How to repair the lock on the front iron door?

 How to repair the lock on the front iron door?

Locks have always been and remain weak places of iron doors. Their mechanisms often fail and require repair work. Of course, you can cope with such procedures yourself, without resorting to the services of specialists. To do this, you need to know exactly what type of lock is present in the entrance door. Only knowing this, you can repair the mechanism yourself without aggravating the situation.

Kinds

There are several types of locking devices that can be installed in iron entrance doors. Each of them has its own distinctive characteristics, structural features and durability.Repair of different models also varies at many stages.

In the metal doors there may be such lock subtypes:

  • latch - similar types of mechanisms function, based on the linear movement of a key, and their main disadvantage is the excessively large sizes of the latter;
  • electronic - these types of locking devices make it possible to unlock the iron entrance door using a special magnetic key or an individual code;
  • suvaldnye - the most common and standard mechanisms, which include special plates and cores (the safety level of such devices is determined by the number of slots on the key);
  • cylinder - the second most popular types of locks (have a robust steel case and steel pins in their construction) for entrance doors, are distinguished by a fairly high level of security, as well as a practical and convenient key.

    In addition, commercially available locking structures are divided into:

    • mortise - it is customary to mount these locks on the front half of the door on a special fastener plate;
    • invoices - similar options are installed directly on the door leaf by applying it from the inside;
    • supplementary - locks with this design are installed in the canvas, referring to the analysis of the front door, while the inset device is fixed in a special pocket, which is present in the steel sheet.

    Device

    If you want to change the lock of the entrance iron door with your own hands, then for this you will definitely need to familiarize yourself with its structure and principle of operation. Only by finding out all the necessary information about the existing locking mechanism, it will be possible to count on a good result with its own replacement.

    Features of the operation of standard locking structures, which are suitable for entrance iron doors, consist in the presence of special locking parts, such as cylinders, levers, or disk plates. Crusade versions of the devices are very much like cylinder ones, but they cannot be called high-strength and reliable, because they have a lock that can be cracked even with a simple screwdriver.

    As mentioned earlier, there are more mortise and overhead options for locking systems for entrance doors.The easiest way to install and install, of course, overhead copies, because it does not have to carry out unnecessary manipulations. All you need is to dismantle the cover itself. With regard to the device mortise model - here to carry out independent work on installation and adjustment can be much more difficult. Do not undertake to repair such devices, if you doubt your abilities.

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

    • key;
    • enclosures;
    • front frame;
    • covers;
    • bolt;
    • the shafts related to the bolt;
    • shank rack;
    • set of levers;
    • spring details of suvald;
    • special plate;
    • spacers.

    Also in the locks of iron doors must be present and such structural elements as:

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

    Depending on the particular model of a manufacturer, the internal structure of the locking device may vary.Before embarking on an independent repair of such systems, it is important to get to know them more closely in order to prevent serious mistakes in work.

    Causes of breakdowns

    Even the most expensive and high-quality metal entrance door lock is not immune from all sorts of breakdowns and malfunctions. It is possible to cope with the majority of them independently. Many users do not use the services of experienced repairmen and do everything themselves.

      Before considering how to get rid of this or that problem, it is necessary to figure out what could be the reason for the breakdown of the front door lock. Consider the most common situations that lead to malfunctions in the locking mechanisms.

