How to Overcome Frequent Thumb Turn Lock Problems

Thumb turn cylinder locks have a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn on the interior side and are very convenient overall. They are easy to use as you can lock them from the inside without the need for a key. In emergencies, like fires for example, they can provide you with a quick escape as in that case, the last thing you want to be thinking of is where you left the key for the door.

However, as convenient as they may be, in time, like all locks, thumb-turns also deteriorate. You probably have already noticed your thumb turn lock not working, otherwise you wouldn’t be reading this.

So in this post, you will become familiar with the common problems and how to fix your thumb turn lock if necessary. So, read on, as if your safety and security depend on it. Oh, wait, they may actually do.

Bathroom lock stuck

If you’re wondering “Why is my door lock not twisting?” or seem to be experiencing other door lock problems like resistance and grinding noises when you turn the lock or the lock downright refusing to turn at all, then the reasons can be several.

Either debris or dirt has accumulated inside the cylinder lock mechanism or the lock components have gradually misaligned due to wear and tear.

Rust or corrosion might also be affecting the internal components of the lock since that said lock is most likely installed on your bathroom door or in the basement where humidity is high. It’s also quite possible that you or somebody from your family always applies unneeded force when they lock and unlock and that can also result in mechanical issues.

But let’s not cast any blame and instead try to fix that thumb turn lock from being stuck.

Thumb turn lock keeps spinning

If you run into the opposite problem where your thumb cylinder turn lock keeps spinning, but it doesn’t engage at all, or you hear wobbling sounds whilst turning it, then it might be because of the following reasons.

Either the components inside the lock have shifted for whatever reason or those same components have corroded or degraded. It’s also possible that all they need is some lubricant, but there’s no way to know for sure until you…

Hopefully, now you’ve fixed your thumb turn lock from not working. But there can also be…

Key problems

Problems with the key of your uPVC door lock can come from damaged pins or springs. It’s also possible that your key might get stuck in the lock. With that said, the most common questions that you might want answers to are:

“Why won’t my uPVC door key turn all the way?” – Misaligned pins or worn-out springs are usually why your key refuses to turn all the way. Misalignment stops the key from fully engaging with the pins, while worn-out springs may fail to push the pins back into position properly.

“Why does my uPVC door lock key keep turning?” – The pins or springs inside the cylinder are likely damaged or completely worn down. The key is not able to properly lift and align the pins within the cylinder, so it just keeps turning and turning.

Now that you know why these key problems happen, it’s time you did something about them.

Thumb turn lock too stiff

If your thumb turn lock feels too stiff when you try to use it, several factors could be the reason. For starters, the key may be obstructed by dirt, debris or other foreign objects that shouldn’t be inside the lock in the first place. Even small particles can sometimes interfere with the smooth operation of your thumb turn lock.

These other factors you’re already familiar with. Lack of lubrication always leads to friction when you use the lock, worn-out internal components like springs or pins can cause the lock to misalign, and corrosion can either make it very hard to use the thumb turn or stop it from moving entirely.

As in the previous cases, there are several ways to fix your thumb turn lock:

Opt-in for a quick and reliable thumb turn lock repair

If you lack the time, know-how or instruments to fix your thumb turn lock, then don’t waste your time. Instead, call us at Fantastic Services, so we can put ours to good use. The locksmiths we work with are fully qualified and insured to handle a variety of lock-related challenges even your broken bathroom thumb-turn lock.

Whether it’s traditional locks or advanced systems, we’re familiar with all types of locks and keys, plus, we specialise in working with British Standard BS 3621 locks.

That’s not all, we have a 30-minute response time, so you get prompt assistance when you need it the most. Especially for a broken key, the faster the service is performed, the better.