DIY interior door locks repair

In detail: do-it-yourself repair of interior door locks from a real master for the site my.housecope.com.

The frequency and intensity of door use in any home is different. However, given the fact that even the highest quality structures and parts are prone to wear and tear, the repair of interior doors is a fairly common occurrence. Therefore, in order to perform it efficiently and ensure a longer service life of the structure, you need to know how to act in case of various types of breakdowns.

Almost any door has a fairly impressive weight and, depending on the frequency of use and the force applied at the same time, the load on the hinges provokes their deformation. At the same time, gaps often appear between the frame and the door leaf. To correct this problem, you can replace the door hinges.

Sometimes the frame itself is deformed. In this case, do-it-yourself repair of interior doors consists in leveling the box. To do this, several holes are made in it deep into the wall and with the help of dowels it is fixed at the required vertical level.

If the blade sags before it gets stuck and the floor covering scrapes, proceed as follows:

Check how tight the loops are. In some cases, to solve the problem, it is enough to simply tweak them;
If the hinges are not loosened, you need to fix them deeper. For this, the door is removed and the hinge mechanisms themselves are disconnected;
Deepening can be done with a chisel both in the door leaf and in the frame. After that, the hinges are mounted in their original place.

After this procedure, it is important, initially securing the mechanism with only one screw, to check how the door closes. If the result is unsatisfactory, it is necessary to increase the degree of deepening of the hinge mechanism. Full fixation of the loops is performed only after the desired result has been obtained.

Video (click to play).

If, in the process of repairing the interior door, significant damage is found in the attachment points of the hinge mechanisms, the correct solution would be to move the hinges above or below the old location.

The most unreliable mechanisms of the entire structure are fittings, and in particular door handles. This is due to the rather heavy loads that fall on them. In order to carry out a high-quality repair of door handles used to open and close interior doors, it is necessary to study the type of the mechanism itself.

So the door handles, based on the principle of operation, are divided into:

Swivel, usually in the form of a ball with a keyhole in the center;
Push-type mechanisms;
Standard, immovable.

The most common cause of jamming malfunctions is insufficient lubrication of product components. To eliminate the malfunction, it is enough to disassemble the handle and treat the parts with lubricant. In some cases, it is permissible to simply apply the oil used for processing sewing machine parts to the transom. Subsequently, it is necessary to turn the mechanism several times.

Such measures are often quite enough to eliminate the squeak that occurs during the use of the handle and jamming of the crossbars. If these manipulations did not solve the problem, it is necessary to completely disassemble the door handle.

In this case, the decorative strip is initially removed and the fasteners located under it are unscrewed. When repairing interior doors with your own hands, you need to carefully consider the washer and the rotary spring.For a detailed inspection of the washer, it is necessary to remove the retaining ring. If these elements are damaged, they must be replaced.

In the event that the reversing spring has been displaced, it is simply enough to reinstall it in its original place. However, in the presence of damage in most cases, a complete replacement of the entire mechanism will be required, since pivot springs for door handles are extremely rare on the market.

If it is impossible to identify the problem, the door handle mechanism is completely removed and disassembled. In this case, any broken part must be replaced. The assembly of the product itself must be carried out in the reverse order of disassembly.

In the event of any problems with the lock, repairing interior doors with your own hands is much easier than if there was a breakdown of the locking mechanism of the front door. In most cases, the causes of problems are:

Foreign objects in the keyhole in the form of litter or a piece of a broken key;
Insufficient lubrication;
Skewed door leaf or deformation of the hinges;
Mismatch of the hole in the frame with the bolt;
Damaged spring or deadbolt mechanism.

If the reason is not in the lock itself, the door leaf should be adjusted. In most cases, it is necessary to tighten or replace the hinge mechanisms. Lubrication of the lock is much more effective when processing the entire interior; for this, the lock must be disassembled. However, even without this, a long-term effect can be achieved. It is enough to apply grease to the bolt using an oiler, syringe or pipette and slowly turn the handle several times.

In the event that the breakdown lies in the mechanism itself, it is necessary to remove and disassemble it. The lock itself consists of a lock and an executive part. For dismantling and disassembly, first of all, the screws located near the core of the product are unscrewed. Next, a key is inserted into the keyhole and the secret is removed by turning it a little. Only then is it permissible to remove the entire lock body.

The case cover itself also has fasteners in the form of small screws. After their removal, the accumulated dust is cleaned and the integrity of all internal components is inspected. If any damage or deformation is found, the part needs to be replaced.

All parts must be lubricated before assembly. If after all the procedures the lock does not work properly, it must be completely replaced.

