Front door lock hard to turn

[User181019]

We have a uPVC front door with a multiple point locking system. DD finds it hard to open the door with her key in that it needs some hand strength to turn the key to unlock. She's not weak! It's our particular door as we don't have issues opening other front doors!

The key isn't sticking so I don't think graphite powder will solve it. Hard to describe, but it's more that she finds it hard to turn they key in the cylinder. It's the turn that engages the unlocking of the multiple locks. The door is hung properly and no issues with that. DP and I are fine to open the door but maybe we have greater hand strength?

If anyone has any advice that would be much appreciated. DD has been struggling for a year now!

Wd40 all
Moving parts ?

Try different keys - sometimes a poor cut makes one harder than another ?

Try swapping keys, some are made better.

Try using wd40, its amazing how much it frees it up. On several different caravan holidays our key was hard to use but reception keys worked beautifully. They oiled the lock and our key worked as good as theirs. Its weird.

Let us know if its still bad after trying both.

Get her to try with your key. Could just be technique, you have to ram the handle in the closed position firmly before you go to lock ours

Yes, could be the key (is it a copy of a copy of a copy?). Could be the bolts / locking point on the lock are slightly misaligned with the strike plates in the frame (the frame side can drop slightly over time). Can she turn the key easily when the door is open if you see what I mean?

Can you tell how excited I am by a door hardware question on MN? 😂

If it's a hand strength thing, you can get key extensions which make it easier to turn.

Does she have a 'naked' key, or is or is full of keyring and tethered to a short bag chain which are making it unwieldy?

So we've tried all keys. All keys are the original cut ones and she has the same issue. I wonder if it's hand strength? Or technique. We have spent a year going over it! I get that it feels "stiff" to turn. I have tried myself turning the key when the door is open and closed, including with my left hand (I'm right handed) and crouched down (to emulate being shorter) to see if it's because she's shorter than me, and it feels the same which suggests the plates are aligned. My neighbours must think I'm barmy!

I will try lubricating anyway to rule this out. I do think it's the weight of the multiple locks if that makes sense? We've spent a year practicing and it's driving us both up the wall she can't do it!

I was told by a locksmith to use a PTFE lubricant, not WD40.

GT85, which is a common bicycle lubricant is perfect.

I need to lubricate my front door but it says don't use wd40. You can buy a proper lock lubricant

@MagpiePi snap

WD40 is NOT recommended for door locks. It works initially but causes damage down the line by gumming it up and causing dirt to stick in there. WD40 is bloody fantastic for most things but locks is one where it's a huge no no.

For lock mechanisms, graphite is needed as it doesn't attract dirt. You can also get lock specific lubricants that are a different composition to WD40.

OP, can you unscrew the strip down the edge and lubricate not just your lock itself but all the moving parts down the length of the door? Even slightly stiff locks eventually cause bent and broken keys over time so it's worth doing anyway, even if your DD's technique improves. It'll save you needing the extortionate costs if an emergency locksmith one day.

It could be a twisted frame. We had that.

Any chance she could have a back door key and come in that way?

Open the door and try the locking/unlocking actions with the door open.

If, as I think is likely, it is easy, then I expect it is the multipoint locking mechanism on the door edge and frame, not the actual lock.

You can try cleaning then with a stiff paintbrush (and it is OK to lubricate the hooks) but more likely the door needs adjusting. Ask around for your local independent specialist (there is sure to be one who repairs plastic doors and windows because they are so troublesome).

Do not use a large replacement window and door company

Do not buy a new door

Usually adjustment is all you need.

A complete replacement mechanism is a lot cheaper than you think, and easy to fit for someone who does it every day.

You have said you have tried her key. Has she tried yours or dh?

My dd has trouble opening ours at yr7/8 and did the same as you. It was a combination of things as she was obviously shorter and left handed. What worked for us was she found my key slightly easier, she stood on tiptoes, she angled her body differently so the key approached the lock as though she was righthanded. It all helped. What helped the most though was her getting the backdoor key as well. Still a yale but it was at waist height, not shoulder height. Now she's grown the front door is not an issue.

It is the same whether the door is open or closed so I don't think there's any alignment. I will buy a small footstool and see if it helps if she's taller so she can apply more leverage. I will also remove the edge as someone suggested and use dry lubricant on the moving parts itself though I'm scared I'll ruin the door if I remove the edge!

If all fails, I'll give it a few more months in case it's technique! I'm loathe to call someone out as I'm convinced there's no issue with the alignment.

Thanks everyone. Some good ideas here!

If the lock itself isn't faulty, something like this will be all you need

@guinnessandblackcurrant YES!!!! Maybe I need this. I had no idea these things existed!!!

You could change the lock - its about £30 for a new one.

We had a front door with a stiff lock, tried lubrication but it made no difference. New lock was easy to fit and solved the problem.

@guinnessandblackcurrant it arrived and it worked!! DD is so happy as am I. I can't believe we suffered a year without realising this existed. Absolutely brilliant invention!

@MugginsOverEre thanks again for your suggestion. We didn't take off the edge but use a silicon lubricant and squirted it into each lock along the edge and that definitely improved the door. Previously, only squirted it into the key lock itself.

Combo of both. Voila!! Problem solved. Thank you Mumsnetters!!!!

They are brilliant aren't they, so glad it did the job.

What a wonderful update. Wish I had know about that key cover too. The power of mumsnet 💪

@User181019

I have this problem with a friends front door. It seems to be because I'm considerably shorter than them. I need to pull the door towards me (with the latch). The other day I had a bag in front of my feet (so I was standing a little further away) and it was even more difficult. It made me realise why it's tricky for me (not quite 5ft) and not them (5'7 at least).