15 Secretly Funny People Work In Lock Repair

How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can either fix your locks yourself, or employ a professional locksmith if they become faulty. Lock repair can be tricky, and the wrong approach may cause further damage. You should first check to see if the problem is caused by dirt or dust. This is usually resolved by applying some graphite spray or silicone based lubricant. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock As time passes, door knobs and handles can become loose. This could result in an unbalanced knob or handle that is difficult to open. Door knobs that are loose aren't just annoying but they could compromise your home's security, so it is crucial to resolve the issue as quickly as possible. A doorknob that is loose is simple to fix. Based on the type of lock you have installed on your door, there are several ways to fix this. Certain systems have mounting screws that are accessible, while others have a backplate that conceals the screws that hold it together. This is a more complicated method if your door uses a backplate that conceals the screws. Most interior doorknobs are designed to slide 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 setscrew, on the inside of the knob that blocks it from sliding over the spindle. Use a flashlight to help you locate the set screw and then use an Allen wrench to tighten it. Once it's tightened up, turn the knob to see if it no longer feels jiggly. If the knob is still uneven, it could be that the set screw isn't in place correctly. Look for a small button that matches the spindle, to ensure that the screw is in the right position. Slide the knob over the spindle after pressing the button using the flathead screwdriver. As you do this the knob should click which indicates that it has been rightly positioned on the spindle. After you've made sure the set screw is in the correct position and tighten it once more to fix the knob or handle in the correct position. If this does not resolve the issue, you may have to take the knob from the backplate and look for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will require replacing these screws before you can secure the knob or handle. If you're not sure about this type of repair, call an expert who is skilled in damaged lock repair. 2. Key Won't Turn in Lock There are many reasons that your key may cease to turn in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins in the cylinder are beginning to wear out and don't have the correct shape to move the wafers, sliders, or tumblers that allow the key to open the lock. In this case the best solution would be spraying the lock with graphite or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins and allow them move again. However, if the issue is much more serious and the key has bent out of shape, it may be necessary to have it straightened professionally. A professional locksmith will employ a special tool that has a curved edge to fit into the groove that runs along the edge of the key. This kind of tool is not able to be found in hardware stores. However replacing window locks can buy a kit that includes the necessary tools on the internet or from a locksmith. A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. Dust can build up over time within the lock's cylinder, and cause the springs or pins to get stuck. In this situation, you'll need spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to clean it out 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 over time through repeated use, which can result in the groves wearing down or even become smoother. This could result in the key not fitting properly into the cylinder, which is why it's important to pay attention and check regularly that your key is fitted correctly. Locks can freeze during the winter months. This will stop the pins and springs from moving when keys are inserted. This can be a frustrating issue however it is usually solved by warming the lock up with hot water and re-lubricating it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair or has frozen the lock, it will have to be replaced. 3. The Lock isn't Turning If you've ever had locks that don't turn and can't be opened, it can be extremely frustrating. If it occurs frequently, you might consider getting locksmiths to check it out and see if they can help. This is not always necessary since some issues can be resolved by yourself. The key will not turn in the lock if damaged. This could happen when you've lost your key or it is broken in the lock. Rather than trying to fish it out of the lock which could cause the broken piece of the key to be pushed further inside the mechanism, which could make the problem much worse Try using needle-nosed pliers to remove it from the lock. You should be cautious not to break any of the broken piece using the pliers, or you could cause damage to the lock. It's also possible that the lock is misaligned which could cause the door to not latch properly. If you're lucky enough to have an additional key, it can be tested in the lock to ensure that it is working properly and doesn't cause the issue. If you discover that the lock is not aligned correctly by tightening the screws around the strike plate can fix the issue and allow the lock to work normally. Another reason your key might not be turning is because there is dust or dirt in the lock that is preventing it from turning. This problem can be solved by using the lubricant based on silicon or graphite to coat the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up and down as normal. It's crucial not to use products that contain oil such as WD-40 to solve this problem, however, as these can cause further blockages later on. It is important to remember that certain keys won't fit in all locks. If yours is one of them you might want to purchase a replacement key made at an area hardware store so that it will work inside the lock. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. Hairpin vortices may form when a cylinder turns in a confinement space. These vortices may exert significant forces on the cylinder that is 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 tube, head and the main body of the cylinder are made of aluminium alloy. If you're able to get your key in and turn it however the lock isn't turning there could be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying the lock can fix the issue. You can purchase kits to do this online or in many big box stores.