A deadlatch is a feature that can prevent someone from opening a lock with a credit card or picking it with a sharp tool. In order for a deadlatch to work properly, it has to be depressed when the door is closed. If the deadlatch is not depressed, or if it falls into the strike opening, it will not work, making your home vulnerable to burglars.

Misalignment Can Cause a Deadlatch to Fail

The most common cause of a deadlatch not working correctly is poor installation. The person who installed it may have left too much of a gap between the door and the jamb. This can make it easy to pick the lock. There should be a gap of about 1/8 inch between the door and the jamb.

Any pressure against the deadlatch when it falls into the strike opening can break the deadlatch or cause it to fail. If the gap between the door and the jamb is off, it can usually be corrected by adjusting the strike position or putting shims behind the strike.

You can tell if there is a problem with the deadlatch when you slowly close the door. If the door swings in, you can look at how the latch operates as you close it from the inside. The latch should move into the strike opening, but the deadlatch should not. If you hear two separate clicking sounds when you close the door, this can indicate a problem.

Weather Stripping Can Cause a Problem with a Deadlatch

Weather stripping used for insulation can also cause a deadlatch to not work correctly. Heavy weather stripping can become compressed when the door closes. The deadlatch may work if the door is closed gently, but the weather stripping may become compressed if the door is closed with more force and cause the deadlatch plunger to fall into the strike opening. The strike position will need to be adjusted to prevent this from happening.

Call All American Locksmiths to Have Your Deadlatch Repaired

If your deadlatch is not working correctly, you should have the problem repaired as soon as possible. A faulty deadlatch can compromise your home security and put your family at risk. In many cases, a simple adjustment is all that is needed to fix the deadlatch.

All American Locksmiths has helped homeowners across Connecticut with their residential lock service needs. We can find the problem with your deadlatch and make any necessary adjustments to correct it. Contact us today to have your deadlatch repaired and keep your family safe.

You might have found yourself in a situation where you got home, unlocked the door, and then found that you could not remove your key from the lock. There could be a few reasons why your key would get stuck in the lock. In some cases you might be able to fix the problem yourself, but in others you might need the help of a locksmith.

Problems You Might Be Able to Solve Yourself

On the inside of the keyed cylinder is a small screw that holds the cylinder in place and has a thin piece of metal connected to it. This piece of metal, known as a tail piece, connects two parts of the lock so it can be locked or unlocked when the key is turned. If the screw is not tightened completely, the key can get stuck in the lock. With an older lock, it is possible that the screw is loose. You might be able to tighten the screw yourself and fix the problem.

Another common cause of a key stuck in a lock is dirt and grime inside the cylinder. You can use a good dry lubricant and spray some in the cylinder to clean it. Then insert the key and move it back and forth to get the lubricant into the pins. If this does not work, you can try a little WD-40 or a similar product.

When to Call a Locksmith

If you recently had your lock rekeyed so you could use the same key with multiple locks, the key could be stuck because of a problem with the pins. Keyed cylinders have a set of pins that allow them to turn the cylinder if you use the right key. If you had the lock rekeyed recently, it is possible that the person who did it made a mistake and did not get the pins in the correct positions. This is a problem that should be corrected by a locksmith.

If you have an older lock, the cylinder or pins could be worn. It is best to let a locksmith handle this because parts may need to be replaced.

If you do not know why your key is stuck in the lock or you have tried to fix the problem yourself without success, you should call a locksmith. All American Locksmiths can come to your Connecticut home or business and figure out why your key is stuck in the lock. We can replace any parts that are damaged or worn out so the lock works correctly. Call All American Locksmiths today so we can fix your lock.