As locksmiths in Essex, we are called out to a range of different situations, and surprisingly, it’s not always an issue with the lock that has caused our customer to be locked out. A lock is designed to only work with a specific key, so if there are problems with the key itself, then you can find yourself locked out.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 7 common problems with house or business keys and how Lockout 24-7 can help to resolve them.
Lost or stolen keys
This is by far the most common cause of lockouts in Essex. Whether it’s carelessness on a night out that’s caused your keys to be misplaced, or your handbag or set of keys stolen, it’s worrying when you know someone has access to your home. In these situations, we recommend that you rekey the locks or have them changed out completely.
Key broken inside the lock
If you’ve tried to open your door and used a little too much force, then a key that’s already worn can snap inside the lock, leaving fragments inside. A tiny piece of key can jam the cylinder and cause it to malfunction, and if you try to poke something into the lock, you risk making the situation worse. We have specialist key extraction tools to remove it safely.
Locked your keys inside
It’s easily done if you step outside for a moment and your self-locking door slams shut behind you. We recommend that you leave a set of keys with a trusted neighbour, or hide them somewhere safe, for moments just like this, and we can get you back inside using lock-picking techniques or by bypassing the lock completely. When we arrive, we can cut you a spare set if needed.
Key is stuck inside the lock
If you’ve pushed your key inside the lock but can’t retract it, then the locking mechanism has latched onto it and blocked it from being pulled out. It can be something as simple as dirt or rust inside the lock, and it can be prevented by frequent lubrication. Don’t try to force the key out of the lock. We will extract the key smoothly and perform lock maintenance.
Key is bent
Sometimes, a key that is slightly bent will still function, but every time you insert it into the lock, you might struggle to align the pins in the lock with it. Keys can get bent out of shape if they are sat on when in your pocket. If you notice that your key is bent, it’s best to get a new one cut rather than continue using it, as one day you could be locked out.
Poor key duplication
Getting your keys duplicated is a good idea, but if you use a cheap service that is inaccurate, then the new key might not work at all. A poor duplicate can damage a lock and wear it out, or get stuck in the lock and break if the material is of low quality. Lockout 24-7 uses professional key-cutting equipment to ensure every key copy is of the best quality.
Key has worn down
Over time, keys naturally wear down, especially on a busy entrance like a front door. The key can become difficult to turn and it can even snap in the lock. The edges which have been worn down won’t align properly with the pins and leave you locked out. We can recut your key to restore it to perfect operation, and if it’s an old lock, we can perform a lock replacement.
Call our emergency lockout service 24/7
When you’re having trouble with your key or your lock, Lockout 24-7 is here for you around the clock to assist with our emergency locksmith service.
We have all of the specialist tools we need to gain access to your property if you’ve been locked out, and if the issue is the key, then we are able to cut new keys on the spot for you.
Our team will always perform a full inspection of the key and the lock itself to determine the issue, get you back inside, and discuss the best way forward.
Call us anytime of the day or night on 07840 543661 when you’re locked out anywhere in Essex, including popular locations like Chelmsford, Romford, Colchester and Braintree.