4 Signs That You Need a Locksmith

A loose lock is one of the most obvious signs that you need to call a locksmith. It can easily give intruders access to your property.

Luckily, this can be an easy fix. You can try tightening the set screws that hold the lock cylinder in place. However, avoid using products like WD-40, which can catch debris inside and worsen the problem.

Broken Key

A snag or a break outside of the lock often makes a key impossible to pull out. Do not attempt to jam the broken end of a key into the lock as this could cause irreversible damage. Instead, use a paperclip or something similar to rake the broken piece out. If the break is closer to the cylinder, try using a key extraction tool that most locksmiths carry. These tools are thin and can be inserted into the cylinder through the access hole in the back of the lock.

If the break is further into the cylinder, spray WD-40 or another penetrating oil into the lock. If a jigsaw blade is too thin, try using a nail file or a small skewer that can be inserted into the key hole. If these methods fail, call a locksmith. They may be able to use the other side of the key to forge a new one. If not, they will still be able to decode the cylinder and create a working copy.

Clogged Cylinder

If one or more of your car’s cylinders misfire, it may be due to a clogged fuel injector. Fuel injectors replace the carburetor and spray gasoline directly into a cylinder or the intake manifold. They can become clogged with carbon deposits, which will affect performance. This is why it is important to keep up with routine maintenance like oil changes and spark plug replacements.

Fuel injector cleaners can help a bit, but to get the most benefit they should be used in conjunction with an engine cleaning kit. These kits contain a solvent that dissolves the carbon deposits and helps them to be flushed from the injector nozzle.

The most common symptom of a clogged cylinder is unusual, bluish smoke coming from the exhaust pipe. This symptom is usually caused by a cylinder head drain hole that is blocked with hardened sludge. This can be a difficult problem to diagnose since it acts much the same as an electrical or spark plug issue.

Sticky Locks

Whether you have a sticky lock on your home, apartment or mailbox, a few quick tricks can get it working again without spending money on a locksmith or angering your landlord. Most jammed locks simply need to be lubricated. Over time, a key’s use can leave it covered in dust and dirt that gets transferred into the lock mechanism, making it hard to get the key all the way inside and harder still to turn the key full-lock.

Homeowners often feel tempted to spray vegetable or sewing machine oil, or even WD-40, into a stuck lock. However, these liquids can create a messy, greasy conglomeration that traps more dust and dirt inside the lock itself, preventing it from functioning properly. To avoid this, try using powdered graphite instead – a dry lubricant that won’t attract more grime. After sprinkling the graphite, slide the key in and out of the lock to improve graphite dispersion. Then, retest the lock.

Keys That Snap

One of the most inconvenient and stomach-churning moments can occur when you insert your key into a lock only to hear that all too familiar snapping sound. This is a clear indication that something is wrong inside the lock mechanism and you need to call in professional Lock Repair help.

There are a few tricks you can try before you resort to calling in a professional. First, try spraying some lubricant into the keyway. A graphite spray works best, but standard WD-40 will also do the trick. Be careful not to get any on the broken piece of the key, however, as it could cause irreparable damage.

Another option is to bend a paperclip into a straight line and then stick it inside the lock, right above the broken section of the key. If you can grab the end of the key with the paperclip, a bit of glue should hold it in place. Be careful not to push the broken piece of the key further into the lock mechanism by applying too much pressure.