Explore These Top Tips to Maintain Residential Locks

Locks contribute to the overall safety of a house. But like other complex mechanisms, they require regular maintenance to ensure they work properly. Neglecting them is ill-advised since it exposes the property to security risks and leaves the door open for intruders.

Follow these tips to keep your residential locks in good condition.

Ensure the door hangs correctly

Locks can only work correctly if the door is well mounted. If it drops or sags, it puts the bolt or the latch under tremendous pressure, leading to a malfunction.

The gap between your door and its frame should be equal across the sides and top. Most locksmiths will recommend around 1/8 of an inch for the crevice.

Test the deadbolt and deadlatch

When the door is closed, the deadlatch should fall away from the strike plate. It’s a crucial security measure, but only if it’s properly aligned.

Also, the deadbolt needs to work freely when closing the door. The lock should move without pulling, pushing, or lifting the door. The deadbolt hole inside the jamb needs to be deep enough to allow the bolt to extend fully. Otherwise, it’s not locked and protecting the property.

Check the strike plates and screws

Pay close attention to the strike plates when inspecting the frame. Make sure long screws are securing them to the wall. If not, have a professional locksmith install them.

Moreover, be sure at least one screw is connecting the wall framing and the door. It helps prevent a sagging door and improves break-in resistance. To increase security, add three-inch screws to the hinges.

Clean the locks

External door lock cleaning is straightforward. In most cases, it usually requires only a moist rag. In other cases, you should be okay with detergent or mild soap. Apply the solution to the locks to get rid of any debris that might be blocking them.

Using chemical or abrasive cleaners is ill-advised. The protective seals on most locks can endure regular cleaning products, but harsh chemicals are a no-go.

Lubricate the inside of the locks

Once you’ve cleaned the outside, it’s time to move on to the interior components. Lubricating the locks is a critical yet commonly overlooked task.

When performing it, don’t use petroleum-based mixtures. Graphite lubricants work well, but dry solutions may be better since they’re easy to apply.

Here’s how the process works:

• Apply a bit of lubricant inside the keyway.

• Move the key in and out of the lock.

• Clean any debris off the key each time it’s removed from the lock before placing it back inside.

Do this job at least once every year to help ensure everything is in good working order.

To find out more ways to secure your locks, reach out to a trusted locksmith technician.

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