Abbotsford Locksmith Blog
Why Is My Lock Sticking? 5 Common Causes and Fixes
Key hard to turn or deadbolt dragging? An Abbotsford locksmith explains the five most common causes of sticking locks and when to call for lock repair.
A lock rarely fails without warning. Stiffness, grinding and needing to push on the door are all early signs. Here are the causes we see most often in lock repair calls around Abbotsford.
1. A worn or poorly copied key
Keys wear down over the years, and cheap copies are often cut slightly off. Try your original key. If it works better, the problem is the key, not the lock.
2. Dirt and the wrong lubricant
General-purpose oils attract dust and can gum up the pins. Use a lock-specific dry lubricant instead, or have the cylinder professionally cleaned.
3. Door and frame misalignment
If the deadbolt only throws when you pull or push the door, the bolt is hitting the strike plate. Seasonal swelling and settling are common in Melbourne's older terraces and warehouse conversions. Adjusting the strike or the hinges fixes it.
4. Worn internal parts
Springs and cams inside the lock body wear with daily use. Some locks can be repaired. Others are better replaced.
5. Loose hardware
A loose lock body or cylinder shifts out of position and binds. Tightening and re-seating it is often all it takes.
When to call a professional
If the key is getting harder to turn every week, call before it snaps in the lock. Abbotsford Locksmith Service diagnoses the whole mechanism, from key and cylinder through lock body and bolt to the door itself, then fixes the real cause. Call 03 6164 5310.