When to Replace Locks

Locks are not really items that need to be changed that often. Sure, wear and tear can lead to keys getting stuck or locks not operating properly but a good, high-quality lock can last a long time. It is usually circumstances that dictate when a lock should be replaced.

Wear and tear surely is a reason for a lock to be replaced. The only reason why this is important to mention is because wear and tear can lead to weak locks that can be broken easily and security is the main concern. An obvious sign is rust where you can tell just by looking at it that it needs to be replaced. Another sign is when the key goes in with difficulty or requires some force to turn. You may be able to point out easily that the lock is the problem and not the key as the latter hasn’t been tampered with or shows no obvious signs of damage or rust. In instances like these, you know that the lock needs to be replaced.

Let’s discuss briefly some other reasons why and when you should replace your locks.

Poor Quality? Replace Your Locks!

You may want to replace your locks when you notice that the ones you have are of inferior quality. Maybe you live in a safe area and have never had to worry about burglaries. Maybe quality never occurred to you because your locks have been serving their purpose. Maybe there has been an increase in robberies in the area you live and that led you to inspect your locks. Maybe you just moved into a new house and saw that the locks were cheap. In situations like these, you may find yourself vulnerable due to the ease with which these locks can be broken which is why it would be ideal to have your locks replaced with those that are not only hard to break but also last longer.

Break in? Replace Those Locks!

If you’ve had a break in or an attempted burglary, you may find that multiple locks were damaged, tampered with, or broken altogether. If any locks show the slightest amount of damage, have them replaced. They can be broken easily if someone attempts to break in again or mechanical failures can occur, and in order to ensure your security, get new locks altogether. Even if your lock does not seem badly damaged, you might end up getting locked out of your own house due to the damage done to it. Make sure to replace your locks, and if there was a definite break in, make sure you to go through all your keys. You might find some missing, which brings us to the next point.

Robbers may have broken in and stolen your keys, or you might have lost your keys. Stolen keys can give access to your house or workplace. If your keys are lost, it is ideal to get new locks that come with new keys, paying extra attention to outdoor locks. If outdoor keys are stolen or lost, there is no question that your locks should be replaced. You may only want to replace keys and not entire locks if you’ve misplaced indoor keys, even if they’re stolen, because you mainly want to prevent outdoor access. No one can access indoor locks if they can’t even get in in the first place.

 

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