Repair of door locks: common causes of breakdowns and how to fix them

Any locking mechanism can fail over time. You can often fix minor problems yourself. Repair of door locks requires an understanding of their principle of operation and some preparation. Sometimes, to eliminate a breakdown, you need to change the secret (larva) of the device. There are also simpler problems that can be solved by simple cleaning. In order to independently solve such problems, first of all, it is necessary to identify their cause.

Any locking mechanism can fail over time.

Varieties of locks for entrance doors and interior paintings

Today there are many types of locking mechanisms for entrance and interior doors. Some of them cannot be repaired in the event of a breakdown, so it is very important to determine the type of lock. For entrance doors made of metal or wood, the following options for locking devices are used:

Locks for entrance doors can be of the following types: cylinder, latches, latch, latches

• cylindrical;
• leveled;
• disk;
• cruciform.

Door locks for entrance doors differ in elements by means of which the blocking occurs. There is a lock in the cylindrical locks. This is the central mechanism, also called the larva. Levers and disc plates are also used to lock the front door and are valid parts of the devices of the same name. Cross mechanisms are rarely used at the entrance doors. This is because they are quite easy to hack.

Closures for canvases that are installed between two rooms are also differentiated depending on the device. Front door locks can be of the following types:

• cylinder;
• latches equipped with a latch;
• fallopian;
• latches.

All locks according to the method of installation are classified into mortise and overhead

Helpful information! Features of the device of door locks of different types often determine their purpose.

The characteristics of the locking mechanisms affect the service life of the products. All such devices are classified according to the method of installation for mortise and overhead.As a rule, it is more difficult to repair a product belonging to the second group.

Experts do not recommend starting a castle repair if there is no certain knowledge in this area. Incompetent actions can worsen the problem.

Repair of door locks: the most likely causes of breakage

There are a number of specific problems that occur more often than others. Before starting repair work, it is necessary to determine the cause of the malfunction. Therefore, it is recommended to study the list of the most common problems.

Repair of door locks requires an understanding of their principle of operation and some preparation

Most often, the breakdown of the door locking mechanism occurs due to jamming of the crossbars. As a result, they stop moving. It should be noted right away that there are several reasons for the appearance of such a malfunction. Some problems cannot be fixed by yourself. In the most critical situation, complete door lock replacement... Repair of the mechanism should be carried out in accordance with specific instructions.

Quite often, the crossbars get jammed when the door does not slam shut completely. As a result, the skew has an effect on the tongue, which rests on the bar, which is located on the box. To fix this problem, you need to make a fairly simple manipulation. You will need to enlarge the mating hole. To do this, you can use a regular file.

Difficulty opening or closing a door is also a common problem. You can also fix this problem yourself. In this case, the lock does not function properly due to the presence of a skew, and there may also be a problem with the canvas itself, sagging on the hinges. Fixing a door lock in such a situation is not difficult. You just need to eliminate the skew of the mechanism or canvas.

The reason for the breakage of the lock may be the displacement of individual parts of the mechanism or its clogging.

And also another type of malfunction is common, in which difficulties arise associated with turning the key in the mechanism. It is worth noting that this problem is most often encountered by people who have a metal front door installed. The reason for such a breakdown may be the displacement of individual parts of the mechanism or clogging of the lock. To correct the situation, you will need to clean the door lock for a metal door.

Note! Disassemble the device before cleaning.

It should be noted that the system can jam both in the open and in the closed position. This indicates a security problem. To repair such a mechanism, you will need to clean the lock and lubricate it with machine oil. If this does not lead to the normalization of work, then a complete replacement of the device is made.

What tools may be needed to repair a door lock

This procedure requires the preparation of the appropriate tools. The set of these devices may differ depending on the nature of the breakdown. To repair the locking mechanism of entrance and interior paintings, the following are most often used:

To fix the lock, the following are used: milling cutter, hammer, chisel, screwdriver, drills, screwdrivers, tape measure

• milling cutter (manual);
• a hammer;
• chisel;
• screwdriver.
• set of drills;
• screwdrivers;
• yardstick.

