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Door Lock Repairs You Can Do Yourself If a door lock begins to show signs of wear It is important to get it repaired promptly. Your home could be open to burglars. Read Full Report of the most frequent problems with door locks can be fixed without the need for an expert. Find out more about the most frequent 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 are now the norm and standard, car owners must be aware of and watch for damage to their door lock cylinders. This is the mechanical tumbler that your keys slide into. It's prone to wear or break and cause keys to become stuck or difficult to turn. It's important that you act quickly if you notice your vehicle experiencing this problem. The easiest method to fix this problem is by spraying the inside of the cylinder with compressed air in order to clear out any debris that may be hindering it. You can also try lubricating it by using a graphite or a silicone spray, but make sure not to use too much as this can cause the pins to wear down quicker. If your key still won't turn, it may be time to replace the cylinder or repair it by a locksmith. After spraying the cylinder using the appropriate spray and using a different kind of key, you may have to loosen the screws holding the cylinder in place and manually move the cylinder to ensure that it is in alignment with the keyhole. The screws should be tightened but not too much because this could cause internal components to wear out or get damaged. You may also have to remove the lock's faceplate in accordance with the type of lock. They can be located by looking behind seams, indentations or holes on the edge of your faceplate. You can also use a screwdriver or putty knife to get into these areas. After removing the faceplate from the lock, you can use a screwdriver and disassemble its internal components. Replace any damaged or worn components. When reassembling the lock make sure you attach the faceplate securely and secure the screws. Check the cylinder by inserting and turning it. If you're experiencing issues you should call an expert as the lock cylinder could require replacement. Loose Door Handles Sometimes the handle of a door loosens over time and can begin to spin freely or fall off the door completely. This can be a big issue because it makes the door difficult to open and puts at risk those who use it. It is crucial to know the reason for the handle being loose and how it can be repaired. This is usually due to a loose screw on the doorplate. Modern doors may have hidden chassis screws that are hard to reach, however older designs have them exposed and accessible. You can tighten these easily but it is preferential to use a threadlocker, which will lock the screws into the correct position. If the screw is exposed you can take the handle off and expose the screws to tighten. You might need to loosen the ring on the base of the handle first, and then you can pry it off of the knob itself while depressing the metal detent pin. Then, you can remove the rose and expose the mounting plate screws which you then tighten. You should also examine the strike plate screws, which hold the plate on the edge of the doorway, which the latch clicks into when it is closed. Other times, the problem could be due to the handle's spring cassette. It's prone to wear over time. A simple replacement is typically required. You can do it yourself or have your local locksmith do it for you. There are many cassettes, so be sure to select the appropriate one for your specific handle. It can also be down to a broken 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 have fitted the new part you will have to tighten all fixings and then reconnect the handle. Aligning the holes in the handle with the holes on your plate is also crucial. If you're worried about this being too much of a DIY project, your locksmith can provide a quote for this service. Keys that Don't Turn There are many different reasons why keys do not turn inside locks. This is typically due to a lack lubrication. It is possible to fix this 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 upwards and downwards and this should enable the key to unlock the lock. Sometimes keys are the source of the problem. The tip of a key will become blunt over time if used for other purposes than just to gain entry into your home. The key may not fit into the lock cylinder in a proper way and can cause it to get stuck or jammed inside the lock. Re-tipping the lock key using an instrument for bastards can aid in the fitting. Another reason a key might not turn inside a lock is that it has been bent or damaged. The edge of a key may be bent when it is used to cut or open cans. This can also prevent the key from fitting into the lock cylinder correctly. In this case you may have to re-tipp the key using a bastard or replace the entire key. If the key has snapped in the middle of the lock, it's crucial to keep in mind that trying to put the two pieces of metal to each other won't work. This could cause further damage to the locking mechanism. It is recommended to contact a locksmith who provides keys replacement. If the key isn't broken, it may be that the cylinder of the lock 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 warmed up, you should be capable of inserting the key into the cylinder and unlock the door. You can also use a hairdryer for blowing hot air directly into the lock to help thaw out the mechanism. Sticky Locks Locks are an essential part of home security. But the fact is that they're usually ignored until they stop working correctly. The sticky locks can cause problems. However, they are simple to fix and could help prevent more serious problems from arising. A dirty mechanism is among the most common causes of a locked that is stuck. It can be fixed by a bit of cleaning and lubrication. A common option is to apply a dry lubricant like WD-40 or GT85 spray. The key is then put into the lock and rotated back and forth to spread the lubricant over the internal mechanisms. The key is now removed and the lock will be able to turn smoothly again. Another option is to use a graphite-based lubricant. Graphite is a great oil for small parts of metal and doesn't sludge away or attract dirt like oil-based solutions. Many hardware stores sell graphite powdered that can be applied directly to the keyhole. You can also employ a pencil for the same purpose, as it's made from the same material. You should always wipe off any excess lubricant after applying it to prevent it from accumulating and causing future issues. If you've tried the suggestions above and your sticky lock still doesn't change, it could be time to get a professional locksmith to analyze the situation and determine the best solution. If you ignore locks that are sticky, they could cause a lot of trouble and cause keys to break in the lock. It's better to act now rather than later if you encounter locked that is stuck. Regular lubrication can keep these issues from happening in the first place. Adding this to your yearly maintenance schedule will give you peace of heart that your locks work correctly, and are secure for your home.