Your doors and locks endure a lot of wear and tear on a daily basis. To ensure that they keep working, you need to meticulously care for them. Most high quality locks are costly, so maintenance can save you a pretty penny and ensure your home stays secure. Read on for 3 important tips on how to keep your door and locks in good condition.
Lubrication
Anytime you notice your key start to stick, you should apply lubricant inside the key entrance. Yanking or pulling on a stuck key will only damage the insides of the lock or lead to a piece of the key breaking inside the lock. Applying a water-based lubricant with a needle-nosed applicator and then spreading it by moving the key in and out of the lock entrance can ensure that the innards of the lock get well lubricated.
Alternatively, rub your key with a pencil to coat it with a thin layer of graphite to get it to slide in to the keyhole smoothly. Be sure to also apply lubricant on the bolt on the side of your door to prevent jamming.
If the key still gets stuck after lubricating the locks, you may need to call in a locksmith to partially dismantle the lock so as to lubricate hidden components and check for rust and other signs of damage to the lock.
Adjust your hinges
Every swing of the door puts pressure on your door hinges, and with time, the screws that hold the hinges in place can come loose, affecting your door's alignment. If the hinges come loose, they may alter the way your door hangs, affecting the ability of the door to open and close correctly or how the locks latch into place.
In fact, the hinges may get so loose that the lock stops working completely. Periodically check to see if any hinges are out of alignment and tighten the hinge screws with a screwdriver. Be sure to tighten the screws attached to the frame of the door as well as those holding the door in place so as to bring the door into proper alignment and get your locks to be as secure as they can be. If the lock still won't latch into place correctly after aligning the door hinges, you may be dealing with a strike plate that has to be moved slightly up or down.
Scheduling regular maintenance for your locks is the best way to prevent regular malfunctions and ensure they provide the best security to your home.
For locksmith services, contact a business such as Action Lock & Safe.
