As a landlord, one of your most important tasks is making sure that your tenants feel safe. To achieve that, you need to install high-quality locks in your rental properties. The problem, of course, is that there are so many different lock types out there – what’s the best choice for you? For most doors in the UK, going for a cylinder barrel lock makes the most sense. What is the barrel of a lock? We asked an ironmongery expert from Locks & Hardware for some advice.
Understanding the barrel of a lock is very important because barrels for door locks come in various types. This quick guide will break down what a barrel lock does, what it provides in terms of security, and offer guidance on potential problems to look out for. Thanks to the insight from Locks & Handles, you can learn most of what you need to know about cylinder barrel locks here.
Why Landlords Need To Understand Door Lock Barrels
Landlordism is a challenging process, but chief among the challenges is security.
Your tenants expect the property they rent from you to be secure, which means installing high-quality door locks, right? Well, to ensure that you live up to these expectations, you need to understand your locks. Otherwise, it can be easy to overlook clear signs of trouble brewing.
So, what is the barrel of a lock? Sometimes, you might find this referred to as a simple barrel lock or a lock cylinder. These are locking mechanisms that encompass the space for the key to enter, allowing the door to be locked or unlocked using a variety of components.
When you put the key into the door lock and you turn the key, it should cause the internal tumblers within the barrel of the lock to align. When the tumblers align, the lock will turn as it should, then either lock or unlock the door.
Generally, barrel locks are made from durable metals, such as stainless steel. Others may use brass or zinc alloy, but stainless steel remains among the most popular options. Using cheaper materials means that the wear and tear becomes more prominent, causing the lock mechanism to wear out quickly. Door lock barrels come in many forms, from those used in doors to those used to lock filing cabinets, storage containers, and even vehicles such as storage trucks.
The Components Of A Barrel Lock
While barrels for door locks vary quite significantly, almost every barrel of a lock will contain:
- A lock body, which is where the internal components and locking mechanisms are stored.
- The pins and discs, which are critical to ensuring the lock responds to the correct key.
- The keyway, which is where the key is inserted and turned to lock/unlock the door.
Unless you are using a very old barrel lock, these are the most important internal components to note.
The most common type of door lock barrel is the pin tumbler lock. The pin tumbler lock is among the most varied types of barrels for door locks, containing various pins and springs. When you insert a key into the cylinder, the lower pins push into the upper pins, separating them and allowing the lock to turn and rotate. Take the key out, and the pins drop back into place, locking the mechanism.
The most important component within a pin tumbler lock is the spring. If the spring in the barrel of a lock wears out, the lock will lose functionality and require replacement.
What Does A Lock Barrel Do?
As we touched on above, the barrel of a lock is very important – most locks today use a cylinder barrel lock. They are the first line of defence in your lock system, and are critical for operating your door. If your tenants complain of keys not turning or doors not locking/unlocking, it could be that the barrel of a lock has worn out. That necessitates a replacement, which should be handled by a locksmith. However, replacing door lock barrels can be something DIY-minded landlords can handle on their own. It just depends on how mechanically minded you are, really.
Replacing A Lock Barrel
It can be tough to remove a lock cylinder if you are not skilled at DIY. That said, watching even a few basic guides on your door lock type could give you enough information to at least attempt to replace a lock cylinder on your own.
Most of the time, you’ll need a screwdriver and the key that is used to lock/unlock the door. If you have both of these tools, you can usually remove and replace a lock cylinder on your own. Start by placing the key for the barrel lock into the cylinder and turning it slightly to align the cam. When you do this, the door should unlock. Then, you need your screwdriver to remove the fastening screw.
Usually, the fastening screw is located beneath the cylinder lock itself. Unscrew this, and it should allow you to then wiggle the barrel of a lockout – be gentle, though, as excess force can damage the lock. Once the lock is removed, you then need to fit an identically sized replacement lock cylinder in place, put the key into the lock to adjust the cam, and then replace the fastening screw.
Then test the door and make sure it opens, closes, locks, and unlocks as it should. If you run into any issues, we recommend calling a locksmith; they can replace a lock’s barrel in minutes.
Secure Tenant Safety & Allay Break-In Fears ASAP
Whether you choose to fit the barrel of a lock yourself or call a locksmith, it is important to act quickly. Learning how to go about quick barrel swaps is very useful. At the very least, it pays to have a local locksmith whom you can rely upon to turn up quickly to replace the lock cylinder.
The sooner you address issues with the barrel of a lock, the happier your tenants will be and the lower the risk of a successful break-in. If you are unsure about anything related to your door lock barrel, call a locksmith; they can provide insight into the right lock cylinders to buy, as well as show you how to handle the removal and installation so you can repeat it in the future.
