Two Common Reasons Why People Find Themselves in Need of the Help of a Locksmith

1 May 2019
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There are some very common reasons why people end up needing the help of their local locksmith. Read on to find out what these reasons are.

They allow their electronic car keys to be submerged in water

Electronic push button car keys have made it far quicker and easier for motorists to lock and unlock their vehicles. However, one of the downsides of this type of key is that it can stop functioning if it comes into contact with too much water.

Whilst being exposed to a little bit of rainwater or being left in a humid environment won't usually have an impact on the condition of an electronic car key (as most are water-resistant), they can short-circuit if they are submerged in water for more than a few seconds. As such, one of the reasons why locksmiths often end up having to come to the aid of car owners is because they have accidentally dropped their electronic car keys into a glass of water, the toilet or the bath.

In this situation, the locksmith usually needs to replace the car key rather than repair it, as this type of water exposure will usually result in the electrical connections within the key sustaining permanent damage.

The best way for drivers to prevent keys of this kind from being broken by exposure to water is to purchase a pocket-sized waterproof pouch and to then get into the habit of putting the key into this pouch immediately after they get out of their vehicle. This will ensure that even if the key is accidentally dropped into some water, it should survive without sustaining any serious damage.

They ignore the warning signs that indicate that their house key is about to break

Another reason why people find themselves having to call up their local locksmiths is that they have ignored the warning signs that their house keys were on the verge of breaking, and the keys have subsequently broken in the door lock. When the key breaks in this manner and a piece of it ends up stuck inside the lock, the only way to remove it is to have the lock dismantled by a locksmith.

Keys don't usually break for no apparent reason; in most cases, this type of damage occurs as a result of the gradual decline in a key's condition. For example, if a key is very old and has been used thousands of times over the course of several years, its structural integrity may eventually decline to the point where it will snap in half if put into a lock and turned too forcefully. Likewise, if a key is exposed to extreme temperature fluctuations on a regular basis, it may weaken to the point where it eventually cracks.

Some of the main warning signs that might mean that a key is on its last legs include the key taking a long time to unlock the door, hairline cracks forming on the metal or the key itself warping. If a person spots these signs, they should get a new key made as soon as possible.