Locksmiths offer a wide range of services to help when locks fail, install new locks, and improve the overall security of your home, property, or business. This article explains when you may need a locksmith and why these services are important for keeping your property secure and safe from intruders. Locksmiths also help prevent inconveniences such as lockouts or lock failures.
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| Common Reasons You Need a Locksmith | Why It Happens | The Locksmith’s Solution | How Urgent is the Problem? |
| Home or Auto Lockout | Keys are accidentally left inside a home, office, or locked vehicle. | Use specialised tools to unlock the door without damaging the hardware. | High |
| Lost or Stolen Keys | Keys have been misplaced or may have been taken by an unauthorised person. | Rekey the existing locks (change the internal pins) or replace the lock hardware to render the old keys useless. As with moving into a new property, if people who have been living at your home (such as tenants or lodgers) move out, it’s important to change the locks. | High |
| Moving to a New Property | Previous owners, tenants, realtors, or contractors may still have duplicate keys. They may also have given keys to other people over the years, such as neighbours or cleaners. | Rekeying all exterior doors to establish a single, secure master key for the new occupants. | Medium |
| Broken Key in Lock | Metal fatigue, age, or excessive force causes the key to snap off inside the lock cylinder. | A professional extracts the broken piece without damaging the pins, then cuts a replacement key. | Medium to High |
| Damaged or Worn Locks | Locks become stiff, rust, freeze, or suffer severe damage from an attempted break-in. | Repair the internal mechanisms, lubricate cylinders, or install new, heavy-duty lock hardware. | Medium |
| Upgrading Security | A desire to transition from outdated hardware to modern smart locks, keyless entry pads, or high-security deadbolts. | Recommending the best modern security hardware for the specific door type and providing professional installation. | Low |
| Forgotten Safe Combinations | The combination to a home or commercial safe is lost, or the electronic keypad malfunctions and locks out the owner. | A locksmith can manipulate the dial, bypass the electronic lock, or safely drill to restore access and reset the security code. | Low to Medium |
Choosing the Right Locksmith
Choosing the right locksmith is important, as you’re trusting security experts to protect your home. Some national call centre companies pose as local companies and then add upcharges to the service. Using local companies ensures reliable service, transparent pricing, and emergency support if you need it.
Fixing, Repairing and Replacing Main Locks
This is an extremely important service, as the primary locks in your property keep it safe from intruders. Older locks can be forced if they aren’t repaired, and faulty locks can cause lockouts when the door slams, the locking system fails, or the lock malfunctions and doesn’t engage.
If locks are sticking or aren’t working properly, then you need to fix them, as this can cause all of these issues. This also applies to any external entry point into the property (such as windows),, as these could be another point of entry.
Insurance Implications
A lock failure can have building and home insurance implications. If there is a break-in and no evidence of forced entry, this can complicate insurance claims, depending on your policy cover. This depends on the circumstances of the break-in and whether the police have confirmed a burglary occurred. So keeping your property secure is safer than gambling on a potential claim, where a failed door allows a burglary, and you may not be covered under your policy.