There is nothing worse than being locked outside your home or car on a cold, rainy day or night. Luckily, there is an emergency locksmith service in your area that will immediately send over a nearby mobile locksmith to your rescue 24/7, day or night. If you want to learn how to prevent this scenario, it is recommended to perform periodical lock maintenance on all residential locks. If you have never looked into lock maintenance before and you have no idea where to begin and what to expect, read on.
With the help of locksmithspros.org, we have compiled a brief lock maintenance guide that should provide you with all the information you need.
Why Do You Need To Maintain Locks?
As previously mentioned, a poorly maintained lock is a lock in poor shape that can easily cause a lockout problem or a jammed key incident. Most people tend to forget about their locks after installing them, thinking they will keep doing their job and protecting their homes for many years to come. While top-quality locks should normally work with minimal problems, it does not mean that they still do not require some maintenance every now and then. Basic maintenance is crucial for significantly improving both the longevity and quality of locks. Lock maintenance is also a quick process that can be completed with a minimum of resources. Next time you feel like strengthening security in your home or putting your home improvement plans into practice, do not forget about the locks.
Maintain Your Doors in Pristine Shape
A well-maintained lock will not do too much for your home’s safety when attached to a vulnerable door with a broken frame. The same goes for locks on doors installed incorrectly. Doors that have been manipulated the wrong way can come off their hinges or tracks, putting extra pressure on the lock and eventually causing them to stop working. A faulty strike plate, a squeaky hinge, loose handles, or loose screws on a door are all signs of a problem that should be fixed as soon as possible.
Lubricate the Locks on a Regular Basis
Periodically having your locks lubricated with the help of a water-based lubricant will help all pins and pieces move smoothly. This will prevent the parts from getting jammed, stuck, or from suffering the consequences of sudden temperature fluctuations. It is usually recommended to have your locks lubricated and cleaned once every three to six months. If you are using your locks in an environment that is subject to corrosion and large amounts of dust, you should consider having them cleaned and lubricated every three months.
Learn How to Properly Clean the Locks
Lock cleaning only usually requires a soft cloth and, occasionally, mild soap or mild detergent. Avoid using petroleum-based cleaning products that can be too abrasive and which could damage the locks when used repeatedly. Start the procedure by blowing the dust out of the keyhole. Rely on an air compressor or a can of pressurized air to do it. Carefully spray the lock cylinder and the lock opening with a spray cleaner. WD-40 works well for cleaning these areas. However, remember that WD-40 is usually a powerful magnet for dust particles that can easily pile up inside the lock. This is why it should only be used as a short-term solution.
Avoid Pulling on the Keys
An important step of lock maintenance is showing care to the keys and using them correctly. This translates to no sudden pulling movements when the keys are inside the lock. Many people tend to use force to pull their keys out of the locks, while some close their doors by actually pulling on their keys while the keys are still in the locks. When a key is pulled roughly, it tends to put a lot of pressure on the lock, eventually damaging it to the point of serious malfunctioning. It is, therefore, essential to learn how to gently remove the keys from the lock using a slight wiggle and avoid sudden pulling movements at any cost.
Keep Your Keys in Top Condition
First of all, make sure you always have at least one spare key that you can rely on in case of a missing or broken key incident. On average, Americans spend around 2.5 days a year searching for lost items, missing keys included. An expert locksmith can rapidly cut a spare key for you from a mobile locksmith van packed with all the necessary tools and blank keys. Spare keys are usually affordable and they can save you a great deal of hassle. Plus, trying to forcefully open a lock while using a bent, damaged, or faulty lock will usually lead to additional damage to the lock itself. They will also make repair and maintenance even more demanding and costly. Using a new spare key instead of a faulty key is, therefore, a lifesaver on many occasions.
All in all, there are plenty of things you could do to maintain your lock in good shape in the long run. If you are ready to hire professionals for your upcoming home improvement project, you could also look for expert locksmiths that can handle the lock cleaning and maintenance for you. When dealing with any kind of lock or key emergency, make sure you contact a reliable locksmith service for peace of mind and professional services.