A manual router is used when it is required to replace a mortise door lock. This tool allows you to make accurate sampling in a wood panel. When replacing the device, you can do without a router, but this will affect the quality of work. This device does not damage the decorative cover of the sash.

A hammer is necessary in case of unprofessional installation of the locking mechanism. The chisel is used to organize a niche in which the castle will be located.A screwdriver can be replaced with a drill, but the presence of such tools is a prerequisite. With the help of a screwdriver, the mechanism is dismantled, the opening for the door handle is arranged, and the new device is fixed.

Repair of a door lock of a metal door (or any other) is carried out exclusively with the help of a step-by-step guide. To do this, you will also need to prepare Phillips and flathead screwdrivers, a set of drills and a measuring tape. Among other things, when cleaning the locking device mechanism, you may need white spirit, as well as machine oil.

To remove the broken key, you need a special tool.

Front door lock repair: cylinder device

Cylindrical locks include a lock, which contains a mechanism responsible for opening and closing the crossbars. If the larva breaks down, first of all, it is necessary to establish the cause of the malfunction. The problem may lie both in clogging of the mechanism and in the displacement of individual parts. Quite often, the larva is simply changed to a new one.

There are two common breakdowns that lead to the need to replace the door lock. The first of them is associated with clogging of the mechanism. In this case, the repair of the larva of the door lock is carried out by cleaning with white spirit. If this method did not help, then the secret should be replaced.

The second malfunction is the need to replace the keys. To remove the old mechanism, you will first need to dismantle the clamping bar. It is located at the end of the door leaf. And you also need to remove the handle equipped with side pads. Next, you need to unscrew the bolt, which is responsible for fixing the lock in the working position. This will free the larva, however, to get it completely, you must make some effort.

Cylindrical locks include a lock, which contains a mechanism responsible for opening and closing the crossbars

The procedure for replacing the larva is quite simple, but you need to carefully approach this operation. Before starting work, it is recommended to evaluate the feasibility of independent intervention in the lock mechanism. If necessary, you can always call the wizard. Repairing the front door door lock requires at least minimal knowledge of the device's design. The corresponding photos will help you to get acquainted with the design features of various models.

Note! It should be noted that when replacing the larva, it is necessary to pay attention to its length. This figure may differ depending on the modification of the mechanism.

Before purchasing a new larva, you should check its functionality. It is very important that the mechanism runs smoothly. In addition to the length, it is recommended to take into account the material from which the lock is made. It must be of high quality and durable.

It should be noted that when replacing the larva, you need to pay attention to its length.

How to replace the cylinder for a door lock: detailed instructions

The repair of the locking device located on the front door largely depends on what type of larva mechanism is in it. For metal sheets, as a rule, cylinder locks are used. Leveler larvae are in second place in popularity. Before starting work, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the instructions that allow you to carry out this operation correctly.

The first thing to do when repairing a metal door lock is to dismantle the armored plate. It has two functions: protective and decorative. To remove this element, you will need to unscrew the bolts securing it.

Next, you need to remove the screw, which is responsible for securing the mechanism. It is located on the end surface of the door leaf. Then you need to get the larva and replace it with a new part.After that, it remains to install all the elements in the reverse order (compared to dismantling). In this way, the cylinder-type lock is replaced.

Repair of the lock largely depends on what type of larva mechanism is in it

As for the lever type of lock, in this case it is better to completely replace the locking device. It is not always possible to repair the front door lock - and this is worth understanding.

Related article:

Metal door lock: choosing a reliable device to protect your home

Varieties of locking devices. Mortise and overhead mechanisms. Recommendations for choosing a product. How to fix a broken lock?

There are other, less reliable types of locks on the market. Experts do not recommend purchasing such products, as they have a higher scrap rate.

Front door door lock repair: lever type

Such devices are divided by the method of installation into two types: overhead and mortise. Regardless of what type of locking mechanism is used, repair work requires dismantling the lock and disassembling it.

