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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair If your locks start to fail You can attempt to fix them yourself or hire an expert locksmith. Repairing locks can be a challenge and a wrong choice may cause further damage. RepairMyWindowsAndDoors is to make sure the issue isn't caused by dust or dirt. Graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant are a good choice to clear this problem. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock As time passes doors knobs and handles can become loose. This can lead to an unbalanced knob or handle that is difficult for you to open. Knobs that are loose in the door aren't just annoying but they could compromise your home's security, so it is crucial to fix the problem quickly. A loose doorknob is relatively easy to repair. Depending on the type of lock system installed in your door, there are several solutions to fix it. Some systems have exposed mounting screws that are accessible, while others use a backplate that conceals the screws that hold the lock together. This method is more complex if your door uses a backplate that hides the screws. Most doorknobs with interiors come with a small screw known as an setscrew located on the inside of the knob to prevent it from sliding across the spindle. This is a part of the latch assembly. If yours is jiggly, it could be due to the small screw, also known as a setscrew, that is located on the inside of the doorknob, which is stopping it from sliding over the spindle. You can make use of an flashlight to locate the set screw, then tighten it with an Allen wrench. After the screw has been tightened then turn the knob to check if it feels solid. If your knob still feels uneven, it could be that the set screw isn't positioned correctly. Find an oblique button that is positioned to match the spindle to ensure the screw is in the proper position. Place the knob on the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver that has a flat head. The knob should click into position when you do this, signalling that it is properly positioned on the spindle. Once you have ensured that the set screw is properly positioned, tighten it once more to secure the knob. If this doesn't solve the issue, you might have to remove the knob from the backplate and look for loose or missing screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before you can secure the knob or handle. If you're not comfortable with this type repair, call a professional who specializes in repair of damaged locks. 2. The key won't turn in the lock. There are many reasons why your key might stop turning in the lock. One of the most frequent causes is that the pins within the cylinder are worn down. This means that they do not have the proper shape that allows the wafers or sliders to move by the key. In this situation an easy fix would be spraying the lock with graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant to coat the pins and help them move again. However, if the problem is more severe and the key has bent out of shape, you may need to have it professionally straightened. A professional locksmith will use an exclusive tool that has a curved edge to fit into the groove at the tip of the key. This kind of tool isn't available in hardware stores, but you can find a kit with the right tools online or in the locksmith shop. A soiled or dirty lock is another possibility. Over time, dust may build up in the lock's cylinder, which can cause the pins and springs to swell up. In this situation you'll need spray the lock with graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant to clean it out and then reposition the pins back to their original position. If the key itself is damaged, it could also be a problem. Keys can wear down over time by repeated use, which can cause the groves to wear down or even become smoother. This can result in the key not being able to fit into the cylinder. It is crucial to check frequently to ensure that the key is fitted correctly. In colder weather locks can freeze, which prevents the springs and pins from moving when the key is placed. This is a problem that can be frustrating, but is usually easily resolved by warming the lock up by using hot water and then applying lubrication. If the lock is damaged or frozen beyond repair, it's likely to require replacement by an expert. 3. The lock isn't turning It can be frustrating to have locks that aren't turning or open. If it happens frequently you may want to contact locksmiths to take a look and see if they can help. This isn't always needed since some issues can be solved by yourself. Often the key won't turn in a lock because it is damaged. This can happen if you've lost your key or it's broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to get it out of the lock which could cause the damaged piece of the key to move further inside the mechanism and cause the issue to get 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 damage the lock. You may also have an improperly aligned lock that could cause the door not to latch properly. If you have an additional lock key, you can test it to ensure that the lock is working correctly. If you find that the lock isn't aligned correctly, tightening screws around the strikeplate will solve the issue and allow the lock function normally. A lock might not turn due to dust or dirt. Using a graphite spray or a silicone-based lubricant can solve this issue by coating the pins in the lock to allow 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, as these can cause further obstructions later on. It's important to note that some keys don't fit in all locks. If your key is one of these then it's time to get a new key from an area hardware store to ensure that it will work inside the lock. 4. The Cylinder is rotating. When a cylinder is turned within a confinement gap it can cause hairpin vortices that can result in significant forces on the cylinder. The forces are proportional to dimensionless curvature radius and the confinement factor. The cylinder's tube, head and main body are made of aluminum alloy. If you're able to get your key in and turn it but the lock is still rotating there could be an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying your lock could solve the issue. You can buy kits for this purpose online or in many big box stores.