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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself When a door lock starts to appear worn, it's important to have it replaced promptly. In the event that it doesn't, you risk making your home vulnerable to break-ins. Most of the common problems that arise with door locks can be solved without the need for a professional. Find out more about the most frequently occurring issues with door locks and how to fix them yourself. Damaged Cylinder Damaged Cylinder While they are less common on newer vehicles, as power door locks become the standard, car owners should be aware of and watch for any damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the tumbler that your keys slide into. It is prone to wear out or break, causing keys to become stuck or hard to turn. If you see this happening to your vehicle, it's important to take action quickly to prevent the issue from getting worse. The easiest way to fix this problem is by spraying the inside of the cylinder with compressed air to clean of any obstructions that could be hindering it. You could also lubricate the cylinder with a graphite or silicon spray. Be cautious not to overdo it as this could cause the pins to wear out more quickly. If your key still won't turn, it may be time to replace the cylinder or repair it by locksmiths. After you've sprayed the cylinder and tried a different key, it could be necessary to loosen the screws that hold the cylinder and then manually move it so that it is aligned properly with the keyhole on the door. Be sure to retighten these screws, but not too tight, as this could cause the internal components to wear or damaged. Depending on the type of lock, you may need to remove the faceplate to gain access to the screw heads that secure it. If so, you'll find them behind seams or indentations at the faceplate's edge or by inserting a putty knife or screwdriver into these areas. After you've removed the faceplate, you'll need to make use of a screwdriver to remove the internal parts of the lock and replace any damaged or worn out. Assemble the lock and fix the faceplate securely. Secure the screws. Also, check the cylinder to make sure that it can be turned and inserted without difficulty. If you are having difficulty doing this, it's likely time to contact a professional as the lock cylinder may require replacement. Loose Door Handles Over time, the handle of a door will loosen and start to spin or drop completely. This could be a major issue because it makes the door difficult to open and endangers those using it. It is essential to understand why the handle is loosened and what can be done to fix it. This is often due to a loose screw on the doorplate. Modern doors may have difficult-to-reach screws for the chassis, while older designs have them visible and easily accessible. The screws can be tightened easily. It is best to employ a threadlocker to secure them in their place. If the screw is exposed you can take the handle off and expose the screws to tighten. You may have to loosen the ring at the base of the handle before you can pry the knob off while pressing the metal detent pin. Then, you can remove the rose and expose the screws on the mounting plate which you then tighten. Also, you should check the strike plate screws, which hold the plate on the edge of the doorway that the latch clicks into when it is closed. Other times, the problem can be down to the spring cassette on the handle. This can break down over time, but it's usually simply due to wear and tear, and will require the replacement of a spring cassette. You can do this yourself, or your local locksmith will install it for you. There are many different types of cassettes and you should get the right one for your particular handle. It could also be due to a damaged faceplate or mounting ring but this is very rare with the newer handles. You will usually find a comparable replacement at a hardware store or online. Once you've fitted the new part, you should tighten up all the fixings, and then reattach the handle. It is also recommended to align the holes in the handle with those on the plate. If you're worried that this is too much of a DIY task, a locksmith will provide a quote. Keys that won't turn There are many reasons that keys may not turn inside of locks. This is often because of a lack of lubrication. You can fix this by applying a lubricant such as WD-40 or a silicone-based spray. Applying the lubricant and inserting the key will allow the pins to move back and forth and allow the key to open the lock. Sometimes, the key is the problem. The tip of a key may become blunt over time if it is employed for a different purpose than getting into your home. The key may not fit into the lock cylinder correctly and can cause it to get stuck or jammed in the lock. Re-tipping the key of the lock with a bastard tool can aid in fitting it better. A key that is not turning in a lock could be damaged or bent. Making use of a key as a tool to cut things or as a can opener could cause the point of the key to become bent and make it difficult for it to fit into the lock cylinder properly. In this case, you may need to re-tipping the key with a bastard or replace the entire key. It is crucial to understand that gluing the two pieces of metal together won't work when a key is damaged inside a lock. This can actually lead to further damage to the mechanism of the lock It is recommended to seek out a locksmith who offers replacement keys to repair the issue. If the key is not broken, it could be because the lock cylinder is blocked by dust or other debris. In this situation it could be beneficial to warm the cylinder up by putting the key in hot water for a couple of minutes. Once the cylinder is warm, it should be possible to insert the key and unlock the door. Alternatively, you can make use of a hair dryer and blow air directly into the lock mechanism to melt it out. Sticky Locks Locks are a crucial component of the security of your home. Locks are often overlooked until they stop functioning properly. Sticky locks are a common issue, but they're difficult to fix by yourself and will stop larger problems from developing. One of the most likely causes for a sticky lock is that the mechanism has become dirty and filthy. This can be easily cured with a little bit of cleaning and lubrication. The most common method is to use a dry lubricant such as WD-40 or GT85 spray. The key is then placed inside the lock and rotated back and forth to spread the lubricant throughout the internal mechanisms. fix car door near me is then removed, and the lock should be able to turn smoothly once more. Another option is to choose a graphite-based lubricant. Graphite is a great oil for small parts of metal and doesn't sludge away or attract dirt as oil-based solutions do. Many hardware stores carry powdered graphite which can be directly applied to the keyhole. You can also use a pencil to serve the same purpose, as it's made from the same material. Make sure to clean up any excess lubricant you have applied after having used it. This will stop it from accumulating and causing future issues. If you've tried the above suggestions and your sticky lock still isn't moving, it might be time to contact a professional locksmith to analyze the situation and determine the most effective course of action. If you ignore the sticky locks, they could become a major problem and cause keys to break inside the lock. A lock that is stuck can be extremely irritating and it's better to take action sooner rather than later. Regularly lubricating your locks can help to keep these kinds of problems from occurring in the first place. You can have peace of mind knowing that your locks function correctly and protect your home by adding this to your annual maintenance schedule.