DOOR LOCK KEYS

Door Lock Sticking? Here’s What to Do

Locks are meant to protect you and keep out burglars. It can be extremely frustrating when that same lock sticks and keeps you out of your own home. When your lock starts to get sticky, if not fixed, the problem will only get worse and eventually, the key will be stuck completely and could potentially break off in the lock.

If you have a sticky lock, there are a few things you can do to help.

Check the Bolt and Key

When you first feel the key begin to stick, check the bolt that goes into the strike plate on the door frame. Ensure that it is fitting properly. Also, inspect your key and make sure that it is not bent. The slightest bend in the key can make it difficult to operate. 

A Pencil  

It may sound silly but pencils are made from graphite. Rubbing the entire surface of your key with a pencil will leave a coat of graphite on the key which acts as a lubricant. This will help the key turn easily. Another option is to use a graphite lubricant. You can find powdered graphite at your neighborhood hardware store. It won’t attract dirt or dust which will help it come loose.

WD-40  

Keep in mind that WD-40 is not recommended for long time use. It can gum up the pin tumblers and cause them to stick even more. However, if you’re looking for an immediate fix and it’s the only thing you have around, it’s a good solution until you can find something a little more permanent.

Take it Apart

The first thing you want to do is grab a screwdriver and remove the screws that are holding the lock together. Once apart, use Gum Out or another similar cleaner to clean out the inside of the lock. When using a cleaner, you should have some dirt drip out. After cleaning it, wipe it down to get as much of the cleaner out as possible. Once it’s clean, use a graphite lubricant to help loosen it up before putting the lock back together.

Bring in a Locksmith

If you’ve tried these techniques or don’t want to bother at all with them, it might be time to get a new key. If this still doesn’t work, a new lock altogether may be necessary. While fitting a lock can be straightforward, it’s easier to have a locksmith come to you and replace it.

Sometimes, using home remedies that you found on Google (like coating your key with olive oil or washing the lockout with soapy water) can actually make matters worse.

Stop wasting time. Contact All American Locksmiths to fix all your lock problems.

If the door won’t budge at all, then you’re in luck: we offer 24/7 emergency locksmith services throughout Connecticut. Really, few locksmiths know Connecticut like we do. We’ve been traversing the likes of Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford for years. Remember that to us, there’s no such thing as being “too far.” If you’re in CT or Westchester County, NY, then it It truly doesn’t matter where you’re located. You could be near the Stamford hospital, Cherry Lawn Park in Darien, or Toad’s Place in New Haven–if you’re in need of expert locksmith services, we’ll come to you day, night, rain, or shine.

car key fob lock

Lock Security: Should You Get a New Fob?

Keeping your car locked and safe from intruders seem like a pretty easy task nowadays. Just remember to push the lock button before exiting the vehicle or hit the alarm key fob as you walk away.

While this method won’t keep a criminal from smashing the window and trying to take the car, it’s certainly the first defense in keeping unauthorized people from entering your car.

Just as with residential locks on your front door and windows this closed access will deter theft and help you keep the peace of mind when you’re not present to monitor the premises.

The great thing about technology and advancements is that it’s now much easier to keep track of our cars location (GPS), keep it ready and comfortable when you get inside of it (remote start) and for some more futuristic types, even drive without us doing any of the work (self-driving cars).

Beware though. There are still risks even with these advancements that hackers are discovering and exploiting daily. One recent news report comments on the latest warning from a security expert and points to the hacking of key fobs where criminals are intercepting the signal given out by the fob when a user tries to lock the car with it from a distance. Once they gain the codes needed they can open and steal the car.

As a solution, some people are wrapping the fobs in tin foil to try and block the hackers from grabbing the code. This works only to a limited degree and this news has spurred discussions around the security of key fobs altogether since some manufacturers have reused codes. Instead of tinfoil, some consumers are heading to the dealers to get new fobs altogether.

Another option for keeping your car secure if you’re unsure who has a spare copy of the key would be to have the ignition rekeyed by a locksmith. With this process, you’ll end up with a new key that works to start the car and open the doors and that you know for sure only you have possession of.

Locksmiths are an important investment in your security and should be considered for all of your residential and commercial lock needs. All American Locksmiths is proud to serve customers in Connecticut and Westchester County, NY.

Having trouble with your locks? Contact us today!

door locks

Key Stuck in Door Lock? Here’s What to Do

You’ve likely located this post because you’re finding yourself in a dilemma. You put the key in your door after a long day of work as you’ve done for the last twenty years and then you hear the snap. The key has broken inside the lock before you had a chance to turn the knob and make your way over to the couch which you’d been dreaming about ever since your 3 p.m. coffee.

Maybe you turn the key and it just keeps turning, never unlocking the door or you wiggle and jiggle and the key is just stuck in the door. Whichever emergency you’re now faced with, you have options.

Here’s what to do when your key is broken or stuck in your door lock.

Check that the door handle isn’t loose or jammed.

Screws can loosen over time and cause your door handle to no longer sit properly against the door frame. When this happens it may cause the door to not properly close and the lock to fail. Sometimes the issue can also be internal. If your key continues to turn inside of the lock it could be parts inside that have worn or broken. Calling in a professional locksmith is the best way to resolve the issue as they will be able to repair, diagnose and safely get you back into your home.

You may need a new door lock tumbler.

Door lock tumblers are a critical internal function that makes locking and securing your property possible. When the internal pieces break or become worn they will no longer work as intended and will need to be replaced. This isn’t an easy DIY task either and should be done by a professional who understands the internals of locks and how parts should be installed. While working with the lock, they can also rekey, re-pin or replace lock tumblers to add more security to your locks.

Get the broken key out.

If you’re dealing with a key that has broken inside of the lock itself, you’ll need to first get that piece out before you can work on gaining access to your home. Not only will it need to be taken out, but you’ll also now need a new key made that you can use going forward. Avoid adding further damage to the door lock by trying to jam things into the hole in hopes of pulling out the broken piece.

In need of a locksmith? All American Locksmiths is available for prompt lockout services for customers in Connecticut and Westchester County. We offer everything from residential locksmith repair to cylinder rekeying, broken key extraction – and so much more.

Need help with your broken key or lockout situation? Request Service Now!