Tips For Keeping Your Locks Functioning Correctly

The locks on your doors are the most basic, and among the most important, safety devices that you can have for your home. Unfortunately, many homeowners will make the error of rarely thinking about this part of their doors and windows, which can compromise the effectiveness of this crime deterrent. If you are one of the many homeowners that rarely think about this part of your home, there are two tips that you can follow to make sure that your locks are kept in good working condition. 

Keep The Lock's Moving Parts Lubricated

As time passes, your lock's lubrication will start to degrade, and this can lead to several different problems with the locks. For example, this issue can make the lock increasingly difficult to turn, or it may cause loud noises to be made when you are locking or unlocking the door. To mitigate these problems, you will need to apply lubricant to the locks at least once a year. 

When you are doing this step, you will need to use a screwdriver to remove the faceplate of the lock. You will need to spray a small amount of lubricant into the lock. The type of lubricant will largely depend on the manufacturing of your lock, which means you will need to consult with the owner's manual to determine a suitable lubricant for your locks. 

Clean The Keyhole On A Regular Basis

In addition to adding lubricant to the locks, you will also need to ensure that they keyhole is clean and clear of debris. Dirt and other small pieces of debris can get lodged in the keyhole. When this problem happens, your key may not longer unlock the door, and this can lead to you being locked out of your home. 

Fortunately, it is extremely simple to clean this part of your lock. You can often use a can of compressed air to remove any debris that is in the lock. If the compressed air is insufficient to remove the debris, the lock will need to be disassembled to allow these materials to be removed. Due to the complexity of assembling a lock, you should generally leave this work to a professional. 

When your locks are not properly maintained, you will find that they are more likely to experience some potentially disruptive problems. If you are aware of the importance of lubricating the lock's internal components as well as cleaning the keyhole, you can reduce your odds of encountering major issues with your home's locks and having to call a locksmith, like the ones at Arapahoe County Security Center Inc.