Locked Out of Your House? What to Do Before Calling a Locksmith
Getting locked out of your house is one of those things that always seems to happen at the worst possible time.
Maybe you’ve pulled the door shut with the keys still sitting inside, lost them somewhere during the day or arrived home only to realise your key isn’t working.
Before you panic or start trying to force your way back in, there are a few things you can do.
Here’s what to check before calling a locksmith on the Gold Coast, and when it’s best to leave the job to a professional.
First, Check All Your Usual Entry Points
It sounds obvious, but before doing anything else, check whether you actually have another way into the property.
Try your other external doors, and consider whether another household member has a spare key.
If you rent, your property manager may also have a key, although whether this helps depends on the time of day and their availability.
Avoid trying to climb through difficult-to-access windows or over balconies. Getting back inside isn’t worth risking an injury.
Check Whether Someone Has a Spare Key
If you’ve previously given a spare key to a family member, friend or trusted neighbour, now is the time to give them a call.
It might mean waiting a little longer, but if your spare key is nearby, it could save you from needing a locksmith.
Once you’re back inside, it’s also worth thinking about where you keep your spare keys. Leaving one hidden somewhere obvious outside your home isn’t necessarily the safest solution.
Don’t Force the Lock
When you’re standing outside your own house, trying to get the door open yourself can be tempting.
Using screwdrivers, cards or other objects to force a lock can turn a simple lockout into a damaged lock, door or frame.
What could have been a straightforward entry may then require additional repairs or replacement parts.
A qualified locksmith has the tools and experience to assess the lock and determine the most appropriate way to get you back inside while minimising unnecessary damage.
Is Your Key Not Working?
Not every lockout happens because you’ve lost your keys.
Sometimes you have the key in your hand, but the lock won’t cooperate.
A key that suddenly becomes difficult to turn, gets stuck or won’t operate the lock could indicate an issue with the key or the lock itself.
Avoid repeatedly forcing the key. If it snaps inside the lock, you’re now dealing with both a broken key and a lockout.
A locksmith can inspect the lock, identify what’s causing the problem and determine whether it can be repaired or needs replacing.
Have You Lost Your Keys?
If your keys are genuinely lost, getting back inside may only solve half the problem.
Think about where they were lost and whether there’s anything on the keyring that could identify your home or address.
If someone could find the keys and connect them with your property, it may be worth having your locks rekeyed.
Rekeying changes the lock's internal configuration, so the missing key will no longer work. In many cases, you can do this without replacing the entire lock.
A locksmith can let you know whether rekeying or replacing the lock is the better option for your situation.
When Should You Call a Locksmith?
If you’ve checked for another safe way inside, nobody can bring you a spare key, and you still can’t access your home, it’s probably time to call a locksmith.
When you call, explain what has happened and provide as much information as you can.
Let the locksmith know what type of door you’re locked out of, whether you have your key and it’s not working, or whether your keys have been lost completely.
Sending a photo of the lock can also be helpful if you’re able to.
The more information you can provide, the easier it is for the locksmith to understand what may be required before arriving.
Locked Out on the Gold Coast?
If you’re locked out of your home and need a locksmith on the Gold Coast, Coast Locks & Auto can help.
We’re a local, family-owned mobile locksmith providing residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services across the Gold Coast and surrounding areas.
Whether you’ve left your keys inside, lost them completely, or your lock simply isn’t working, get in touch and let us know what’s happened.
Call Coast Locks & Auto on 0493 153 223 for an obligation-free quote.
