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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks fail If your locks fail, you can fix them yourself or employ an expert locksmith. However, lock repair can be tricky and if you don't follow the correct procedure, it could cause further damage. It is important to first find out if the issue is caused by dirt or dust. Graphite spray or a silicone-based oil can be used to eliminate this issue. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock Door knobs and handles may become loose in time, which can result in a jiggly door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. It is important to replace loose door knobs as they're not just annoying, but can compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is relatively easy to repair. There are a few different methods to fix it, dependent on the lock system your door has. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates that hide the screws. If your door has the latter type, this method may be more complicated. Most interior doorknobs have a tiny screw referred to as a setscrew that is located on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours feels jiggly, it could be because of the small screw, also known as a set screw, located on the inside of the doorknob, which is stopping it from sliding over the spindle. Make use of a flashlight to help you locate the set screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened, turn the knob to verify if it feels secure. If your knob still feels jiggly, it's possible that the set screw isn't positioned correctly. Look for the small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the right position. Depress the button with an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob across the spindle. The knob should click into place as you do this, signalling that it is in the correct position on the spindle. After ensuring the set screw is positioned properly and tighten it once more to ensure that the knob or handle is in the correct position. This should solve the issue however, if it doesn't then you might have to take the knob off and inspect the backplate for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will require replacing these screws before you can secure the knob or handle. If you aren't comfortable with this type of repair, seek out an expert locksmith who can offer repair for damaged locks to assist. 2. The key won't turn inside the lock There are many reasons why your key could cease to turn in the lock. One of the most frequent causes is that the pins within the cylinder are worn out. This means that they no longer have a proper shape to allow the wafers or sliders to move with the key. In find more , spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray will coat the pins in order to enable them to move. If the problem is more severe, and the key has been bent or twisted, you may need to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will employ an exclusive tool that has a curved edge to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't sold at hardware stores, however you can find a kit that includes the proper tools online or at an establishment that sells locksmith tools. A soiled or dirty lock is another possibility. Over time, dust can build up in the lock's the cylinder, which may cause the springs and pins to swell up. In this instance, you'll have to spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to get rid of it and restore the pins to their original positions. If the key itself is damaged, it could also be a problem. Keys can wear down over time by repeated use, which can cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This can result in the key not being able to fit in the cylinder. It is essential to check frequently to ensure that the key fits correctly. Locks can freeze in the winter months. This will prevent the springs and pins from moving when a key is put in. This can be a nagging issue, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock by using hot water and then changing the lubricant. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced. 3. The lock isn't turning It can be a hassle to have locks that aren't turning or open. If this happens frequently it is advisable to think about calling a locksmith to inspect the lock to determine if they are able help. This isn't always needed however, as some issues can be solved by yourself. The key won't turn inside the lock if damaged. This could happen if you've lost your key or it's broken in the lock. Rather than trying to fish it out of the lock which could cause the damaged piece of the key to be pushed further inside the mechanism, which could make the problem much worse Try using pliers with needles to take it out of the lock. You should be cautious not to break any of the broken piece with the pliers or you may end up damaging the lock. You may also have a misaligned lock, which could cause the door to not to latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you can try it to make sure that the lock functions correctly. If you discover that the lock isn't aligned properly, tightening the screws around the strike plate can solve the issue and allow the lock to work normally. Another reason your key might not be turning is that there is dirt or dust in the lock hindering it from moving. This issue can be resolved by using a graphite or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins of the lock. This allows them to move up & down in a normal manner. Avoid using products that contain oil, such as WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more clogging in the future. Also, it's important to note that there are some types of keys that aren't able to be used in all locks. If this is the case, you'll need to have a new key made by a local hardware shop. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. Hairpin vortices can form when a cylinder turns in a confinement space. These vortices can exert significant forces on the cylinder that is rotating. These forces are proportional 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 cylinder's tube, head and main body are all made of aluminum alloy. If you're able to get your key inside and turn it however the lock isn't turning there could be an issue with the cylinder itself. Rekeying your lock could solve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in many big box stores.