Many interior doors are made of wood. Since this material is largely exposed to the external environment, it is not uncommon for the web to dry out and crack. The simplest solution in this case is to install metal corners. However, such measures can significantly spoil the appearance of the structure.

In case of dryness, the repair of interior doors can be carried out by processing the canvas with a special adhesive solution. To do this, the door must be removed from the hinges and the entire surface must be treated. Cracks are lubricated more intensively. To achieve the desired effect, the glued door is slightly squeezed with clamps or a press and left in this form until completely dry. After that, the blade can be reinstalled in its original place.

Read also: DIY Renault repair

If cracks and chips are found on the glass, it must be replaced. For this, the method of its installation is determined. The glass can be fixed with glazing beads or installed inside the curtain.

To remove glass with glazing beads, you need to lift them with a thin screwdriver or knife near each nail. After that, all the strips and the glass itself are removed. The installation of a new glass is carried out in the reverse order.

In the case of an internal type of glass installation, the procedure for replacing it is more laborious. For this, the door is removed from the hinges. There are plugs on the canvas with self-tapping screws under them.These fasteners secure a special cover that holds the glass in place. By unscrewing the screws, the cover can be removed and then remove the damaged glass.

It is important to take into account that a special seal is located in the grooves, which protects the glass from damage during the opening and closing of the doors. In order not to damage it, the edges of the glass are coated with soapy water before installation and dismantling. The installation procedure is carried out upside-down.

How to fix a lock on a door if it suddenly breaks down? Such an unpleasant situation requires an urgent solution, especially when it comes to the front door. In this case, you can make repairs yourself. What is required for this and what actions need to be performed?

To know how to repair it yourself and not damage the door lock, you need to familiarize yourself with its design. There are many types of mechanisms. For an entrance wooden or metal door, the following systems can be used:

cylinder - the key is small in size, with notches and protrusions;
lever - a key on a long leg with "wings" on the sides;
disk - a small semicircular key with notches;
Phillips - The wrench is similar to a Phillips screwdriver.

The main types of door locks for the front door

The principle of operation of such systems lies in the features of the locking elements: cylinders, levers or disc plates. Cross locks are similar to cylinder locks, but they do not differ in reliability, since the lock can be broken with a simple screwdriver.

Also distinguish between overhead and mortise locks. It is quite easy to repair the invoice, as you only need to remove the escutcheon. But it will be more difficult to correct the mortise on your own. You should not undertake repairs if you are not familiar with the rules for installing the mechanism, since you can only repair a door lock of such a plan by disassembling it.

Repair of a door lock largely depends on the nature of the breakdown. It is not always possible to fix the problem with your own hands.

A common cause of door lock breakage is failure of the locking mechanism tongue

The most common problems are the following situations:

The tongue does not snap. The reason may be an insufficient size of the mating hole. In this case, you need to bore it or displace the iron plate. The pad of the lock itself at the end of the door can block the tongue. It may also be skewed due to frequent use of the door, due to wear and tear of the mechanism. It is necessary to adjust its position.
It is difficult to open the door. It can be blocked by a skewed lock or a door frame. The problem is corrected by adjusting these items.
Key sticks, turns poorly, or does not insert. Especially often, such a breakdown occurs in the locks of a metal door. The reason may be clogging of the mechanism or displacement of its individual parts. To repair it, you need to disassemble the lock, clean it, lubricate it and install it in its proper place.
The lock is jammed. The reason lies in the state of the larva. Repair of the lock, its replacement or complete change of the lock can help.

Do-it-yourself repair of the lock on the front door largely depends on the type of larva mechanism. It is in this detail that the source of the problem most often lies. For a metal door, cylinder and lever locks are most often used.

Replacing the larva will help extend the life of the locking mechanism

How to fix a cylinder lock on a door with your own hands:

Remove the armor plate.
Unscrew the retaining screw at the end of the door.
Pull out the cylinder.
Replace it with a new one and put all the parts back.

In the case of a lever mechanism, it is better to completely replace the lock, since it is highly likely to break again. If the tongue is ignited, you need to disassemble the structure and adjust its position.

Other types of mechanisms are less reliable or do not have adequate quality replacement parts on sale.First of all, this applies to disc and cruciform locks. Therefore, it is easier to install a new lock than to repair a broken larva.

A more complicated situation is when the spacer mechanism becomes unusable. In this case, the repair is carried out by removing the door from the hinges and disassembling the door leaf. The peculiarity of this lock is that when the door is closed, additional crossbars are extended both vertically and horizontally.

Any locking mechanism requires periodic lubrication

Let's say you checked the security status and did not find the source of the problem. All parts are intact and are in 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 the clogging of the mechanism. This situation is not uncommon, especially when it comes to a metal door.

