Door locks are a necessary part of the home’s security. In days gone by many people never locked their doors, especially in small towns, because thieves were not as brazen, nor as skilled, in their unlawful craft as they are now. This why door locks have come a long way from the skeleton-type keys of old and why many homeowners choose the revolutionary Taft YL88 Keyless Lock.

Here are some causes of jammed doors and locks:

Uneven Lock Latch Positioning:  To check the alignment between the locking mechanism, or pin, and the striker plate in the door jamb open the latch and close the door until the pin touches the edge of the strike plate. Using a felt pen mark the top and bottom of the pin position on the door jam. Open the door and check the marks you made. If they do not line up perfectly with the strike plate you can either take a portable grinder and make the plate opening larger or, in extreme case, take the screws out of the strike plate and reposition the plate to match the lock pin.

Deadbolt Alignment: Deadbolt sticking problems are usually caused by the pin not being correctly aligned to plate. Over time the sagging of the door may cause the pin to rub on the plate. This can also be corrected by grinding or re-adjusting the plate.

Stripped Screws: Door sagging can be caused by loose plate screws . These may come loose against the wood of the door jam all that may be needed is to tighten them back up. If the screw holes in the jam are stripped put a toothpick or wooden matchstick in the hole, snap off the end and the screw should fit tight again.

Stripped Screws on the Door Hinge: Loose door hinge screws can also cause a door to sag, and this can affect lock alignment. Use the toothpick method for tightening these up too.

Dirt in the Lock: Doors get dirty, especially the exterior doors facing the elements. Dust, salt and can cause  the parts inside the lock to corrode. Some items you can just take the lock out and clean the parts with steel wool. However, don’t put oil in the lock as the this will attract more dirt. Always use a dedicated lock lubricant

For the best in lock quality and long-term performance choose the Taft YL88 Keyless Lock.