Please HELP door wont lock

coljacks

Please help my front door wont lock. It was fine yesterday, today it seemed a bit sticky but now it wont lock. It is a UPVC door, and when I put my key in it wont go in properly like there is another key on the other side. If anyone can help thank you coz I wont be able to sleep tonight. Thank you.

TimBuckTeeth

Spray some WD40 or oil into the lock. Then try to lock it with the door open to check the mechanism is operating freely. Try locking from the other side of the door also and try a spare key incase the key is worn.

coljacks

Thanks- should have said, tried all 3 different keys and locking from both sides and WD40, OH has taken the whole strip off to try and look but its no good. Im thinking now maybe the barrel has gone? Has anyone else had this problem before and if so how did they sort it.- Sorry just dont want to pay Sunday night call out fees.

prettypennies

Hope you got it sorted. Our PVC door packed up a few weeks ago (and it's only two years old) It was the 5 bolt locking bit that had failed. Luckily OH mate is a locksmith so he replaced the locking mechanism for us. Apparently they fail all the time. Sorry I can't offer any assistance.

coljacks

Thanks not sorted yet- awaiting 2 quotes today, how much is it for the locking mechanism? When I looked online last night it was quoting about £60.00 is that right?

prettypennies

That sounds about right. It's the fitting that costs a fair bit. Not that there is a lot to it. The guy had our fixed in about five minutes!

ic

Removing the lock mechanism is normally very easy, its secured by a single screw on the side of the door. That screw is removed, and then the key inserted and turned approx 30 degrees, then pull on the lock and it should come out. Of course if your key won't go in from either side, then you've a problem.

If you can get the barrel out, then its simply a case of taking it to the shops, finding another the same length (as they come in different lengths to fit different thicknesses of door), reinstalling and putting the screw back in the side. If you are getting a new lock, go for the latest snap-safe designs (search on here, there was a recent thread about them).

coljacks

Thank you for all your help, the door man has just been- it was the barrel. It cost £45.00 and took him bout 10 mins to sort. We can go out now yepee! I was starting to get a bit of cabin fever, stuck in with 3 kids in this weather. lol:rotfl: