Lock and Keys: Proper Door Lock Maintenance
Door locks need regular maintenance to function properly and last for a long time. After all, we can’t deny the fact that we use door locks frequently. Although most door locks are durable, they still require proper maintenance in order to perform well. So to help you get the most out of your door locks, below we have provided some proper door lock maintenance tips that will increase the lifespan of your lock and keys. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Lubricate your door locks
Lubricating your locks is one of the keys to making them last longer. When it comes to lubricating door locks, you want to use dry lubricants as they are the best and easiest to apply. Try not to use petroleum-based products as most locksmiths don’t recommend using it for lubrication.
In addition, the lubricating process is simple: just spray a bit of lubricant into the keyway and run your key in and out repeatedly. This will wipe and eliminate all the debris inside the locks. You must lubricate your locks at least once or twice a year to keep them clean and functional.
Copy duplicate keys from the original one
When it comes to maintaining door locks, it’s very important to maintain your door keys too. Keys tend to wear quickly before the lock, so it’s crucial to always have a duplicate key in handy. It is a good idea to store one of the original keys when making duplicates, especially when you are installing a new lock.
Clean door locks properly
It’s a must to keep the external part of the keys and locks clean. You can do this by simply cleaning the door locks with a damp rag and a mild detergent. You want to avoid chemical or abrasive cleaner as this can harm the appearance of your locks.
Inspect the deadlatch and deadbolt
When your deadbolt and deadlatch are faulty or not working at all, it’s crucial to fix them as soon as possible. Make sure to inspect the deadlatch, especially if the locks are new. You want the deadlatch to be properly aligned with the strike plate as a broken deadlatch could lead to lock failures over time. Take a look at the deadbolt as well — it should operate freely and smoothly.
Well, there you go! The lock and keys tips above will enable you to keep your door locks and keys in great shape. If you want to make your door locks last longer, consider following the tips above and you’re good to go.
Category : Home Improvement
3 posts
Your keys and locks in your home keep you and your family safe and secure, providing you with a peace of mind when you’re out for a grocery or you are sleeping. You use these things on a regular basis, but the question is: will they last for some time?
Locks and keys will not last long without proper care and maintenance. It is very important to take good care of your locks and keys to prevent them from wearing and tearing and keep them in tip-top condition.
Below we have compiled some tips that will allow you to maintain your keys and locks in good condition. Let’s dive right in, shall we?
Clean your keys
It’s very important to keep your keys clean at all times. Unlocking a door with a dirty key will only push the debris and dirt inside the lock mechanism, which is bad for your lock. Dirt, dust, and debris can jam up the locking mechanism, which could damage the insides of your lock.
You want to give your keys a wipe down at least once or twice a year to keep it clean and dirt-free. Also, do your best to avoid storing your keys at the bottom of your bag to prevent them from collecting grime and dirt.
Do not force your lock
If you find the lock not turning after inserting the key, try not to force it to turn. Avoid pushing or turning the key too hard as this can break your key as well as bend the metal of the lock. In addition, a bent or damaged key will not perform properly. When the key is stuck or your lock is not working properly or not working completely at all, turn the key as gentle as possible and you should be able to get the key out with little to no damage.
Clean your locks
Dirt, dust, and other particles can cause multiple problems, especially if these things build up inside your lock. It’s crucial to clean the inside your locks regularly if you want it to perform properly. You can do this by using a compressed air through your lock’s keyhole. If you don’t have a compressed air, you can also unlock the cover with tools and use a brush to clean the insides.
The tips above will allow you to make your lock and keys last longer. All you have to do is to give your keys and locks proper and regular maintenance in order for them to last for many years.
It doesn’t matter whether you are bought a new condo, apartment or an individual home. At the end of the day, all of them have to be maintained in good condition. Home improvement is something which costs money and therefore it would be better to look for improvements which can be done easily and without too much of hassle. We will try and find out the various important points to be kept in mind when it comes to time tested and proven home improvement idea. We are sure it will help a lot in keeping the living space in good condition at all points of time.
Start With A Budget In Mind
To begin with, you must always start with a budget in mind. Without this being in place, you will be beating around the bush and this could lead to cost overruns and time lags. While it may not be possible to accurately predict the home improvement costs, you must have a rough figure in mind. This will help you to get started in the right earnest. It is always okay to overshoot the budget by around 5 to 10% but anything more than this should be avoided at all costs.
Take One Job At A Time
When we talk about complete and exhaustive improvement of homes, there could be many tasks in hand. It would be impossible to take up and complete the entire tasks in one go. A better way forward would be to go in for one task at a time. It will not only be soft on your budget and pocket but you also will be able to concentrate on the task at hand quite easily.
Look For Some DIY Options
The onus lies on you to find out some well thought out DIY options which could perhaps again help you to save money. However, while choosing such options you must keep quite a few things in mind. The DIY options which you choose must be easy and convenient to handle and must not be too taxing and too difficult. You must be able to do a thorough job out of it and if it calls for reaching heights or getting around difficult to reach surfaces, it would be better to get the job done only by professionals.
Research And Gather Information
The next important point is to look for as many sources of information as possible and gather as much knowledge as possible. This will help you find out about the various DIY techniques and methods as far as home improvement is concerned. it will also help you to try and move out of DIY home improvement ideas if the same are cumbersome and difficult. You will also be able to identify professional home improvement service providers who will be able to offer quality services and offer the best value for money at all points of time. Hence at the end of the day, getting into home improvement calls for a holistic view of the same at all points of time.