In this case, do-it-yourself repairs are as easy as shelling pears. Unscrew the lock first. Remove all parts of the mechanism. Blow thoroughly and use a stiff brush to remove any accumulated dust and other dirt particles. Then wipe down the larger parts with a cloth. Apply a small amount of lubricant to a cotton swab and carefully clean each piece of the lock. Assemble it and put it back in place. Check the quality of his work.

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

Quite often, it is required to repair the lock in the interior door. There is a large load on them, and therefore, over time, the tongue begins to sink, the handle sticks or the latch dangles.

How to repair a lock in an interior door with your own hands:

If the problem lies in the sunken latch, it is necessary to disassemble the lock and reinstall it. The spring may need to be replaced.
If the handle is loose and does not return the tongue to its original position, you need to check its attachment relative to the pivot mechanism. Then put it back in place and tighten with screws. From time to time, you need to carry out a similar procedure and lubricate the mechanism to prevent its breakdown.
When the latch jams, you need to disassemble the part of the lock that is responsible for fixing it. The reason may be displacement of the part, rubbing of elements, their deformation or cracks. In this case, you need to replace the damaged part with a new one.
If problems arise with the turnkey lock, the repair is carried out according to the same principle as for the front door. Perhaps replacement of the larva or simple cleaning of the mechanism is required.

If all efforts were in vain, you can call the master. However, you will most likely need to install a new lock.

It often happens that the locks in interior doors fail and begin to work intermittently. Breakdowns occur for various reasons, and the question immediately arises, what may be the reason and how to repair the interior door lock.The advantages of a magnetic lock for an interior door are reliability, durability and noiselessness.The reasons for the malfunction may be the following:

if any debris got into the keyhole or the key broke and remained in the keyhole;

the key turns in the lock, but it does not open;

often in lock structures, crossbars or springs become unusable;

lack of lubrication;

in the striker plate, the slots and the bolt do not match;

loose hinges;

seizure of the cylinders may be the cause.

But no matter how difficult the breakdown was, the result is the same - the lock needs to be repaired.Unlike locking devices for the front door, interior designs have a simple mechanism, and you can repair it yourself. But if the locking system is with a more complex design, then it would be reasonable to invite a specialist for help.In order for the repair to go through correctly and without problems, first you need to familiarize yourself with its device.All castle models include two components:

secret - a part of the mechanism, which includes the key;

the executive part is a device that directly performs the locking function.

screwdriver;

tweezers;

lubricating oil;

tissue flap;

kerosene and a toothbrush.

After procurement of the required materials and improvised means, you can begin to repair the lock mechanism.First you need to make sure that the breakdown really happened in the locking mechanism. It so happens that the culprit of all the troubles is the door frame. In this case, you need to try to fix the problem, you just need to bore the box, and the lock will work.And if it is determined that the lock is still faulty, then the first step is to remove the cylinder, which is checked for operability no longer in the lock. If it breaks down, a new cylinder is installed. It may be that part of the locking mechanism is working properly, then the problem must be looked for in the main body of the lock.Replacing the cylindrical lock.If the lock case breaks down, you will need a screwdriver to put it in order. Using this tool, unscrew the fastening bolts and remove the lock from the door leaf. This option is acceptable for overhead locks.When the mortise structure of the lock is installed, the core is first removed, and only then can the structure of the lock itself be removed from the opening. The lock is placed on a flat surface and on a fabric flap, which is necessary in order not to lose the spring when disassembling the lock. Using a special screwdriver to disassemble the lock case, the screws on the cover are unscrewed, which fix it.All foreign bodies - debris, dirt and dust - are removed with tweezers. All parts are immediately checked for breakage or deformation, or for their presence. The mechanism of such locks consists of round or flat springs and bolt levers.The locking mechanism works like this: the shutter lever is lifted by turning the key and pushes the shutter up. The spring has the function of returning the lever to its original place. A second spring holds the latch without movement. If it is she who has failed, then it must be replaced. The shutter can also be bent; to eliminate this problem, it is straightened in a vice.The device is a leveled mortise lock.Before carrying out the cleaning work of the elements of the lock, it is necessary to completely memorize the device of the mechanism, only then can the parts be dismantled. It is recommended to use kerosene for washing all elements, and an unnecessary toothbrush for cleaning, and then wipe it dry with a rag. As all the parts are washed and cleaned, the system is lubricated with machine oil. The final step will be the assembly and installation of the lock in the door hole.When a lock of a more complex design is installed in the door, it will take some time to disassemble it. The first step in disassembling such a device is to dismantle the handle, if it is attached with visible bolts, then they are unscrewed with a screwdriver or similar tool.After dismantling the door handle, you need to take a thin pointed object in the form of an awl or knitting needle and, having felt the latching mechanism and pushing on it, you need to try to open the door.When the problem is not in the latch, but in the crossbar, it will be difficult without the help of a master, but you can take a risk. To do this, you need to do the following:

platbands are dismantled;

using a chisel and a hammer, remove the part of the door frame where the metal plate is embedded;

in the event that the door opens "towards itself", you can easily open it, but if not, then the jamb will become unusable, but the door will remain intact.

