How to repair a lock on an entrance iron door?

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

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 service life. The repair of different models also differs in many stages.

The following subtypes of locks may be present in metal entrance doors:

• crossbars - these types of mechanisms function based on the linear movement of the key, and their main disadvantage is the too large size of the latter;

• electronic - these types of locking devices make it possible to unlock an iron entrance door using a special magnetic key or an individual code;

• levers - 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 (they have a reliable steel case and steel pins in their design) for entrance doors, are distinguished by a sufficiently high level of security, as well as a practical and convenient key.

In addition, commercially available locking structures are subdivided into:

• mortise - it is customary to mount these locks on the front half of the door on a special fastener strip;

• waybills - similar options are installed directly on the door leaf by overlaying it from the inside;

• deposit - locks with such a design are installed in the canvas, referring to the parsing of the entrance door, while the insert device is fixed in a special pocket present in the steel sheet.

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 after learning all the necessary information about the existing locking mechanism, it will be possible to 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 mount, of course, overhead copies, since this does not require unnecessary manipulations. All you need to do is dismantle the pad itself. As for the device of the mortise model - here it can be much more difficult to carry out independent work on installation and adjustment. Do not take on the repair of such devices if you doubt your abilities.

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

• key;
• hulls;
• frontal frame;
• covers;
• bolt;
• bolt-related shanks;
• shank struts;
• set of levers;
• spring parts levers;
• special plate;
• spacer washers.

Also, in the locks of iron doors, there should be such structural elements as:

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

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

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

Before considering how you can get rid of this or that problem, you should figure out what may be the reason for the breakdown of the front door lock. Let's consider the most common situations that lead to malfunctions in the operation of the locking mechanisms.

• Most users are faced with the fact that the key in the door lock sticks. In these circumstances, it is necessary to remember which key is stuck in the device - a duplicate or an original item. Keep in mind that most often it is the duplicate keys that are not made of very high quality that get stuck. If at least one of the antennae on the device has been damaged or its base is crooked, then, most likely, one day it will simply get stuck in the lock of the iron door.
• Quite often the lock itself breaks down. In many cases, the system simply jams. If such a situation occurs, then it will take a lot of effort to open / close the door leaf (I must say 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 parts are considered to be handles and fixing components. In order not to face such problems, experts recommend buying only high-quality locking devices from well-known 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 truly reliable and durable product that will be less prone to breakdowns.
• Quite often, the door tongue stops slamming. The most common cause of this defect is an inappropriate mating notch size. To get out of this problem, you should bore or slightly displace the iron plate. The latch of the device itself on the end half of the door leaf may well lead to the blocking of the tongue. In addition, there may be a distortion due to the frequent use of the entrance iron door, because of which the mechanism inevitably begins to loosen.
• Many people find it difficult to open or close an iron front door. The distortion of the lock itself or the entire door frame can lead to similar troubles. These problems can be solved only by regulating damaged structures.
• The key can not only stick, but also not be inserted into the well at all. All owners of metal entrance doors have encountered such breakdowns at least once. The reason for these problems may be the contamination of the existing locking mechanism or the displacement of certain of its elements.
• The lock may require repair if any foreign bodies have 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 buying only branded products of the highest quality. They will not require frequent repairs and quick replacement.
• If the building, in which, for example, the apartment is located, shrinks and the walls in it began to inevitably warp, then the lock in the entrance metal door can also be seriously damaged. This feature should be taken into account even if you live in a private house (such buildings can also shrink).

You can easily fix the lock in the metal front door with your own hands. 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 work is simple and usually does not take up a lot of free time. The main thing is to take into account the type and structure of the lock.

In order to repair the cylinder lock, the following steps should be taken:

• first you need to remove the special armor plate;
• then you need to unscrew the fixing screw located in the end part of the iron door leaf;
• then you will need to remove the cylinder;
• now it can be safely changed to a new one, and then all other structural elements can be fixed in place.

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

Other types of locking mechanisms are far from the most reliable. In addition, it can be difficult to find parts for them on sale. This mainly applies to disc and cruciform locks. For this reason, it is easier to install a brand new lock than trying to repair an already damaged larva.

Complicated are situations in which the spacer mechanism is subject to breakage. Here, during repair work, the canvases are removed from the hinges and disassembled. A distinctive characteristic of such a lock lies in the fact that in the process of closing the door leaves, additional crossbars are put forward, and not only vertical, but also horizontal.

If you examined the state of the locking system of the locking system and found no reason for a breakdown - there all the elements are intact and are located in their places, then, most likely, the problem lies in the clogging of the existing mechanism. This problem is not uncommon, especially when it comes to a sturdy metal structure.

According to experts, in such situations, it is easiest to repair the lock. First you need to unscrew the lock. Then you will need to remove all the elements of the mechanism. Blow it thoroughly. Then, using a stiff brush, get rid of all the dust and dirt that has accumulated on the inside. Next, you need to gently wipe the large 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 apply a small amount of lubricant on a cotton swab and thoroughly grease all elements of the locking device.After completing all the 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.

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

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

If, when the door leaf is open, the locking mechanism functions without problems, but the door itself does not close or closes only if it is pressed hard, and at the same time the characteristic sounds of iron rubbing are heard, then this may indicate a distortion of the walls in the dwelling. This happens due to the shrinkage of the structure. In this case, the crossbars stop falling into the reciprocal component of the locking device. You can get rid of such troubles by boring receiving holes using a file or special cutters for metal. To identify the specific dimensions of the boring, you will need to smear the crossbars, for example, with toothbrush, slam the door leaf, and then bring the crossbars to the stop. The resulting prints will be an excellent guide in the size and level of the response.

If the metal door in your home is equipped with a mortise lock, then it will also need to be repaired in case of certain problems. This requires the following wizard steps:

• the first step is to determine what the design malfunction is and what caused it;
• after this, the mechanism must be thoroughly cleaned, but at the same time be as careful as possible;
• then you will need to replace parts that have undergone significant wear, or completely replace the larva;
• you will need to recode the lock, which is better to entrust to specialists;
• after completing all the work, it is imperative to check the working order of the secret part of the structure.

It should be borne in mind that dismantling mortise locking systems is quite difficult and time-consuming.

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

There is no need to simply disassemble the locking mechanism.This should be done only for a specific reason, because frequent disassembly and assembly of such a system can negatively affect its durability and operation as a whole.

If you notice that the body of your lock needs repair, then you will definitely need to stock up on a screwdriver. With the help of this simple tool, which is present in almost every home, it will be possible to easily and quickly get the lock out of an iron door.

Do not think that the locking devices 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 entrance shut-off structures - this is very important to keep in mind.

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

If there is a serious breakage of the lever lock, then most likely you will have to completely replace it. In such a situation, replacing the base will only be a temporary solution to the problem, since the next breakdown can 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 most you have to do is unscrew the special armor plate.

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

It is not recommended to independently choose a lubricant for cleaning the disassembled lock. It is better to contact a specialized outlet and consult a sales assistant. He will definitely advise which composition is best suited for your particular locking mechanism.

Repair and replacement of the metal door lock is quite possible to carry out independently. If you are afraid to get involved with such work and do not completely understand the devices of the existing locking system, then it is better to entrust its maintenance to an experienced specialist, otherwise, unknowingly, you can damage the structure, making it absolutely useless.

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