One of the worst things you can be faced with is a lock that’s suddenly failed on you. No matter how hard you try, you can’t get the lock to turn – or even get your key into the lock at all! Now you’re stuck with calling out a locksmith to let you into your house and fit a new lock while they’re at it.
Like most things, locks will give you warning signs before they fail completely. It’s very rare for a lock to just give up the ghost without any signal first – you just might not have recognised them. And since it’s often much quicker, cheaper and easier to repair a lock than to replace it, we’re going to share some of the mayor warning signs with you, so you can get repairs made before disaster strikes.
Keys Jamming
Or really any difficulties with your keys once they’re actually in the lock. Keys that don’t turn well or get stuck are usually an indicator of a bigger issue with the lock, especially if the key itself looks fine. This could be anything from dirt to damage inside, so it’s important to check. The best-case scenario is that your lock just needs a little cleaning and lubrication. Worst-case? You know that there is damage there and you can get it repaired before the lock breaks completely.
Lock Cylinder Damage
Lock cylinders are a key component to your lock, and if they get damaged, they can cause problems very quickly. Lock cylinders can generally be damaged in one of two ways. Normal, everyday use over a long period can cause wear and damage, but so can an attempted break-in. So if you see or feel any damage to your lock cylinders, then it’s a red flag. The easiest way to tell is if you lock feels loose or hard to use.
Strange Noises
Most of us are very familiar with the sound a normal key makes in a lock. ‘Click, swish, thunk’ about sums it up! And this should be the normal music to your coming and going every day. But if you hear any weird or unusual noises coming from your lock when you use it, that’s a big sign you need to check it out. By strange, we typically mean grinding, clicking or straining noises, or sometime it can be things that just don’t sound right.
Rough Use
If you’re finding you need to get rough with your keys to get them to lock or unlock the door, then it’s safe to say it probably needs a little TLC. Locks should open and close smoothly, without any sort of resistance. Struggling to lock or unlock is usually sign of a serious lock mechanism issue. This kind of issue makes it much easier for your lock to be broken (and your house to be broken into), so it’s important that you get it fixed quickly.
Loose Mechanism
If you’re able to physically move or wobble your lock mechanism while it’s in your door, that’s not a good sign! This happens when screws or parts wear out, and it means burglars will have a really easy time breaking through it and getting into your home. Luckily, it’s usually an easy fix – if you call a locksmith.
At My Locks Locksmiths, we provide the full range of locksmith services, from servicing to replacements and even security audits. If you’re worried that one or more of your locks needs to be repaired, we would be more than happy to take a look and give our advice. Just get in touch with the team to arrange your lock review.