3 Residential Door Problems That Should Not Be Ignored
Posted on: 26 August 2021
Many homeowners call residential locksmiths when they misplace their keys or need to change their door locks. However, other issues can compromise the integrity of your doors if they are not addressed by a locksmith. Here are three door problems that should not be ignored.
1. Misalignment
Misalignment is when the locking mechanism of your door is not properly lined up to allow the door to open and close properly. In many cases, the door's latch isn't coordinating with the lock's strike plate. This plate is connected to the door jamb and enables the extension of the bolt.
Misaligned latches are a result of poor door lock installation. This problem may also occur because of climate changes which cause warping on doors. When you have misaligned locks, the doors will not close the way they should, leaving your home exposed. Make sure you call a residential locksmith to fix the problem.
2. Broken Keys in Locks
Many homeowners tend to handle the problem of a broken key on their own rather than call a residential locksmith. The misconception is that you only need to remove the broken piece and replace the key. Attempting to repair this issue on your own may cause additional damage, however.
Fixing the problem involves the removal of the remainder of the key with special extraction tools. When the key is extracted, the locksmith will test the lock with the spare key. The bolt should extend fully and retract. The key should also turn seamlessly. If this does not happen, your locksmith will replace the entire lock.
3. Damaged Lock Cylinder
When locking or unlocking your door, the key should spin easily. If the whole cylinder of the lock turns, you should be alarmed. When the cylinder turns with the key, it inhibits the door's lock mechanism. This means you may not be able to lock your home, or you may lock yourself out.
The cause of this behavior is a loose or damaged set screw. This problem can be resolved by tightening the screw or replacing it. However, this is not a simple problem that you can fix on your own. It takes special tools and skills to open the lock and access the set screw.
Your residential locksmith service will have to examine the set screws in the cylinder. In some cases, they may only need to remove the faceplate for access. Other locks require total disassembly of the lock mechanism to access the set screw.
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