Taylor Cavlar

Common Issues with Door Locks and How to Resolve Them

Of all of your home security features, door locks are probably the one fixture that you use without even thinking much about it. When you go to unlock your door, you reach for the knob and turn it; this action is done in a matter of seconds and you don’t think about what is actually happening or how scary it would be if something went wrong. Broken door locks are a horrible thing to deal with. Whether you’re a tenant or the owner of the property, they need to be taken care of immediately. The longer you wait, the more likely it is that someone breaks into your home/office.

To keep your homes and businesses safe, you need locks that work properly and are installed properly. When there is an issue with a lock, it usually needs to be addressed as soon as possible. Some lock problems are significant and necessitate the services of a fully skilled locksmith, while others can be resolved by following the basic instructions provided below. Here are some frequent lock issues and what to do if they arise.

Key breaks in the lock

This is one of the most aggravating lock issues, and it usually happens unexpectedly. If this occurs to you, don't try to lock or unlock the door any more with the broken key. By doing so, you risk pushing the broken key deeper into the locking mechanism, making it more difficult to extract. Use needle-nosed tweezers to grip the broken key and pull it straight out if there is enough of broken key visible to do so. If the key won't come out easily, don't force it or you'll make things much worse.

The lock is brittle and difficult to open.

Dirt and dust can find their way into a lock and accumulate over time. This might block the locking mechanism and make turning difficult. Apply some graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant to the lock, then replace the key and turn it a few times. Never use oil-based products, such as WD-40, to lubricate locks since, while they may help at first, they might create clogging later on.

When our locks are operating well, most of us don't give them a second thought; nevertheless, when a problem arises, we must usually act immediately. If you find yourself in this situation and need a qualified professional, call locksmith east point ga.