Protecting Your Locks with Maintenance

There is no better time than the present to start thinking about ways to protect your home locks to make sure they are in good working condition. We don’t mind letting you know how to maintain your locks through routine maintenance. This is something that can be done by the homeowner themselves without the help of a locksmith. However, if you would rather have a locksmith handle the job for you, don’t hesitate to call a locksmith in your area.

When it begins to get dark outside, thieves began looking. The risk of your home being burglarized increases at night. This is for obvious reasons. The main reason is that they can get in and out without anyone noticing them, in the dark. Thieves look for time and opportunity. If they know someone is away from their home, this gives them both the time and the opportunity to get in and take what they wish. Your home locks are important to the safety and security of your home and loved ones. Well-built and fitted windows and doors also serve as protection, however, they are no good without the locks. This is why it is so important to apply routine maintenance to your locks, so that they remain useful to you and your household at all times.

Lock Inventory

Take an inventory of your home’s locks. This would include the interior and exterior locks, garage door lock, patio lock and any external locks you may have. This shouldn’t just include your door locks but also your window locks. This should also include all of the locks you currently use, door chains, padlocks, etc. This isn’t something that you’ll have to do year-after-year unless you change your home locks. When you have a list of all of the locks that you have, we suggest that you go around to each one and check to make sure they work properly, clean and lubricate them. Although this seems like a time-consuming process, it’s very helpful to have a record of your locks and to know that they are working correctly, ensuring your peace-of-mind.

Testing Your Locks

With your checklist in hand, perform the following:

• Check to ensure every part of the lock is fitted properly and in good working condition
• Check for loose screws and any damaged parts of the lock
• Test the lock with the key to make sure it opens and closes efficiently
• Be wary of any keys that you have to manipulate to fit into the lock (this is a problem)
• Make sure that when you are locking and unlocking the lock that it doesn’t stick

What to Do If A Problem Is Detected

If you have noticed that you have a lock that has damaged locking mechanism this could be due to a copy of the original being used over and over again. With continued use of a copy, it doesn’t fit as effectively as the original. This means that the locking mechanism could break internally. We suggest that in order to avoid this from happening, you use the original key as often as possible. Also, if you do have duplicates made, only have them made from the original key.

If you have checked a lock and it is sticking, the lock simply needs to be cleaned and lubricated. If this problem persists then there may be a more serious issue and you’ll need to rely on a locksmith to resolve it for you.
Any time you have to pull the door or window toward you to align the lock, this is usually an indication that the lock has become warped or that it wasn’t properly installed. This means that you may have to have a new lock installed. If the door is the actual problem then the door may need to be re-fitted.

Take note of all the keys you have for each lock. When you get ready to take inventory of the locks, make sure you have all the keys that you are supposed to. If you don’t then it may be necessary for you to replace the locks as a protection. Having spare keys is a good idea but it can still be problematic if the any copy of the key has fallen into the wrong hands.

If you do not properly clean your locks, dirt and grime will eventually build up inside the lock. This can cause the inner mechanism to become stuck and makes it difficult for the key to turn inside the door. This will also begin to place undue stress on the other components of the lock, which shortens the locks lifespan. You are at risk of your lock breaking. Avoid this by cleaning the locks regularly. You can clean your locks easily with a damp cloth. You don’t need to use a detergent, as this could create a buildup. If you insist on using a cleaning agent due to the amount of dirt and grime, simply make sure it is compatible to the material of the lock. Try to avoid getting it inside the lock because it could damage the locking mechanism.

To lubricate the inner mechanism, we suggest that you lubricate the lock with a white grease also referred to as lithium soap or white lithium. Only a small amount is needed. Move the key in and out several times wiping it off every time. This helps to distribute the lubricant and removes any grime that has built up over the years. We must specifically mention that the use of petroleum-based products and cooking oils will NOT be a good option for lubricating your locks. They will only make things worse.

The older your locks are the less effective they may become. It may actually be time to replace these locks with newer locks. If there has been an attempt to break-in, the lock that has been compromised will need to be replaced, as it is likely easier to now break.