Overhead lever models are fixed with self-tapping screws to the canvas. To dismantle such a lock, you will need to remove these locking elements. In this case, it is not recommended to repair the lock and door with your own hands, since such devices are easy to spoil.

Most often, the breakdown lies in the incorrect position of the thrust spring, which slides off the levers

In turn, mortise modifications are more difficult to dismantle. To do this, remove the end clamp, as well as the handle, which most often has a latch. Next, you need to unscrew the case cover to gain access to the mechanism.

Most often, the breakdown consists in the incorrect position of the thrust spring, which slides off the levers. The structure of a door lock of this type is quite simple, so it will not be difficult to find the cause of the breakdown. In some cases, it becomes necessary to completely clean the mechanism with white spirit.

Note! When cleaning such a lock, remember the correct location of all levers. Experienced craftsmen number these items before removing and cleaning them. Marking is done with a sharp object that allows you to mark the surface.

The structure of a lever-type door lock is quite simple, so it will not be difficult to find the cause of the breakdown

Repair of an entrance door lock: disc mechanism

Repair work, which is carried out in the event of a breakdown of such locks, is very similar to the manipulation of lever locking devices. If they become jammed, they must also be disassembled, after which they are cleaned and lubricated. However, such devices are a type of cylinder locks. They have a cylindrical element, which is represented by a set of discs. Depending on their location, a key is selected.

How to disassemble this type of door lock? This action is performed in the same way as in the case of a cylindrical mechanism. It is important to remember that it is extremely difficult to pick up additional spare parts for such locking products. Therefore, the repair of the disc larva is extremely rare.

Owners of such mechanisms are advised to study how to break them in case of jamming. How to open a lock with a semicircular key? This type of disc device can be unlocked in two ways:

• knocking out;
• turning.

Repair work, which is carried out in the event of a breakdown of disk mechanisms, resemble the manipulation of lever locks

The first option is the most popular. To implement it, you will need to prepare a hammer. After knocking out the larva, you can begin to replace it. It is recommended to perform this work carefully so as not to spoil the decorative coating of the door.The second method requires a hexagon, which must match the diameter of the mechanism. This tool must be ground before use.

With a variety of problems associated with the operation of the mechanism, you can clean it. Most often, a faulty device is simply replaced with a new one. Repairing the front door lock cylinder is not always a viable solution. Disc cells are inexpensive, so purchasing a new product will not hit the family budget.

Locking devices of this type have many advantages. This mechanism is quite difficult to break. Thus, its protective qualities are very high. Standard products are used for its cleaning: white spirit, machine oil.

Repairing the front door lock cylinder is not always a viable solution, sometimes it is easier to replace it

DIY cross locks repair: expert advice

Cross locking devices are simple in design. This affects their protective qualities. Installing such products on the front door is not recommended, as they are quite easy to crack. The simple design reduces the likelihood of breakage, so most often repair work is reduced to routine cleaning of the mechanism.

How to open a door lock without a key? If such a lock is jammed, then it will not be difficult to open it. There are several common situations that may require this action. For example, a key may break in a keyhole opening. In this case, it is necessary to drill out the cylinder of the device. For this, a drill and drill are used, the diameter of which must be greater than that of the key.

Helpful information! After using the drill, the product is unlocked with a regular screwdriver.

There is another way to open the cross lock. This requires a screwdriver. The tool must be equipped with a nozzle suitable for the diameter of the well. The process of unlocking the canvas is carried out in this way: the nozzle is inserted into the well and scrolled (at low speeds). In this case, you need to make some effort.

The simple design of the cross locks reduces the likelihood of breakage, so repair work is reduced to routine cleaning of the mechanism

How to open a cross-type door lock in one to two minutes? The fastest way is to use a screwdriver. It must be driven into the well with a hammer (taking into account its depth), and then turned. In this case, you cannot do without a wrench.

