--as in life--it's often the little things that matter. And it's amazing how many small structural things can go wrong around your house. Whether it's the front-door lock that won't let you into your own home, or the cracked window that won't keep the cold out, small household problems can have a big effect. For most of these, there's no need to call for a repairman-- the solution lies in tapping your ingenuity and using a few common household materials in innovative ways. Even when it seems that the roof is falling in--or the floor is opening up beneath you--there are often simple ways to solve larger problems on your own.You try to open your front door but the key sticks as if you were pushing it into a wad of chewing gum.Over time, lock tumblers can become misaligned and clogged with all kinds of gunk. The way to ensure your key makes a clean entrance and exit every time is by providing effective lubrication that won't add to the gunk. The best is powdered graphite. Also check frequently used keys for roughened edges.

Gently and carefully use a nail file to smooth burrs off the key tip.Anyone who has lived in a cold climate knows that frozen locks go with the territory.According to David Lowell, CML, CMST, and Director of Training and Certification for the Associated Locksmiths of America, it's a matter of bringing the heat. "If the lock to your house is iced over, remove the ice from the opening of the lock cylinder and carefully heat the key with a match or lighter. If you don't have a match or lighter, place the key on your car's engine block or radiator until it's very hot. Holding the key with your gloves on to avoid burning your fingers, insert the key into the lock and work it gently back and forth until the ice melts and the cylinder turns."The lock on your sliding glass door (if it exists at all) is about as substantial a theft deterrent as a picture of a guard dog.Cut down a broomstick or mop handle to fit snuggly in the floor channel in which the doors slide open or closed. When in the channel, the stick will jam and prevent anyone from opening the doors.

You're ready to remove a defective lockset, but how you begin to get it the darn thing off the door is a major mystery.For the sake of aesthetics, most standard locksets (those with doorknobs, not handles) mount the knob with hidden screws, making it appear as if there is no way to remove them short of a crowbar and large hammer. But save yourself the cost of a new door. If you look underneath on the stem of the knob itself, you'll find a tiny hole. Just insert a small pry tool, such as a thin straight screwdriver, and pull on the knob to remove it. Work the faceplate off and the mounting hardware will be accessible underneath.Someone--not you, surely--has broken a key off in a door lock, which is now jammed shut.Use a grinding wheel to shape an old hacksaw blade into a harpoonlike point. Then, slip the point into the lock over one of the key nubs and use the hook to fish it out.You're in a hurry to get to tennis class when you realize that you've forgotten the combination for your locker's combination lock.

If your lock is of fairly recent vintage you're in luck. Chances are the manufacturer has the combination on file, keyed to the code number on the lock. Visit the manufacturer's website and you're likely to find a FAQ section dealing with recovering lost combinations. Some manufacturers even offer online registration so that if you do forget the combination, you can easily retrieve it.cavity sliding door frame opening sizesYou've finally set aside an afternoon to clear out that storage shed that hasn't seen the light of day in a year. garage door openers for sale ottawaBut now you discover the padlock is rusted shut.2nd hand upvc doors windows

Immerse the lock in kerosene or penetrating lubricant for 24 hours. If the lock is attached to the hasp of a garage, gate, or other structure, this will mean wiring a metal can full of kerosene to the structure to allow the lock to soak in place.The case for a new lockset.A lockset is the mechanism by which you open and secure a door. garage door insulation kit ukDespite the name, locksets may not require a key. ipad 2 screen repair montrealPrivacy locks, usually used for bathrooms or bedrooms, may have a simple turn or push-button lock.garage door repair oak park ilThere are three basic reasons for replacing a lockset. where can i buy a gun doorknob

In some cases, the lockset is malfunctioning and may have failed. More commonly, homeowners look to upgrade from, say, a common "passage" lockset to a key-operated lockset. Changing locksets may also be a function of aesthetics, as homeowners change the style of their doors and other accessories and accents.According to Tom Embriani of Black & Decker Hardware and Home Improvement Group, "Most modest locksets can be repaired with minimal effort and expertise, but older units may require replacement because parts are no longer available to repair them. Signs that you should replace a lockset include a lock that operates intermittently or requires multiple attempts to get it to lock, or a clunking or grinding noise along with a looseness in the cylinder (where you insert your key). If the lock simply refuses to turn, or the knob spins freely, components in the lockset are worn out or defective and it should be repaired or replaced."The majority of burglaries are the result of thieves gaining entry through open or unlocked doors and windows.  

Locks are only effective if they are used.  Keep your doors and windows locked, even if you are elsewhere in the house. Older sliding patio doors can be vulnerable and easy to remove. A timber batten fixed into the top track of the door frame can help limit the opportunity to simply lift the door out of the frame. Specifically designed patio door locks fitted onto the frame or stile of the fixed glazed unit or the door will also help improve security It is important to install such locks exactly to the manufacturer’s instructions. If fitted in different locations they may not work! We always recommend using a reputable locksmith for such work. We only recommend installing door sets manufactured PAS24-2012 for domestic properties.  PAS24-2012 door sets are manufactured to a standard that will keep a well-equipped and determined burglar out of your home for at least 3 minutes. Whilst this may not sound like a long time, consider that the average burglary lasts less than 1 minute!

Regardless of whether your windows are plastic or wooden, casement or sash, the same security principles apply. Here are our recommendations: Windows in secluded or vulnerable areas or where high value items such as jewellery and antiques are present can be additionally secured using laminated security glass. For general domestic security, use windows manufactured to BS: PAS24-2012. These windows have a guaranteed security performance rating and are manufactured in a variety of materials. Specifying PAS24-2012 takes the guesswork out of picking the right specification of locks, glazing and frame.  These units are tested as a whole and not as individual components. We recommend that you use laminated security glass manufactured to a minimum of BS EN 356 P1A for all ground floor windows and those windows on the 1st floor of higher that are vulnerable (such as those adjacent to a flat roof). For general domestic property security use retractable internal grilles manufactured to LPS 1175 SR1 or greater.

Grilles add a further level of security to your home but consider them only where your security risks are higher than average.   NEVER use a keyed frame lock on windows that you would use as your intended fire escape. There are many designs of keyless lock that can be opened by pressing a button. If you lock your windows using the handle, keep the key out of sight but in a place that is close by. Make sure that EVERYONE in your house knows about the location and that EVERYONE can reach it. If you have difficulty using keys or are less dexterous, there are a variety of items you can fit in place of the more common-place locks. Speak to a Master Locksmith Association (www.locksmiths.co.uk) member about what is right for you. We recommend that you use manufacturers and installers accredited by Secured by Design and locksmiths who are members of the Master Locksmiths Association. When selecting a product or installer with Secured By Design, check which of their products carry the accreditation.