Whether you operate a business in Houston, or simply have a house there, you rely on locks to keep your family, coworkers, and property safe so you have peace of mind in knowing that they are under strong protection. Lock issues can instantly dispel this peace of mind – since when they occur, all that you want to be protected suddenly becomes vulnerable. In this blog post, the lock repair team at Golden Locksmith will provide some detail to the common lock issues that we regularly encounter, and exactly how to solve them.
Broken Off Key
If your key broke off inside your lock you might be really frustrated. This situation almost always occurs when you’re trying to quickly lock or unlock the door. This occurrence can be avoided by making sure to take your time when opening or closing the lock. It can be solved by having a licensed locksmith remove the key shards – this is one situation where amateur fixes shouldn’t be attempted.
Key Won’t Go Into Slot
If the key won’t go into the lock slot, and you’re certain it’s the right key, it’s possible that there is some blockage inside the lock slot. Try applying a bit of silicone based lubricant to the key or inside the key slot and try inserting it and removing it a few times. It’s possible that the problem is due to the key being not cut correctly, in which case you might want to contact a locksmith who can either rekey the lock or furnish you a working key from code.
The Lock Closes Slowly or Stops
Slow locks are usually due to the accumulation of dirt inside the lock. Try putting a cotton Q-Tip into the lock to help remove the dirt. Then lubricate the lock with a silicone or graphite lubricant. If this doesn’t work, contact a professional locksmith, like those at Golden Locksmith.
The Key Won’t Turn
This incredibly common lock issue is important not to attempt to fix hastily. If this happening, never try and force the key to turn, as this way you can break the key off or severely damage the lock. You may want to again, try applying graphite or silicone spray, but the likelihood is that you will be best served by contacting a licensed locksmith.
The Lock Won’t Latch
This is usually due to a misalignment of the door against the door jamb strike plate. This can be fixed as slightly moving the latch – but it might need a fix as drastic as completely repositioning the door – which is best completed by a locksmith expert.