Common Lock Problems And How To Fix Them

To keep your property secure it is vital that your locks are in good working order. If you find a problem with your lock it should be addressed as soon as possible. Some lock problems require a simple fix that you may even be able to carry out yourself, whereas others can be more serious and need the skills and expertise of a reliable local locksmith to resolve and ensure your property remains secure.

Key Broken in Lock – For most this is a very frustrating situation to be in, and it often happens for what seems like no reason and completely without warning. If you find yourself in this situation then you should never try and unlock or lock the door with the broken key, this could make the problem much worse by pushing the key further in making it harder to extract and even cause damage to the lock itself. If you can see enough of the key sticking out then you could try and remove it using a pair of needle nose pliers, however if enough of the key is not visible you should not attempt this. Instead call out your local locksmith who will have the correct tools and knowledge to extract the broken key without causing any damage to the lock.

Lock Is Stiff and Difficult to Open – Over the years dust and dirt can find its way into the locking mechanism and if enough of it builds up in there it can make it difficult to turn. A simple solution is to use a silicone-based lubricant or graphite spray. If you apply this to the lock and turn the key a few times it should free up. It is important not to use oil-based products such as WD-40 as this may provide a quick fix but can cause much worse problems in the long run causing the lock to clog up.

UPVC Door Difficult To Lock/Unlock – If when your door is open the lock easily turns into the locked or unlocked position then it is likely an alignment issue, this is fairly common with uPVC doors and can be quite a tricky fix if you don’t know what your doing. If it is not an alignment issue, then the fix is much more difficult as it is likely to be a faulty locking mechanism. To resolve this issue, it will require new parts and you will definitely need a locksmith to come and do the repairs.

Difficult To Insert Key – This may seem obvious, but the first thing you need to do in this situation is check your using the correct key. This is a common mistake that we have all made at least once in our lives! If you have ruled this out then the next thing to do is check that it is not a poorly cut key, try using an older key in the lock to see if that works, if the problem persists even with other keys for the property then you will have to call out your local locksmith, they will be able to diagnose the problem and carry out the necessary repairs.

Key Not Turning In Lock – There are multiple things that can cause this problem, the one thing that you should never do in this scenario is force the key! Not only can it cause damage to the lock, but you could also end up snapping the key in the door! You could take similar steps as is mentioned under the heading “Lock Is Stiff and Difficult to Open” however if this fails then it is most likely a problem with the lock cylinder. You will need the skills and expertise of a local locksmith to diagnose and fix the lock problem.

If your having lock problems and need the help of a reliable local locksmith then contact Alcatraz – Edinburgh Locksmiths today – 0131 467 7675