Most people don’t take the time to look at the condition of their keys. Instead, they simply expect them to open and lock the doors whenever they need them too. Unfortunately, this can put them at risk of a key breaking. If it does, it could result in a lock in or a lock out. The only choice then is to call for help. As the top locksmith in Northampton, we can give people helpful advice that could save them a job.
Wear and tear
The most common reason for a broken key is wear and tear. Even strong metal wears away in time, especially when you apply friction and force. You do both of those every time you insert a key into a lock and turn it. While keys can last many, many years, the wear will accumulate in time and leave them liable to snapping entirely.
What you should do is check your keys regularly to make sure there are no obvious signs of wear. Look for cracks, dirt, rust, and even bending. If a key does look worn, it is better to get a new one sooner rather than later.
A lock problem
The second frequent reason for broken keys is a malfunction of the lock itself. Damage to the cylinder or pins could mean it is not possible to open the door at all. However, people can’t see this damage. So, they will probably try to be more forceful with the key and can end up breaking it.
Again it is better to be proactive with locks. You should keep an eye out for any signs that they are becoming harder to open or lock. This could indicate there is wear inside the mechanism. If you notice this, call us and work with an expert locksmith in Northampton. We can inspect the locks and suggest whether a repair or replacement is the best option.
Rushing
Thirdly, in some cases people snap keys in the locks simply because they are in too much of a hurry and apply excessive pressure. It is easy to do this when you are running late or it is raining and you want to get inside quickly. However, if you rush too much and force the key excessively, you could snap it off and be in a much worse situation.
Hiring a locksmith in Northampton
TMN Locksmiths has seen all kinds of broken keys over the years. In every case we work hard to offer the fastest, most reliable solutions. We know how stressful lock problems are, but want to make everything much easier.
In some situations it can be a simple case of removing the broken key from the lock, checking the mechanism, and then advising the client to get new keys cut. In other cases the issue will require a lock repair or replacement. We will suggest what we think is the best service for you.
So, if you have a broken key, rely on a reputable locksmith in Northampton. As a local company, we can reach people within 30-45 minutes at most times. Contact us whenever you need help.