I Need to Replace Door Locks?

6 Signs You Need to Replace Your Door Locks

When you move into a home, one of the first things you should do is change the locks into sturdier, more secure ones. However, it’s a good idea to replace these every few years for your added security and ensure your current locks work as intended.

Knowing when to replace your locks is essential for protecting your house from intruders. It’s always a good idea to keep your doors stocked with fresh locks, as you never know if your home has been scouted as a target for potential burglary and theft. Here are some tell-tale signs it’s time to change your locks:

1. Loose Knobs and Handles

Doorknobs are meant to be tight and securely in place. However, since they’re made of moving parts, they’ll eventually loosen up over time. While a screwdriver may be all you need to fix it, if it keeps loosening back up, you’ll need to replace it. Your door frames and material may no longer be fit to secure the lock, representing a severe threat to your safety. In this case, it will be prudent to swap the lock for a new one.

2. Wear and Tear

If it’s been several years since you last changed your locks, then you’ll need to swap them out. Like everything else, locks undergo wear and tear over time, especially on frequently used doors. Even if there are only minor signs of wear and tear, you’ll want to err on the side of caution and replace them if you can’t remember the last time you had your locks installed.

3. Unapproved Duplicate Keys

Many break-ins involve duplicate keys, so you’ll want to be cautious against handing out duplicate keys, especially if you’ve given them to someone you no longer trust. If this has happened, change your locks right away. You may also want to replace your traditional locks with digital ones since they’re easy to use and reconfigure.

4. Lost or Stolen Keys

Getting locked out of your own home is incredibly irritating, especially if you’ve misplaced your keys. However, if your keys are missing, it’s an excellent time to consider changing your locks. An intruder or otherwise malicious individual may chance upon your keys and use them to break into your property, putting your life at risk. Instead of sticking to your current locks, report the loss of your keys to your local police and have your locks changed right away.

5. Recent Break-Ins

If there’s been a recent break-in in your neighbourhood, you’ll definitely want to call a locksmith to change all your locks right away. Typically, intruders damage locks to get into the house. Even if your locks are intact, there’s no telling they haven’t already tried unlocking them. In this case, be sure to replace all your locks with more secure ones.

6. Home Renovations

If you’ve recently had some home renovations done, you may have given your contractors spare keys to get to work. However, you’ll be compromising your security this way. While it is crucial to verify the reputation of each contractor you hire before allowing them into your house, it is just as important to change the locks when they’re done with their work. Even if they return the keys, you’ll never know if they had it duplicated.

Conclusion

Part of maintaining your home and keeping it safe is reviewing your locks to ensure they’re still in good shape. However, if it’s been a while since you’ve swapped your locks, you’ve lost your keys, or they’ve started to wiggle in place, it’s high time to hire a locksmith to replace all your locks.

Locksmith Emergencies offers locksmith services in London, specialising in locked doors, rim and night latches, UPVC hardware, smart locks, after burglary repair, and many more. We also offer emergency locksmiths to help you access your home 24/7. Contact us today to find out more about what we can do for you!