It wouldn’t be wrong to admit that there is nothing worse than finding your door won’t lock. More than causing inconvenience it can put your properties at risk for break-ins. This article will list down some of the common door lock problems that homeowners are likely to encounter preventing doors from locking securely.
Misaligned Door Lock
Whether it’s because the door is on the hinges, how it fits the frame, the striking plate or the location of the lock, misalignment in any of these door elements can disturb the accuracy of a door locking properly.
For any door to lock properly it’s crucial that the lock is capable of sitting or syncing properly in the bolt latch of the door frame. If this alignment is missed it can prevent your door from locking properly. The problem is easily identifiable if you observe closely and is quickly fixable through professional locksmith services.
Door Lock Not Turning
There are many reasons why door locks won’t turn. One of the most obvious reasons for this is the use of the wrong key. On a uPVC door, the door lock won’t turn because of an issue with the barrel or gearbox. On the other hand with a yale or latch lock, this could be a problem with the internal mechanism of the lock. For a mortice lock, a type of lock often found in wooden doors, this lock problem could result due to faulty leavers or a broken bolt thrower. Most of these instances indicate that you may need a lock replacement.
Lock Cylinder Keeps Turning
One of the main reasons why the lock cylinder keeps turning is due to an internal mechanism that has detached, which causes the power at which you turn the keys to not be effective enough to turn the bolt. If this is not the case, a lock cylinder can keep turning because the cylinder itself may be loose. This is a problem that is often hard to diagnose without removing the lock. One of the worst things you can do here is to keep spinning or tampering with the lock which may end up requiring a full lock replacement as opposed to a simple repair that it would have needed originally.
Slow Lock & Handle
If you have to force yourself or exert a lot of pressure to lock and unlock a door it can be due to a slow lock and handle. Although you still may be able to lock and unlock a door with this problem, it can be a nuisance, especially in case of emergencies. With time this problem can likely escalate to a deteriorating condition where the handle or the lock doesn’t move at all.
It’s also best to say that this is one of those common door lock problems that can be easily solved at the initial stage with proper maintenance like cleaning dust and dirt from the lock, keyhole, and the mechanism along the edge of the door, thereby preventing them from building up or clogging over time.
Sticky Or Frozen Locks
If you find yourself having to jiggle your keys a few times before they catch the lock, then it could be due to a sticky lock that needs an immediate repair before the lock completely gives away its functions. On the other hand, frozen locks result due to moisture that gets into the lock and the effects of temperature drops. If you have a frozen lock, never force the key into it, as it may end up with a broken key inside the lock.
