Cylinder lock deadbolts are very common in every house as it offers extra security to the home and the family members. To open the single-cylinder lock deadbolts, one would have to lock and unlock the door from the outside. To lock and unlock the door from the inside, one needs to turn the thumb mechanism. In case of a double cylinder deadbolt, it has keyed cylinder on both the side of the door. These locks are also the best solution when one requires to limit access to certain places in the house. Plus, these locks are very adaptable to suit the needs and wants of the homeowner.
Since the locks are created from high-quality heavy steel, these locks last a lifetime. But over time, with continuous use, the lock can sustain damage due to daily wear and tear. For the best results, hire services from a reliable locksmith in Midwest City, OK.
Read ahead to know how to repair a cylinder lock deadbolt, if there are any malfunctions lately.
Initially Check The Cylinder Lock For Any Damage
First, put your key in and out of the cylinder lock. Check and feel for any resistance while inserting the key or while removing it from the keyhole. If you feel that the movement of your key is not smooth, and you are exerting more pressure than usual, it is probably because you are facing some resistance from loose screws. You can easily fix these loose screws by tightening them with a screwdriver.
If Tightening The Screws Didn’T Fix The Problem, Remove The Deadbolt Lock
Even after you fixed the screws and the malfunctioning does not resolve, then the problem lies within. Carefully remove the deadbolt lock while turning the deadbolt lock in an unlocked position and meticulously remove the screws which are inside first. To expose the mechanism of the lock, take the cylinder out from both sides. As soon as you remove this mechanism, the bolt will come out. You will need pry bars if there is paint around the deadbolt to remove the cylinders gently.
Remove Any Dirt And Dust From The Insides
From the exposes door hole, remove any dust and dirt which may be accumulating inside by blowing the can of air in the outward direction. If the dirt and grime accumulated over the years are stubborn, using a soft-wired brush is helpful. While using the can of air, be sure to use it from a distance and in short bursts only. Condensation may develop if constant pressure is applied instead of short bursts.
The whole lock set along with the cylinders and the bolt mechanism must be sprayed thoroughly so that there are no lingering dust particles inside. Once done, ensure that the moisture completely dries out by leaving them on a paper towel for a while. Make sure that the whole set is completely dry. Get the most professional services from a locksmith in Midwest City OK.
A Little Lubrication Goes A Long Way
While cleaning the lockset with the can of air removed any lubrication that was used earlier. Reapply lubricant generously to make sure that all the moving parts of the lock are moving freely without any resistance. To avoid the deposition of black particles from a graphic lubricant on your door, it is highly recommendable to use a silicone lubricant. While lubrication is necessary, make sure that you do not go over the board with the lubricant. You can retouch the area around the doorknob with touch up paint if you have accidentally damaged during the whole procedure.
Finally Putting It All Back Together: Reinstallation Of The Cylinder Lock Deadbolt
Making sure that all the parts are in their right places and everything is aligned, place the cylinders, and the locking mechanisms back together. If you are meticulous enough while assembling, then the par will all fit in without you having to make an extra effort to align them. You may put back the screws but do not tighten them yet, right away. Before tightening it, test it. Close the door and engage the bolts to check whether the door is locked or not. After checking and ensuring a perfect fit, you can now tighten the screws.
Fixing a cylinder deadbolt lock is easy if you follow the above steps. Take up the project of fixing your cylinder lock deadbolt over a weekend. It would be an unnecessary expenditure to call in a locksmith for such an easy job. All you need is a screwdriver, some paper towels and a can of air to clean the lock — also some lubricant for lubricating the lock mechanism before reassembling it.
Whether to call in a locksmith or not is your decision. And there is also the question of the security of the home and the family members involved. But if you can fix it all by yourself, you can end up saving more than you anticipated.
