The answer is rather simple and straightforward.
How tight up the door lock.
Dirt dust and grime also build up in the lock s cylinder.
On many newer less expensive locksets the faceplate the round plate that fits against the door surface itself has two exposed screws that may loosen over time causing the doorknob mechanism to wobble loosely.
As far as door lock problems go loose door locks might not sound like the most frightening thing.
When this occurs it s an easy matter to simply tighten these screws to snug up the door again.
First clean the keyhole with a penetrating lubricant like wd 40.
Watch as a professional home repairman shows how to fix door.
Fixing or repairing a door lock may seem like a daunting task but it can be very simple to fix.
Ironically by cleaning and oiling them you can fix most locks in a matter of minutes.
See the article on adjusting door lock strike plates and aligning doors to strike.
Most door lock parts loosen up with time and after extended periods of use.
If you re having trouble opening your door lock it s best to also make sure that it is clean and free from dirt or rust.
Over time this can make the lock cylinder tight and difficult to operate with the key.
Wd 40 is a great lubricant but any type of liquid lubricant in your door lock will eventually attract dirt and therefore will gum up the lock.
Fixing a few stubborn locks might involve disassembling cleaning and then reassembling the lock.
If the door sags too much the latches will not work correctly.
Just know that over time the liquid lubricants inside your door lock will attract traces of dirt and dust.
A loose door lock can cause problems with how easy you find it is to open your door.
It s best to tighten the lock as soon as you notice that it is becoming loose to prevent more serious problems down the line.
The most effective way to loosen a tight lock is by strategically spraying its internal components with a special lubricant designed for locks.
If you have a modern cylindrical or tubular lock set with a loose knob see how to troubleshoot lock problems these knobs either snap onto a cylinder or are integrated into the lock set so you need to tighten the lock set itself.
You will have to routinely spray the locks to remove the dirt and dust.
Before you start replacing hardware or moving the strike plates make sure the door is properly adjusted in the frame.