It is essential that we keep our external door locks in good working condition, in order to best ensure that our properties are kept as secure as can be.
If you find that your external locks have a problem, then it should be something that you consider repairing or replacing as soon as possible. Some problems with locks only require a simple solution that you can probable fix yourself with little effort, however some problems are a lot more complex and will need the skills and expertise of a qualified locksmith.
Lock Problems
Broken Key In Lock – This issue often happens completely out of the blue with no prior warning signs, making it even more frustrating when it happens. The first thing to remember is to not to try and unlock or lock the door with the broken key, this will only make matters worse by pushing the key further into the lock and even risk causing damage to the lock itself. You can attempt to remove the key yourself with a pair of needle nose plyers if you can see enough of the key sticking out of the lock. If you were unsuccessful or not enough of the key is visible then you will need the help of a professional locksmith who will have the tools and skills to safely extract the key without causing damage to your existing lock.
Stiff Difficult to Open Lock – This is a problem that is usually caused by a build up of dust and dirt inside the locking mechanism. You can try to free it up by using a silicone or graphite-based lubricant, simply apply the spry to the lock the try turning the key a few times. When trying this method you should never use an oil based lubricant such as WD-40 as it will only provide a short term fix, the oil in the solution will eventually cause the lock to become clogged.
Difficult to Unlock/Lock UPVC Door – If you are having problems locking or unlocking your door while it is closed, but the lock works fine while it is in the open position then it is more than likely just and alignment issue that you are dealing with. This can be quite a tricky fix if you don’t know what you are doing, however your local locksmith will be able to quickly resolve this problem. If it turns out it is not an alignment issue, then this will be something that your local locksmith will have to diagnose and fix accordingly.
Key Difficult to Insert– Well in this situation there are a few simple things that need to be ruled out, firstly, are you using the correct key, this is a mistake that most of us will have made at least once in our lives! Second thing to rule out is a badly cut key, try an older key in the door to see if that works with out issues. If none of the keys to your property work, then it is likely a problem with the locking mechanism and not the keys. You will need to call out your local locksmith to come and diagnose the problem and carry out the necessary work to fix it.
If you are having problems with the locks on your external doors then, contact Re-Entry-Locksmiths today – 01765 451 453