Wake Forest Locksmith: When to Replace Locks

Locks are a great security feature that give us more than just peace of mind – they help to keep us safe. If you own any sort of property, then surely you have locks installed at your different entry ways. Homeowners, commercial property owners and car owners need to pay attention to their locks. Are they in good condition? Are they showing signs of wear and tear? Do you need to jiggle your key around to get it to work with certain locks? There are certain indications that it is time for lock replacement, and Wake Forest Locksmith has a team of experts who have compiled this information so that it is convenient for those not just in Wake Forest, NC but all over the country. So here is how you can know that it is time to have new locks installed. Check it out!

1.  The locks are showing clear signs of wear and tear. This could show up in the form of cracking or corrosion, or you might just be able to feel that something is off any time you insert your key into said lock. Your key should go in with ease and it should smoothly unlock the lock it was created for. When you start to have problems, it could be that old age or excessive use is impacting the lock. Is your lock difficult to open when the temperatures outside drop? Do you notice that it is finicky a lot of the time? If so, it might be time for new locks!
2. The locks are defective or malfunctioning. Maybe your locks freeze when the temperature gets too cold. Sometimes, a bit of lubrication will do the trick. There are special kinds that are made to prevent corrosion and to prevent moisture from condensing inside of the lock. If the key no longer turns, this same solution might work. If your locks are new and shouldn’t be showing any defects, then it could be a manufacturer’s defect. You can find tutorials online that offer advice but you can also contact a professional to take a look at it.
3. You had a break in. If you have a store or home that was broken into, then it is a good idea to consider replacing the locks with brand new ones. They might have been damaged beyond repair, or they might just be showing some signs of problems. The integrity of the mechanics of the lock might have been jeopardized due to too much force. And if your property was broken into and you happen to keep spare keys anywhere on your property, it is safe to assume they were stolen or that a copy might have been made. Change your locks after a break in or robbery to be safe.
4. The keys were stolen or are missing. If you can’t find a key, or if you know that someone stole it, replace your locks. At the very least, have the locks rekeyed. Remember that doors lead right into your home or commercial space, and if a key was stolen that can unlock them, anyone can gain access to your property.
5. You have a new roommate. Maybe you rent out a room in your home, or perhaps you rent your entire condo out and never stay there yourself. Either way, you need to make sure that locks are replaced whenever tenants are changed. This is for your safety but also for the safety of anyone else who uses your property or will be renting it in the future. You have to assume that the person who rented from you could have made a copy of your key. Even if they didn’t make one themselves, someone could have done it without their knowledge at any given point. You might completely trust the person you rented to, but this doesn’t mean that they didn’t forget making a copy of your key and giving it to a former friend, that they now no longer speak to. Rekey your locks or have them replaced entirely between tenants if you rent out your property.
6. You had an employee at work leave. Even if your former employee turned in their key prior to leaving, the same idea holds true for when you rent to a new tenant. You can’t assume that they didn’t make a copy of the key at one point, and you can’t assume that someone else wouldn’t have made a copy, too, even if it was against that employee’s knowledge. This isn’t to even mention that an employee might leave a business and try to go back later to steal from them. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

These are examples of times that warrant lock replacement. If you are in an iffy situation in which you are unsure of whether or not you should have your locks changed out, consider that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure, then it is best to just replace the locks, or at least to rekey them which is sometimes more affordable depending on what your budget might be. You can’t compromise when it comes to security. You need to take matters into your own hands and make sure you have locks that work – this means they don’t have signs of wear and tear like rust, corrosion, tarnishing or cracking – they shouldn’t be finicky to use no matter what the temperature is outside – and they should look good on the outside without any signs of damage. If you ever find yourself facing problems or questions, call a local locksmith, whether you are in Wake Forest, North Carolina or anywhere else in the world. You surely will have a local lock and security provider that is willing to provide you with the information that you need, often times totally free of charge.