If you have ever been locked out of your home because your key broke off inside the lock, you understand how inconveniencing that can be. You may need a locksmith to get the key out. If you don't have a spare, you will need to have one made, or you may have to change the lock. All these will involve spending your money. Nevertheless, all these can be avoided by taking certain precautionary measures. Here are a few tips to help you with that.

1. Don't Force the Key

One of the most common causes of keys breaking is forceful inserting and turning inside the lock. Sometimes you may feel a slight resistance when you put your key inside the lock. Many homeowners at this point will try to force the key to turn inside the lock. Doing this can result in bending, chipping and even snapping of the key. The problem could be something as simple as inserting the wrong key inside the lock. Therefore, before you start forcefully twisting the key inside your lock, check to see whether you have the right one.

If you have the right key, but it's still hard to turn inside the lock, you may have a more serious problem with the lock. Door locks usually have cylinders, which can wear down over time. When this happens, the springs will weaken, and the pins will sag. Sagging pins will be misaligned, which is why you will find it quite hard to turn the key inside the lock. To avoid ending up with a broken key, call a 24-hour mobile locksmith.

2. Lubricate Your Locks

Proper maintenance of your lock itself will also ensure the longevity of your keys. Therefore, regular cleaning and lubrication of your locks are important. Lubricating your locks will allow your keys to slide in and out without hassle. It will also prevent excessive wear on both your key and the locking mechanism, which are usually contributors to keys breaking off inside locks.

3. Replace Your Old and Damaged Keys

Periodic replacement of your keys will also prevent you from having to deal with breakages. Your keys will wear down with time, becoming weaker in the process. This will increase their likelihood to snap. Therefore, replace your keys periodically. Bends in your keys are usually a good sign that you need to replace them. That's because a bent on your key is a weak spot so keep that in mind.