Opening the door lock and self-removal of the mechanism

If the shut-off device breaks down, the easiest way is to replace the old well with a new one. However, this option is not always relevant, as it is suitable for locks that are equipped with locks. If necessary, you can dismantle the lock yourself. Consider the sequence of actions in this case.

First of all, you need to inspect the locking mechanism. If the design of the lock has a simple device, then the blocking crossbars can be removed. They must be pushed fully into the mechanism. This option is suitable for overhead door locks. After the crossbars are removed, it is required to unscrew the fixing bolts. This will remove the lock from the door.

If the shut-off device breaks down, the easiest way is to replace the old well with a new one.

There are several ways to remove a broken lock. Rough opening of a jammed mechanism means knocking it out or drilling it out. In order to preserve the structure, you can try to open the mechanism with the help of master keys made with your own hands. If you failed to unlock the door on your own, then you need to contact a specialist.

Before starting work, it is recommended to determine the type of locking product. Knowing this information, you can find its scheme on the Internet.Door locks do not break so often, however, it is necessary to think over a plan of action in advance in case of unforeseen malfunctions.

Interior door lock repair: features and recommendations

Various problems arise not only in the locking mechanisms that are installed on the entrance doors. Interior locks often fail. For such purposes, mortise devices with a latch are used. For ease of use, they are complemented by a handle, which can be straight or round. The second option is the most popular. Most often, such devices have the following problems:

In order to repair the sunken latch, you will need to disassemble the lock

• retraction of the uvula;
• sticking handle;
• latch instability.

In order to answer the question of how to fix the lock installed on the interior linen, you first need to determine its type. Standard mortise models are most often found in modern apartments. In order to repair the sunken latch, you will need to disassemble the mechanism. Usually the cause of such a problem is a malfunction of the spring, which simply needs to be changed.

Note! The handle of such a mechanism loses its quality over time, wears out and loosens. As a result, the possibility of the uvula returning to its original position disappears. To solve this problem, it is necessary to check whether the handle is securely fixed relative to the pivot mechanism.

If the latch is jammed, the mechanism should be disassembled. How to disassemble an interior door door lock? To eliminate the latch jamming, you need to dismantle the part that is responsible for fixing it. If the core of the product fails, it is also disassembled. The decorative plates (if any) are removed, after which the fasteners are dismantled and the larva replaced.

Most often, the following problems are encountered in the locks of interior doors: tongue retraction, sticking of the handle, instability of the latch

Repair of a door handle with a lock for an interior door

For interior doors, round handles are most often used, which are equipped with latches. They are also called knob. The most common problems in this case:

• breakage of the return spring;
• failure of the latch.

To repair such a device, you will need to disassemble it. Dismantling is carried out in several stages. The first thing to do is to find a hole in the body of the trim. Next, you need to turn the handle so that the spring hook is in the area of ​​the slot. The device of this type of door lock can be studied in the corresponding photos.

Then you need to press on the spring clip and apply force to remove the handle from the mechanism. On the side corresponding to the location of the latch, the decorative strip is removed and the fixing screws are removed. After that, the inner and outer parts of the closure are removed. The disassembly process in this case is not very different from the dismantling performed during the repair of the door lock of a metal door in an apartment.

In order to avoid all sorts of breakdowns, experts recommend from time to time to carry out preventive cleaning of the lock

To fix the latch itself, two screws are used, which must be unscrewed with a screwdriver. Then the latch is removed - and this is where the dismantling ends. The next thing to do is to clean all the elements of the mechanism and lubricate them. It is recommended to pay special attention to the latch and the rotary mechanism of the handle.

After completing the cleaning, the lock is reinstalled. Regular maintenance of the locking device is the key to its reliable and long-term operation. In order to avoid all sorts of breakdowns, experts recommend from time to time to carry out preventive cleaning of the lock.

Locking mechanisms used for entrance and interior linens periodically fail. The causes of breakdowns, as a rule, are not difficult to identify independently. However, it is much more difficult to eliminate this or that malfunction with your own hands. In case of failure, do not make matters worse. The best solution would be to contact the master.