Door lock repair: common causes of breakdowns and how to fix them

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Any locking mechanism can fail over time. Often minor problems can be fixed on your own. Repairing door locks requires an understanding of their operating principle and some training. Sometimes, to fix a breakdown, it is necessary to change the secretory (cylinder) of the device. There are also simpler problems that can be solved by simple cleaning. In order to solve such problems yourself, you first need to identify their cause.

Any locking mechanism can fail over time

Types of locks for entrance doors and interior doors

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

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

• cylindrical;
• level;
• disk;
• cruciform.

Door locks for entrance doors differ in the elements by which the locking occurs. Cylinder locks have a secret lock. This is the central mechanism, which is also called the larva. Levers and disc plates are also used to lock the front door and are active parts of devices of the same name. Cross mechanisms are used on entrance doors extremely rarely. This is due to the fact that they are quite easy to hack.

Locking products for curtains, which are installed between two rooms, are also differentiated depending on the device. Entrance door locks can be of the following types:

• cylinder;
• latches equipped with a lock;
• fall;
• bolts.

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

Helpful information! The design features of different types of door locks often determine their purpose.

The characteristics of locking mechanisms affect the service life of products. All such devices are classified according to the method of installation: mortise and overhead. Repairing a product belonging to the second group is usually more difficult.

Experts do not recommend starting to repair the lock if you do not have certain knowledge in this area. Incompetent actions can lead to aggravation of the problem.

A few recommendations

Since lever locks are considered the most complex, it is recommended to purchase imported products. This will simplify the procedure for the necessary repairs. The reason lies in the fact that all the necessary parts are freely available in almost every retail store. The main advantage of foreign models is the ability to reconfigure the levers. In contrast, domestic manufacturers do not include such a feature in their locks.

It is worth lubricating the locks periodically

But this must be done carefully, because if you pour in an excess amount of motor oil, this will lead to further thickening, which will cause the mechanism to stop functioning normally. For lubrication, a syringe with a needle that is inserted into the well is suitable.

Just a little oil is enough, after which you need to turn the mechanism all the way in both directions.

Door lock repair: the most likely causes of failure

There are a number of specific problems that happen 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.

Repairing door locks requires an understanding of their operating principle and certain training.

Most often, the breakdown of the door locking mechanism occurs due to jamming of the bolts. As a result, they stop moving. It is immediately worth noting that there are several reasons for the appearance of such a malfunction. Some problems cannot be fixed on your own. In the most critical situation, a complete replacement of the door lock may be necessary. Repair of the mechanism should be carried out taking into account specific instructions.

Quite often, the bolts jam when the door does not slam shut completely. As a result, the distortion affects the tongue that rests on the bar, which is located on the box. To fix this problem, you need to perform a fairly simple manipulation. The counter hole will need to be enlarged. To do this, you can use a regular file.

Difficulty opening or closing the 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 misalignment, and there may also be a problem with the canvas itself, sagging on the hinges. Repairing the door lock in such a situation is not difficult. You just need to eliminate the distortion of the mechanism or canvas.

The cause of lock failure may be the displacement of individual parts of the mechanism or its clogging

There is also another common type of problem 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 entrance door installed. The cause of such a breakdown may be 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! Before cleaning, you must disassemble the device.

Please note that the system can jam in both the open and closed positions. This indicates problems with the secret. To repair such a mechanism, you will need to clean the lock and lubricate it with machine oil. If this does not lead to normal operation, then the device is completely replaced.

What could be the reasons for the problem?

There are no perfect locks, but before they break, they always “signal” that there are problems.

Signs of imminent failure of the locking mechanism:

• jams when opening and closing;
• when turning, the key gets stuck;
• does not always close;
• key slipping;
• suspicious clicks.

There are many reasons why the door lock does not close:

• ingress of various objects into the structure;
• incorrect manipulations when trying to open and close;
• metal shavings, dust, plastic fragments got inside the rubbing parts of the mechanism (cylindrical locks are susceptible to breakage);
• Regular preventive maintenance is not carried out - lubrication, washing with special means;
• increased humidity, which causes deformation of the wooden door leaf;
• constant closing of the sash with great physical force (slamming);
• the key is not used for its intended purpose - opening bottles, etc.;
• skewed door leaf;
• replacing the original key with a low-quality duplicate;
• manufacturing defects.

