6 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Door Locks

Your exterior doors are your first line of defense against the outside world, and solid door locks help keep your home, loved ones, and belongings safe. For style, security, and practicality, it’s important to make sure your home’s door locks are in great shape. Here are a few red flags to look out for when determining if it’s time to replace your locks.

1.) If you just bought a new house.

Now that you’ve found a new place to call home, it’s a smart idea to get new locks on your door. Even if you know and trust the previous homeowner, you never know what friend, contractor, babysitter, or relative has received a copy of the key. Sadly, 6-7% of unlawful entry is committed by someone who has a key to your home. Whether you’ve moved into a new condo, apartment, or house, it’s better to play it safe and start fresh with new locks.

2.) If your locks or door are old.

The truth is, door locks are not designed to last the entire lifetime of the actual door. If your lock has been on your door more than a decade, it’s definitely time to consider a replacement. The quality of the manufacturing does make a difference in longevity, but all in all, even the highest quality door lock is going to need replacing at about seven to 10 years old. 

3.) If your door is difficult to unlock.

Do you find yourself leaning heavily into the door, jiggling the key, or maneuvering front to back? These are not signs just of a “quirk,” but of a defective lock. Again, older locks tend to show their age by becoming finicky and tricky to use. If that’s the case for you, it’s time to replace. 

4.) If you’ve been the victim of home intrusion.

Unfortunately, burglary is a reality we face. The worst part is that studies show that a large number of burglars walk right through the unlocked door! Locks don’t work unless you use them. If your home has ever been broken into, it’s likely that your locks were tampered with. Some locksmiths may be able to set you up with a burglary repair service, but you likely need to fully replace the lock.

5.) If your locks show visible rust.

This tell-tale sign of old age means it’s time for an upgrade. It might not seem that bad now, but rust can wreak havoc on the mechanisms in your locks over time. Before it’s too late and your locks are rendered completely useless, better go and update!

6.) If they simply don’t match anymore.

This one may have more to do with curb appeal than functionality, but it’s still a valid consideration. Your front door may have been put in when the home was built, but since then, there have likely been a number of cosmetic updates done to the house. If that’s the case, the handleset and lock may just look a little outdated and out of place.