Is Your Lock Stuck? Here Are A Few Potential Reasons Why

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You have done all that you can to ensure that your home is as secure as possible. You have invested in the best locks, the top of the line security system and keep your drapes closed at night to limit how much anyone can see into your home. After you put this much effort into securing your home, are you keeping the keys to your home secure? Do you have a hide-a-key in the most obvious place? Do you leave your house keys on your key ring when you take your car to the mechanic? Key security is more important than the lock you have on your door. Continue reading to learn more about keeping your home and keys secure.

Is Your Lock Stuck? Here Are A Few Potential Reasons Why

10 January 2023
 Categories: , Blog


Are you struggling to open your residential lock? Many people experience this frustrating problem and wonder what the cause could be. It can be frustrating, but don't despair. There are a few potential causes and solutions for a stuck residential lock, so there's hope.

This article explores a few potential causes for why residential locks can get stuck and how to fix them.

Clogged Keyway

The keyway is the hole on the face of your residential lock where you insert a key. It can become clogged with dirt, dust, and other debris, making it difficult to insert a key and turn the mechanism. In some cases, you'll be able to insert a key, but it won't turn. This can be caused by debris getting stuck in the mechanism itself.

To fix this problem, lubricate your residential lock with graphite powder or WD-40 and then use a cotton swab to clean the keyway. If your residential lock is still stuck, then it may be time to call in a residential locksmith for help.

They could employ a few other tactics to get the residential lock open, or they could recommend replacing it. This is often a more cost-effective solution in the long run, especially if the residential lock is old and worn out.

Jammed Internal Components

Sometimes the internal components of residential locks can become jammed due to wear and tear or mishandling. Things like the cylinder, pins, and springs can get stuck in the residential lock, making it difficult to open. When this happens, your lock will generally be very difficult to open, even if the keyway is clean.

If this happens, you should not try to force the residential lock open. This can cause permanent damage and make it difficult to repair in the future. Instead, contact a residential locksmith who will be able to identify and fix the problem quickly and safely. They may first try to lubricate the residential lock before they can work on disassembling it to get to the faulty internal components.

Broken Key

If your key is damaged or broken, then this could be why your residential lock is stuck. The broken part of the key can get stuck in the residential lock, making it difficult to open. In some cases, you may not be able to remove the broken key.

In this case, residential locksmiths can be a great help. They have the tools to extract the broken part of the key so that you can access your residential lock again.

No matter what the cause of your residential lock being stuck is, calling a residential locksmith is always recommended. Residential locksmiths are experienced in dealing with all types of residential locks and can quickly diagnose and fix the problem. They can also advise on residential lock repair and replacement, as well as residential security solutions to help protect your property.