Being a locksmith sounds straightforward – fix locks, cut keys, save the day. But behind every heroic door-opening lies a world of wonderfully weird problems that would make even Sherlock Holmes scratch his head.
The Midnight Mystery Callers
Nothing says “emergency” like someone locked out at 3 AM in their pyjamas, clutching a half-eaten sandwich. Locksmiths become part therapist, part magician, listening to tales of “I just popped out for two seconds!” while working their key-cutting magic. For help from a Locksmith Bishop Auckland, contact lockwork24-7.co.uk/locksmith
The Creative Key Breakers
You’d be amazed at what people use as makeshift keys. Credit cards, hairpins, kitchen utensils – locksmiths have seen it all jammed into innocent lock mechanisms. Pro tip: your loyalty card isn’t actually a skeleton key!
The Paranoid Security Enthusiasts
Some customers install so many locks they forget which key opens what. Locksmiths often find themselves facing doors that look like medieval fortresses, complete with enough deadbolts to secure a bank vault.
The “Simple” Smart Lock Situations
Modern technology meets ancient frustration when smart locks decide to have personality disorders. Nothing quite compares to explaining to someone that their high-tech lock is having an existential crisis.
The Weather Warriors
Rain, snow, or blazing heat – locks don’t take sick days, and neither do locksmiths. They’re the unsung heroes battling the elements while you stay cosy inside.
Next time you see a locksmith, remember – they’ve probably got stories!
The stranger side of emergency call outs
Lockouts happen at any hour, so a locksmith offering emergency call outs has to be on standby through the night. Many jobs are routine, such as a landlord or maintenance company asking for an abandoned property to be opened and the locks changed. Others are far more unusual, including hotel guests who have got themselves stuck in a pair of handcuffs.
Some calls are uncomfortable. A locksmith may be asked to open the home of an elderly person who has not been seen for a while, and what they find is not easily forgotten. Separations can be awkward too, with one partner asking for the locks to be changed and the other phoning with the same request soon after. A good locksmith always checks ID, because the person claiming to be locked out may not live there.
Faulty deadbolts are a technical challenge. The key turns but no longer works the lock, and removing the cylinder without damaging the door can take more than an hour with power and hand tools.
What to do when you are locked out
Being shut out of your own home is frustrating, and it always seems to happen at the worst moment. If you have left a spare key with a friend or relative, call them first. Otherwise, walk round the property to check for an open door or window, but take care climbing in, and expect questions if a neighbour mistakes you for a burglar.
If neighbours are in, they can give you a warm place to wait, and perhaps lend a ladder or screwdriver. A local locksmith is usually the best option, though. It costs money, but you will normally be inside within the hour with minimal damage, whereas forcing your way in can cause much costlier damage.
Breaking a window or door is only justified in a real emergency, such as a baby inside, a pan on the hob or a bath running. To avoid a repeat, consider a smart lock that opens from your phone, or a keypad lock that uses an access code instead of a key.
The tricks people try before calling
Most lockouts happen the same way: the door slams shut and the keys are on the kitchen table, or a bag with the keys inside has been lost or stolen. Before calling a professional, people often try a few old tricks, with varying success.
Some attempt to use a bent hairpin as a makeshift pick. Others slide a plastic card between the door and frame, and if that works it is a clear sign the lock needs upgrading. Owners of older cars have been known to use a wire coat hanger or a looped shoelace on a pull up lock, which takes a lot of patience. Modern car locks are far too sophisticated for any of this.
These methods often cause more damage than they are worth, which is why calling a locksmith remains the sensible option. Whatever happens, any damage to a door, frame or car should be repaired properly as soon as possible so the property stays secure.