The reason for the lock jamming is also incorrect installation performed by a person without the proper skills:

• insufficient number of hinges, which caused the door leaf to sag;
• loop mechanisms are installed incorrectly, unevenly;
• independent replacement of a high-quality rubber seal with a self-adhesive one;
• if there is no gap between the frame/sash, the hinges will put pressure on the canvas.

Breaking into a jammed locking mechanism is only a last resort. After a break-in, you should go to the store, buy a new one, and install it so that the entrance does not remain open for a long time. Mortise models must be replaced with new ones. For example, electromagnetic locks of the new generation - they come in mortise and padlock types. More information on protective mechanisms can be found on the forum.

Lock jamming is a serious problem, the solution to which must be sought in the keyhole. The protective mechanism can break if operating conditions are not met, prevention is not carried out, and also due to physical impact. To open the lock, you should use the tips described above.

Causes of problems

There are different ways to open the front door when the lock or the door itself is blocked. This depends on the complexity of the locking mechanism, the reason for the blocking and the nature of the door: knocking down an iron door at the entrance to a home is much more difficult than an ordinary wooden one.

Breakdowns are possible in both expensive and cheap devices. The most common include the following:

• mechanical damage - for example, breakage and jamming of a key, jamming of moving parts in the absence of lubrication, etc. Some of them can be eliminated yourself and still open the front door. Repairing others will require the participation of specialists;
• manufacturing defects - it is necessary to call not just specialists, but representatives of the company that produces locking devices;
• incorrect operating mode - lack of cleaning, lubrication, sudden slamming, lead to partial wear of some elements of the mechanism, which causes the key to jam. As a rule, such problems can be resolved on their own;
• sagging or misalignment of the sash is a problem that can only be solved by specialists. It is unrealistic to reinstall an iron entrance door with your own hands;

Door distortion

Incorrect installation of the block - again, cannot be corrected independently.

It is worth noting that if a really complex lock that requires several degrees of protection is jammed on the front door, you will not be able to open the door yourself even if you want to. In order not to aggravate the situation, it is necessary to call the company’s specialists.

Call the master

What tools may be needed to repair a door lock?

Such a procedure requires the preparation of 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 curtains, the following are most often used:

To repair the lock the following are used: router, hammer, chisel, screwdriver, drills, screwdrivers, tape measure

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

A manual router is used when it is necessary to replace a mortise door lock. This tool allows you to make precise cuts in wood. When replacing a device, you can do without a router, but this will affect the quality of the work. This device does not damage the decorative coating 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 lock will be located. A screwdriver can be replaced with a drill, but the presence of such tools is a prerequisite. Using a screwdriver, you can dismantle the mechanism, create a hole for the door handle, and also fix the new device.

Repairing a door lock on a metal door (or any other) is done 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 mechanism, you may need white spirit, as well as machine oil.

To remove a broken key you will need a special tool

Preparation for repair

To fix the problem of a jammed lock, you need to perform a series of simple operations, each of which follows one after the other, using a specific algorithm:

• If the key is jammed in the lock, you should try to pull it out with careful forward movements.

Key jammed in lock

• With the door closed, you need to find a way to provide access to the lock from both sides.
• Before starting repair work, you should determine the cause of the breakdown.
• Before starting any drastic interventions, you should try to solve the problem in a simpler way - lubricate the cylinder and other moving parts of the mechanism, and then try to open or close the door again.

If an expensive door with complex locks is installed in an apartment or private house, such work should be entrusted to professionals, as they will accurately determine the cause of the problem and carry out repair work without destroying the overall structure of the door.

Entrance door lock repair: cylinder device

Cylinder locks include a secret lock that contains a mechanism responsible for opening and closing the bolts. When a cylinder breaks, it is first necessary to determine the cause of the malfunction. The problem may be either clogging of the mechanism or displacement of individual parts. Quite often the larva is simply replaced with a new one.

There are two common failures that lead to the need to replace the door lock. The first of these is related to clogging of the mechanism. Repair of the door lock cylinder in this case is carried out by cleaning with white spirit. If this method does not help, then you should replace the secret.

