Our door locks protect and protect us from thieves and burglars. Unfortunately, many forget to properly maintain their locks, which leads to them failing later!
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Many hardware-bought locks can be used for decades without replacement, but that doesn't mean they should be neglected. Lock maintenance protects your assets and prevents you from paying more for repairs.
Door locks, especially those used for Front doors, dirt and grime can accumulate. Without proper maintenance, these deposits can make the lock difficult to operate and even break it. Here are some tips for door lock maintenance:
1. Check your door and frame
One of the most important things to keep in mind if you want to make sure your locks work well is to make sure your doors are hung properly. Sagging or falling doors can cause them to put more pressure on the latch or latch. In this case, you may find it harder to open the door. Ideally, the door and its frame should have an even gap of at least an inch to less than ¼ of an inch from the top and sides – more than that gap can cause significant misalignment.
2. Check the door bolts and strike plates
Another maintenance practice is to check that the door bolts and strikers are properly installed. In general, the top hinge attached to the door frame should be long enough to secure the door and wall frame. Adding a longer screw about three inches long can prevent the doors from sagging. This supplement can also be good for increasing your door's break-in resistance.
When inspecting your door frame, you should also check the strike plates. If you are using a latch, consider using longer screws connecting it to the wall.
3. Check the latch and latch alignment
When checking your door locks, you should pay attention to whether your bolt falls into the strike plate. Remember that the deadlatch is a critical safety factor that has been built into modern locks. However, no matter how modern this feature is, it will not work if it is not properly aligned with the strike plate.
You also need to check that the latch is working properly, especially when closing the door. Remember, you don't have to lift, push, or pull the door to activate the lock. You also need to make sure that the hole in the door jamb is deep enough for the latch to fully extend. If it is not fully extended, the latch will not be effective in securing your home.
4. Clean your locks
Remove dirt and dirt can extend the life of your door lock. Some locks are easier to maintain because all you have to do is use a damp rag. However, if it's really dirty, you can use a mild soap to remove all of the dirt. Using a chemical or abrasive detergent is not ideal as it can remove the protective coating on the lock and make it more prone to rust and damage.
5. Lubricate your locks
When cleaning the outside surface of your locks, make sure to clean the inside as well, and lubrication is often enough. After the lubricant has been sprayed, insert the key and pull it out of the lock repeatedly. Make sure to remove any residue before putting it back into the lock. The use of petroleum-based lubricants should be avoided. It may be enough to lubricate your doors at least once a year.
If you find that your door lock is not working properly, contact a professional Locksmith in Lynchburg Virginia can help you identify the problem and advise you on what maintenance to take to prevent it from happening again. Do this before you think about it Replace your entire front door.
