7 Signs Your Clock Needs Professional Service
Mechanical clocks rarely fail without warning. Instead, they show subtle symptoms—changes in sound, rhythm, performance, or reliability—that indicate something inside the movement is wearing out or becoming contaminated. Recognizing these early signs can prevent expensive repairs, protect original components, and extend the life of your clock by decades. This guide outlines the most important warning signals that your clock needs professional evaluation from a trained repair technician.
Sign 1 — Your Clock Stops Randomly
One of the most common early indicators of trouble is intermittent stopping. A clock may run for a few hours or days before stopping without any clear reason. While leveling or beat issues can cause random stopping, it is often a sign that:
Old oil has thickened
Dust and debris are increasing friction
Pivots or bushings have begun to wear
A clock that stops unpredictably is telling you it no longer has sufficient power transmission to run reliably.
Sign 2 — It Runs Fast or Slow Even After Adjustment
Pendulum adjustments are designed to correct minor timing variations. However, if your clock still runs fast or slow even after careful pendulum regulation, this typically indicates:
Worn pivot holes
Weak mainsprings
Poor power delivery
Escapement wear or imbalance
Rate inconsistencies that persist despite proper adjustment are a strong sign that the movement needs cleaning, bushing work, or full overhaul.
Sign 3 — Weak Pendulum Swing
A healthy clock exhibits a strong, confident pendulum swing. When the pendulum amplitude becomes weak or sluggish, the movement is losing efficiency. Causes include:
Dirty or dried pivot points
Suspension spring fatigue
Power loss through worn bushings
Dirt buildup in the gear train
A weak swing often precedes stopping entirely, making this one of the most important signs to address early.
Sign 4 — Chimes Misstrike or Lag
Chime and strike trains are more demanding than the time train and often reveal mechanical problems first. If your clock:
Strikes the wrong number
Lags behind the minute hand
Skips sequences
Sounds hesitant or delayed
…it is usually due to:
Wear in the strike train pivots
Sticky levers or worn cams
Thickened oil adding friction
Misstriking is an early warning that the movement is no longer synchronized properly.
Sign 5 — Grinding or Rubbing Sounds
Any unusual noise—grinding, scraping, rubbing, or metallic clicking—is a major red flag. These sounds can indicate:
Pivot wear creating metal-on-metal contact
Bent or damaged gear teeth
Hammer interference with chime rods
Misaligned arbors under excessive load
Left unaddressed, these issues can cause irreversible damage, turning a routine cleaning into a costly restoration.
Sign 6 — Clock Hasn’t Been Serviced in 10+ Years
Even if the clock seems to run, a decade-old movement is almost certainly overdue for service. After 10+ years:
Oil becomes abrasive
Dust turns into sludge
Pivot holes wear oval
Efficiency drops significantly
Clocks are not sealed machines; they slowly accumulate contaminants. Preventive service protects the movement long before visible symptoms appear.
Sign 7 — Visible Pivot Wear or Darkened Oil
If you notice dark oil around the pivot holes, or see that a pivot is dry, dirty, or excessively shiny, this indicates active wear. Oval pivot holes may also be visible in severe cases. These symptoms mean the brass plates are wearing away and the movement requires immediate attention to prevent permanent damage.
Why Professional Service Is Important
A professional clock repair technician can identify the root cause of these symptoms and restore the movement to proper mechanical health. A full service typically includes:
Complete disassembly and ultrasonic cleaning
Inspection and bushing replacement where pivot holes are worn
Pivot polishing to reduce friction and extend lifespan
Escapement alignment for steady, reliable beat
Timing calibration to ensure accurate timekeeping
For clock owners in Calhoun, GA, Time and Seasons Clock Repair provides complete evaluation, servicing, and full restoration to keep your clock running for generations.
