As with all home appliances and tools, your locks also need looking after from time to time. Here are the tips you need to follow to ensure that your locks remain in good working condition.
Locks are an integral part of your home and they are used more than a few times a day. Therefore, it is crucial that you maintain your locks regularly so that they remain in optimum working condition.
Locks have motorized mechanisms that need to be maintained just like any other appliance. The average life of a standard lock is about six years however if you don’t follow proper instructions to maintain your locks, they might wear out before the time.
Go through these effective tips to help maintain the locks of your doors so that you can use them for the maximum amount of time.
Your Door Must Be Properly Installed Door hinges
It is crucial that your door is installed perfectly so that your locks can work correctly. If a door is not installed properly, it creates stress on the bolt or latch of the door and causes damage. Check if the door is appropriately hung when the professionals are installing it. The space between the door and the frame must be proportionate on both sides.
If there are rub or skid marks on the floor that are caused by the dragging of the door along the ground, then it is evident the door is poorly aligned, which in turn will cause the misalignment of your locks.
Check the Hinges and Strike Plates
The position of the door is also dependent on the other hardware of the door such as the strike plates and hinges. The door may droop when the screws which are in the hinges are not big enough, which also works to avoid forced entry. Similarly, the deadbolt plates must also be attached to the wall frame with elongated screws.
The deadbolt and the dead-latch must be appropriately aligned in order to avoid having dysfunctional locks. You should make sure that the deadbolt is freely functioning when the door is not open and there is no need to pull, lift or push the door in order to use the lock.
Regularly Clean Your Locks
It is quite easy to clean your locks. You just need a cloth and soapy water to remove the dirt from the exteriors of the handle and the lock. Ensure that you are not using any hard chemicals to clean your locks as they can gradually damage the materials of the lock. Most locks come with a shielding cover that secures and protects the lock for years.
Lubricate the Locks
Generally, you need to oil your locks on a regular basis; however, it is also crucial that you don’t use petroleum-based products because they can deteriorate the lock more. The best choice would be graphite lubricants, Teflon and other kinds of dry lubricants as they are easier to use and work efficiently!
You just need to squirt the lubricant inside the keyway and then insert the key and move it repeatedly. If there’s any dirt, it will come out of the keyway; thus, making the lock-key system operates more smoothly. You can lubricate your locks at least once a year. You should also make sure that you remove the lockset from the door before using the oil if you want to do thorough lubrication.
Make Copies of the Original Keyspare keys
Your lock is sturdier than the keys and therefore, they wear out sooner compared to locks. You can have a duplicate key created from the original set and store it in a secure location. This precaution will assure you that there is a backup key when the original keys don’t work any longer.
Prevention and Removal of Rust
Apart from the tips mentioned above, it is crucial that you make certain your lock doesn’t rust. There are several tips to cure rust if it has formed on the locks; however, prevention is undoubtedly the best thing you can do to stop rust from forming in the first place. Here are some tried and tested tips that you can pursue in order to avoid rust forming on your locks:
Examine your locks to help you decide if rust has formed or is in the process of forming. If there’s any dirt in the keyway, insert the key and loosen the dirt so that the keyhole remains debris-free.
You can spray your locks with silicone sprays that are particularly used for maintaining locks. They work by forming a seal on the locks, thus preventing the formation of rust.
The easiest way to avoid rust formation is by cleaning your locks regularly by using suitable chemicals for doors and lock plates.
Treating Locks With Rust
It is a known fact that it is quite challenging to treat rust once it has formed. Rust causes chemical reactions that will deteriorate the metal on which the rust has formed. Rust can form on any type of metal lock that has been subjected to moisture for extended periods of time.
Most experts recommend the use of two types of lubricants to remove rust once it has formed. Dry lubricants contain graphite and it lets the inner mechanisms of the lock glide against each other, thus permitting a key to be effectively inserted and the lock opened. Another type of lubricant that helps in rust removal is a wet lubricant such as water displacement products.
When Should You Call BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH & SECURITY?
If you are facing problems with the locks in your home or office, it is best to call on a professional locksmith service. The reputed staff of locksmith companies is trained in every lock issue and can help you in no time! They will also let you know if your lock is rusted and needs a replacement or repair. In addition, if you need high-security locks, they will guide you and help you to enhance the security of your home.
Try your best to keep your locks working in the best condition; however, remember to get in touch with with BAYSIDE LOCKSMITH in case of emergencies!
