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Lock Mistakes Blendworth Homeowners Make

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I've lived in Blendworth long enough to spot the patterns. We ring Locksmith Blendworth for the same reasons, make the same assumptions about our locks, and often don't realise something's wrong until we're standing outside in the cold. The good news? Most of these mistakes are completely avoidable.

Ignoring a sticky lock until it jams completely

A lock that's stiff or reluctant is telling you something. Most people ignore it—they jiggle the key a bit harder, get frustrated, then one morning it simply won't turn.

This happens because locks accumulate dust, debris, and sometimes a bit of rust inside. When you force a sticky lock, you're actually speeding up the wear. The internal pins and springs get damaged, and what could have been a quick clean or lubricant job becomes a full replacement or emergency callout.

If your key is getting harder to turn, have a look at it first. If the key itself is worn or bent, that's the culprit—replace it before it breaks inside the lock. If the key's fine but the lock is sluggish, a bit of graphite powder (not WD-40, which attracts grime) can help. But if it doesn't improve, call someone. This article explains why tackling it early saves money, because prevention really does cost less than a lockout on a Friday night.

Leaving spare keys in obvious places

Under the plant pot. Above the door frame. In a fake rock by the garden path. If you've hidden a spare key somewhere 'clever', it's probably somewhere a burglar would look in the first five minutes.

The problem isn't laziness—it's that we're trying to balance security with convenience, and usually, we're making it worse. You're creating a copy of your house key that anyone could find, and honestly, if you're at the stage of needing an emergency backup, you need it to be actually secure, not just well-hidden.

Better options: Give a spare to someone you trust who lives nearby—a neighbour or friend. Keep one at work in a drawer, not visible. Or give a spare to a family member who actually picks up the phone. And if you're renting, check your tenancy agreement before you do anything—some landlords have rules about this. The point is, your backup key shouldn't be more accessible than your main one.

Replacing locks without checking what type you have

You've got a lock that needs replacing, and you think you'll just pop down to the hardware shop and grab a new one. Then it arrives and doesn't fit. Or it looks nothing like the original. Or you realise you need someone qualified to install it properly.

Locks come in different types and sizes—mortice locks, cylinder locks, deadbolts—and they're not interchangeable. If you measure wrong or buy the wrong size, you'll either waste money or end up with an unsafe installation. Some locks also need to be fitted by a locksmith to ensure they meet insurance and security standards.

Before you buy anything, take a photo of your existing lock, note the manufacturer if you can see it, and measure the backset (the distance from the edge of the door to the centre of the lock). If you're unsure, ask. You can find more guidance here on getting the basics right. A 10-minute conversation beats buying the wrong lock and then needing to ring Locksmith Blendworth anyway.

Not testing your new locks before the old ones are removed

This one catches a lot of people. You've ordered a replacement lock online, it arrives, and you assume it'll work fine. So you remove the old lock and install the new one—only to find it sticks, doesn't turn smoothly, or the key doesn't work properly.

Now you're locked out of your own door, and your old lock is already off. This is a genuine nightmare, especially on a Sunday afternoon when you're meant to be heading to the Blendworth Inn to meet friends.

Always test a new lock before you remove the old one. If you're getting someone to fit it for you, make sure they test it thoroughly and that you're there to confirm it works. That takes an extra five minutes and saves hours of frustration. Read more about installation best practices here.

Using the wrong key forcefully

You've got a bunch of keys, you try one that's almost right, it goes halfway in, and you're tempted to force it. Don't. A key that doesn't belong in a lock and is forced can break inside it, and then you've got a proper job on your hands—the lock becomes damaged and you'll need professional help to remove the broken piece.

If a key doesn't slide in smoothly and easily, it's the wrong one. Leave it. It takes two seconds to try another key, but forcing one takes seconds to damage and months to forgive.

What to do instead

Keep your locks maintained. Listen to them when they're telling you something's wrong. Keep spares secure and accessible to someone you trust. Do a bit of homework before you replace anything. And when in doubt, ring Locksmith Blendworth—we'd rather answer a quick question than deal with a bigger problem later on.