Your property’s door locks have the vital job of safeguarding you, your loved ones, and your most valuable belongings from intruders. If your lock begins to function differently and is appearing worse for wear, you may be in the market for a door lock replacement or repair. Here are three signs it’s time to call your locksmith to fix this important device:
- Stiff door handle or knob: If your door handle or knob no longer turns as easily, this is often the result of a malfunction within your latch. Signs like these indicate that your device may be experiencing some wear and tear, and you might need door lock replacement or repair in the near future.
- Key doesn’t easily turn: As your key becomes more difficult to rotate inside its lock, this is often a clue that the device is beginning to deteriorate and lose functionality. Over time, these complications can grow, resulting in your key becoming stuck inside the lock. Attempts at mitigating this issue by forcing the key to turn can lead to worse outcomes, as your key has the potential to break inside the lock. If this issue persists or worsens, call your locksmith to come and identify the problem.
- Misaligned locks: If your door’s bolt or latch is not arranged in a way that’s positioned evenly with your strike plate, it may lose its ability to open or close properly. If your door’s performance declines like this, it could hint at the locks not being installed correctly or the shape of your door’s frame shifting from age and environmental factors — this could be a sign that you’re due for door lock replacement or repair.