Common Signs Your Outdoor Gate Lock Needs Replacing
A gate lock is one of the most important security implements we can install. Most of the time, they last for years. However, even the best gate locks will – eventually – wear out. When that happens, you need to think about replacing your garden gate with lock options that are up to standard. Having a reliable back gate lock improves the standard of your security and offers invaluable peace of mind.
However, determining when an outdoor gate lock needs to be replaced can be a little tricky. The signs are not often apparent until the gate lock is pretty much on the way and needs immediate replacement. How do you spot a garden gate with lock mechanisms that need replacing? We asked Lock & Key Bradford.
Thanks to their years of industry experience, we thought they would be the ideal people to ask. Discover the common signs that your outdoor gate lock needs to be replaced and take action as soon as possible!
Why Does The Environment Impact Your Outdoor Gate Lock?
There are many reasons why a gate lock might eventually need replacing. Wear and tear is the most common reason; every lock mechanism, eventually, needs a replacement.
At the same time, though, the weather also impacts your gate. Especially here in the UK, where the weather is often a horrible combination of hot and humid or wet and cold. That puts excess strain on your gate, but also the lock mechanisms. Over time, that back gate lock will feel the impact of the weather. It might size up, come loose, or no longer align with the gate frame.
This is true for both wooden and metal gates, by the way. Wooden gates are more affected, as they continually expand and contract with the weather. From season to season, your gate goes through subtle changes; do you ever notice, for example, that your gate is much harder to open in winter? That is because the wood has expanded. Eventually, that impacts the locks’ placement and accuracy.
It can also cause the metal in the lock mechanism to wear out. Continual rainfall and humidity will eventually lead to the lock rusting or corroding. That leads to stiff locks, have parts breaking off, or no longer operate as they should.
Warning Signs Your Outdoor Gate Lock Is Failing
Either way, the problem remains the same: you need a new gate lock. The good news is that many of the signs that your gate lock is no longer in peak condition are easy to spot. Look out for issues like:
Stiff Gate Locks & Mechanisms
Most of the time, the clearest sign that your gate locks are not working as they should is that they become stiff. Now, this could be a simple case of the locks needing some lubrication – try that first.
If that does not work, it could be that part of the lock mechanism has broken, worn out, or become misaligned. As soon as your gate starts to feel a little stiff, though, it might be worth looking for a replacement. Stiff locks and bolts can usually be fixed by replacing or repairing them, but they might also be an inevitable sign that part – or the whole – of the mechanism has broken.
Tarnishing & Rust
Look for any signs of corrosion and/or rust, as well. This is a pretty clear telltale sign that your locks are slowly losing their functionality. You might be able to clean up the rust and corrosion, but in many cases, when erosion is visible, it indicates the damage is already done. In most cases, it’s better to just invest in a replacement.
Difficulty Locking/Unlocking
If you have an outdoor gate lock with a key locking mechanism, try to lock and then unlock the gate. Do this a few times repeatedly – do you feel any struggles or strains within the lock when it is being used?
If so, it could be a sign that a part of the lock mechanism has worn out. This is a surprisingly common issue thanks to the weather-based issues we mentioned above. It can also be caused by your keys not being in the best condition, or through aggressive locking and unlocking.
If you find you have trouble locking or unlocking your gate, though, it would be worth having a locksmith investigate. They might be able to repair the lock for you or maintain it, getting rid of the issue. Many times, though, a key that feels like it struggles to properly lock or unlock the gate is a clear sign of erosion that needs to be taken seriously.
Alignment Issues
The other main issue to look out for is that your gate locks are no longer properly aligned. This is quite easy to tell: open your gate and look where the lock mechanism goes when engaged.
Does it line up with the space where your gate locks? Does your lock bolt not line up with the latch? Alignment issues are also caused by the environment. As gates change in size due to the weather, they can become out of line either by raising, lowering, or swelling. Luckily, a locksmith can usually adjust the hinges of your gate to make sure that everything lines up properly again.
However, if realigning your gate does not make the locks line up with the compartment as they should, it might be better to just get new locks fitted instead.
Take Action: Replace Your Garden Gate Locks Once Issues Arise
If a problem arises with your gate lock, it would be foolish to ignore it. The problem is only likely to get worse – damaged gates don’t usually just magically fix themselves, unfortunately!
The best thing you can do is to contact a locksmith. They can review your lock and look for signs of damage; it could be that the gate itself, rather than the locks, needs adjusting, repairing or replacing. The sooner you find out what the problem is, and what solutions are available, the quicker you can get the problem fixed and your gate back to being easily accessible and secure.
Why wait until disaster strikes, and you get locked out or find that your gate will not close properly?