The second problem 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. You will also need to remove the handle equipped with side pads. Next, you need to unscrew the bolt that is responsible for fixing the lock in the working position. This will free the larva, however, to get it completely out, some effort must be made.

Cylindrical locks include a secret that contains a mechanism responsible for opening and closing the bolts

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

Note! It is worth noting that when replacing the larva, you need to pay attention to its length. This indicator 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 works smoothly. In addition to the length, it is recommended to take into account the material from which the secret is made. It must be of high quality and durable.

It is worth noting that when replacing the larva, you need to pay attention to its length

How to replace a door lock cylinder: detailed instructions

Repairing a locking device located on the front door largely depends on what type of cylinder mechanism is located in it. For metal sheets, as a rule, cylinder secretions are used. The second place in popularity is occupied by suvald larvae. Before starting work, it is recommended that you read the instructions so that you can carry out this operation correctly.

The first thing you need to do when repairing a metal door lock is to remove the armored lining. It performs 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 that secures 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 this, all that remains is to install all the elements in the reverse order (compared to dismantling). In this way, the cylindrical type secret is replaced.

Repairing a lock largely depends on what type of cylinder mechanism is in it

As for the lever type of locks, 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 should be understood.

Related article:

Lock for a metal door: choosing a reliable device to protect your home

Types 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 secrets that are commercially available. Experts do not recommend purchasing such products, as they have a higher percentage of defects.

Cleaning the mechanism

Let's say you checked the status of the secret and did not find the source of the problem. All parts are intact and in their proper place. How to repair a lock with a working cylinder in a metal door with your own hands? Most likely, the cause of the breakdown lies in a clogged mechanism. This situation is not uncommon, especially when it comes to a metal door.

In this case, doing the repairs yourself is easier than ever. First, unscrew the lock. Remove all parts of the mechanism. Blow it thoroughly and use a stiff brush to remove all accumulated dust and other dirt particles. Then wipe the larger parts with a cloth. Apply a small amount of lubricant to a cotton swab and carefully treat each element of the lock. Assemble it and install it in place. Check the quality of his work.

Please note: after such treatment, the key may become contaminated with lubricant for some time.

Repair of the door lock of the entrance door: lever type

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

Overhead level models are fixed to the canvas with self-tapping screws. 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 yourself, since such devices are easy to damage.

Most often, the breakdown is due to the incorrect position of the thrust spring, which slides off the lever

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

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

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

The structure of a lever-type door lock is quite simple, so finding the cause of the breakdown is not difficult

Device

If you want to change the lock of an iron entrance door with your own hands, then for this you will definitely need to familiarize yourself with its structure and operating principle. Only by learning all the necessary information about the existing locking mechanism can you count on a good result when replacing it yourself.

As mentioned earlier, there are also mortise and overhead versions of locking systems for entrance doors. The easiest way to install and assemble, of course, are overhead copies, since this does not require unnecessary manipulations. All you need to do is remove the cover itself. As for the device of the mortise model, it can be much more difficult to carry out independent installation and adjustment work. Do not undertake repairs of such devices if you doubt your abilities.

Different types of locking systems designed for iron entrance doors have different structures and consist of different parts. Popular level locks can be assembled from the following components:

• key;
• housings;
• front frame;
• covers;
• bolt;
• shanks related to the bolt;
• shank stands;
• set of levers;
• spring parts of levers;
• special plate;
• spacer washers.

Also, the locks of iron doors must contain such structural elements as:

• clamps;
• a special metal box required for the bolt;
• valve;
• a key that allows the bolt to move.

Depending on the specific model of a particular manufacturer, the internal structure of the locking device may vary

Before you begin to independently repair such systems, it is important to get to know them better in order to avoid serious errors in operation.

Repair of door entrance lock: disc mechanism

The repair work that is carried out when such locks break down is very similar to the manipulation of lever locking devices. When jammed, they also need to be disassembled, after which they are cleaned and lubricated. However, such devices are a type of cylinder lock. They have a cylindrical element, which is represented by a set of disks. Depending on their location, a key is selected.

How to disassemble a door lock of this type? 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 find additional spare parts for such locking products. Therefore, repair of the disk larva is performed extremely rarely.

Owners of such mechanisms are recommended to study ways to break them in case of jamming. How to open a lock with a semicircular key? This type of disk device is unlocked in two ways:

• knocking out;
• turning.

