Cylinder lock deadbolts are common in every house as they offer extra security to the home and family members. To open the single-cylinder lock deadbolts, one would have to lock and unlock the door from the outside. One needs to turn the thumb mechanism to lock and unlock the door from the inside. In the case of a double-cylinder deadbolt, it has keyed cylinders on both sides of the door. These locks are also the best solution when one requires limited 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 made from high-quality heavy steel, they last a lifetime. However, 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 learn how to repair a cylinder lock deadbolt if there have been 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 fix 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, remove 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 recommended 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 it during the whole procedure.
Finally, Putting It All Back Together: Reinstallation Of The Cylinder Lock Deadbolt
Make sure that all the parts are in their right places and everything is aligned, and 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. You also need some lubricant to lubricate the lock mechanism before reassembling it.
Whether to call a locksmith is your decision. 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.
