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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself When a door lock starts to show signs of wear It is important to get it repaired promptly. You could leave your property open to burglars. Most of the common problems that arise with door locks can be fixed without calling a professional. Learn more about the most frequent problems with door locks and how to fix them yourself. Damaged Lock Cylinder Car owners must be aware of and watch for any damage to door lock cylinders though they are less common in newer cars as door locks with power are now the commonplace. This is the tumbler made of mechanical that the key slides into and it could wear down or break which causes keys to become stuck when you insert them or turn hard. It is essential to immediately take action if you notice your vehicle experiencing this problem. The most effective way to address this problem is by spraying the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clean out any debris that could be blocking it. You can also lubricate it using a graphite or silicone spray. Be cautious not to overdo it because this will cause the pins wear out faster. If your key won't turn after trying all of these options, you may need to replace the cylinder. It could also be repaired by an expert locksmith. After spraying the cylinder using the appropriate spray and using a different type of key, you may have to loosen the screws holding the cylinder in place and manually move the cylinder so that it is aligned properly with the keyhole. The screws should be tightened but not too much since this could cause internal components to wear out or be damaged. Depending on the type of lock you are using, you may have to remove the faceplate to gain access to the screw heads that secure it. You can find them by looking behind the seams, indentations, or holes on the outside of your faceplate. You can also use a screwdriver or putty knife to get into these areas. After removing the faceplate from the lock, you can employ a screwdriver to remove its internal components. Replace any damaged or worn components. When reassembling the lock make sure you attach the faceplate securely and secure the screws. Test the cylinder by inserting it and turning it. If you have trouble doing this, it's likely time to contact a professional as the lock cylinder might need to be replaced. Loose Door Handles Over time, a door handle can loosen and begin to spin or fall off completely. This could be a problem because it makes it difficult to open the door and can put people at risk. It is important to understand the reason for the handle being loose, and how it can easily be fixed. This is often because of loose screws in the doorplate. Modern doors might have difficult-to-reach screws for the chassis, while older styles are easily accessible. The screws can be tightened easily. It is recommended to use a threadlocker to lock them in the right position. If the screw is visible, you can remove it and tighten the screws. You might need to loosen the ring at the base of the handle first, and then pull it off from the knob itself while depressing the metallic detent pin. Then, you can remove the rose and expose the screws on the mounting plate, which you can then tighten. You should also examine the strike plate screws that hold the plate on the edge of the doorway which the latch clicks into when it closes. Sometimes, the issue may be related to the handle's spring cassette. This may break down over time, but most of the time it's due to wear and tear and needs the replacement of a spring cassette. You can do it yourself or let your local locksmith install it for you. There are a range of cassettes available, so make sure to select the appropriate one for your particular handle. It can also be down to a broken faceplate or mounting ring, but this is not common with modern handles. You can locate the replacement in a hardware shop or online. After you've installed the new part and tightened all the fixings and re-attach the handle. Also, you should align the holes in the handle with those on the plate. If you're worried that this is too much of a DIY job, a locksmith can offer a price. Keys that Don't Turn There are many different reasons that keys may not rotate inside locks. This is often because of a lack of lubrication. It is possible to fix this using a lubricant like WD-40 or a silicone-based spray. Applying the lubricant and then inserting the key will allow the pins to move upwards and downwards and allow the key to open the lock. Sometimes, the key itself might be the issue. The tip of a key will become blunt in time, especially if it's used for other purposes than just to gain entry into your home. The key might not fit into the lock cylinder correctly which can result in it becoming stuck or trapped in the lock. Re-tipping the lock key with an instrument for bastards can help it fit better. Another reason why a key might not turn inside a lock is that it is damaged or bent. The tip of a key can be bent if used to cut or open cans. central locking key repair can also prevent the key from fitting into the lock cylinder in a proper way. In this instance you can re-tippe it using a bastard file or replacing the entire key could be required to resolve the issue. It is vital to be aware that gluing the two pieces of steel together is not a viable option if a key has broken inside a lock. This can cause further damage to the locking mechanism. It is best to contact a locksmith that provides replacement keys. If the key isn't broken, it could be because the lock cylinder is blocked by dust or other debris. In this instance it could be beneficial to warm the cylinder by placing the key into hot water for a couple of minutes. Once the cylinder has warmed up, you should be able to insert the key into the cylinder and unlock the door. You can also use a hairdryer for blowing hot air directly into the lock to help thaw out the mechanism. Sticky Locks Locks are a crucial element of your home security. However that they're usually taken for granted—until they stop working properly. The sticky locks could be a source of trouble. However, they're simple to fix and prevent bigger problems from developing. One of the most likely reasons for a locked that is sticky is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and grimy. It can be fixed with a bit of cleaning and lubrication. Dry lubricant like sprays of WD-40 or GT85 spray is a typical solution. The key is then inserted into the lock and rotated back and forth in order to spread lubricant on the internal mechanisms. The key must now be removed and the lock should be able to turn smoothly again. Another option is to choose a graphite-based lubricant. Graphite is an excellent for lubricant that can be used on small metal parts. It won't wash off or attract dirt, unlike oils-based solutions. Many hardware stores sell powdered graphite which can be directly applied to the keyhole. You can also make use of a pencil for the same purpose, since it's made from the same material. Clean up any excess lubricant applied after having used it. This will stop it from accumulating and creating future issues. If you've tried the above suggestions and your lock won't budge, it may be time to get a professional locksmith to analyze the situation and determine the most effective course of action. Sticky locks that aren't addressed can become major nuisances and lead to keys snapping in the lock or even in the door handle. Ignoring a sticking lock can be extremely frustrating and it's better to act sooner rather than later. Regularly lubricating your locks can help prevent these problems from occurring in the first place. Adding this to your yearly maintenance schedule can give you peace of mind that your locks are functioning correctly, and are secure for your home.