Signs that your locks need upgrading
Keeping your locks working to their best ability is so important for the security of your property, whether we’re talking about your home or your business premises.
The knock-on effects of poor security can be devastating - from burglary to personal safety concerns, to your insurance refusing to pay.
If your locks fail and your property is entered without a typical ‘break in’, you may not be able to get any of the insurance support you need to replace what was lost. So taking time to ensure your locks are safe, secure, and completely functional, is a great way to gain peace of mind in your safety and your property’s security.
Signs that your locks need upgrading
Sometimes it’s worth investing in home improvements before they become a problem for your safety and security. Keeping your locks functioning in top form is one example of such an improvement that is well worth undertaking. Your locks are the key factor keeping you safe and sound inside your property, so upgrading your locks is maintaining the safety of everything you own and all the people who live within the property.
The key is hard to turn
If your key is hard, to turn, or hard to get into the lock, it may be time for a replacement. Similarly, if the key is jamming, or the latch isn’t latching properly - these are all signs that your locking mechanism isn’t functioning as it should be.
Anyone outside of who needs access has a key
If anyone who doesn’t need access has a key to your property, it’s time to upgrade your locks. Trust them or not, you can’t ensure the safety of your house if lots of people can gain access.
You’ve moved into somewhere new
Even if you know and trust the former owners, you should always replace the locks when you move into a new property or business premises. You don’t know who they gave keys to, so you cannot control who has access to your property.
You see signs of damage
If the lock looks damaged, hangs loose, or seems unstable, it’s time to renew. A damaged lock is not a fully functional lock.
Your locks are old
Locks are only really designed with a lifespan of about a decade at most. If you know or suspect that your locks are getting to this age, they may be near the end of their usable lifespan.
Weather exposure
Moisture and low temperatures aren’t friends to your locking mechanism. If your lock gets moisture in the mechanism, you could encounter rust - or simply the lubricants to maintain function can thicken, meaning your lock cannot function as it should.
Your lock looks like it’s been tampered with
If you see signs your lock may have been tampered with, you should get urgent professional assistance from a locksmith. Signs that your lock has been tampered with include scratches, dents or damage to the lock or door frame, shiny scratches around your keyhole, sudden difficulty inserting your key, if the lock malfunctions, or feels loose and wobbly, if the key feels strange or behaves strangely, or the lock is bent or warped. To prevent future break-ins, immediately call your locksmith.
No longer compliant
Many insurance companies, for both commercial and residential properties, will demand your locks meet certain standards before they will provide cover. You may have to invest in an upgrade to get the security of insurance.
If you think it might be time to invest in the security of your home or commercial property, get in touch with DB Locksmiths today. A family business, we’ve been serving Bristol and the surrounding areas for more than 15 years, giving you peace of mind and keeping you safe and sound with our professional expertise.
