Any device with moving parts relies upon the necessary alignment of those moving parts. It's exactly the same when a device is fairly straightforward in its design, such as a door lock. When the faceplate of your door lock becomes loose, it can begin to protrude outwards, meaning that the overall lock is in danger of becoming compromised. Since it's just one portion of the lock that appears to be loose, is it as simple as just tightening the faceplate?
The Importance of the Face Plate
The faceplate is the rectangular piece of metal screwed to the side of the door. The deadbolt and door latch extend outwards from the applicable gaps in this plate. When the plate becomes loose, even by just a few millimetres, it can impede the operation of the door's lock and even make it difficult to close the door properly, whether it's locked or not. This simple loosening of the faceplate can pose a potential security risk for the door, but a fix can be as easy as tightening the plate back into an appropriate position.
Screw Maintenance or Replacement
Using a screwdriver, loosen the screws even further, without removing them. This might sound counterintuitive, but you want to partially remove the screws to ensure that the thread (the ridges that loop around the length of the screw) have not worn away to the point that the screw is unable to hold the faceplate in position. If this appears to be the case, remove one screw entirely, and take it to a hardware shop. The worn screw will act as a reference so you can purchase replacements with intact ridges. Replace the screws as needed. If the screws do not appear to be worn, simply tighten them back into position with your screwdriver.
A Deeper Problem
Perhaps the faceplate still appears to be loose, even when the screws have been tightened as much as possible. The issue might then be with the lock itself or the door. If the door's wood has degraded over the years, it might lack the density to hold the screws, and by default, the door's locking mechanism. Given the durability of the door, the problem is likely to be found within the lock. Something might be out of alignment with the locking mechanism, meaning that the lock is pushing outwards instead of remaining contained within the mechanism's housing. Locksmiths can quickly replace the lock for you, which is going to be the most effective solution at this point since otherwise, you would need to disassemble the lock and examine each component, and this is assuming you would even know what you're supposed to be looking for.
Sometimes a loose faceplate can be fixed within minutes, all by yourself. But sometimes there's a deeper problem at work, and this deeper problem can jeopardise your home's security. Contact a locksmith for more information.