      • Most users are faced with the fact that the key in the door lock jams. In these circumstances, you need to remember what kind of key is stuck in the device - a duplicate or original item. Note that most often it is the duplicate keys that are not very well made that get stuck. If at least one of the antennae on the device was damaged or its base is curved, then most likely, once it simply gets stuck in the lock of the iron door.
      • Often, the castle itself fails. In many cases, the system simply wedges.If such a situation has occurred, then a lot of effort will have to be made to open / close the door leaf (it must be said that many users over the years may make extra efforts when opening the door, although there you just need to change the existing lock).
      • Certain elements of the locking system can also become unusable. The most vulnerable and fragile items are such as handles and locking components. In order not to face such problems, experts recommend buying only high-quality locking devices from reputable companies with a good reputation. Most likely, you will spend a lot of money on such options, but as a result you will get a really reliable and durable product that will be less prone to breakdowns.
      • Quite often, the door tongue stops slamming. The most common cause of such a defect is the improper size of the reciprocal notch. To get out of this problem, the iron plate should be bored or slightly displaced. An overlay of the device itself on the end half of the door leaf may well lead to blocking the tongue.In addition, there may be a bias due to frequent operation of the entrance iron door, because of which the mechanism inevitably begins to loosen.
      • Many people are faced with the fact that the iron front door can be quite difficult to open or close. Such a misfortune can lead to a bias of the lock itself or the entire door frame. These problems can be solved only by regulating damaged structures.
      • The key can not only jam, but not be inserted into the well at all. With such breakdowns all owners of metal entrance doors collided at least once. The cause of these problems may be contamination of the existing locking mechanism or the displacement of certain of its elements.
      • The lock may require repair if any foreign matter has entered the keyhole. They will interfere with the opening and closing of the door.
      • Frequent repair of locking systems in many cases takes place due to the dubious quality of locking devices. That is why experts advise to buy only branded products of the highest quality. They will not require frequent repairs and quick replacement.
      • If a building in which, for example, an apartment is located, shrinks and walls in it inevitably begin to warp, then the lock in the entrance metal door can also be seriously damaged. You should take into account this feature in the case if you live in a private house (such buildings can also shrink).

      How to repair?

      To fix the lock in the metal front door without any problems will do it yourself. Many users, who do not want to spend extra money on calling specialists, resort to self-repair of such systems. According to home craftsmen, such works are simple and usually do not take a lot of free time. The main thing is to take into account the type and device of the lock.

      Repair of a mechanism depends largely on the specific subtype of the larvae present in it. In many cases, this particular part becomes the main cause of most problems and breakdowns. Usually metal doors are equipped with clamps, cylinder or suvaldny type. In order for the locking mechanism to serve as long as possible, the larva should be replaced in it.

      In order to repair the cylinder lock, you should perform the following actions:

      • you must first remove the special armored cover;
      • then you will need to unscrew the locking screw located in the end part of the iron door leaf;
      • then it will be necessary to withdraw the cylinder;
      • now it can be safely replaced with a new one, and then all other elements of the structure can be fixed in their places.

      If we are talking about a widespread lever mechanism, then it is desirable to replace the entire lock completely, because this part is likely to break again. If in such a design, the tongue is ignited, then you need to disassemble the entire structure, and then adjust its position.

      Other types of locking mechanisms are far from the most reliable. In addition, the sale is difficult to find parts for them. This mainly refers to the disk and cruciate sekretki. For this reason, it is easier to install a new lock, rather than trying to repair an already damaged larva.

      Complicated are situations in which the expansion mechanism is exposed to breakage. Here at repair work, the cloths are removed from the hinges and disassembled. The distinctive characteristic of such a castle lies in the factthat in the process of closing the door leafs, additional bolts are put forward, not only vertical, but also horizontal.

      If you inspected the state of the locking system and did not find reasons for a breakdown - there all the elements are intact and in place, then most likely the problem is the clogging of the existing mechanism. This problem is not uncommon, especially when it comes to sturdy metal construction.

      According to experts, in such situations it is easiest to repair the lock. First you need to spin the lock. Then it will be necessary to extract all the elements of the mechanism. Blow it through carefully. Then, using a tough brush, get rid of all the dust and dirt that has accumulated in the inside. Next, you need to gently wipe the major components of the structure with a soft cloth. Perform all actions as carefully as possible, so as not to harm the mechanism. Then you need to put a small amount of material for lubrication on a cotton swab and carefully fluff all the elements of the locking device. After completing all cleaning activities, the structure will need to be reassembled and then fixed in place. Be sure to check the quality of the lock after installation.

      Note that after such procedures for some time, the key may get dirty about the lubricant.

      Often, repair or replacement requires a case of an existing lock in the iron door. In this case, the following wizard steps are required:

      • you must first unscrew the fasteners;
      • then you need to remove the lock itself (the invoice option is removed easier, but the mortise can cause some problems);
      • to remove the lock, you need to unscrew the screw - the handle lock, and then the screw responsible for fixing the cylinder;
      • then you need to pull the cylinder and at the same time twist the key so that the tongue of the cylinder comes out of the case;
      • now you can remove the bolts and handles;
      • loosen the screws that hold the locking case, and then remove it;
      • open the lock body part by removing the fastening screws;
      • clean the device from any contamination using tweezers;
      • try to find out what is the cause of the lock malfunction (make sure that there are no missing and missing parts, bent elements that prevent the operation of the mechanism);
      • all broken parts must be changed, and bent elements - straighten;
      • after completing all the work, do not forget to clean the existing device and treat it with oil;
      • Now you can assemble the case back and fix it with screws.

