Mr Skill

All of us are confronted with a sticky lock from time to time. Sometimes this is caused by misuse, sometimes the lock is full of gunk, and sometimes rust has begun to creep in. The immediate requirement is to apply some form of lubricant to un-stick it. Unfortunately many of us are tempted to apply liquid oil and all this does is attract more dirt and prepare the lock to jam again. This could be good business for Locksmiths in London, but is of course totally counterproductive in a practical sense.

o Pop down to your local hardware or home improvement store instead, and obtain a tube of graphite powder. This looks like a small toothpaste tube except that it has a long thin spout ideal for your purpose.

o Back at home, cut off the tip of the long thin tube. Be sure to look the other way as you do this though, because the powder although non-toxic is an irritant. If in any doubt at all, wash your eyes thoroughly under running water.

o Squirt the graphite powder into the keyhole and work the key gently back and forth to un-jam the lock. At all costs to not try to force things and cause the key to snap off in the lock. If this happens, then we suggest you cut your losses and Find a Locksmith on Mr-Skill.

A final word of warning when it comes to the lady of the house – although graphite powder is water soluble it has an impressive ability to stain. The key that is working so nicely now will also have a little graphite sticking to it for a while. The last thing you after all your efforts is to have to get Locksmith Quotes to strip and clean the lock, when a little bit of dexterity with an ear bud or pipe-cleaner will do the job for you just as well.