FAQ / Repairs

FAQ / Repairs

Problems that can be fixed easily

There could be several different reasons why your door will not lock:

  1. Natural building movement can cause your door frame to shift, meaning the latch or bolt no longer lines up perfectly with the strike plate. To fix this and get your door locking smoothly again, we simply adjust and reposition the strike plate on the frame.
  2. Over time, door hinges can wear out or become loose, causing the entire door to sag. When this happens, the lock’s latch or bolt will no longer line up with the strike plate. To fix this, we will tighten your existing hinges or replace them with durable new ones to lift the door back into its proper position.
  3. Often, a door won’t latch properly simply because something is blocking the frame. This could be a trapped pebble, a twig, or even a newly installed weather strip that is too thick. Clearing the obstruction or adjusting the weather stripping will quickly get your door closing securely again.

There can be several reasons why your key is not turning:

  1. It sounds simple, but when we are in a hurry, it is incredibly easy to grab the wrong key from the ring! Before calling for a repair, double-check that you have the correct key for that specific lock—especially if you have several keys that look identical.
  2. Have you lubricated your lock lately?
    For smooth operation, we recommend using a wet lubricant with a lanolin, silicon, or Teflon base. While powdered graphite was popular in the past, it is no longer recommended. Because graphite is a heavy powder, it falls to the bottom of the lock barrel instead of reaching the pins at the top. Over time, graphite builds up at the back of the lock, which can completely block your key from inserting all the way.
  3. Is your key struggling to go into the lock all the way?
    If your key won’t insert fully, there may be a foreign object trapped inside the barrel—such as a twig, debris, or glue from vandalism. Because removing these objects requires specialised tools, you will need to book a mobile service callout for us to remove and repair the lock on-site, or arrange to bring the lock into our workshop.📞 Please call us on 02 4351 1722 to book an appointment.
  4. Car Ignition or Door Lock Problems?
    If you are having trouble with your vehicle’s locks and basic troubleshooting hasn’t worked, your lock likely requires professional attention. If it is your car door lock, we offer three convenient options to get it sorted: 1. Mobile Callout: We can come to you to remove and repair the lock on-site. 2. Bring the Car to Us: Book an appointment to bring your vehicle to our workshop. 3. Bring the Lock Only: Remove the lock barrel yourself and drop it off at our workshop for repair. 📞 Please call us on 02 4351 1722 to discuss the best option and book a time.
  5. Is your car ignition key refusing to turn?
    If your vehicle’s ignition lock is jammed and will not turn, it usually indicates a significant mechanical failure. In many cases, the ignition lock cylinder will need to be completely replaced.
    To resolve this, the existing lock must first be carefully removed from the steering column. We provide a full mobile service to extract the damaged lock, supply a replacement, and expertly rekey the new lock to match your original car key—saving you from carrying two different keys.
    Parts Availability & Waiting Times:
    Standard Vehicles: Because of the huge variety of vehicles on the road, we order most ignition locks in on a per-job basis. A short waiting time applies while parts are delivered.
    Customer-Supplied Parts: If you prefer to source and purchase an original ignition lock yourself, we are happy to provide a fitting-only service for you.
    Holden Commodore Specialists: For owners of older Holden Commodores (VN to VZ models), we know how common this issue is! I usually keep these specific ignitions in stock for a much faster turnaround.
    📞 Car ignition jammed? Call us today on 02 4351 1722 to discuss your options.

There can be several reasons why you are finding it hard to open a door:

  1. Does your key turn a little bit, but then get stuck?
    If your key starts to turn but won’t rotate fully, there may be something jammed in the door frame. This creates excessive pressure on the latch or bolt, binding the lock mechanism.
    The Quick Remedy: Try pulling, pushing, or gently lifting the door while turning the key (depending on which way the door opens). Taking the physical weight off the door can relieve the pressure on the bolt, allowing the key to turn smoothly so you can open the door and clear the obstruction.
  2. Is your door handle or lock hard to turn? If a door has dropped or sagged, the latch or bolt will rub heavily against the strike plate in the frame. This friction creates severe tension that can stop the latch from retracting at all. The Quick Remedy: Try lifting the door firmly by the handle while turning the key. Lifting the door takes the heavy weight off the lock mechanism, relieving the pressure so the latch can retract smoothly and allow you to open the door.
  3. Is your key turning, but the door still won’t open?
    If your key rotates completely but nothing happens, the latch or bolt may have broken and separated inside the door mechanism. This is a complex issue that cannot be fixed by yourself. To open the door without causing costly damage, the lock must be carefully dismantled by a professional to manually retract the stuck bolt. If you are facing this problem, you will need to call out a locksmith to resolve it safely.
  4. Is your lock stiff and grinding?
    Over time, the internal moving parts of a lock can run dry. When this happens, metal rubs directly on metal, creating friction that makes the lock incredibly difficult to open. A quick application of a high-quality wet lubricant (like a lanolin, silicon, or Teflon-based spray) will stop the grinding, protect the metal, and restore smooth operation.

While some of these issues can be resolved with a quick temporary trick, most will require professional adjustments to either the door or the lock mechanism to properly correct the problem long-term. As long as your property isn’t experiencing major, ongoing structural building movement, we can easily realign your security locks and get them working like new again.

There can be several reasons why your key is stuck in your lock:

  1. Did you just get a new key cut and now it’s stuck in the lock? This is a very common issue! Newly cut keys often have tiny, sharp metallic burrs left over from the cutting machine that can catch on the internal pins and jam inside the cylinder. How to Fix It: To prevent breaking the key inside the lock, do not force it. You will need to call our mobile locksmith team to resolve it on-site, or safely remove the lock cylinder yourself and bring it into our workshop. 📞 Please call us first on 02 4351 1722 to arrange a time before visiting the workshop, or to book an urgent mobile callout.
  2. Is your lock stiff or squeaking? If your lock hasn’t been lubricated in a while, internal friction will make it hard to use. To fix this, apply a high-quality wet lubricant with a silicon, Teflon, or lanolin base. Our Top Recommendation: We highly recommend Lanox. It is a marine-grade, lanolin-based lubricant that offers incredible long-lasting protection. You can pick it up at most local hardware stores and auto parts shops. Handy Tip: Supercheap Auto stocks an alternative version of this lanolin spray that works just as well and is slightly cheaper than the brand-name Lanox!
  3. Is your key stuck and won’t pull out of the lock?
    If your key turns but refuses to release, the small cam screws on the back of the cylinder may have rattled loose. This allows the inner barrel to pull forward slightly when you tug on your key, trapping it inside.
    The Temporary Fix: Press and hold your thumb firmly against the face of the lock barrel to keep it pushed in while you gently pull the key out.
    Warning: This is only a temporary trick. You will need a locksmith to properly tighten or replace the components, as the screws will continue to loosen. Ignoring this will eventually lead to a severe mechanical failure and a complete lockout.

While some of these quick fixes can help you in a pinch, many lock issues require professional tools and expertise to solve properly. If your lock is still playing up, it is always best to give us a call on 02 4351 1722. I’m happy to chat through the problem and get it sorted for you safely.

Still unsure what’s causing your lock problem?
Lock issues can stem from many different factors, and without a physical inspection, it can be tricky to give a definitive answer. Most of the time, the issue is caused by subtle building movement or a sagging door frame. Other times, the internal components of the lock have simply worn out and broken over time.

Rather than guessing and risking further damage, we highly recommend giving us a call on 02 4351 1722. We can chat about what’s happening and arrange a convenient time for a mobile service visit to diagnose and repair the problem on the spot.