The One Simple Question We Ask When You Can’t Lock Your Door.

When people call us because they’re having problems locking their door, we always ask them one simple question. That is, “Have you tried locking it with the door open?”

There’s a very simple reason why we ask that.

There are two normal reasons why a lock won’t lock.

The first is that there’s a problem with the locking mechanism or key. Perhaps the mechanism has worn, or an internal component has broken. It may also be that the key is worn or has been badly cut.

The second reason is that the lock isn’t aligning with its key plates on the door post. Often, the hinges or pivots wear, meaning that the door drops, such that the door and frame are in different positions relative to each other. On newer properties, it may also be that the surrounding ground has settled and this has twisted the door and frame set.

If we try locking the door with the door open, we eliminate the frame and keep plates from the equation. The lock bolts are shooting into thin air. If it works fine under these circumstances, with the door open, then clearly it must be the keep plates stopping the lock from working.

The solution to this is generally fairly straightforward. Most door sets use hinges that can be adjusted, and it is also possible that the position of the keep plates can also be adjusted. It’s not generally necessary to replace any parts.

On the other hand, if the lock is still problematic with the door open, it’s likely to be an issue with the lock mechanism or the key.

The latter is easy to resolve – use a different key! Of course, you need a spare key that works correctly, and it would then be sensible to have another one cut.

The former is somewhat harder – it often involves replacing either the gearbox of the locking mechanism, or the complete mechanism itself. Again, the appropriate course of action here depends upon where the fault actually lies. In a majority of cases, the fault is within the gearbox (the centre section of the mechanism), but on occasions, it can be a problem with the top or bottom hooks that most modern mechanisms use.

Of course, it is very difficult for us to cover every single set of circumstances that might arise, but what we’ve done here is discuss the vast majority of cases that have happened in our long experience as locksmiths. The easiest course of action for anybody is to call us out to rectify the problem for you. You can do so easily by using the details found on our Contact Us page.

Amberley Security provide locksmith services at homes and businesses, in Portsmouth, Hampshire and West Sussex, as well as alarms, CCTV and other security services.