Repair work that is carried out when disk mechanisms break down is reminiscent of manipulating 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 carry out 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 sharpened before use.

If there are various 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 practical solution. Disc elements are inexpensive, so purchasing a new product will not put a strain on the family budget.

This type of locking mechanism has many advantages. This mechanism is quite difficult to hack. Thus, its protective qualities are very high. Standard products are used to clean it: white spirit, machine oil.

Repairing the front door lock cylinder is not always an appropriate solution; sometimes it is easier to replace it

How to replace the cylinder in a lock

The procedure does not require a special tool; the mechanism can be changed independently without special skills or practical experience. Replacing the cylinder mechanism consists of three stages.

Stage No. 1. Dismantling the larva

1. Open the door leaf.2. Remove decorative trims from both sides of the canvas.3. Remove the long screw in the middle of the end plate that holds the cylinder in place. After this, the larva is held in the mounting hole only by the rotary cam.4. Uncheck the box. To do this, you need to insert the key into the keyhole and turn it clockwise about 10-15°. 5. The rotary cam will go inside the locking mechanism body and allow the core to be removed.6. Pull the key and remove the cylinder. The larva can be pulled toward the room or pushed out; it comes out equally easily in both directions. If difficulties arise when dismantling the core, it means that the mechanism has not been completely disassembled; all steps must be checked again.

Before you buy a new cylinder, you should carefully inspect the old locking mechanism. If no defects or worn parts are visually visible, you can try to lubricate and clean the cylinder. Perhaps this will help restore the lock's functionality and replacement of the core will not be necessary

If cleaning and lubrication do not help, the cylinder must be measured in order to buy an identical mechanism for a replacement. Important characteristics are the overall length of the cylinder, the diameter and the location of the rotary cam. Depending on the design of the core, the flag may be located in the middle of the structure or shifted to one of the ends.

Stage No. 2. Buying a new core

It is not enough to know how to change the lock cylinder, you also need to choose it correctly. This stage is extremely important, since the quality of the new cylinder determines the reliability and burglary resistance of the lock, its service life and the ease of use of the locking system as a whole. It should be remembered that the main parameter when choosing a larva is quality. It is better to purchase a locking mechanism from a well-known brand than to try to save money and buy a cheap product.

Trusted manufacturers use high-quality and durable materials to manufacture the cores of cylinder locks, while the cost of the design is most often due to the use of parts made of fragile silumin or short-lived plastic. Such mechanisms are poorly protected from forceful hacking, quickly wear out and fail.

Nuances to consider when choosing:

- the mounting hole on the old and new core must match. The distance from the end of the larva to this hole in extreme cases may be slightly greater;

— the diameter of the cylinder should not exceed the same size of the old mechanism. Otherwise, the cylinder will not fit into the mounting hole;

— the length of the mechanism must exactly match the thickness of the door leaf. A larva that is too long or short will protrude beyond the canvas or sink heavily into it. This will make it impossible to install a decorative armor plate on the keyhole. It is allowed to exceed the length of the cylinder by no more than 10 mm; Different manufacturers complete the locking device with different numbers of keys. It is worth choosing a mechanism with a sufficient number of keys so that you do not have to make duplicates later;

— you need to decide on the design of the locking mechanism: the cylinder can have keyholes at both ends or on the room side end with a turntable that opens the lock from the inside without a key;

— there is a very large selection of key shapes: from ordinary “English” to perforated or laser. As a rule, the more complex the key, the higher the secrecy of the locking mechanism and its resistance to burglary;

— it is worth considering the color of the larva so that the core does not stand out against the background of the castle.

Stage No. 3. Cylinder installation

Before replacing the cylinder in the lock, it is worth checking its dimensions again and comparing it with the old locking mechanism. During installation, the same steps are performed as during disassembly, carried out in reverse order:

1. Before assembly, you must turn the key in the hole to remove the tongue.
2. After installing the cylinder mechanism, you need to use a screw from the end of the door to get into the fastening hole of the core. To do this, the larva is moved back and forth until the screw is engaged. After the hardware is completely twisted, the cylinder should stop moving.
3. Before installing decorative trims, it is worth checking the operation of the lock. The key should fit smoothly into the keyhole and turn easily, and the bolts should come out freely. When the locking mechanism is activated, there should be no extraneous sounds. You need to check the unlocking and locking from inside and outside the room.
4. Decorative elements are mounted in the inspection field.

