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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself It is crucial to fix the door lock as soon as it starts to begin to show signs. It is possible to leave your home open to burglars. Fortunately, a lot of the most frequent issues with door locks are fixable without calling in the help of a professional. Find out more about the most frequent issues with door locks, and how to fix them yourself. Damaged Cylinder Damaged Cylinder Car owners must be aware and look for any damage to door lock cylinders, although they are not as common in newer cars as door locks with power have become the standard. This is the tumbler that your keys slide into. It is prone to wear out or break, causing keys to become stuck or hard to turn. It's important that you immediately take action if you notice your vehicle has this issue. 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 hindering it. You can also try lubricating it with a graphite or silicone spray, but make sure not to use too much as this could cause the pins to wear down faster. If your key doesn't turn after trying these different methods You may have to replace the cylinder. You can also have it repaired by an expert locksmith. Once you've sprayed the cylinder and tried a different key, it could be necessary to loosen the screws that keep the cylinder in place and then manually move it in a way that it is aligned with the keyhole on the door. Be sure to retighten these screws, but not too tight, as this could cause internal components to wear or damaged. Depending on the type of lock you may need to remove the faceplate as well to gain access to the screw heads that secure it. You can locate them by looking behind seams, indentations or holes on the outside of your faceplate. You can also employ a screwdriver or knife to get into these areas. After removing the faceplate of the lock, use a screwdriver and disassemble the internal components. Replace any worn or damaged parts. When reassembling the lock, be sure to attach the faceplate securely and secure the screws. Test the cylinder by inserting and turning it. If you're having issues you should call an expert as the lock cylinder may need to be changed. Loose Door Handles Over time, a door handle will loosen and start to spin or even fall off completely. This can be a big problem as it makes the door difficult to open and endangers those using it. It is essential to understand why the handle is loose and how to fix it. Most of the time, it's due to a screw on the door plate that requires tightening. Some modern doors have hidden chassis screws which are difficult to reach, but older designs have them exposed and accessible. The screws can be tightened easily. It is best to employ a threadlocker to secure them in place. If the screw is exposed, you can remove the handle and expose the screws to tighten. You may need to loosen the ring at the base of handle before you can pull the knob off while pressing the metal detent pin. You can then take off the rose and expose the screws for the mounting plate which you then tighten. You should also examine the strike plate screws that hold the plate on the edge of the doorway that the latch clicks into when it is closed. Sometimes, the issue is the spring cassette that's in the handle. This may break down over time, but most of the time it's just down to wear and tear and needs the replacement of a spring cassette. You can install it yourself or have a local locksmith do it for you. There are lock repair G28 of cassettes, so be sure to select the appropriate one for your specific handle. It could also be due to a broken mounting plate or ring, however it is uncommon for handles with modern designs. You can locate a replacement in a hardware shop or online. Once you've fitted the new piece, you should tighten up all the fixings and re-attach the handle. It is also recommended to align the holes in the handle with the holes on the plate. If you're concerned that this is too much of a DIY task, a locksmith will give you a quote. Keys That Don't Turn There are a number of reasons why keys won't turn inside locks. It is usually because of a lack of lubrication. This can be fixed by applying a lubricant, such as WD-40, silicone-based spray, or graphite lubricant. Applying the lubricant and then inserting the key will allow the pins to move back and forth, which should allow the key to unlock the lock. Other times it could be the key itself that can be the issue. Making use of a key as a box cutter, can opener, or for something other than accessing your home can cause the tip of the key to become blunt over time. The key might not fit into the lock cylinder in a proper way and can cause it to get stuck or trapped in the lock. Re-tipping the lock key with the aid of a bastard tool could aid in fitting it better. A key that is not turning in a lock could also be bent or damaged. Utilizing keys as tools to cut objects or as a can opener can cause the tip of the key to bend and prevent it from fitting into the lock cylinder properly. In this case you can re-tippe it using a bastard file or replacing the entire key may be required to resolve the problem. If the key has snapped in the middle of the lock, it's important to remember that trying to join the two pieces of metal together will not work. This can actually lead to further damage to the mechanism and it is advised to call a locksmith who offers replacement keys to fix the problem. If the key isn't broken, it may be that the cylinder of the lock is clogged with dust or other debris. In this instance it is possible to warm up the cylinder by placing the key in hot water for a few minutes. After the cylinder has warmed up, you should be able to insert the key into the cylinder and unlock the door. You can also make use of a hair dryer to blow air directly into the lock mechanism to thaw it out. Sticky Locks Locks are an essential component of home security. Locks are often taken for granted until they stop functioning 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 lock to become sticky is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and grimy. This can be easily fixed with a bit of cleaning and lubrication. A dry lubricant, such as sprays of WD-40 or GT85 spray is a popular solution. The key is inserted into lock and rotated back and forward in order to spread lubricant on the internal mechanisms. The key should now be removed and the lock will turn smoothly once again. A graphite lubricant is another option. Graphite is a fantastic lubricant to use on small metal parts. It doesn't wash off or attract dirt like oils-based solutions. Many hardware stores sell graphite powdered that can be applied directly to the keyhole. You can also make use of a pencil for the same purpose, as it's made of the same material. It is recommended to clean off any excess lubricant that you've applied to it to stop it from accumulating and causing future issues. If your sticky lock isn't moving after trying all of the above methods, it's time to call an expert locksmith who will assess the situation and determine what the best option is. If you don't address the problem, it can escalate into major annoyances and lead to keys snapping in the lock or even the door handle. It's better to act now than later if you have an unresponsive lock. Regularly lubricating your locks can help keep these types of issues from occurring in the first in the first. You can rest in assurance that your locks will work properly and secure your home by including this in your annual maintenance tasks.