There are various types of problems that you might come across with your lock. In most of the cases, you have the knowledge of what the problem is about, though you might need the services of a professional Riverdale locksmith to help fix the issue. Following are few of the common issues that you might come across with your lock.
Door Handle Works but Doesn’t Open
A spring-loaded latch is used in a doorknob or handle. On turning the handle, the spring is pulled -in and compressed, causing the latch to retract. When the lock is in the resting positing, the spring gets elongated. With the locking of the doorknob, no turning of the handle takes place, and that stops the retraction of the latch. This is true as the doorknob turns without opening; the issue occurs when there is no proper interacting of the handle with the latch spring. As per the issue, the fixing of the stuck door latch depends.
To fix the doorknob, you need to find out the section where the links have faltered.
• Remove the handles from the door, along with the through the spindle.
• Work with a tool like a flathead screwdriver and use it to move in the gap of the through the spindle.
• See if the handle is retracted.
If there is a retraction of the latch, then the handles and through spindle are not properly secured. This needs to be fixed. The problem could lie with the handle, the spindle, or the pressure that work to keep them together. Check the various parts and replace the damaged ones. If no damage is found, secure the handles to the door with correct pressure so that turning could move the spindle as well.
If retraction of the latch does not happen, then the problem could be with the latch housing. It must be something to do with the spring or another small component. Instead of replacing such tuned part, it would do well to change the complete latch housing while carrying on with the knobs.
Fixed Deadbolt Lock in Locked Position
A deadbolt lock getting fixed in the locked state is similar to a door lock getting fixed in the open state. The diagnosis methods could be same as that listed above.
Similar solutions should be adopted when dealing with broken lock issue. If the lock is broken due to the application of too much force, and the lock in the locked position gets jammed, it is likely to do with the wear. Due to jamming up of items on one another, proper retraction of them becomes difficult.
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The issue is quite serious as opening the door becomes difficult. Unlike a deadbolt that is not spring loaded, it is necessary to actuate the lock for it to start working. You need to take the lock apart and wangle for its removal before opening the door.
Fixed Door Lock in Open Position
If the door lock gets stuck in an unlocked state, there are good chances of your home becoming vulnerable to intruders. Depending on the type of lock you have and the severity of the issue, the solution depends. The most problematic will be when the lock of your deadbolt gets stuck in an open position, as the real security for the house is provided by the deadbolt.
To find out what is wrong, you need to consider few factors and how they could cause the issue.
• With older lock, there are chances of the rusting into positions of the bolt or internals or else there is gumming up.
• The key could be damaged or worn, so it will fail to work in the cylinder. Check out the working of the different keys, or else, if the bolt is actuated by the thumb-turn if it exists.
• The lock cylinder could be broken, in which case, the key or anything else could not be used to move the lock into the locked position.
• Due to misalignment of the door, the door could be ajar when closing the door and the door would seem “locked”.
There are many other solutions that are there for various instances of a broken lock. It must be noted that the security remains limited till the issue is dealt with well.
Fixed Door Knob Lock Button
The lock button is likely to be particular to the interior door handles. This is often quite easy to resolve. There are few quick fixes available for a doorknob lock button that is stuck. These include:
• Begin by pushing the lock button and holding it in and quickly releasing it.
• If that fails to resolve the issue, do rapid depressing of the lock button.
• If the lock button still remains stuck, turn the handle as you keep changing the pressure on the button.
• Do vigorous jiggle of the handle.
This method should be applied if the lock button gets stuck in, which happens to be the common type of button getting stuck. On the contrary, if the lock button is stuck out that prevents you from pressing it, then the jammed parts are likely to shape together with jiggling of the handle while moving the door.
If this fails, the likely reason could be that the stocking of the lock is related to the latch bolt freezing, and it becomes difficult to benefit from spring-loaded latch through space in between the frame and the door. It is simpler to take the door lock than to take the deadbolt or knob lock of the exterior door. If the stuck lock button could be seen and interacted, it becomes possible to fix the screws or the rose. Remove the knob from the door after taking the latch and clean them. There are good chances of rusting or gumming up of the lock. In all likelihood, the lock does not need complete replacement. If it is not possible to clean the lock well, it would do well to replace it completely.
Conclusions
If you are unable to resolve the issue of your own, do not delay in calling One Stop Locksmith, a Riverdale locksmith. Fixing the door lock issue yourself may not always be the best choice for you. The cost involved in getting the services of a professional locksmith may vary depending on the extent of work required, but make sure that the prices charged should be competitive enough. At One Stop Locksmith, our locksmiths are ready to offer services, 24/7, 365 days a year.
