What could be more frustrating than coming home after a long day and realizing your lock is not working properly? If you’re like me, you probably stand around for a few minutes, fumbling with the key and the door, before finally giving up and turning around to the back entrance.
If this sounds familiar, don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, many people don’t know they have a lock that isn’t working properly until it’s too late. How can you tell if your lock isn’t working properly? Read on to find out.
1.- Signs of a lock not working properly
Usually when a lock is not working properly, it shows signs that it is time for maintenance or replacement, among the most frequent signs that we can observe are:
- Attempted burglary or forced entry.
- Constant use and wear time.
- Inadequate use, that is to say to open or to close the door with excessive or disproportionate force.
2.- How can we improve a lock that is not working properly?
When a lock does not work properly and jams it is usually attributed to lack of lubrication, but it can also happen because the hinges are loose or if your deadbolt is misaligned and jams on its own. If you are presented with either of these cases, you can do the following:
Lubricate and clean the lock:
To get to the inside of the lock, you will need to remove it from your door. There are usually four connecting screws that secure these types of locks and two located on each side near where they join, with another pair in the deepest part of its housing, just in case.
Start by removing all the attachment points on the outer, country-style latches; then slide each half of the cylinder up or down, depending on whether there is dirt trapped between their plates when properly cleaned; once done, don’t forget about those pesky gaps between them!
When loosening the hinges:
If you see that the lock is clean and lubricated, but still won’t open, then it could be because of a loose door hinge. To fix this problem there are two options: tighten or loosen the hinges depending on the type they may need more movement to get everything working properly again.
Misaligned components:
To correct a minor alignment problem, measure the distance between the top of the interior door and its bottom. If this figure is less than what you had anticipated in terms or inches, file that edge on both sides with a chisel point until everything aligns properly.
In the case of more serious problems, such as sagging, most likely caused by weathering over time, or poor construction practices, such as installing headers before studs, which can create unnecessary stress through excessive weight applied at points where they are not needed.
It is recommended to have a specific person responsible overall for these types of situations, as there may be multiple problems occurring simultaneously.
Warped doors:
Water can warp a door, but if it is not too severe and the water-holding frame is not cracked or fractured, then there is still some hope for repair.
3.- How long can a lock last?
Keep in mind that the older the lock is, the easier it is for burglars to pick it.
That’s why professional locksmiths like Locksmith Phoenix recommend changing the lock on your home every ten to fifteen years. They are ahead of the criminals when it comes to door security know-how, and one more tip is to install two locks instead of just one to further strengthen protection
If you notice that your lock is not working properly, or if it takes a lot of effort to close it, it is very likely that your lock is malfunctioning.
In some cases, when the lock is not working properly, be sure to periodically check all the locks on your doors to make sure they are all working properly. Keep in mind that faulty locks can put your home and your family at risk, so it’s important to fix any problems as soon as possible. Have any of your locks failed recently?
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