Upkeep of Locks Ensure Longer Life and Better Performance

Locks ensure security and safety to our homes, automobiles and business places. Being made from metal, both the lock and the key could rust and get sticky and hard until they stop working altogether. Timely upkeep of locks would keep them in good shape and functional excellence.

Often home owners fail to give importance to the upkeep of locks unlike other home maintenance works like painting or plumbing. An experienced locksmith service providing firm will recommend a regular maintenance routine to locks and latches to keep them in the best working condition. The locks that are exposed to rain and snow, like the ones installed on gates and garage doors are likely to rust fast.

• To lubricate a sticky lock, the simplest method is to spray WD-40 into the key hole along with coating the key surface with graphite (a lead pencil can be run all along the key)


• In the case of very old locks, it is recommended to open it, oil various parts and reassemble it. In case you find it a bit tricky, you can avail the services of 24 hour locksmiths in Phoenix, who know what is best for the locks.


• Some of the common lubricants that can be used include WD-40, liquid graphite, silicone and motor oil among others.


• If the latch fails to close tightly, you need to identify the snag and fix it accordingly. If the latch is bigger than the striker plate, remove it and enlarge the opening. Any misalignment of the lock should be corrected.


• If the latch strikes the striker plate but fails to close, it could mean that the striker plate is set a bit too deep. You can remove the plate and keep a few pieces of cardboard behind the striker plate to keep it forward so that the latch can be closed properly.