If your residential door lock is damaged or malfunctioning, you should consult a professional locksmith. In general, when door locks are not repaired completely after functional problems, they will leave your home vulnerable. A locksmith will inspect the condition of the lock and conduct repairs to secure your house. If the lock is extensively damaged, they will recommend and carry out lock replacement. However, in some cases, the locking mechanism can be repaired without professional help. Small problems can be resolved at home with simple tools. Here are some crucial tips for simple lock repairs.

1. Lubricate the Lock

If your door lock has been sticking during operation, you should plan on lubricating the mechanism. Often, the lock begins sticking due to dryness and subsequent friction. In some cases, locks which have not been operated for a long time might refuse to work smoothly due to corrosion of internal components. Fortunately, these problems can be resolved by lubricating. You will need to deliver lubricant into the lock and insert the key to spread the material. This process should help the stuck components loosen up. When choosing a lubricant, opt for graphite products as opposed to oils which could cause gumming.

2. Check the Plate Alignment

You might have difficulties locking up your door if the strike plate in your setup is misaligned. In simple terms, if the bolt and the strike plate are not perfectly in line, it will be difficult to lock and open your door. You will need to apply some pressure when operating the door to realign the components. If this is the case in your home, you should plan on promoting convenient closing by filing the strike plate a little. This solution is ideal if the poor alignment is minor. Filing will expand the opening, allowing for convenient closing. However, if this does not work or the problem is severe, you will need to remove the plate and reinstall it in a more suitable position.

3. Consider Your Key

In some cases, residential door locks malfunction because of poor quality keys. This problem is common when using duplicate keys after the wear and damage of the originals. It is important to note that duplicate keys are always a little different. As a result, they can damage the internal mechanism and even get stuck in the lock. You should avoid this problem by using only the best duplicate keys made using original key templates. Also, check for any anomalies in the key and file down imperfections for smooth operation. 

For more information, contact a company like Cambridge Locksmiths.

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