5 situations when you need lock repair

Locks rarely fail all at once. They warn you first. Catching the warning signs means a repair instead of a lockout or a full replacement.

1. The key sticks or needs jiggling

Dirt and worn pins are the usual causes. Don't force it: a key that sticks today breaks tomorrow. A technician can clean, lubricate and adjust the cylinder, or rekey it with new pins.

2. A key has broken inside the lock

Don't try to dig it out with a pin or glue; that pushes the piece deeper. Broken key extraction uses thin tools that grip the fragment. The lock usually still works afterwards, and a new key can be cut.

3. The bolt doesn't line up

If you have to push or lift the door to lock it, the door may have dropped or the strike plate moved. Adjusting the strike or hinges is cheap, and it also takes stress off the lock.

4. After a break-in or attempted break-in

Forced locks often look fine but no longer hold. Have the cylinder, bolt and strike checked. Damaged parts need replacing; sometimes the door frame needs reinforcing too.

5. Worn or loose hardware

Wobbling handles, loose screws and a latch that doesn't spring back are signs of worn parts. A repair now prevents a door that won't latch at all later.

Repair or replace?

Repair makes sense when the lock is good quality and the problem is wear or alignment. Replacement makes sense for cheap or badly damaged hardware, or if you want to upgrade. Lock repair starts at $19 plus the $29 service call on the price list, and lock repairs carry a 30-day warranty from the contractor.