Effective door locks are great deterrents to theft, as well as keeping burglars out of your property. But there may come a time when you find yourself struggling to access your own abode. This means you may need to replace or adjust your lockset. Firstly, sticky door locks can be caused by various reasons which include the slight settling of the house or a build-up of dirt and dust within the locking mechanism.
Jammed door locks, on the other hand, can be caused by rust, broken keys, misalignment of the lock and build-up of gunk. Fortunately, many front door lock issues can be solved with a few simple remedies, and access for you and your family can be restored within a short amount of time. If you are repairing to no avail, you will have to contact a reliable locksmith or replaced the entire faulty door lock. In this post, you will learn useful tips which you can apply right away when your door lock is giving you problems.
Jammed door locks
Before you begin, you will need a metal file, a rotary tool with an attached metal-cutting carbide bit, a screwdriver, kerosene, a key extractor, lubricant and powdered graphite. Here is a quick tip if you encounter a frozen door lock. You can try to heat your key with a match or lighter first and then jiggle it slightly in the cylinder. Remember to wear thick gloves while trying this!
• Using powdered graphite
You can either coat your door key with spray graphite or powdered graphite before inserting it into the keyhole. The layer of graphite coat will act a lubricant and can help to fix jammed lock tumblers that have been clogged with debris. Move the lubricated key around when it is in the cylinder if the door lock does not open on the first attempt.
• Using a key extractor
A key extractor is a common locksmith tool that is used to fix jammed locks caused by a broken key. First, you will have to spray lubricant into the keyhole before inserting the barbed end of the tool. This is to ensure that the tooth of the stuck key faces the extractor’s teeth. Next, adjust the tool until it hooks the broken key and swiftly tug the tool away from the lock to remove the broken contents.
• Using kerosene
If you know how to remove your dock lock, you can soak it in kerosene for twenty-four hours. Make sure that the contents inside are not rusted shut.
• Using the metal file
For this step, you will be widening the slot within the strike plate when combating stubborn locks. Simply shave off a little bit of the metal surrounding the rim, then make one or more passes before testing the latch to examine how it catches. Next, round the end of a dead bolt with your metal file and this may help it fit into its slot better.
Sticky door locks
Before you begin, you will need some powdered graphite, a metal file, a rotary tool and a pair of safety glasses. You have to first ensure that the hinges are tight before the strike plate can be modified. If the upper hinges get loose, the door will tilt and misalign the latch with the strike. Check the latch operation and tighten hinges where needed.
• Lubrication and cleaning
First, file any rough edges that are present on your keys with the metal file. These rough sections may be interfering with how you turn the key and whether it can engage the lock tumblers properly. Next, insert the tip of a powdered graphite tube into the keyhole. Squeeze a few puffs and then insert the key and turn it a few times to allow the powder to go to work and lubricate the sticky lock. Lastly, move to the door’s edge and grasp and turn the doorknob with one hand to retract the latch. Squeeze a few puffs of the graphite you have and turn the knob several times to lubricate the area around the latch.
• File the strike
Before you open the door wide, you should put on your safety glasses first. Next, inspect the strike plate that’s located on the door frame’s edge. If the latch bolt sticks in the strike, there will be visible scrapes and marks. Attach a carbide tip bit to your rotary tool and insert it into the strike plate’s latch opening. Grind away a small amount of metal to widen the opening. You will know what needs to be adjusted when you use the marks on the plate as a guide. Lastly, open and close the door to see if your efforts pay off. You may need to repeat any of the above steps until the latch can be engaged without sticking.
If you require the assistance of a locksmith in Montreal, don’t hesitate to contact Express Locksmith. We also provide a range of different replacement locks that are economical yet provide excellent security for your home!