If, nevertheless, it was decided to repair the castle with your own hands, then in order to do the work efficiently and in a short time, you need to follow some recommendations:

If the old larva is defective, it can be replaced with a new one. After determining the size of the larva, it is best to purchase it from a specialist store.

To dismantle the old larva, the key is inserted into the door lock and, having opened the door, it is fixed in a comfortable working position. The next step will be to remove the screws with which the lock plate is attached. Next, you need to determine the screw that fixes the position of the larva. Basically, its location is in the center of the lock, under the tongue. Without removing the key, turning it, you need to try to pull the larva out of the nest. But it happens that the key is missing, in which case the larva can be removed with a drill.

To install a new larva, all the same steps are done in reverse order. In order for the larva to freely enter the lock slot, a key is inserted into it and rotated. Once in place, it is secured with a screw. At the end of the process, a plate is applied and fixed with screws.

Read also: Bosch wff 1201 DIY repair

You can't do without disassembly

Advice! Getting started installing the locking mechanism, it is worth disassembling and assembling it on the table. This will avoid annoying mistakes at the time of final assembly.

Before proceeding with the disassembly of the mechanism, you should understand its design features. Each type of locking mechanism has features that are taken into account when performing repair work.

Such a locking mechanism can be safely called standard, since it is found most often. It restricts access to a specific room by fixing the door leaf in a closed position. When the handle is pressed, the tongue moves back a certain distance.

In round rotary knobs, the latch lock is built in initially. This locking mechanism reliably locks the door in the closed position. In this case, it will not work to open the door by pressing the handle.

Typical breakage of the latch lock

A locking mechanism that allows the door to be locked from the inside of the room. Installed in bathrooms, toilets, bedrooms - where a time limit is required. There is a lever or push-button type.

A special latch included in the handle limits the functionality of the latter only on one side of the door leaf. When the handle is pressed, the reed element moves under the influence of a special spring. Distinguished by simplicity of design, such a locking mechanism has poor resistance to external influences, and therefore can easily fail.

With the help of such a lock, you can completely restrict the entrance to the room. Cylinder and lever ones are popular. They consist of a handle, a lock block, various types of cylinders.

Depending on the design, they can have two holes for keys, or on one side - a hole for keys, and on the other - a spinner key. By pressing the handle, you can open the door. After closing the locking mechanism, the handle cannot be turned. To open the door, turn the turntable or key.

Trash was accidentally trapped in the keyhole, or the key that was broken when the lock was opened was left inside the keyhole.
Crossbars or springs are broken.
Grease has leaked out. Opening such a lock is extremely difficult. In addition, mating parts will begin to wear out catastrophically.
Installation is performed incorrectly and the spatial position of the bolt and striker plate slots is different.
The hinges were loosened, and the spatial position of the door leaf changed. In this case, the bolt and slots of the striker plate are located at different heights.
Cylinders seize.
The key turns in the lock, but does not open the mechanism itself.

Broke key

Locking mechanisms for interior doors are usually of a simple design. Therefore, it will not be difficult to carry out the repair work yourself. If you still have doubts about your abilities, it is better to seek help from a specialist.

To complete the repair work as soon as possible, you should prepare the necessary materials and tools in advance:

Screwdrivers.
Toothbrush.
Tweezers.
Oil for lubricating rubbing elements.
A flap of tissue.
Kerosene.

To carry out repair work, nothing else is required, but in an emergency situation pliers will be required.

Before starting work, the cause of the breakdown is determined. The sequence of actions performed depends on the mechanism that failed.

If the reason for the failure was the retraction of the tongue, repair work is performed in the following sequence:

Disassemble the locking mechanism.
The spring holding the tongue is changed, since it was the loss of its operational properties that caused the breakdown.
The mechanism is being assembled.

It is not necessary to remove the lock to carry out repairs. Everything can be done directly on the door leaf.

If the handle is loose and because of this does not fulfill its purpose, prepare a screwdriver of the correct diameter. The size of the tool depends on the parameters of the fasteners holding the handle in the desired position.

