Protecting Gold and Other Valuables

Door locks are such a standard part of your daily life that you never give them much thought. Door locks, as you know them, keep your properties, family and possessions safe from harm. The locks give you a sense of security whenever you are not at home or in the office. However, things go wrong when your locks develop a problem. Fortunately, locksmiths have the tricks that enable your locks to work, as they should.  Here are two situations with locks that will require calling in a professional locksmith.

A Spinning Lock Cylinder

You expect to lock or unlock your door once you place the key into the cylinder and turn it. If the whole lock cylinder rotates, you have a bigger problem in your hands. A turning lock cylinder means that there is a damaged or loose setscrew. Resolving the issue requires accessing and tightening the setscrew. It sounds like an easy task, but how to go about fixing the problem varies depending on the type of door lock you have. A turning lock cylinder impedes your ability to lock and unlock a door. Chances of being locked out of your home are high when the spinning lock cylinder is faulty. Other times, such doors fail to offer adequate security, giving everyone access to your home. 

Misaligned Locks

A professional should address misaligned door locks as soon as possible. This type of lock problem means that essential parts of the door's locking mechanism do not line up to facilitate the door's core functions: locking and unlocking. In many instances, the locking or latch bolt does not line up with the strike plate on your door. The strike plate is a fixture on the door jamb that accommodates the latch or bolt extension.

Misaligned locks are a result of poor door installations or warping of the door and frame because of climate changes. The misalignment makes it hard to operate your door. Misalignment means the door does not close and lock as expected, leaving your home vulnerable. There is the added risk of broken doors or locks, compounding the problem. This issue requires you to apply more pressure to the door as you try to shut and open it. 

Life can be hard without a good lock. When a lock breaks down, you need it fixed as soon as possible so you get back to your everyday routine. A licensed and insured locksmith will examine your door and correct these and more problems in no time.