Tips & Importance Of Maintaining Your Locks

Know Your Locks

If you were asked how many locks you have on your property, would you know the answer? We doubt most people would, but being aware of the number of locks you have and their condition puts you in good stead when it comes to inspections and maintenance. If you’re not sure of the number of locks, take a walk around your property and any outbuildings and list all external locks on your doors and windows, as well as any padlocks or door chains. This might sound tedious, but the good thing is you’ll only need to do it once unless any locks are changed or added down the line.

As you number your locks, you might like to give them a check and a clean. This will, of course, add to the job, but it helps to know their condition as you tick them off your list.

Testing Time

When it comes to assessing the condition of your locks, look out for the following:

• General condition: Your lock and any attached components should look good and fit well. If there’s a loose screw, a dent or damage, you might be able to repair it yourself or you might need to go to a professional locksmith for help.
• Working keys: How’s the key fitting? If you find you need to fight with your key to get it to unlock, you might have a copy on your hands rather than the original. What’s more, using an ill-fitting key might cause internal damage to a lock over time. Wherever possible, make sure you only use the original key and always cut copies from this key – not from another copy.
• Sound: If your locking mechanism’s noisy or sticking when you use it, give it a clean and lubrication. This will often solve the problem, but if it continues you might need a professional locksmith to take a look.
• Struggling locks: If you need to push or pull your door or window to align your lock, it might not be straight or could have been poorly installed. In the case of a door, this might mean it’s no longer hung properly and should be re-fitted.

Keep It Clean

Dirt, dust and grime can build up in your locks if they’re not cleaned often enough. If this happens, your locking mechanism might stick and the key could become difficult to turn. This in turn puts excessive stress on your locking mechanism, reducing its lifespan and performance and significantly increasing the risk of breakage. You can clean your locks by wiping them with a damp cloth. Make sure any cleaning agent you use is suitable and doesn’t actually get inside the lock itself, as it could damage the mechanism. White grease or white lithium is a great product for cleaning the inner mechanism and can be applied within the lock and spread using the key itself.

Are Your Locks Struggling? Choose Spl Security Solutions

When you need a professional locksmith to assess the security of your Gold Coast property, there’s really no one better than SPL Security Solutions. Since our humble beginnings in 1990, we’ve grown into the region’s largest locksmith and security provider, with over 90 trained staff at the ready to solve any range of residential and commercial locking issues and emergencies. Get SPL Security Solutions on your side today. Call us on (07) 5588 8111.