Do-it-yourself repair of cross locks: expert advice

Cross locking devices have a simple design. This affects their protective qualities. Installing such products on the front door is not recommended, as they are quite easy to break into. The simple design reduces the likelihood of breakdown, so most often repair work comes down to routine cleaning of the mechanism.

How to open a door lock without a key? If such a lock jams, it will not be difficult to open it. There are several common situations that may require this measure. For example, a key may break in a keyhole hole. In this case, it is necessary to drill out the device cylinder. For this, a drill and a drill bit are used, the diameter of which must be larger 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. To do this you will need a screwdriver. The tool must be equipped with a nozzle suitable in diameter to the well. The process of unlocking the blade is carried out in this way: the nozzle is inserted into the well and rotated (at low speeds). This requires 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 or two minutes? The fastest way involves using a screwdriver. It must be hammered into the well (taking into account its depth) and then turned. In this case, you cannot do without a wrench.

Video description

The following videos will clearly demonstrate how to break locks with a key stuck in them:

The second common situation is that the key is broken in the lock. Then it is almost impossible to pull out the broken end, but this is not necessary for the procedure. The fact is that the presence of part of the key inside allows the cylinder to be unlocked, which means it can be turned. But this can only be done with considerable effort. Most often, a regular screwdriver is used for this. The main thing in this case is to act carefully, because if you press and push the fragment further, this will lead to jamming of the structure. Then the only option to change the lock cylinder is to break out the core, as in the previous case.

But most often, if the cylinder malfunctions, it is easier to change the cylinder if you simply drill out the pins. To do this, use a drill that needs to get into the protruding part of the core. This is where the manufacturer's marks are most often found. To successfully drill a hole you will need a drill of 6 mm, since the part itself is about 10 mm thick. The core is rarely made of strong metals, so it is easy to drill.

Opening the door lock and removing the mechanism yourself

If the locking 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 security locks. If necessary, you can dismantle the lock yourself. Let's consider the sequence of actions in this case.

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

If the locking device breaks down, the easiest way is to replace the old well with a new one

There are several methods you can use to remove a broken lock. Rough opening of a jammed mechanism involves knocking it out or drilling it out. In order to preserve the structure, you can try to open the mechanism using master keys made by yourself. If you can’t unlock the door yourself, 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 diagram on the Internet. Door locks do not break down very often, but it is necessary to think through a plan in advance in case of unforeseen malfunctions.

Causes of problems

Methods for emergency opening of doors when the lock is jammed largely depend on the reasons for its failure and various accompanying factors. The main thing for a person in this situation is not to give in to panic and try as calmly as possible to figure out what could have happened. Problems occur not only in cheap locking mechanisms, but even in the most expensive ones. Their jamming occurs due to:

• mechanical damage;
• factory defects;
• improper operating mode;
• sagging or distortion of the canvas;
• incorrect installation of the block.

Unfortunately, perfect locks do not exist, and to prevent the door from jamming at the most inopportune moment, the owner must respond in time to the slightest signals from the mechanism, warning of the first signs of a malfunction. This may be minor jamming of the key when opening and closing the door, difficulties when inserting the “sting” into the lock or pulling it out, squeaks and noises while turning, etc. If such phenomena occur, you should think about immediately lubrication of the locking mechanism, changing the cylinder or the lock as a whole.

Some tips will help you avoid subsequent problems as much as possible. To prevent the door leaf from jamming due to improper operation of the lock, it is necessary to exclude:

• getting any objects or particles into the keyhole by installing protective pads;
• use of foreign keys and low-quality duplicates when opening the door;
• the appearance of contamination (dust, shavings, dirt);
• using the key for purposes other than its intended purpose (for example, for unscrewing screws, opening packages, bottle caps and drawers);
• skewed door block;
• strong and sharp slamming of the sash;
• unacceptable manipulations with the lock, accompanied by forceful actions.

You can prevent possible problems by regularly cleaning or lubricating the lock and handling it carefully and responsibly.

