Buying a home is exciting, but there can often be security risks attached to the purchase you may not be aware of. I’m referring to risks that are inherited – either from the builder or the previous homeowner.
Keys are a perfect example. It’s exciting to receive the keys to a new home, but you need to ask yourself whether they’re the only keys to the house. Builders, tradesman, or the previous owners may have a set to your new home. It can be surprising who has a key to your new home.
Did the previous homeowner loan keys to caregivers, family members, neighbors or cleaning companies that may not have been returned?
This is why you need to rekey all the locks in your new home.
Rekeying should not be confused with replacing a lock. You don’t need to replace the locks in your new home. Locksmiths at Tru-Max Security Inc. can simply disassemble the lock and cylinder (the area that accepts the key) and fit a new key. This is not an expensive procedure and only takes a few minutes to change.
Today’s home insurance companies often frown on folks who don’t rekey their new home once they move in. Often when a claim is made, these companies will want to see signs of forcible entry to ensure homeowner neglect were not the underlying cause. Another advantage to calling Tru-Max Security Inc is that we can point out any lock deficiencies you may have and repair them. We may find “handyman specials” where the locks are malfunctioning or installed wrong; which can save your stress and a headache in the future.
Electronic locks combinations will also need to be changed. Along with hidden safes that you may find in the home, these are all things we can do for you. You have enough to think about when you are moving into a new home. So let us worry about the security and you can then worry about where you want to dining room table and the paint colour.
Here are the 5 most common door lock problems we see:
Door lock problems creep up on you from time to time, and it is something that every property owner has to deal with. Most homeowners and commercial property owners have encountered door lock problems at one point or another. The manner in which you treat door lock problems will determine the extent these problems ultimately impact your security. Unfortunately, most people don’t call a residential locksmith or commercial locksmith until it’s too late.
There are some door lock problems that you cannot afford to ignore. I say this because door lock problems tend to grow into something more, if they are not appropriately addressed. In some cases, door lock problems will leave your security vulnerable.
1. Loose Door Locks, Door Knobs, and Door Handles
Door locks have a lot of moving parts, so it goes without saying that there are several different components holding any given lock body together. Each of these parts is integral to ensuring that the lock works smoothly. If one (or several) of these components start to fall apart, the lock will not work properly.
How do door lock parts become loose and fall apart?
The answer is rather simple and straightforward. Most door lock parts loosen up with time and after extended periods of use. This is especially true for locks that are used on exterior doors that serve as primary ingress and egress points.
As far as door lock problems go, loose door locks might not sound like the most frightening thing. However, appearances can be deceiving. There are many homeowners and property owners who have had the same thought cross their mind. That is until they were faced with a house lockout or an office lockout, incapable of opening a door because of a loose lock.
58.3% of home break-ins are forcible entry, and if your door locks are loose, it becomes much easier for burglars to exploit your door lock problems. Furthermore, having a loose door lock in place can potentially be a fire hazard.
It is very easy to spot door lock problems that result from loose door locks. You will often notice that something is wrong with your lock while you are using it. If this goes unchecked, it will be very easy for someone to dislodge your lock and gain access to your home.
2. Misaligned Door Locks
As the name suggests, a misaligned lock means that key parts of the locking mechanism are not lined up in a way that functions well with the door. In most cases, it means that the latch or locking bolt are not lining up with the door locks strike plate.
Misaligned deadbolts and latches are common door lock problems. They are often the result of door locks that were not properly installed, or doors and door frames that are warping due to climate changes. The danger here is easy to spot. If your door lock is misaligned, it becomes difficult to operate the door normally. This means that it may not close and lock the way it should, which potentially leaves your home or office exposed.
Misaligned door locks can lead to broken door locks or broken doors. Since the locking mechanism is not lined up with the strike plate, you run the risk of subjecting your locking bolt or latch to unnecessary pressure whenever you try to close the door. Eventually, this action can damage your door lock bolt. A damaged locking mechanism (that could have been avoided) will not lead to higher costs and lower security.
3. Broken Key in Lock
Breaking a key in a lock can be one of the more devastating door lock problems. If you have never had to deal with such a thing, then you’re in luck. The reason why this becomes such a challenging problem to deal with is that a broken key in a lock affects other facets that you will now have to account for.
Most people are tempted to try and take a crack at this door lock problem on their own. After all, isn’t it as simple as removing the broken key piece and going about your day? Unfortunately not, and hastily attempting to do so might damage your lock further. Luckily enough for you, there are some simple ways to get a broken key out of a lock. Call us at Trumax Security Inc.
4. Jammed Locks and Jammed Latches
If your door lock is jammed, do not neglect it. Do not put it off for another day because you think you have other pressing matters to attend to. Doing so will jeopardize your security and inflict further damage to your door frame and door hardware.
Locks jam up for multiple reasons. One common reason for a door lock jamming is the buildup of debris that clocks the internal mechanisms. Also, if the latch or lock bolt is broken the door lock will be jammed. Each of these door lock problems has different causes, but the end point is usually the same. They each result in a door lock that is hammed and not working the way it should.
Door lock problems that are a result of debris jamming up the keyway should not be ignored because they can potentially result in more problems, like breaking a key in a lock. Also, a broken bolt or latch that causes your door lock to jam might be a symptom of a much larger issue, like an attempted home break-in.
5. Turning Lock Cylinder
If you place your key into your door lock cylinder, and turn it, you should be able to lock or unlock your door. However, if you insert the key and the entire lock cylinder turns, it is a sign that you have a bigger door lock problem at hand that needs to be addressed.
The danger with a turning lock cylinder is that it inhibits how and when you can lock and unlock your door. This essentially means that you might be left stranded outside your home or office unable to gain entry, or that you cannot lock the doors at all, which means anyone can gain access at any given time.
If you have encountered any other the above issue or have any other lock issues. Please contact us and we will be happy to help you to repair and get your locks running the way they should be; smoothly and securely.
Tru-Max Security Inc.
613-591-0909