4 Things You Can Try Before Calling a Locksmith

If your lock is not functioning properly, it might require repair or replaced. There are a few things you can do before calling locksmith.

Dirt and dust can accumulate inside a lock, making it difficult to turn. It is possible to make it easier to turn the lock by applying the lubricant graphite or silicone into the keyhole.

Loose Door Knobs or Handles

Door knobs and handles may become loose with time, particularly during regular use. This can cause the handle knob to move or be pulled away from the door as people attempt to open it. This issue is usually solved by tightening screws. This is a simple project that anyone with no tools or knowledge can complete.

There are many reasons why a doorknob handle may break but they all have one thing in common: wear and aging. As time passes, opening and closing the door may slowly loosen the tiny screws which hold the mechanism together. This is the reason it's vital to get your doors checked and serviced regularly to minimize the chance of components becoming loose.

Many modern double glazed front doors have knobs that slide over a cylindrical spindle mounted to the door. This is part of the latch assembly. The knobs are attached to the spindle using hidden screws that are situated behind the faceplate. If your door is equipped with this type of knob, you'll need to remove the ring to reveal the screws that are hidden behind it. With a flathead, take the ring out with care. Be careful not to damage the backing. After the ring is removed, you can tighten the exposed screws with an ordinary screwdriver.

Some older doors have knobs connected to the spindle by a detent system. This keeps the knob in position without the need for visible screwdrivers. If this is your door you should look for a small hole on the knob's surface and find a spring-activated pin that sticks out. The pin is attached to a lever that is located on the inside of your door. You'll require a screwdriver to press the lever to expose the setscrew.

If your door has a set screw instead of a detent pin, you'll have to use an Allen wrench to loosen it, and then remove the knob from the spindle. Once the knob has been removed, you can loosen or tighten the set screw using a screwdriver.

Dirty Keyway

The components that make up the lock require a small amount of oil to turn smoothly, but the oil can dry up or be mixed with dirt. When this occurs, the key and lock mechanism get stuck and are difficult to get rid of. You can loosen them by spraying lubricant over the lock or applying graphite. If you don't have other alternatives, WD-40 is a good choice. However, cheap double glazed windows double glazing repair company (here are the findings) it may trap dirt and leave residue within the lock.

If the key is still stuck in the lock, try wiggling the key into and out. This can make the key loose enough to let it out with a little effort. It could also help break up the dirt in the lock. If you are unable to get grip on the key, use needle nose pliers to hold it and move it around. Be careful not to apply excessive pressure, as it could cause the key to break or bend.

If the lock is brand new but the key isn't able to fit or be released easily, it may have rough spots that require to be sanded away. Put the key in an incense burner to cover it with soot and then hold it against a file to smooth out the sharp edges. A rotary file is the best for this, but a hacksaw can also work even if you don't own a circular file. If the key is still too stiff to rotate or remove, contact an expert locksmith to get help. A professional can verify that all parts are properly aligned and lubricated to accept the appropriate key.

Poorly cut key

It is usually very quick and easy to have your key duplicated by locksmiths. However there are a few ways that the duplicates might be cut incorrectly. This means that they might not fit or function properly in the lock. This could be due to certain things, like the original key being worn down, or worse when it was used to try and pick your lock, and the locksmith simply not being able to accurately cut the new key.

A quick solution for this issue is to jiggle the key inside the lock, physically shake it while trying to turn it. This will cause the pins of the key to rise above the cuts, allowing the key to turn. You can also make use of powdered graphite, or a graphite spray to coat the key, and insert it into the lock. This will act as a lubricant that helps free the lock tumblers which have become blocked.

Another reason why your key may not be working is that you actually took the wrong key to the locksmith and double glazing company they copied what they saw. This is a frequent issue, and it is quite easy to make people confuse keys because they appear similar, so if you think this might be the case then lay your key side by side with the original key that you copied.

The best way to fix this is to take the key back to your local locksmith, they will be able to check that they are cutting the correct blank and then they will cut you a new key that matches. You can also copy a key yourself using a small file, a lighter or a lighter or a lighter, clear packing tape and an item to trace your key onto (like old credit cards) ideally you want an Pippin or Dremel file but with a bit of improvising most small files will work.

Lincoln Lock & Safe is the right place to go your key will not unlock your door. We can fix your key, or even replace the lock cylinder, so that you have full access to your home again. We offer competitive prices and are accessible all hours of the day, so give us a call.