When it comes to protecting your home from intruders, your door locks are your first line of defense. Yet, many homeowners don’t even realize that their locks require maintenance to keep them working at optimal performance levels, just like the other working mechanisms within your home. The experts at First Lock & Security Technologies have provided the following tips to help you maintain your locks and keep them working at peak performance for years of service.
What is the Best Lubricant for Door Locks?
Keeping your locks clean and dirt free is paramount to ensuring your locks stay in good working order. It’s important to remember that you need the correct tools to ensure you do not damage the lock. The experts at First Lock & Security Technologies recommend Tri-Flow liquid spray lubricant. We do not recommend using a graphite-based or dry lubricant. Wipe down the lock with a damp cloth to remove any built-up of dust and dirt. Never use detergent or harsh cleansers, which can damage the locks finish. To clean high-security locks, electronic locks, keyless entry, and biometric locks follow your owners’ manual instructions or contact the manufacturer for advice.
Make an Extra Copy of the Key
When you get a new lock installed, it’s always prudent to set aside one of the original keys to make additional copies. Keys typically fail long before the lock, so it’s s a good idea to stay ahead of the game. Making a copy from a copy is not ideal because as the key begins to wear, it changes integrity. These subtle differences could mean that your new key will not operate the lock correctly, potentially causing damage to the locking mechanism.
Check Doors to Ensure Correct Alignment
If your door is not correctly aligned, your lock will also be out of alignment and not activate and latch the way it should. Even a small misalignment can put pressure on the lock creating warping and friction, placing the lock’s integrity at risk and making it difficult for you to lock and unlock the door. Take note of the space between the door and doorframe. This space should be even around the perimeter of the door.
Inspect Door Screws & Strike Plate
At least one of the screws used to secure the top hinge to the doorframe should be long enough to secure the wall frame around the door. To prevent sagging, you may want to consider adding a screw that is at least three inches long to each hinge located near the center of the wall. Examine your strike plates and ensure that the deadbolt plate is secured with longer screws, just like the ones recommended for your hinges.
Adjust Deadlatch or Deadbolt to Line Up & Work
When your door is closed, your deadbolt or deadlatch should move smoothly into the strike plate. You should never force the lock into place or pull or lift the door to operate the lock. If your deadlatch is binding or broken, it will cause your lock to fail. Check to ensure that the door jamb’s deadbolt hole is deep enough for the bolt to extend fully. If it’s not fully extended, your security will be compromised.
Residential & Commercial Locksmith Services in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California
To learn more about residential and commercial locksmith services, including lock repair, installation, and maintenance, contact the First Lock & Security Technologies experts today.
