Like all man-made things, locks do succumb to wear and tear, become inefficient and can cause problems for its users. However, some people do tend to just keep using their locks until they break, rather than changing them at a certain time. While there is nothing wrong with this, a broken or jammed lock can be very inconvenient, not to mention that it severely compromises the security of your home.
Aside from broken locks, there are other reasons why one must change their locks regularly to make sure that their homes are secured. Below are some of the most common situations wherein you might need to contact a locksmith to have your locks changed.
* Deterioration of existing locks - Locks don't last forever, even if they're made from durable material. However, the good thing about locks is that they age slowly and they don't just die out on you suddenly. Because of this, you can change locks even before they get jammed or broken.
Warning signs include difficulty in opening your locks even when you're using the right key, or if the lock easily opens on its own simply by jiggling the handle forcefully. If you change locks when you see these warning signs, you'll prevent problems in the future when your lock jams and you are locked out of your house at the most inconvenient of times.
* Moving into a new home - When you move into a new home, calling a locksmith to change all the locks in the house should be one of your top priorities. This is not to say that you don't trust the old owners, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Even if the old owners were trustworthy, they might have given a spare key to a relative or neighbor that may not be as trustworthy.
* Changing of household help - If you gave a spare key to a gardener, baby sitter, house sitter or maid, it's a good idea to change the locks in the house once you let them go or change household help. Even if you ask for the keys back before they leave, there's always a chance that they've had it duplicated. To be sure that your house is secured, especially if you didn't part ways peacefully, change the locks immediately.
* Lost keys - It should require no explanation as to why you need to change locks if you ever lose your keys outside. Don't simply shrug it off and assume that you just misplaced your keys. You should be especially wary if your keys are on a keychain that come with a nametag that has your name, phone number and address.
This is a big security risk and you should call a locksmith immediately if this happens to you. Your locks are the only thing keeping intruders and other unwelcome individuals away from your home.
This is why it's important to make sure that your locks are always in perfect, working condition and any tampering or problems with it should warrant a lock change immediately.
