10 Startups Set To Change The Lock Repair Industry For The Better
How to Do Your Own Lock Repair
When your locks become faulty You can attempt to repair them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. Repairing locks can be a challenge and if you take the wrong route, it could result in more damage.
You must first see if the problem is due to dust or dirt. This can usually be cleared by applying a graphite spray or silicone-based fluid.
1. Door Handle or Knob Lock
Over time doors knobs and handles could become loose. This can result in a jiggly knob or handle that is difficult for you to open. It is essential to repair loose door knobs because they're not just annoying and can also compromise the security of your home. Fortunately, a doorknob that is loose or handle is fairly simple to fix. There are several ways to do this, depending on what kind of lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates that hide the screws. This method is more difficult if your door uses an underlay that hides the screws.
Most doorknobs with interiors have a tiny screw referred to as a setscrew on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is part of the latch assembly. If the knob you have is jiggly it could be because of a small screw, called a set screw, located on the inside of the doorknob that's keeping it from sliding over the spindle. Use a flashlight to help you locate the screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened, test the knob and see if it no longer feels jiggly.
If your knob feels jiggly, it's possible that the set screw isn't placed properly. To make sure the screw is in the correct position, look for a small, matching button on the spindle. Slide the knob over the spindle after pressing the button using the screwdriver with a flat head. As you do this, the knob should click into place which indicates that it has been positioned properly on the spindle.
After you've confirmed that the set screw is properly positioned then tighten it a second time to ensure that the knob is secured. This should resolve the issue however, if it doesn't it is, you will require removing the knob and check the backplate for loose or missing screws. You will need to replace the screws in the event of this before you can reinstall the knob or handle. If you're not happy with this kind of repair, call a professional locksmith who offers repairs for damaged locks.
2. Key Won't Turn in the Lock
There are a number of reasons why your key could stop turning in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder have begun to wear out and do not have the right shape to move the wafers, sliders, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this situation, spraying the lock with silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray will coat the pins to make them move again.
However, if the issue is more severe and the key is been bent out of shape you might need to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will employ an exclusive tool that has an edge that is curved to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This type of tool cannot be found in hardware stores. However, you can purchase an entire set of required tools on the internet or from a locksmith.
A soiled or dirty lock is a different possibility. Dust can accumulate over time in the lock's cylinder and causes the springs or pins to get stuck. In this instance, you'll need spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray, or a silicone-based lubricant to remove it and restore the pins to their original positions.
If the key itself is damaged, it could be a cause for concern. A key can be worn down over time through repeated use, which can cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This could result in the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, therefore it's important to pay attention and regularly check that your key is fitted correctly.
Locks can freeze up during the winter months. This will prevent the pins and springs from moving when a key is put in. This can be a nagging issue, but is usually easily solved by warming the lock with hot water and applying lubrication. 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
It can be a hassle to have a lock that won't turn or open. If it occurs frequently, you may want to contact locksmiths to take a look and see if they can help. This isn't always needed however, as some issues can be resolved by yourself.
The key won't turn inside the lock if it is damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to pull it out of the lock which could cause the broken piece of the key to push further inside the mechanism, which could make the problem much worse Try using pliers with needles to take it out of the lock. Be careful not to break the broken piece with the pliers or you may cause damage to the lock.
It's also possible that your lock is misaligned and this could cause the door to not latch properly. If you have an extra lock key, you may test it to verify that the lock is operating properly. If you discover that the lock is not aligned correctly tightening the screws on the strike plate could fix the problem and allow the lock to function normally.
check here why your key may not be turning is that there is dust or dirt in the lock that is preventing it from turning. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant will solve this problem by coating the pins within the lock, allowing them to move up and down as normal. Avoid using oils-based products, like WD-40 for instance, as they can cause more obstructions in the future.
It's important to know that some keys don't fit into all locks. If yours is one of these you might want to get a new key made at a local hardware store to ensure that it will work inside the lock.
4. The Cylinder is rotating.
Hairpin vortices can develop when a cylinder turns in a confinement area. These vortices may exert significant forces on the cylinder rotating. These forces are proportional the curvature radius that is dimensionless x and the confinement factor k. The simplified model that is presented here explains the impact of these parameters on the force and torque of an encircled rotating cylinder. The head, tube and main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy.
If you can insert your key and turn it but the lock is still rotating the cylinder, it could be damaged. Rekeying your lock can solve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose on the internet or in a lot of big box stores.