You come back to a chalet in Bonalba or Valle del Sol after a few weeks away. The key goes in, but it is stiff. Or there is a scratch round the cylinder you do not remember. Is it just the lock, or has someone been at it?
Signs that point to an attempt
- Fresh, bright scratches on the face of the cylinder or round the keyhole, especially if the metal under them is shiny.
- A cylinder that sticks out further than it used to, or moves when you wiggle it.
- Marks on the edge of the door or the frame near the lock: dents, splinters, paint pushed in.
- A bent or loose guard plate, or screws that look as if they have been turned.
- The door shutting differently, as if the frame has moved.
If you see any of these, do not go in. Step back, ring 112, 091 or the Policía Local, and wait for them. Somebody could still be inside, and the police may want to see the door untouched.
Signs that point to plain wear
- The key is stiff but there are no new marks, and it frees up after a few turns.
- Dust or fine sand in the keyway, common in a house that has been shut for weeks.
- A door that has dropped slightly and catches on the keep. This guide covers that.
A little dry lubricant (graphite or PTFE, never oil) often sorts out a stiff cylinder. If it does not, the cylinder may simply be worn: a booked lock change is the answer.
Photograph before you touch
Whatever you decide, take photos of the door, the cylinder and the frame from a few angles before anything is cleaned or repaired. If it does turn out to be an attempt, the insurer will want them.
Before you go away next time
A cylinder with protection against snapping and bumping, a guard plate that covers it, and a neighbour who checks the gate now and then all make an empty house a worse target. How doors are forced explains what each protection does. And if the house is newly yours, which locks to change first.