You probably don't think much about your home's locks until something starts going wrong with them. They stick, or the key doesn't catch the way it used to. Worse, you see the beginning of rust and corrosion.
What do you do at that point? Easy, you call a locksmith! Follow along with the article to know when you should call your locksmith!
Natural Wear and Tear
Your locks go through a lot over their lifetime. Constant use can wear down the insides of your lock, which gets worse if the lock is constantly exposed to the elements. After a time, a worn-down lock is prone to rust.
Once rust sets in, your lock will start to stick, risking a lockout! Worn-out locks put you at risk for burglary, as worn out and rusted locks are easier to pick or even break. You can mitigate this somewhat with regular maintenance, such as lubricating the lock or using it with more care.
Moving to a New Home
Moving into a new home should be a great feeling! You should regard old locks with suspicion, though. You never know if the old owner still has any duplicate keys.
The chances of this are low, but it is general practice to change locks upon a move. Since you don't know if anyone besides the old owner had duplicate keys, it's better to be safe than sorry.
Lost or Stolen Keys
This should be a no-brainer, but some people don't think losing keys is a big deal. It may seem like a small chance for someone to find your home if they pick up your keys, but there is a chance! This is especially important for an apartment.
If you replace the lock after losing your keys, the chance of a break-in decreases. If this happens, call a local locksmith and replace the lock.
Recent Break-In
When you do have a break-in, after reporting to the authorities, the first thing on your mind should be to replace your locks. When you do, you should think about getting stronger locks overall. Every house should have a deadbolt at the very least.
Duplicated Keys
For convenience's sake, we often give contractors the keys to do their jobs while you are at yours. After that, even if they return the extra key, change your locks. Most contractors are trustworthy, especially if you do your research first, but it's best to err on the side of caution.
Call a Locksmith
The state of your home or apartment's locks is important, and many people take them for granted. Take care of your locks the same way you take care of your home, and your locks will serve you well for years. But when they do, call a locksmith.
In fact, call Safe-Guard Locksmiths Ltd to get your locks evaluated today.