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How to Do Your Own Lock Repair You can either repair your locks yourself or employ a professional locksmith if they become faulty. Repairing locks can be a challenge and a wrong choice could cause further damage. You must first see if the problem is caused by dust or dirt. This is usually solved by applying a graphite-based spray or silicone based lubricant. 1. Door Handle or Knob Lock Door knobs and handles could become loose as time passes, which could result in a jiggly door handle, or a knob that is difficult to open. It is crucial to repair loose door knobs since they're not just annoying but also can affect the security of your home. Fortunately, a broken doorknob or handle is relatively easy to fix. Depending on the lock system installed in your door, there are a variety of solutions to fix it. Some lock systems have easily accessible mounting screws, while others use backplates to hide the screws. If your door uses the second type, this process may be more complicated. The majority of doorknobs for interior use 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 small screw, called a setscrew, that is located on the inside of the doorknob that's hindering it from sliding across the spindle. Use an flashlight to locate the 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 as jiggly. If your knob still feels jiggly, it's possible that the set screw isn't positioned correctly. To make sure the screw is positioned correctly, look for a small, identical button on the spindle. Move the knob over the spindle after pressing the button with the screwdriver with a flat head. The knob should click into position when you do this, which indicates that it is in the correct position on the spindle. After you've confirmed that the set screw is positioned correctly, tighten it once more to secure the knob. If this doesn't solve the problem, you may have to remove the knob from the backplate and check for missing or loose screws. If this is the case, you will need to replace these screws before you can re-secure the knob or handle. If you're uncomfortable with this type of repair, call a professional who specializes 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 in the lock. One of the most frequent reasons is that the pins within the cylinder are worn down. This means that they do not have a proper shape that allows the sliders or wafers to move by the key. In this case an easy fix would be to spray the lock with graphite or lubricant made of silicone to coat the pins and make them to move once more. If the problem is more serious and the key has bent it may be necessary to get it straightened by a professional. A professional locksmith can use an instrument specifically designed to straighten the key which has an angled end that fits into the recessed groove of the tip of the key. This kind of tool is not available in hardware stores, but you can find an entire kit of the correct tools online or in an establishment that sells locksmith tools. A dirty or contaminated lock is another possibility. The accumulation of dust over time can cause problems in the lock cylinder and causes the springs or pins to become stuck. In this case you'll need to spray the lock with WD-40, graphite spray or a lubricant made of silicone to clean it out and return the pins to their original position. It could also be an issue if the key has been damaged. Over time, repeated use may wear out the grooves on a keys. This can cause the key to not fit in the cylinder. It is crucial to check regularly to make sure that the key fits correctly. In the colder months locks can freeze which prevents the springs and pins from moving when the key is put in. This is a problem that can be frustrating however it is relatively simple to fix by heating the lock with hot water and using a lubricant to re-lubricate it. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, or has frozen, it will need to be replaced. 3. The Lock Isn't Turning If you've had an unresponsive lock and can't be opened it can be incredibly frustrating. If it occurs frequently, you may want to contact locksmiths to take a look and see if they can help. Fortunately, this isn't always necessary since there are issues that can be easily repaired without the need for professional assistance. Sometimes, the key won't turn in a lock because it is damaged. This could happen in the event that you've lost your key, or it is broken inside the lock. Instead of trying to get the key out of the lock which could cause it to be forced deeper into the mechanism, and make it worse using needle-nosed pliers, you should remove the key from the lock. You'll want to be careful not to break off the broken piece using the pliers, or you may end up damaging the lock. It's also possible that the lock is misaligned and this could cause the door to not latch properly. If you're fortunate enough to have an additional key, it can be tested inside the lock to confirm that it works correctly and isn't the issue. If you find that the lock is not correctly aligned, tightening screws around the strikeplate will solve the issue and let the lock to function normally. Another reason why your key may not be turning is because there is dust or dirt in the lock blocking it from turning. This issue can be fixed by using an lubricant made of silicone or graphite to cover the pins of the lock. This will allow them to move up and down in a normal manner. double glazing window locks repairs is recommended to avoid products that contain oil, such as WD-40 as they could cause more blockages in the future. It's also worth noting that there are certain types of keys that aren't able to fit in all locks. If yours is one of them, it might be time to get a replacement key made at the 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 can exert significant forces on the rotating cylinder. The force is proportional to dimensions of the radius x of curvature and the confinement factor. The tube, head and the main body of the cylinder are constructed of aluminum alloy. If you're able insert your key inside and turn it but the lock isn't rotating it could be due to an issue with the cylinder. Rekeying your lock could fix this issue. You can purchase kits for this purpose online or in many big box stores.