Tips On How To Maintain Your Locks
Our homes are equipped with lots of locks we use every day. Naturally, all of them are exposed to wear and tear. But what can we do to postpone it? How can we make them work correctly and longer? There are some tips and tricks you can use to save money and time on locks replacement. And Sure Lock & Key techs are more than happy to share all of our knowledge and experience with you!
Use It Gently
You may think that there’s no need to explain such a thing but you would be shocked to know how often we have to deal with the consequences of inappropriate use. Surely locks are designed to serve as long as possible, but no manufacturer can predict how you would treat them. So, it’s always better to use it carefully even if you’re in a hurry, angry, etc.
Don’t forget about lubrication
Now when your lock is clean on the outside, you should know that proper lubrication is sometimes the only thing needed to make your lock last longer. That’s why we recommend not neglecting this step. Since there are no special secrets about lubrication, you will easily handle this. Moreover, we will explain every detail you need to know to make this process even easier and shorter.
So, obviously, you need to choose a lubricant first. We recommend using a dry one as it won’t accumulate the dirt inside the lock. Now when you have the right lubricant, you need to spray a little amount of it into the keyway. Then put the key inside and gently move it in and out of the lock. Please don’t forget to remove any debris from the key before putting it back. Also, lubrication may solve the problem of sticky locks.
Clean Your Lock
House cleaning may not be a pleasant routine, but you should extend it a little bit by adding a lock cleaning. The good news is that you can do it less frequently, but still better not to neglect it. Usually, door locks manufacturers suggest using only a damp rag. If you think that’s now enough, you can also use a mild soap. But you surely should avoid aggressive chemical cleaners, they can damage a lock’s finish.
Check If The Door Is Installed Correctly
If the door was installed improperly, the chances your lock will fail shortly are quite high actually. No lock is designed to work in unsuitable conditions. Even without appropriate knowledge and skills, you can check whether your door is even with the frame. Just be attentive. Try to open and close it slowly. Can you spot that somewhere in the middle of the path it becomes harder to move the door? If not, but you’re still sure that something is wrong with your lock, it’s better to call for professional help. It won’t take you a long time, and also it won’t cost you a fortune. To be sure that there’s no need to be afraid to call a locksmith because of prices, you can check one of our previous blog posts about locksmith pricing.
Check If Your Deadbolt Or Deadlatch Is Alright
Slowly lock your door and listen. Make sure that the deadbolt makes all the way when it’s locked. Can you turn the key or a doorknob freely? Then, most likely, you have nothing to worry about so far. If the latch bolt doesn’t work freely and smoothly as well, that might mean that your door is installed incorrectly. If you have to use force to make the door adjoin so the deadbolt can move, that’s a bad sign, and you need to call for professional help asap. As you can see, even the slightest malfunctioning that actually causes you no problems at all needs to be fixed as soon as it hasn’t become a huge issue.
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