Before installing the handle in the desired position, you must disassemble the locking mechanism and lubricate the associated elements. In these places, dust collects, which got inside due to the fact that the handle did not fit tightly to the door leaf. After removing the dirt and lubricating the locking mechanism, you can screw the handle into place.

Fixing the handle

Repairing the latch requires determining the cause of the malfunction. If it sticks due to the fact that the internal elements have shifted relative to their original position, you can correct the situation by disassembling the lock and returning these elements to the desired position.

Also, the reason for the poor performance of the latch can be natural wear or deformation. The latter takes place during long-term operation of the locking mechanism or if the conditions for its timely maintenance are not met. If, as a result of displacement and work in the wrong position, they are deformed, broken or severely worn out, they will have to be replaced with new ones. You can purchase the necessary parts in specialized stores or by custom-made.

Advice! If the performance of individual parts is in doubt, it is worth replacing them immediately with new ones so that you do not have to repeat the repair work again in the near future.

If the lock is jammed, and therefore the key turns with difficulty, the cause is the clogging of the mechanism. The work is performed in the following sequence:

The mechanism is being disassembled. Work should be done carefully so as not to damage the elements that are in good working order.
The mechanism is cleaned from the formed dirt. Plaque is removed from small parts with a toothbrush or a hard dry brush. Use a rag to clean large parts.
The device is lubricated.
The locking mechanism is assembled. To evenly distribute the lubricant over the elements of the mechanism, the lock is opened and closed several times.

In order to further exclude the occurrence of a similar situation, the locking mechanism is lubricated regularly. Do not wait for typical problems to appear. Good quality lubrication will prevent damage to individual elements. If this happens, the cylinder lock cylinder will need to be replaced, which will increase the cost of repairs.

Larva replacement

Thus, everyone can repair locks at home, if desired. Such locking mechanisms are not distinguished by a complex device, and therefore the jammed element returns to an operable state without the help of specialists. The help of the latter may be required as a last resort, for example, if, after disassembling the lock, it is in no way possible to return it to an operable state.

if any debris got into the keyhole or the key broke and remained in the keyhole;

the key turns in the lock, but it does not open;

often in lock structures, crossbars or springs become unusable;

lack of lubrication;

in the striker plate, the slots and the bolt do not match;

loose hinges;

seizure of the cylinders may be the cause.

secret - a part of the mechanism, which includes the key;

the executive part is a device that directly performs the locking function.

screwdriver;

tweezers;

lubricating oil;

tissue flap;

kerosene and a toothbrush.

When the mortise structure of the lock is installed, the core is first removed, and only then can the structure of the lock itself be removed from the opening. The lock is placed on a flat surface and on a fabric flap, which is necessary in order not to lose the spring when disassembling the lock. Using a special screwdriver to disassemble the lock case, the screws on the cover are unscrewed, which fix it.All foreign bodies - debris, dirt and dust - are removed with tweezers. All parts are immediately checked for breakage or deformation, or for their presence. The mechanism of such locks consists of round or flat springs and bolt levers.The locking mechanism works like this: the shutter lever is lifted by turning the key and pushes the shutter up. The spring has the function of returning the lever to its original place. A second spring holds the latch without movement. If it is she who has failed, then it must be replaced. The shutter can also be bent; to eliminate this problem, it is straightened in a vice.The device is a leveled mortise lock.Before carrying out the cleaning work of the elements of the lock, it is necessary to completely memorize the device of the mechanism, only then can the parts be dismantled. It is recommended to use kerosene for washing all elements, and an unnecessary toothbrush for cleaning, and then wipe it dry with a rag. As all the parts are washed and cleaned, the system is lubricated with machine oil. The final step will be the assembly and installation of the lock in the door hole.When a lock of a more complex design is installed in the door, it will take some time to disassemble it. The first step in disassembling such a device is to dismantle the handle, if it is attached with visible bolts, then they are unscrewed with a screwdriver or similar tool.After dismantling the door handle, you need to take a thin pointed object in the form of an awl or knitting needle and, having felt the latching mechanism and pushing on it, you need to try to open the door.When the problem is not in the latch, but in the crossbar, it will be difficult without the help of a master, but you can take a risk. To do this, you need to do the following:

platbands are dismantled;

using a chisel and a hammer, remove the part of the door frame where the metal plate is embedded;

in the event that the door opens "towards itself", you can easily open it, but if not, then the jamb will become unusable, but the door will remain intact.

If, nevertheless, it was decided to repair the castle with your own hands, then in order to do the work efficiently and in a short time, you need to follow some recommendations:

If the old larva is defective, it can be replaced with a new one. After determining the size of the larva, it is best to purchase it from a specialist store.