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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair When your locks become faulty If your locks fail, you can repair them yourself or hire an professional locksmith. However, repair of locks can be a challenge and the wrong approach could lead to further damage. You must first find out if the issue is caused by dust or dirt. This can usually be cleared by applying a graphite spray or silicone based fluid. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock Door knobs and handles could become loose in time, which can result in an unbalanced door handle or knobs that are difficult to open. Knobs that are loose in the door are not only annoying but they could compromise your home's security, so it is important to find and solve the issue quickly. Fortunately, a loose doorknob or handle is relatively easy to repair. There are a few different ways to fix this dependent on the lock system your door is using. Some systems have exposed mounting screws that are easy to access, whereas others have a backplate that conceals the screws that hold the lock together. This is a more complicated method when your door has a backplate that hides the screws. The majority of interior doorknobs are designed to slip over a cylindrical spindle that is inserted into the door as part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly it could be due to a tiny screw known as a set screw located on the inside of the knob that prevents it from sliding across spindle. Make use of a flashlight to help you locate the screw and use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened by turning the knob, test if it is solid. If your knob is jiggly it could be because the set screw isn't placed correctly. Look for a small button that matches the spindle to ensure the screw is in the proper position. Press the button with an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob across the spindle. As you do this the knob should begin to click and show that it is positioned properly on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw is properly positioned, tighten it once more to secure the knob. If this does not solve the issue, you may need to remove the knob from the backplate and look for missing or loose screws. You will need to replace the screws in the event of this before you can replace the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type repair, call an expert who is skilled in repairing damaged locks. 2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock There are several reasons why your lock key may stop turning. One of the most common causes is that the pins within the cylinder have worn down. This means that they do not have a proper shape to allow the sliders or wafers to be moved by the key. In this case, a quick fix would be spraying the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and make them move again. If the issue is more severe and the key has bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will use a special tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't sold at hardware stores, but you can find a kit with the right tools online or at the locksmith shop. Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or contaminated. Over time, dust can accumulate in the lock cylinder, which can cause the springs and pins to seize up. In this situation, you'll be required spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to remove it and restore the pins to their original position. If the key itself is damaged, it could be a cause for concern. Keys are worn down with time due to repeated use, which can cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This could result in the key not fitting into the cylinder, therefore it's important to pay attention and regularly check that your key fits correctly. Locks can freeze during the winter months. This can stop the springs and pins from moving when keys are put in. This can be a frustrating issue however, it can be resolved by warming the lock with hot water and changing the lubricant. However, if the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to need to be replaced by an expert. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've ever encountered locks that don't turn and can't be opened, it can be very frustrating. If this happens frequently you might want to think about hiring a locksmith to take a look at the lock to see if they are able help. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary as there are some things that can be fixed without the need for professional assistance. The key will not turn inside the lock if it's damaged. It could happen if you have lost your key, or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to fish keys out of the lock which could cause it to be pushed deeper into the mechanism and increase the risk you can use needle-nosedpliers to take the key from the lock. Be careful not to break the broken piece using the pliers, or you may end up damaging the lock. There could be an improperly aligned lock that could cause the door not to latch properly. If you're fortunate enough to have an additional key, it could be tested in the lock to make sure it works correctly and isn't the issue. If you find that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate could fix the issue and allow the lock to function normally. Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dirt or dust inside the lock that is hindering it from moving. Using an graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant could solve this problem by coating the pins inside the lock, allowing them to move up and down in a normal manner. It's important not to use oil based products like WD-40 to solve this issue, because they can cause obstructions later on. Lastly, it's worth noting that there are certain types of keys that don't fit in all locks. If this is the case, you may require a new key created by a local hardware store. 4. The Cylinder is Rotating When a cylinder is turned within a confinement gap it can result in hairpin vortices to form which can cause significant forces on the cylinder. The forces are proportional to the dimensionless radius of curvature x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model described here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque of the cylinder that is confined. The tube, head and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminum alloy. If you're able to get your key inside and turn it however the lock isn't turning, there may be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying the lock may solve the issue. replace window locks can buy kits for this purpose online or in most big box stores.