Even good quality locks will have a life and most last for many years without any problems. However, there are certain signs that indicate that it is time to change a lock rather than trying to repair it.
Your Key Sticks or Needs Jiggling
Lifts, twists and jiggles. Even the most determined user will eventually give up with a lock that requires such treatment. In truth, a good lock will always operate smoothly and require no more than a single clean turn of the key.
Visible Rust or Corrosion
Visible rust or corrosion on the surface of the lock is easy to see but often is dismissed. However, the same type of corrosion can occur inside the lock cylinder. This can cause the lock pins to bind together, leading to unpredictable failures of the lock. Visible signs of pitting, flaking or corrosion around the keyway of the lock can indicate that a lock is nearing the end of its life and needs to be replaced.
The Lock Body Feels Loose
A loose lock is an easy lock to force, and a lock body that is loose can indicate that the lock cylinder has become loose due to the lock plate having become loose.
The Lock Has Been Drilled or Forced Before
Damage to your lock, even if you weren’t the person to have done it, can seriously weaken the lock’s internal workings. It’s far better to get the lock replaced.
Your Lock Fails Current Standards
Many older locks do not meet current home security standards, including BS 3621. Check the home security standards required by your insurers and compare them with the locks currently fitted to your home.
A Locksmith Bishop Auckland can check your current lock for you within a few minutes more information can be found at https://lockwork24-7.co.uk/locksmith/bishop-auckland/.
If you have seen two or more of these signs of wear and deterioration to your door lock(s) then a replacement lock could cost less in the long run than a disastrous failure of the existing lock(s).
