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You may be claustrophobic and stuck in a small room with a jammed door lock. Or just imagine dealing with a broken key or stuck door, and you’re late for school pick-up. There’s no worse feeling than being unable to turn the key, but there’s a way around that- understanding how to prevent a jammed door lock.
Interior door handles and door knobs are essential for your home’s design and functionality, but when you’re dealing with a jammed lock or door, the best thing to do is to call a professional locksmith.
Whether you have to deal with a jammed key or lock problem and need to fix a door lock fast, it can create a massive risk to home security and inconvenience. You could get locked in a room with no way out or get stuck out of your apartment or home in freezing weather. Door knobs can stick for numerous reasons, like wear and tear, humidity, and temperature.
Still, temperature-related issues will usually sort themselves out when temperatures change, compared to wear and tear door knob issues. If you’re having problems dealing with a jammed door in your home and are wondering if you need residential locksmith services, we’ve got some tips for you on what you can do to prevent an unexpected jammed lock.
Main Reasons for Door Lock Jams
If you’re trying to fix a jammed lock or are stuck inside a room, it always helps to understand more about door lock jams. Sometimes, even if you gently wiggle a key or try to use a broken key, you end up in a worse situation.
You could damage the door lock, latch, or key while turning it. Forcing the key can cause door and lock issues without expertise and risks permanent damage like sheared keys that are stuck deep in the cylinder, bent latches, and even stripped screws. Some of the most common causes include the following:
Misaligned Door: This happens with a change of weather, structural issues, or house settling. If your strike plate is misaligned and the bolt or the hinges are worn, it would cause misalignment. According to Non-Profit Home Inspections, repairs for this are pretty simple. Door components include hinges, door knobs, latches, and strike plates.
“If when you close the door, the latch fails to seat within the strike plate, and there is a large gap between the door edge and door jamb (on the strike plate side), the use of shims installed behind the hinges is likely the preferred repair,” explains Non-Profit Home inspections.
“If the door edge is close to the door jamb (on the strike plate side, and the latch does not fit into the strike plate opening, adjustment of the strike plate itself is likely the repair that will work the best.”
Dirt and Debris: With time, dust, dirt, debris, and even broken pieces of your key will accumulate in the lock mechanism. When this happens, you’ll have a key that turns but doesn’t open the lock. If your lock appears dirty, use a lock lubricant or compressed air to clean and clear out any particles.
Window Hardware Direct says that a clean lock is essential for smooth operation. “Insert the key and gently wiggle it to help dislodge any stuck parts.” This will usually free up a jammed lock without applying force.
Rusty or Old Locks
When the door locks are not maintained,, you may be dealing with rusty or old ones. Fixing a jammed door lock that’s rusty on your own can be problematic as DIY attempts can often damage the lock mechanisms and even result in a broken key.
Even if you gently wiggle the key, you could break the key or the door lock from the outside, making it impossible to open a door. The best way of preventing a stuck lock is with regular lock maintenance to reduce breakage, rust, and wear and tear.
Additionally, if you’re struggling with a stuck key or frozen lock and cannot turn the key in both directions, you probably will need residential locksmith services for a damaged lock. A professional locksmith will do the following:
- Extract corroded keys and open a jammed lock
- Replace rusty springs, cylinders, and pins
- Take apart rusty components and do a complete door lock replacement to avoid recurrent lockouts
- Install weatherproof locks
Frozen Door Locks
If you live in a home in a cold climate, then a frozen lock can be a hassle. You could be dealing with a frozen lock. The key may be jammed when moisture gets inside the lock, and it’s below freezing. Never force the key, as struggling with a door lock can cause it to break. You could also have issues with your home insurance policy if you remove the lock yourself or damage the door frame.
When your key is stuck, try warming the lock with a hairdryer and then pulling the key gently. Keep in mind that you could cause more damage to the key and lock by attempting to extract the stuck key and unlock the door, which will cost you more in the long run. Instead of struggling with a frozen key stuck in the lock, your best bet is to call for residential locksmith services like Locksmith United.
Faulty Internal Lock Parts
If your lock is still jammed after jiggling the key, you may have faulty internal lock parts. Internal lock parts work together inside all locks to ensure proper lock functioning.
If any lock parts are damaged, causing the lock to jam, you’ll need a locksmith to inspect the internal components. Your locksmith will inspect and clean the lock parts after using a key extractor. For faulty internal lock parts, a residential locksmith will also do the following:
- Remove the lock from the door
- Examine the cylinder, pins, and springs
- Replace any damaged parts with new ones
Final Thoughts
A jammed lock can be frustrating, and as you can see, there are several reasons for this. If you are struggling with a door lock that is jammed and having lock issues, reach out for residential locksmith services.
Whether you’re locked out, need new locks installed, or if a lock is jammed unexpectedly and you want to fix a stuck key and enhance your home security, our expert team is here to assist at Locksmith United.
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