Many people think your locks are are like a watch: set it and forget it. However, if you’re not keeping up with lock maintenance, you may be weakening the integrity of your lock hardware.
There are a lot of moving parts in your lock – more than you may perhaps think. And wherever there are a lot of parts moving in conjunction with each other, there is the need for regular maintenance so that parts don’t become stuck, rusty, sticky, or otherwise inoperable. That’s why today, a professional locksmith is going to give you 3 tips on the proper maintenance of your locks.
1.) Lubrication. Lubrication is an importance part of maintenance when it comes to almost any mechanical moving parts. Your car needs oil, squeaky hinges need WD-40, and your locks need occasional lubrication as well so that the pins, tumblers, wafers, etc can continue to move around in the way that they are supposed to. We use and recommend Houdini lock lubricant, which we carry in our store location. This sprays directly inside your lock and doesn’t cause the kind of build-up and damage that other materials like graphite can do.
2.) Regular Usage. Perhaps this seems obvious, but it should be said that a lock is made to be used. Just like a car battery that, if it sits for too long, will slowly lose its juice and die, your locks need to be used to continue to operate as they are meant to. Regular usage helps combat the buildup of rust, ice, and other harmful substances that will, over time, damage your lock.
3.) Be Gentle! Sometimes, the best kind of maintenance is preventative maintenance – so, if your lock is a bit sticky or if you’re having a bad day and want to take it out on your lock, think twice before simply jamming your key in and turning as hard as you can! We’ve seen broken car ignitions and door locks, destroyed deadbolts and passageway locks, and more due to harsh usage by their owner, and simply being gentle with your parts is a great way to perform some forward maintenance on your locks and keep them in good functioning order.
And here’s a final freebie for you: call South Shore Lock & Key if you’re worried that something is wrong with your locks. Don’t try to force or fix it yourself – doing that may end up costing you more time and money in the end – call us today and we can help make sure that your locks are properly maintained, as only a pro could do!