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Fix Stiff or Jammed Door Locks
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If you have a stiff door locking mechanism it can make it difficult to open and close your door properly.
When your door won’t lock smoothly, we offer stiff door lock repair in Kensington and offer a range of services to solve your lock problems including door alignment, installing a new lock, or smoothing out the sticking area.
Oftentimes, it’s a jammed lock mechanism which is causing the issue, but with our reputable locksmith service can provide an easy fix, adjust the hinge and so on. So, call us now and we will be adjusting the essential components or replacing them entirely to ensure your door stays locked.
Get in touch with us if you need to get inside your house in an emergency as we provide a 24/7 locksmith service in and around Kensington, South West and West London.
Signs of a stiff door locking mechanism
Sometimes it can be difficult to identify the actual issue of a sticking door, but there are multiple signs to look out for:
Can’t turn the key easily
If you’re trying to turn the key into the open position and you feel it grinding, then there might be dirt or debris in the lock pins which affect its operation, causing it to fail each time.
Misaligned door
When there is too much material on the door frame in a certain place, the door won’t close properly, so it might need to be pushed or lifted into place.
The lock will stick or catch
A problem that can get worse if left unattended, the metal latch or bolt gets stuck when locking, and you have to give it a certain amount of wiggling to get it to close.
Can’t get the key in or out
If you’re feeling resistance when trying to put the key in or pull it out, the likely cause is a cylinder that’s been worn down or an issue with the pins.
Loose handle
A common cause of issues on uPVC doors with multi-locking mechanisms, if the handle isn’t firm when opening and closing, it needs fixing to prevent further damage.
The main causes of a sticking door
There are several reasons why a door might stick when you try to operate it, and the cause will determine how best it can be fixed.
In most cases, we don’t have to remove the door entirely, as our locksmith will try fixing it most easily and effectively as possible. Here are some common causes of a door that’s sticking.
Dust, debris and dirt
If your locking mechanism has foreign objects inside it, then the pins, levers and other internal parts cannot work properly, but it can usually be resolved quickly by our locksmith.
Latch misalignment
A lock works quite simply, by the latch or bolt sliding inside a strike plate on the door frame, so if it has moved out of alignment, then the door will stick every time you close it.
Worn-down parts
When your lock is used multiple times a day, or is older than 10 years, the key might become stiff to operate as the internal levers aren’t as effective as they once were.
Humidity levels
Most common in wooden doors, in humid or warm weather, the wood frames and doors can expand so they no longer fit together perfectly, and will resolve itself.
Risks of having a door that sticks
Your door locks should work the first time, every time; if they don’t, then the security of your home or business is compromised.
When you’re experiencing lock problems like a broken or snapped key or a stiff lock, you can get locked out easily and need to call for a locksmith to get you back inside and make new keys.
A lock that is not secured whenever you shut the door leaves you vulnerable to burglary, especially the type of forced entry where they drill the lock or remove a strip of wood from the door frame and drill at the side to gain access.
A broken key can get stuck in the lock if the mechanism itself is sticking, and a stiff lock might be a quick fix, but having a locksmith called out to remove the key or fit a new lock will cost more.
What’s more, if there’s an emergency situation, a sticking door can impede your exit and place you in more danger.
A small stick of the door caused by a hinge or middle screw sticking out might not seem like a big issue, but over time, hinge screws can damage the wood and the door lock can suffer from more problems.
We perform a full check of your sticking door
When you call Kensington Locksmith London to take care of your sticking door, we perform a comprehensive assessment of your door, frame, hinge, latch and locks.
We’ll look for any gaps when the door is closed into the frame and check if the strike plate and latch are lining up correctly.
Sometimes it’s the fault of hinges too, so we’ll make sure they are swinging properly and a loose screw and screw holes is not causing the problem.
We’ll take a closer look inside the lock to see if everything is properly aligned and not causing resistance when the key is placed inside.
If it is, we’ll adjust it perfectly so that all of the screws are flush with the lock body so it can unlock properly without sticking.
All of the internal components will be checked too as even a break in one small part such as a lever or spring is the cause, the latch won’t retract properly or allow keys to used.
Sometimes the cause is even a new layer of paint over the door or frame, so we can shave the wood frame back for it to be painted again safely.
Repair, or replace: Which is right for your door lock and door frame?
Depending on the reason for the stiff locking mechanism, you might just need it repaired or fully replaced.
If your lock is dirty, then cleaning it can avoid the need for a replacement.
The same goes for locks that are unlubricated, especially in winter when freezing can cause stiffness.
A locksmith will assess the whole door and lock, and perform on-the-spot tightening fixes for loose hinges and sticking out hinge screws, or even sand and plane it if a swollen door is the cause.
When the cause is a shifted foundation on the property, doors can begin to stick, but we can provide a fast and effective solution without replacing the lock.
If the lock itself is the problem and can’t be repaired, we’ll replace it with a lock of your choice.
Emergency locksmiths are available 24/7 in Kensington
If you’re door is sticking and you think it’s the fault of the lock mechanism, we can come to your home or business 24/7 and provide same-day repair.
Jammed front doors are the usual cause, but a poorly cut key can also damage locks over time.
We can fix both wooden and metal doors, and provide quick fix solutions to uPVC and composite doors too.
We use non-destructive methods of entry where possible, but we might need to drill the lock to replace it if we cannot fix the issue.
Whether it’s hinges that are loose and need a quick tighten or debris in the lock, we can adjust it perfectly for you. For security solutions and tips, give us a call today on 07884675945 or reach out via our website to book an appointment.
We are available around the clock throughout Kensington and nearby areas. Get in touch now for the fastest West London locksmiths and South West London locksmiths.
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