Interior door lock repair: features and recommendations

Various problems arise not only in the locking mechanisms that are installed on 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. The most common problems with such devices are:

In order to repair a sunken halyard tongue, you will need to disassemble the lock

• retraction of the tongue;
• handle jamming;
• latch instability.

In order to answer the question of how to repair a lock installed on an interior door, you first need to determine its type. Standard mortise models are most often found in modern apartments. In order to repair a sunken halyard tongue, you will need to disassemble the mechanism. Usually the cause of this problem is a faulty spring, which simply needs to be replaced.

Note! The handle of such a mechanism loses its quality over time, wears out and becomes loose. As a result, the possibility of returning the tongue to its original position disappears. To solve this problem, you need to check whether the handle is securely fixed relative to the rotating mechanism.

If the latch is jammed, the mechanism must be disassembled. How to disassemble the door lock of an interior door? To eliminate the jamming of the latch, 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 cylinder is replaced.

Most often, the following problems occur in interior door locks: the tongue sinks, the handle sticks, the latch is unstable

Possible errors and unexpected situations

If the lock is replaced on the front door of a private house, then one problem may arise. The fact is that due to environmental influences, the mounting screw becomes corroded, making it almost impossible to tighten it. The only way out of this situation is to break out the larva. To do this, you need to remove the armor plate, grab the protruding edge of the cylinder with pliers or a wrench, and turn it sharply with force. Most often, due to the impact of physical force, the narrow neck breaks or cracks, which allows the core to be pulled out.

Problems with the halyard tongue

If there are irregularities associated with the lock tongue, for example, periodic closures or lack of response to turning the key, then repair of this part is mandatory: ignoring the problem can lead to an emergency and irreparable damage.

So, it is imperative to check that the dimensions of the hole correspond to the tongue. The problem of a narrow “pit” is solved by boring and displacing the iron plate. Installing blocking pads at the end of the door structure will help correct a loose tongue.

Particular attention is paid to a worn out or loose mechanism: in a critical situation, it is advisable to adjust or update it.

Types of castles

Before repairing the entrance doors of an apartment, you need to find out about the type of lock that is located in it. Each type has its own parameters and features of the system’s functioning. They also have different service life and repair specifics.

The following types of locks may be present on metal doors.

Crossbar - the mechanism works according to the principle of linear movement of the key. The main disadvantage is the large size of the key, which damages the lock.

Level ones are the most common and have a standard structure. The design of the lock includes special plates and cores.

Electronic - such a device allows you to set an individual code or open the door with a magnetic key.

Cylindrical - the design has a steel body and pins made of the same material. This type of lock is popular due to its high degree of security.

In addition to the above classification system, door locks are divided into:

• Mortise - installed on a fastener bar located at the end of the door;
• Overlays - mounted by overlaying the door leaf and frame;
• Inset - the mechanism is fixed in a special pocket on a sheet of steel inside the door.

Mortise lock replacement work.

Action system:

1. The specific location for installing the lock is determined. It is recommended to install it at a distance of about 100 cm from the floor.
2. The area where the lock will fit is marked according to its dimensions.
3. The extreme edges of the cutout are fixed, under which two small-diameter grooves are drilled. Then they are drilled with a larger drill.
4. Using a grinding machine, two cuts are made along the vertical marking stripes. The holes can be widened if necessary, and the protrusions are removed with a file.
5. The lock is placed in the finished groove, and the position of the holes for the fastening screws is marked. Then they are drilled out and the thread is cut with a tap.
6. The lock is applied to the door on both sides, a hole for the keyhole is marked, drilled and cut using a grinder.

   
   Mortise lock

7. The lock is installed in place, secured with screws and its functionality is checked.
8. Overlays are applied to the door, the key is inserted into the lock, and the centers of the holes for fastening are determined. The grooves are drilled using self-tapping screws.
9. The linings are fixed on both sides of the door, and the ease of operation of the lock is checked.
10. The grooves for the crossbars in the door frame are carefully marked. To do this, you need to apply paint or chalk to the end parts of the crossbar on a closed door with the key turned all the way. This way, marks should remain on the corresponding part of the box.
11. The grooves for the crossbars are made in the same way using a drill and grinder. The overlay is installed in the same way.

It is also worth learning more about how locks are repaired and replaced.