Most home lock problems arrive at a bad time: late at night, in the cold, or right before you need to leave. Knowing what to do first can save you damage to your door and a more expensive repair.
Jose M. Hernandez Jr., owner of Omega Locksmith in Chicago, explains the five situations where homeowners and renters most often need a residential locksmith.
1. You are locked out of your home
Before you call, check the other doors, ask whether a family member, roommate or landlord has a spare, and make sure no one inside needs urgent help. If someone inside is in danger, call 911 first.
Do not force a window or pry the door. That can break the frame, the glass or the lock and turn a simple lockout into a repair. A locksmith can usually open the door with methods that minimize damage, depending on the lock. You will need to show proof that you live there, such as an ID with the address or a lease. See our lockout service in Chicago.
2. A key broke off in the lock
Stop turning the key and do not push the broken piece deeper. Avoid glue or other quick fixes, because they can ruin the cylinder. A locksmith can extract the broken piece and cut a new key.
Keys usually break after years of wear. If your key is bent, cracked or hard to turn, have a copy made from the original before it fails. See key duplication.
3. Your keys were lost or stolen
If your keys are missing, especially along with something showing your address, treat them as a working copy in someone else’s hands. Rekeying makes the old keys stop working without replacing the lock. Read when to rekey after a move-in, eviction or lost key, or see our lock rekeying service.
4. The lock is stuck or the door will not latch
A key that sticks, a deadbolt that will not fully extend or a door you have to lift or push to lock are early warning signs. In Chicago, seasonal changes can make doors swell or shift, so a problem may come and go with the weather. Have it checked before the lock fails with you outside.
Sometimes an adjustment to the strike or door fixes it. Sometimes the lock is worn and should be replaced. Our guide to rekeying or replacing your locks explains how we decide.
5. After a break-in or attempted break-in
Once police have released the scene, have the lock, strike, door and frame inspected. A lock that was attacked may still look fine but be weakened. The fix may be repair, rekeying, replacement or temporary securing until parts arrive. See lock installation and replacement.
Before you call
- Your address and the door or lock involved.
- What happened: lockout, broken key, lost key, sticking or damage.
- Photos of the lock from both sides, if you can take them.
- ID or other proof that you live at or own the property.
How to avoid a bad locksmith experience
Ask for the company name, address and Illinois license number, and ask what the quoted price includes before the technician arrives. Our Chicago locksmith hiring checklist lists the questions to ask, and our guide to avoiding locksmith scams explains common warning signs.
Related reading: door lock types and 20 services a Chicago locksmith provides.
Omega Locksmith is located at 4346 W 51st St, Chicago, IL 60632. Owner Jose M. Hernandez Jr. holds individual Illinois locksmith license 191-000821. Call (773) 277-5625 or see our residential locksmith services.