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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail If your locks fail, you can fix them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. Lock repair can be tricky and a wrong choice may cause further damage. The first step is to confirm that the problem is not caused by dust or dirt. Graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant are a good choice to solve this issue. 1. Loose Door Knob or Handle As time passes door knobs and handles can become loose. This can lead to an unbalanced knob or handle that is difficult for you to open. It is important to fix loose door knobs because they are not only annoying and can also compromise the security of your building. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively easy to repair. There are a few different methods to fix it, dependent on the lock your door comes with. Certain lock systems come with easily accessible mounting screws, whereas others use backplates to hide the screws. If your door is the second type, this process could be more complex. Most interior doorknobs have a small screw called a setscrew on the inside of the knob, which prevents it from sliding across the spindle. This is part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly it could be due to a small screw known as a set screw on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding across spindle. Use flashlights to locate the set screw, and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once the screw is tightened by turning the knob, test if it is solid. If the knob is jiggly it could be because the screw that sets it hasn't been positioned correctly. Look for a small button that matches the spindle to make sure the screw is in the correct position. Press the button with an screwdriver with a flat head, and then slide the knob across the spindle. When you do this the knob should click into place and show that it is positioned properly on the spindle. After ensuring the set screw is in the correct position then tighten it once more to secure the knob or handle in the correct position. If this does not resolve the problem, you may have to remove the knob from the backplate and check for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you'll require replacing these screws before re-securing the knob or handle. If you're uncomfortable with this type of repair, call an expert who is skilled in repair of damaged locks. 2. Key won't turn in the Lock There are a number of reasons why your key might stop turning inside the lock. One of the most common reasons is that the pins inside the cylinder have begun to wear down and, consequently, they no longer have the proper shape to move the wafers, sliders, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this case spraying the lock with lubricant based on silicone or graphite spray can help coat the pins to allow them to move again. If the issue is more serious and the key has bent or twisted, you may need to have it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith will use an exclusive tool that has an angled edge that fits into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't readily sold at hardware stores, but you can find an entire kit of the correct tools online or in a locksmith shop. Another possibility is that the lock has become dirty or contaminated. The accumulation of dust over time can cause problems in the lock cylinder and causes the springs or pins to become stuck. In this situation, spray the lock with graphite or WD-40 spray to clean out the pins, and then return them to their original places. It may also be a problem if the key has been damaged. Keys can wear down over time by frequent use, which could result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This can result in the key not to fit in the cylinder. It is important to regularly check to make sure that the key fits properly. In colder weather, locks can freeze, which prevents the springs and pins from moving when the key is inserted. This can be a frustrating problem however it is fairly easy to solve by heating the lock with hot water and using the lubricant again to re-lubricate. However, if the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it may require replacement by a professional. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've had a lock that doesn't turn and isn't able to be opened, it can be very frustrating. If it happens often, you may want to consider contacting a locksmith to come check it out and see if they can help. This is not always necessary, as some problems can be solved by yourself. Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock due to it's damaged. You may experience this in the event that you've lost your keys, or it is broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to get the key out of the lock, which could result in it being pushed deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse you can use needle-nosedpliers to take the key from the lock. Be careful not to damage the lock by tearing off any part of the broken key with the pliers. It's possible that your lock isn't aligned properly and this could cause the door to not latch properly. If you're fortunate enough to have an extra key, this could be tested in the lock to confirm that it is working properly and doesn't cause the cause of the problem. If you find that the lock isn't properly aligned, tightening the screws around the strikeplate could fix the issue and allow the lock function normally. A lock might not turn because of dirt or dust. This issue can be fixed by using a graphite or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up and down as normal. It is recommended to avoid products that contain oil, like WD-40 as they could cause more clogging in the future. It is important to remember that some keys simply won't fit in all locks. If yours is one of these, it might be time to get a replacement key from the local hardware store to ensure that it can be used inside the lock. 4. Repair My Windows And Doors Is Rotating Hairpin vortices may form when a cylinder rotates within a confinement. These vortices can impose significant forces on the rotating cylinder. These forces are proportional the the dimensionless curvature radius x and the confinement factor. The head, tube and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminium alloy. If you are able to insert your key and turn it, but the lock does not rotate, the cylinder may be damaged. Rekeying the lock could fix this problem. There are kits made for this purpose that can be purchased on the internet or at the majority of big box stores.