5 Common Door Lock Problems in Singapore: Should You Go Keyless?

Locks. They're installed in most doors, gates and other access points we come across in our day-to-day lives. While mechanical locks used to be the epitome of modern safety, that is no longer the case. We are in the digital age now, and electronic locks are on the cusp of becoming the norm. Even though Singapore is relatively high on the list of the world's safest countries, it is worth switching to a digital lock in terms of increased convenience. 

Apart from being far more secure than their mechanical counterparts, they are also far less prone to the frustrating issues that every Singapore resident has experienced at least once in their lives, if not more. 

What is the most common problem with mechanical locks?

As mentioned above, mechanical locks are far from perfect. Apart from needing constant maintenance to ensure they remain in perfect working order, the various bits and pieces that make up the mechanisms of mechanical locks can become faulty in so many ways. Below, we'll discuss each of the most common problems faced when it comes to mechanical locks. 

1. Unable to turn the key

Keys are one of the most significant problem areas associated with mechanical locks. The primary reason your key won't turn, even if the key and the lock were manufactured by the best locksmiths in Singapore, is that there is dust or other debris in the cylinder. Because the lock's mechanisms are so small, even the smallest amount of dirt or dust could impact the mechanism's ability to work as it should. 

Another reason is that one or more of the aforementioned pins is stuck, obstructed by debris, or slightly out of sync with the rest of the system. If you're looking for a relatively easy way to fix the debris issue, you could spray a little lubricant into the lock mechanism and wiggle the key around a little until the debris moves or the pins slot back into their native position. However, it's unlikely that your lock will remain clean for long, so this might need to be done regularly at the cost of your time. 

2. Key gets broken off

Unfortunately, as strong as some keys are, they're subject to general wear and tear. It means that they will sometimes eventually break off inside your lock. Another reason a key might break is that it's a replacement key not made of the same material that the original was cut from or that it simply wasn't a high-quality key to start with. 

If the key breaks off closer to the head or the shoulder, you might be able to manoeuvre it from the lock with a tweezer. Unfortunately, the vast majority of keys break off before the shoulder, at the edge of the notches or teeth, where a key is primarily weakest. It presents a massive problem when trying to get the key out. Some recommend attaching a piece of metal to the broken key with glue, but you might end up creating a blockage in the lock with glue. The easiest here is to cut the lock and toss it out. While you're looking for a replacement lock, why not increase your security and peace of mind with a digital lock in Singapore?

3. Faulty door locks

Just like keys, locks are also prone to mechanical failure. Locks are made up of many different parts, and if one of the parts in the system is damaged, has succumbed to general wear and tear or is obstructed, the entire system will fail. A good locksmith could probably fix a broken lock, but depending on how severe the mechanical failure is and how many parts are affected, you'll probably need to buy a new lock again. 

4. Loose doorknob

Another part of the mechanical lock mechanism is the doorknob itself. Usually, you'll insert your key into the doorknob to operate the lock. In other circumstances, the keyhole is located on a horizontal metal panel just below the doorknob. Doorknobs become loose due to general wear and tear. 

Unfortunately, locks and general wear and tear are the gifts that keep on giving. If you're stuck with a loose doorknob, the entire unit is due for a replacement. You'll need to buy a new doorknob, mounting, bracket, lock, and key. 

5. Misaligned door locks

This is yet another symptom of the general wear and tear that mechanical locks face. Too many moving parts means way too much space for things to just go wrong. Unfortunately, if your door lock is misaligned, your entire door mounting might be the issue too. However, re-adjusting a door is often easier than if only the lock is misaligned. Interior components of the lock may have fallen out of sync over time. This will likely require a complete replacement of the entire lock unit. 

Ditch the mechanics. Go digital

Mechanical locks are not as safe as you might think. You'll also have noticed by now that most of the solutions to your mechanical lock problems are to get a new lock. But why put yourself through the same stress and trouble by buying yet another mechanical lock that is bound to meet the same end as the last?

We here at Hoz are an authorised reseller of the world's best digital security solutions, so you can rest assured that you're getting only the best from a reputable dealer. We even offer next-day installation so that you don't have to worry about being without a top-grade security solution for long. So what are you waiting for? Protect your nearest and dearest as well as your prized possessions by ordering affordable, secure digital door lock solutions on our website today! 

Get in touch with us to check for any ongoing digital lock promotions today. Ditch the mechanics, and go digital with Hoz.