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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself When a door lock starts to show signs of wear it is crucial to have it replaced promptly. Otherwise, you could be making your home at risk of burglary. Many of the most common problems in door locks can be resolved without the need for a professional. Read on to learn more about the signs to look for and how you can fix them at home. Damaged Cylinder Damaged Cylinder Car owners need to be aware and watch out for damage to door lock cylinders, though they are less common in newer cars as power door locks are now the norm. This is the tumbler that keys slide into. It's prone to wear or break and cause keys to become stuck or difficult to turn. It is crucial to respond quickly if you observe your vehicle experiencing this problem. The easiest way to fix this issue is to spray the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clean out any debris that may be hindering it. You can also lubricate it using a graphite or silicone spray. Be cautious not to overdo the procedure as this could cause the pins to wear out more quickly. If your key still won't turn, it may be time to replace the cylinder or have it professionally repaired by locksmiths. After you've sprayed your cylinder and tried using the same key, it might be necessary to loosen the screws that hold the cylinder and then manually move it in a way that it is aligned with the keyhole on the door. The screws should be tightened but not too much since this could cause internal components to wear out or get damaged. Depending on the type of lock you may have to remove the faceplate as well to access the screw heads that hold it. If this is the case, you'll locate them hidden behind seams or indentations along the edge of the faceplate or by inserting a putty knife or screwdriver into these areas. After you've removed your faceplate, you can then employ a screwdriver for disassembling the internal components of the lock and replace any damaged or worn out. Install the lock and attach the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. Also, test the cylinder to ensure that it can be inserted and turned without any issues. If you are having difficulty doing this, it's time to contact an expert because the lock cylinder might require replacement. Loose Door Handles Sometimes the handle of a door loosens over time and may begin to spin freely or even fall off the door completely. This can be a problem since it makes it difficult to open the door, and also puts people at risk. It is important to understand why the handle is loose and how it can be fixed. Most of the time, it's due to a screw inside the door plate that requires tightening. Ongoing may have difficult-to-reach screws for the chassis, while older designs are easily accessible. You can tighten them easily but it is preferential to use a threadlocker that will lock the screws into place. If the screw is exposed you can remove the handle and expose the screws to tighten. It is possible to loosen the ring around the base of the handle first, then pull it off from the knob while pressing the metallic detent pin. You can then remove the rose and expose the screws on the mounting plate which you then tighten. Examine the strike plate screws that secure the plate to the edge of the doorway. This is where the latch snaps in when it closes. Sometimes, the issue is with the spring cassette inside the handle. It is prone to wear out over time. A simple replacement is usually needed. You can do it yourself or have a local locksmith install it for you. There are many different types of cassettes that are available and you should get the right one for your particular handle. It could also be due to a damaged mounting ring or faceplate, but this is very rare with the newer handles. You will usually find a comparable replacement for yours from a hardware store or online. After you have installed the new piece, you'll have to tighten all fixings, and then reattach the handle. Aligning the holes in the handle with the holes on the plate is also crucial. If you are worried that this is too much of a do-it-yourself task, a locksmith will provide a quote. Keys that don't turn There are many reasons why keys do not turn inside of locks. Often, this is due to a lack of lubrication. You can fix this by using a lubricant, such as WD-40 or a silicone-based spray. The pins will move upwards and downwards when you insert the key and apply the oil. Sometimes it is the key that causes the issue. The point of a key may become blunt in time, especially if it's employed for a different purpose than to get into your home. This could prevent the key from fitting into the lock cylinder properly, which could lead to it getting stuck or trapped inside the lock. In this case the re-tipping of the key using a bastard file could help it fit into the lock better. Another reason the key may not turn inside a lock is that it is damaged or bent. Making use of a key as a tool to cut things or use it as a can opener could cause the tip of the key to bend, which could also hinder it from fitting into the lock cylinder properly. In this instance, you may need to re-tipp the key using a bastard or replace the entire key. It is crucial to understand that gluing the two pieces of metal won't work if a key has broken inside a lock. This can actually lead to further damage to the mechanism, and it is best to call a locksmith who provides replacement keys to fix the problem. If the key isn't broken, it could be that the cylinder of the lock is blocked by dust or other debris. In this case it might be beneficial to warm the cylinder by putting the key in hot water for a couple of minutes. After the cylinder has warmed up, you should be in a position to insert the key into the cylinder to unlock the door. You can also use a hairdryer for blowing hot air directly into the lock to melt out the mechanism. Sticky Locks Locks are an essential part of home security. But the fact is that they're often overlooked until they stop working correctly. Sticky locks could be a source of trouble. However, they are simple to fix and could stop bigger problems from arising. One of the most likely reasons for a lock to become sticky is simply that the mechanism has become dirty and grimy. It can be fixed with a bit of cleaning and lubrication. A common solution is to use a dry lubricant like WD-40 or GT85 spray. The key is then put into the lock and turned around and back to spread the lubricant throughout the internal mechanisms. The key is now removed and the lock should be able to turn smoothly again. A graphite lubricant can be another option. Graphite is a great for lubricant that can be used on small metal parts. It won't wash off or attract dirt like oil-based solutions. Powdered graphite is sold in many hardware stores and can be sprayed onto the keyhole directly. You can also use pencils that are made of the same material. It is recommended to clean off any excess lubricant that you've applied to it to stop it from building up and becoming a source of future issues. If you've tried the above suggestions and your sticky lock still isn't moving, it might be time to call in a professional locksmith to analyze the situation and determine the most effective solution. Locks that are stuck if not addressed can turn into major hassles and can lead to keys snapping in the lock or even in the door handle. Ignoring a sticking lock can be extremely irritating and it's better to act earlier rather than later. Regular lubrication can to prevent the problem from happening in the first place. Add this to your annual maintenance routine will give you peace of mind that your locks work properly, securing your home.