Sticky Exterior Lock
We have a tall side gate securing the alley at the side of our house. The gate has a Yale lock, unlocked by keys on both sides. The lock is now sticking a lot, and sometimes the key gets stuck. I managed to get the lock working again once or twice with some liquid teflon,…
We have a tall side gate securing the alley at the side of our house. The gate has a Yale lock, unlocked by keys on both sides. The lock is now sticking a lot, and sometimes the key gets stuck. I managed to get the lock working again once or twice with some liquid teflon, and temporarily, but I think we really need a locksmith at this point. Two weeks ago, I called a local locksmith out of the yellow pages, who looked for 30 seconds, and told me he would have to replace it, and the cost would be $475. I sent the guy home. (The gate installer (Vinnie’s Italian Arts, of course), blunted the screw heads so the lock is not easily removable).
Any thoughts on an honest locksmith in Park/Slope/South Slope, WT/Greenwood etc.? Any thoughts on what replacing an exterior Yale lock for an iron gate should cost? Any thoughts on how easy this should be to repair? Any home remedies I should try?
As always, muchas gracias for the advice.
We are in that area. Call us @ 866-634-2562. We are licensed and bonded.
Well, yes, try WD40. But if you don’t have it lying around the house and you do have canned room air “freshener”, believe it or not, you can spray the freshener into the lock. I’m referring to good old-fashioned, hideous can spay (like Glade), not something fancy in a spritz bottle from Whole Fools for $15.
Just spray into the lock and then spray the key and work it around a lot. This suggestion, which I saw put into action, is from a locksmith who used to do work for us. I couldn’t believe I paid him to come spray the lock with Glade air-freshener but you live and learn!
A lot of those Yale locks are no longer made, or at least not in the United States. We had trouble finding one and had to go with a different lock at one point.
I don’t know that I’d agree about using an iron worker rather than a locksmith. I have two locks on my downstairs gate. The one installed by an iron worker would not be replaceable if it broke, unlike the one installed by a locksmith. The screws of the locksmith installed lock WOULD show, except that they’re covered by a lock guard, which seems like a reasonable solution.
That’s good advice, vinca. I’ve managed to fere up the key once or twice by squirting in som eliquid teflon on both sides, and then turning a spare key back and forth on the other side of the lock. But problem is recurring.
If this is a metal gate, call an iron worker, not a locksmith. They’ll weld a whole lock unit in there, not just switch the lock out. I did this with a locksmith (the one you recommended, in fact) and the screws show and can be pulled out. I have the name of a metal fabricator, will try to hunt it down.
Another recommendation in favor of 5th Ave. Key Shop, 718-768-8643, who might be able to only rekey or replace cylinder, rather than entire mechanism. Does your key get stuck on only one side? Due to a loose internal part, sometimes a stuck key can be removed by applying light direct pressure to cylinder adjacent to keyway while gently pulling key to remove.
Bob, if this deadbolt’s time has come, it only lasted 5 years. But nice to get to refs for the same locksmith from reputable sources. That’s my move if lock-ease doesn’t work. And, yes, the guy I called fits your scam artist description to a T.
I used All Security to install my locks and I DO NOT RECOMMEND them. I also suggest WD40 as a first start and then there is a guy Powell (last name) recommended by Sister’s Hardware (don’t know if I still have his card) who did some first aid for me, cheap. He was nice and good. You could call Sister’s on Fulton. They are so nice there — I am sure they would give you the guys number.
As far as home remedies go, spray lubricant like WD40 or dry graphite might help. However deadbolts do wear out. The one I had installed in January is the 3rd I’ve had on that gate in 35 years.