How to Repair an Old Mortise Lock

You can repair an old mortise lock by correclty aligning it.

Mortise locks vary from locks of the cylindrical variety because they work via a pocket cut of a door, rather than via a tiny hole created by a drill. These old locks become a portion of the actual door and secure them in place. If you need to repair a mortise lock, you have to create the proper alignment to complete this task with the use of a screwdriver.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Putty knife
• Wax

Instructions

1. Wax the latch bolt of your lock. This enables its latch to retract with less effort and puts an end to any sticking issues.

2. Take off any excess paint from your latch plate. Remove the extra paint with your putty knife because this paint hinders the movement of your lock.

3. Take off all the screws of the mortise lock (the screws keep the cylinder in position). Ease your lock through the front portion of your door. Put your key inside the lock so that it points up. Put your cylinder in once more and secure it back into position. This will cause your cylinder to align correctly and your lock to operate in a more efficient manner.

References

• Baldwin Hardware: Mortise Lock Replacement Instructions