How To Build A Successful Lock Repair Even If You're Not Business-Savvy
4 Things You Can Try Before Calling a Locksmith
If your lock isn't working properly, it may require repair or replaced. There are a few things you can try before calling a locksmith.
Dirt and dust can accumulate inside a lock and make it difficult to turn. Using a graphite spay or silicone lubricant in the keyhole could help.
Loose Door Knobs or Handles
Door knobs and handles could get loose over time, especially when they are used regularly. This can cause the handle or knob to jiggle or pull away from the door whenever someone attempts to open it. This issue is usually resolved by tightening screws. This is an easy project that anyone with a few tools or knowledge can complete.
The wear and tear of a doorknob may cause it to become loose. As time passes, the tiny screws that secure the mechanism may loosen when you open and close the door. It is essential to inspect your doors and have them regularly serviced to reduce the risk.
Many modern doors feature knobs that slip over a cylindrical spindle that is fixed to the door as a part of the latch assembly. These knobs are secured to the spindle using hidden screws that are located behind the faceplate. If your door is equipped with this kind of knob you'll need to take off the ring to expose the screws hidden behind it. Make door repairs near me to remove the ring with a screwdriver that is flat, making sure not to scratch the backing plate. After the ring is removed and tightened, you can tighten the exposed screws with an ordinary screwdriver.
Certain older doors have knobs connected to the spindle by a detent system. This helps keep the knob in place without the requirement for visible screwdrivers. If this is the case with your door, you'll need to find a small hole on the faceplate of the knob and locate a spring-activated screw that extends out of the hole. The pin is connected to a lever that is located on the inside of your door. You'll require a screwdriver to press the lever, which will expose the setscrew.
If your door has a set screw instead of a detent pin, you'll require an Allen wrench to loosen it, and then remove the knob from the spindle. Once the knob is removed, you can easily loosen or tighten the set screw using a screwdriver.
Dirty Keyway
Oil is required to keep the components of a lock moving smoothly. However, the oil can dry out or become mixed with dirt. The key and lock mechanism can become stuck together and make it difficult to take it off. It is possible to loosen them by spraying lubricant onto the lock or applying graphite. WD-40 is ideal when you don't have anything else to apply, however the lubricant's liquid nature can trap dirt and leave a sticky an odor inside the lock so you should be prepared to regularly spray it over and over.
If the key remains stuck in the lock, try wiggling the key into and out. This will loosen the key enough to pull it out with just a little effort. It could also help break up the dirt that is in the lock. If you are unable to grasp the key then use needle-nose pliers to hold the end of the key, and wiggle it. Do not use too much force, because you could break or bend the key.
If the lock is brand new and the key can't enter or exit easily, it could have rough spots on its tips which need to be smoothed off. Put the key in an open flame to darken it with soot and then put it in the edge of a file to smooth the sharp edges. If you don't have an hacksaw, a rotary tool will work. Contact a locksmith if the key is too hard to take off or turn. A professional can ensure that all the parts are properly aligned, lubricated, and ready to accept a proper key.
Keys that are poorly cut
It is generally easy and quick to have your key duplicated by a locksmith. However, there are some ways that the duplicates might be cut incorrectly. This means that they might not fit or work properly inside the lock. This can be due to a range of reasons, including the fact that the original key is worn out or worse when it was used to open the lock. It could also be due to the locksmith was not able to cut the key in a precise manner.
A quick solution to this problem is to move the key around inside of the lock, physically shake it while trying to turn it. This will often cause the pins to rise above the cuts of the key, allowing it to turn. You can also use graphite powder or spray to coat your key and insert it into the locked. This will act as a lubricant to aid in removing the lock tumblers from jams.
Another reason your key might not be working is that you actually took the wrong key to the locksmith, and they simply copied what they saw. This is a common problem and it's quite easy to get people to misinterpret keys since they look similar, so if you think this might be the case, place your key side-by-side with the one you copied.
You can also make a key copy yourself using small files and a lighter or cigarette lighter along with clear packing tape and tracing material (like old credit cards). They will be able to verify that they're cutting the right blank. You can also create a copy of a key with a small file, a lighter (or a lighter) or a lighter, a clear packing tape, and a piece of material that you can trace the key on.
Lincoln Lock & Safe is the right place to go your key won't open your door. We can fix your key, or even replace the lock cylinder, so that you have full access to your home again. We provide competitive rates, and we are available anytime so give us a call.