My Door Lock Is Sticking

A latch bolt that sticks in the strike often leave tell tale.

My door lock is sticking.

Get a screwdriver and remove the screws holding the lock on your door. For especially stubborn locks try squeezing a little graphite onto the door s latch as well. Filing the strike 1. You can tighten a simple interior mortise lockset like the one shown at left as follows.

Equip a rotary tool with a carbide tip bit. The knob will not turn to retract the stuck. On the top middle or bottom. When spraying the lock.

Fixing a few stubborn locks might involve disassembling cleaning and then reassembling the lock. If you still don t have any luck after trying powdered graphite call a professional locksmith to come out and take a. Inspect the strike plate on the edge of the door frame. The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned.

3 if this does not help remove the knob. Take note of the type of resistance. Once taken apart use gum out or a similar type of cleaner to clean the inside of the lock and all moving parts. Troubleshooting a stuck door latch try to open the door while it is shut.

The latch will not retract even when the knob is turned. 2 hold the knob on the other side of the door and turn the loose knob clockwise until it fits snugly. If the sticking area is along the door frame where the hinges are located. Open the door wide and put on a pair of safety glasses to protect your eyes.

This is the part of the. If it s a matter of friction on the strike plate try. Fortunately there are a number of ways to fix a stuck lock without calling in the professionals and breaking your budget. Ironically by cleaning and oiling them you can fix most locks in a matter of minutes.

Key stuck in lock if your key is stuck in the lock then it s best to call us as soon as you can. First clean the keyhole with a penetrating lubricant like wd 40. 1 loosen the setscrew on the knob s shank. Many people put up with the aggravation of a sticking door lock for years.

Once that happens getting in and out of doors can be a major hassle. Determine where the sticking is happening. Leave the lock in the door but only remove the cover and other parts to get in to clean it. A sticky lock is usually caused when excess dirt and grime binds up the mechanisms that enable the lock to turn smoothly.

Now precisely where on this part of the door frame does the sticking occur. Insert the tip into the latch.