How to Repair a Door Lock

There are some household repairs that you can easily complete on your own. One such fix is repairing a door lock that no longer turns properly. The likely cause of this problem is a build up of dust and gunk which makes the lock stick. Read on to learn how to repair a door lock.

Instructions

1. Put heat on the lock. If you suspect that the key is not turning because of cold weather, the lock is probably frozen. Use a hair dryer to warm it.

2. Buy graphite powder at a home improvement store. If the lock is not frozen, it probably isn't turning because of a build up inside the lock.

3. Insert the tube of graphite into the lock or lightly coat the key with graphite. Squeeze the tube and slowly release the graphite powder or insert the key in the lock. You do not need to let the graphite powder sit inside; it should fix the door lock problem instantly.

4. Try the lock with your key. You should no longer have a problem turning it and the lock should not get stuck.

Tips & Warnings

• If your lock problem continues after you insert the graphite powder, you may need to change the entire locking system in order to fix the door lock.

• Avoid using WD-40 to fix a door luck that is sticking. Over time, this substance can actually worsen the problem by attracting more dust.