Door locks are things that, if we’re honest, we don’t pay much attention to. We use them to secure our homes and belongings, and it’s almost an automatic reaction as we leave the house to turn the key in the lock.
In essence, locks are only thought about when something goes wrong, and we mean it goes wrong. Below we’ve outlined the most common lock problems and how to fix them.
Key snaps in the door.
This is one of the most common locking problems that we encounter. Mainly when homeowners or business owners rush in and out of their premises and, unfortunately, begin to remove the key as it’s still being turned in the lock. The best way to avoid this is the most obvious. Slow down. Take your time when locking and unlocking the door. Locks are intricate and can be, at times, a little temperamental. Rushing them can only cause problems. Taking a little extra time also ensures that doors are 100% locked when you remove the key, too, so you can have complete peace of mind.
It can cause a few issues. Firstly, when you pull away from the door, it pulls against the tumblers and can bend them out of shape. If you do this regularly, then this will cause the lock to become stiffer and require more effort to open.
Secondly, if you’re lucky not to have bent any tumblers out of shape, but instead manage to catch one or more of them with your key when removing it from the lock. If they become trapped between your keyway and your latch bolt, you may need our expert locksmiths’ assistance as they must remove these parts before they can repair your lock.
We have worked numerous times when our customers have been locked out of their property due to this simple mistake. We always recommend taking extra care when removing keys from locks so it’s not happening again.
Sticky Door Locks.
Sticky door locks are a common problem that can happen to any home. People often don’t realise it until they’ve lost their keys and have to call a locksmith to get back in. Sometimes, the lock may not be damaged; the problem is simply that the key isn’t fitting correctly.
The most common cause of sticky door locks is wear on the keyhole or lock cylinder, which happens over time as you open and close doors hundreds of times daily. This wear can cause dirt and other debris to build up inside your lock, which makes it harder for your key to work.
Sometimes, sticky door locks can also be caused by a worn-out pin tumbler mechanism within your lock cylinder. If this happens, all hope isn’t lost: You can usually repair these issues yourself with an adjustment tool available online or at hardware stores (or sometimes at big box stores like Home Depot).
The key no longer inserts into the lock with ease to the key has broken inside the lock.
Firstly, make sure that you’re using the right key! Secondly, if a newly cut key is being used, it could be that it has been poorly cut, so the key cut is slightly out of alignment. There could also be a slight fault with the lock itself (the locking mechanism may have dropped somewhat) – in all instances, make sure to contact a professional locksmith.
The lock has seized.
Lock seizing is common, and there can be several reasons, such as a build-up of dirt and grime in the lock, locks freezing due to extreme weather conditions, and more. The key is not to force it, which can lead to further damage and keys snapping. Lubricating the lock often helps in these situations, and calling the experts at Tyne Tees Locks.
If you have a door lock that is seizing up, opening your door can be very frustrating. If you do not know how to solve this problem, you can call a locksmith who can help with any issues you may be having.
It is essential to understand why your lock has seized up before trying to get it working again. To do this, you should first try opening the door manually with the key. If this does not work, try using another key or shoving a wire into the keyhole. If neither of these methods works, then it is likely that the lock has seized up inside the door frame. This could mean that too much dirt or grime has built up inside the lock over time; to fix this problem, you must take your keys out and clean them thoroughly before putting them back in again.
The door latch no longer works.
A door latch is a device that holds the door closed. The purpose of a door latch is to keep the door closed so that no one can open it unless they have a key or know how to open it. This can often occur when the latch bolt on the door is no longer aligned with the strike plate on the doorjamb. Repairs can be as easy as adjusting the latch slightly or as complex as readjusting the entire door and frame.
If your door is not locking correctly or you are having trouble closing it, one of the first things you should do is check the latch. If this is not working correctly, you must replace or repair it as necessary.
A broken or missing door latch can be a significant problem for many homeowners. It can be perilous and inconvenient – especially if small children like going through doors and cabinets. A broken or missing door latch can also make keeping pets out of certain rooms or areas in your home difficult.
It may seem like a simple task to replace a door latch. Still, many different latches are available today – including spring-loaded latches, mortise latches and more. Some people even prefer using their homemade solutions over buying store-bought replacements – although this requires some knowledge about carpentry skills and tools.
The lock just isn’t working.
It’s common for homeowners to encounter locks that don’t work right. The problem is often mechanical and is best left to the lock experts. Removing the lock and repairing the problem or installing new locks is the best course of action.
The following are some common problems with residential door locks that may indicate that you need lock repair or replacement:
- The key won’t turn in the front door lock.
- The deadbolt sticks or doesn’t work at all.
- A door knob won’t turn properly.
- The latch is stuck in place, preventing you from opening the door inside your house.
If you cannot get your key into a lock or it keeps falling out, it may be time to call a locksmith. If you’re having trouble getting your key in, there could be something wrong with your lock. The only way to know is by calling a locksmith who can look at it for you.
The number one reason why people call for a locksmith service is that they have lost their keys. Whether it is an old-fashioned house key or a high-tech car key fob, we can help you find them quickly and easily.
At Tyne Tees Locks Locksmiths Newcastle, our emergency locksmiths work with all lock types, makes, models, and brands to ensure we get your locks back on track so you can take care of the things that matter.
