Do you sometimes get into that situation where you find yourself outside the door of your own house trying vainly yet earnestly with the keys which refuse to budge from their position? May be you had problems with a stuck dead bolt making you feel unsafe or annoyed. Locks play a pivotal role in our everyday life; it ensures safety and assurance. However, as with any other mechanical devices, they may also develop problems and put us in such situations. In this elaborate manual, we shall look into some of the commonly encountered lock problems that have affected domestic dwellers and some effective ways through which you can recover back entry in your premises by making sure your safety has not be compromised. We can give help with keys stuck in the lock or a froze lock during winter. Therefore, for any lock problem that you may have ever considered as a dilemma, go through this section to know how to handle it and be your own troubleshooting professional. It’s now time for us to explore some popular lock issues and look at strategies for fixing them.
Also Read – Emergency Lockout: What to Do When You’re Locked Out
Key Stuck in the Lock
It would be pretty annoying if a key got jammed into the hole of a lock. Such is a scene that no one expected, yet this happens with utmost accuracy at the most unexpected turn. In case your key fails to unlock the doors and you don’t know how to re-enter your room, what steps should you take?
First of all, do not use forceful attempts to get the key in. Too much pressure may cause damage to both the key and the lock requiring repair, which is very expensive. Rather, implement a few mild repair procedures instead. Then, use silicone based lubricant on the lock. Use lubricants very moderately with slow inserting of the key which should be turned gently and gently jiggled. It could also push some of the rust or debris out which is holding the key in place.
However, if the key can’t still turn, then it is time to call an expert locksmith. Trying to fix the problem yourself might make it even worse. An experienced locksmith knows how to open the lock while preventing any additional damage. Be patient for it is your best friend while seeking for assistance in this case that, patience is a virtue for nothing comes instantly in life.
Jammed Deadbolt
There’s no doubt that getting home only to discover that the deadbolt is jammed would be extremely problematic not only because of safety issues but also other matters. In case you realize that a deadbolt will not budge, you have to tackle this problem straight up and not procrastinate.
- Inspect the Key: Begin by examining the key. It could be defective if it is found to have dents, bending, and/or excessive wearing. The easiest way out in such cases is replacement of the key.
- Lubrication: Lubricate the keyhole and deadbolt through application of a silicon-based lubricant. After which you can allow the lubricant to penetrate, and try turning the key gently. This may do if the problem is as a result of friction or rust and this can resolve it.
- Alignment: Proper fit check should be verified from the door to the frame. Therefore, a poorly aligned door can exert pressure on the dead bolt and make turning it hard. This problem can be remedied by moving the door or strike plate.
- Professional Assistance: However if the dead lock remains stuck call a trained locksmith. It is dangerous to try and force the deadbolt, which may result in damage and lock out. Locksmith knows how to unseal a lock without destroying it.
If an issue with a jamming deadbolt is addressed quickly and by following this process, it is possible to regain one’s security in their own house.
Misaligned Door and Latch
Misalignment between a door and a latch may cause locking problems like the door does not close properly or the latch doesn’t snap as required. This is not only dangerous for your security, but it is also inconvenient. Here’s how to tackle this common issue:
- Inspect Door Alignment: First, take a look at your door and its frame. Inspect around the door to reveal whether there are spaces or crookedness. The likelihood is that a misalignment may be responsible for your latch problems if you observe one.
- Tighten Hinges: Misalignment also may be caused by loose hinges. Ensure that you also tighten all the screws on your doors hinge in order to make them secure.
- Adjust Strike Plate: A metal plate is placed on the door frame and it is called the striker or the strike plate. It will not let that latch catch if it’s mislaid or wrongly positioned. Adjust the position of the strike plate by loosening the screws. Then fix them using a screwdriver.
- Test the Latch: Lock the door and ensure the latched catch engages and smoothly glide onto the strike plate. Otherwise, keep on adjusting till you succeed.
- Professional Help: If this is not sufficient then calling an expert locksmith or even a carpenter would be necessary. Through this, they are in a position of knowing what the problems may be and can come up with more comprehensive solutions.
Addressing the misaligned door and latch immediately will ensure that your lock works properly to guarantee both security and ease of access.
Frozen Locks in Cold Weather
A typical problem that some home owners experience is frozen locks during cold winter months. The moisture inside the lock freezes when temperatures fall making the lock impractical. Here’s how to thaw out this chilly issue:
- De-Icing Solution: Firstly, buy a de-icing liquid for locks, which is a special liquid that melts ice inside a lock. Spread the paste all over it on the keyhole and watch it do great things. Carefully push the key in, and if necessary shuffle it to be able to melt the ice.
- Warm Key: Yet another fast remedy is heating your key. Gently heat the key with a lighter or soak it in hot water for a few seconds. Finally put the warm key in the lock and rotate it carefully.
- Heat Source: In case there is no de-icer available or a warm key in your possession, you should use portable heat sources, such as a hair dryer. Bring it very near to the lock, but make sure that you do not burn up the lock, or damage anything else.
- Preventative Measures: Make sure to apply a quality, silicone-based lubricant to the lock before winter comes to prevent any more freeze-ups. It should also assist in stopping moisture from getting through and freezing-up.
Ensure you don’t use a lot of force or sharp things like knives while chipping at the ice since that might spoil the lock forever. listade. As a rule, safer and proven ways of dealing with frozen locks should be chosen in severe conditions, such as using de-icers or heating methods.
Also Read – Key Duplication: What You Need to Know
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What do most homeowners worry about when it comes to locks in their homes?
Lock issues that are common include keys jamming into a lock, deadbolt malfunction misalignment of the door or latch, in addition to frozen door locks when the temperatures fall.
Q: What do I need to do if my key sticks into the lock?
Avoid forcing your key when it gets stuck inside a lock. Alternatively, use silicon based lube and wiggle the key. In case it fails, one should call a professional locksmith for emergency services.
Q: What will I do if my deadbolt is jammed?
Check that the key is not damaged or bent inside-out; lubricate the dead bolts with oil. Check whether the strike plate is out of plumb so that the bolt doesn’t miss the hole. Test if the latches engage properly. However, if it becomes persistent try out a locksmith.
Q: How do I avoid frozen pipes in winter?
Use a commercial lock de-icer, warm-up your key in advance or apply a portable heat source like a hairdryer to avoid frozen lock on a winter day. The use of a silicate-based lubricant may also be applied in a foregoing way.