that there are certain types of keys that don't fit into all locks. If yours is one of these, it might be time to get a replacement key from a local hardware store to ensure that it can be used inside the lock. 4. The Cylinder is Rotating When a cylinder is turned in a confinement space, it can cause the formation of hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. These forces are proportional to the radius of curvature that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented 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 composed of aluminum alloy. If you are able to insert your key and turn it but the lock does not rotate the cylinder, it could be damaged. Rekeying your lock could solve the issue. There are kits made for this purpose that can be purchased online or at most big box stores.