How to avoid problems with keys and locks

The truth is, keys and locks - whether residential, automotive, or commercial - play a major part in our personal and business lives, day and night, even though we hardly ever give it a second thought. Indeed, we never really think about our locks and keys...until that one time...when there’s an emergency. It’s certainly infuriating, but you don’t have to let it stress you out. There are many ways you can keep yourself secure, so you can prevent most of the hassles with locks and keys that could occur.

Preventive maintenance will help you avoid lockouts. When you do your part to keep your locks well maintained, you may never have to call a locksmith. Be on the lookout for:  

• trouble sticking your key in the lock mechanism 
• rust
• wear and tear
• difficulty turning your key in the lock  

If you do happen to see any of these issues, it’s best to change the locks, because worn-out locks can easily break or get stuck, keeping you locked out. Old and faulty locks also make you more vulnerable to burglary. 

There are measures you can take to prolong the life of your locks:  

• General lubrication. Anytime you notice any grinding or excess friction in the lock mechanism, or at least twice annually, apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the keyholes.
• If the key won’t turn, don’t fret. Sometimes the pins can get jammed up. Spray the lock mechanism with WD-40 or silicone spray. Oftentimes, this will solve the problem so you won’t have to call a locksmith.
• Replace your keys from time to time. Our keys sustain quite a bit of abuse - since we use them daily, throw them around, and keep them who knows where. If you notice your keys are beginning to wear down, or if you see any damage to your keys, it’s time to make a new key. Make sure to throw out your old keys.

What about broken and stuck keys? As the saying goes, haste makes waste. If you hurry with your keys, you may find yourself in a pickle, because your key could break off in the lock! Take that few extra seconds to be patient with your key, and you’ll save yourself grief.

If, however, you are unlucky enough to have your key break inside the lock mechanism before shutting your door, then you won’t be able to lock it, which of course leaves you susceptible to theft. If you break the key off in the lock mechanism after you’ve shut the door, you probably won’t be able to get the door open again. A broken key can even cause damage to the lock itself. Here’s what to do:

• If you don’t see any part of your key sticking out of the lock, it’s risky, because you could cause damage. Still, it may be worth a try. Use a flathead screwdriver - one small enough to fit in the keyhole. Pry the key inside, to the point where it comes out of the lock just slightly. Then you may be able to remove it with your fingers or needle-nose pliers.
• If part of your key is stuck inside the lock, and there’s a bit of it sticking out, you may be able to pull it out by yourself. If there’s enough of the key showing, you might be able to get it out with your fingers or with pliers. If you see any damage, then it’s time to call a professional locksmith.

Take extra security measures. Depending on your living situation, if you’re feeling particularly vulnerable at your place of residence or at your commercial building, there are a good number of ways to give yourself more peace of mind. 

Most professional locksmiths recommend deadbolts. Be sure your deadbolts are correctly installed. A deadbolt should have at least a 1” throw. On the strike side, there should be a security plate with screws at least 3” long, going all the way into the door’s wooden frame. If you have a window on or near your door, a thumbturn deadbolt isn’t going to do you very much good, because a criminal can knock out the glass, reach a hand in, and turn. To keep this from occurring, install a double-cylinder deadbolt lock that requires a key on the inside.