Dealing With Glue in One of Your Locks
Posted on: 7 October 2021
It is a sad thing to say but people put glue into the locks of others for many different reasons. Some do so for nothing more than sheer mindless vandalism while others will do it to make someone they know feel uneasy. Others will do it because they perhaps harbour a grudge against a former partner, their old landlord or their old housemates. What all of these motivations have in common is the fact that they are all deeply negative. People who do it very rarely understand quite how upsetting it can be to be on the receiving end of such action. That said, there are things you can do to deal with the problem. What are they?
Call an Emergency Locksmith
To begin with, you should call an emergency locksmith to help you regain entry into your property if the lock you usually use is clogged up with glue. There's no point hanging around. There's also little point in trying to get the glue out of the lock. It will be ruined already. Even if there is someone at home who can let you in, you will need a locksmith to drill your old one out for you. If not, then the chances are that you will soon lock yourself out and not be able to get back inside again. If you work with a locksmith, you can ask them whether the issue is an isolated incident in your area. This might also mean you feel more comfortable reporting the incident to the police.
Check Your Other Locks
Although vandals will usually glue up a single lock for what they think is a laugh, there is the possibility that your other locks have suffered a similar fate. With your locksmith, check all of the other locks that may have been targeted. This might also include your window locks if they have been left open and their locks were accessible from the outside, of course. Replace any locks you identify as having been tampered with. If you don't, then you may find it difficult to sleep at night knowing that your home is less secure than it could otherwise be.
Consider Alternatives to Traditional Locks
Not every home is secured by a conventional tumbler lock these days. If you are at all worried that the perpetrator might come back and gum up your locks once more, then you should consult with your locksmith about a keyless alternative. You could go for a combination lock or a card entry system instead. Increasing numbers of locks rely on biometric data these days, too, so there are many different ways to get around the problem.
For more assistance, contact a local locksmith.
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