      If the locking mechanism functions without problems when the door leaf is open, but the door itself does not close or close only if it is pressed hard, and the characteristic sounds of iron friction can be heard, this may indicate a skewed wall in the dwelling. This happens because of the shrinkage of the structure. In this case, the bolts stop falling into the mating component of the locking device. To get rid of such troubles, you can use the bore of the receiving holes using a file or special metal cutters. To identify the specific dimensions of the bore, you need to miss the bolts, for example, toothpaste, slam the door leaf, and then bring the bolts to the stop. The resulting prints will be an excellent guideline in the size and level of the response component.

      If the metal door in your home is equipped with a mortise lock, then it will also need to be repaired in case of any problems. To do this, the following wizard steps are required:

      • First of all, it is necessary to determine what the malfunction of the structure is and what caused it;
      • after that, the mechanism must be thoroughly cleaned, but at the same time be as accurate as possible;
      • then you will need to replace parts that have undergone significant wear, or completely replace the larva;
      • need recoding the castle, which is better to entrust experts;
      • completing all the work, be sure to check the serviceability of the secret part of the structure.

      It should be borne in mind that the dismantling of the mortise locking systems is quite complex and time consuming.

      Operation Tips

      There are several varieties of castle systems. Most of them can be replaced or repaired independently, but experts do not advise home craftsmen to work with electronic locks. It is better to entrust such options to professionals.

      When self-repairing a metal door lock, you must be not only very careful, but also very careful. Many components of the locking mechanisms are very small in size, therefore they are easily lost.It is advisable to put all the items in the allotted space, so as not to look for them all over the house.

      No need to just disassemble the locking mechanism. This should be done only for a specific reason, because the frequent disassembly and assembly of such a system may adversely affect its durability and work as a whole.

      If you notice that the case of your lock needs repair, then you definitely need to stock up on a screwdriver. With this simple tool, which is present in almost every home, you can quickly and easily get a lock from an iron door.

      Do not think that the locking device in the interior and entrance doors are identical. In fact, the former are simpler. Their repair is very often very different from the repair of the input locking structures - it is very important to keep in mind.

      Do not buy cheap handles in stores. Such things do not inspire confidence, even externally. They are quite lightweight, fragile and differ primitive device. Such products have never inspired confidence. If there is such an opportunity, it is better to spend money on the lock of a metal door and get a quality and durable product as a result.

      Experts strongly do not recommend to buy Chinese-made lock systems in stores. Not the highest quality recognized, and many Russian products. It is better to turn to European goods. They are simpler to repair, serve further and are more wear resistant. Of course, such products will cost more, but they will not disappoint the owners with their quality and performance characteristics.

      If there is a serious breakage of the lock lever, then most likely you will have to completely change it. In such a situation, the replacement of the base will be only a temporary solution to the problem, since the next failure may occur very soon.

      If you decide to repair or replace the lock cylinder yourself, then you should know that there is no need to open or completely disassemble the mechanism. The maximum that you have to do is unscrew the special armored cover.

      If the castle requires recoding, then it is better not to do it yourself. Such procedures should be trusted by professionals. You can also purchase special brand locks, which provide a self-coding function.These options are more expensive, but using them is easy and convenient.

      It is not recommended to choose a lubricant for cleaning a disassembled lock. It is better to contact a specialized outlet and consult with the seller-consultant. He will certainly advise which composition is best suited exactly for your lock mechanism.

      It is not uncommon for a lock in a metal door to rust. As a rule, in such cases, people acquire new locking structures and install them instead of rusted ones, since the latter cease to be as reliable and durable as they undergo corrosion.

      Repair and replacement of the metal door lock is quite possible to carry out independently. If you are afraid of contacting such works and do not understand at all the device of the existing castle system, it is better to entrust its service to an experienced specialist, otherwise, through ignorance, you can damage the structure, making it absolutely useless.

      How to fix the door lock yourself, see the video below.

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      Information provided for reference purposes. For construction issues, always consult a specialist.

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