Lock Maintenance

Like every other mechanism installed in a property, locks need a bit of maintenance in order to ensure these are working correctly. It doesn’t matter if these are installed at home or in a commercial building: if you don’t take good care of your locks, they will break or malfunction when you least expect it. This could lead to other unpleasant predicaments like lockouts or worse: break-ins.

But never fear – our experts are here to help you understand how to keep everything in top working condition. Keep on reading for our top tips for basic lock maintenance:

• Make sure everything is properly connected

This may sound obvious, but a lock will only do its job if the door is correctly installed and the lock has been fitted in the right position. A badly fitted door will put an unnecessary amount of stress on your locks, ultimately causing them to malfunction. On that note, the first thing to check is whether the door itself has been properly hung – it shouldn’t sag or bind, and the gap between the door and the frame should be uniform on all sides. Don’t forget to check the hinges: these should ideally have 3-inch screws installed as it will prevent sagging and increase the door’s overall resistance.

• Check your dead latch and deadbolts

A dead latch is a small plunger that rides on a door latch’s flattest side. When closed, these should be aligned with the strike plate – it should NOT fall into the plate itself, as this will cause your lock to malfunction. As for your deadbolts, you shouldn’t need to push, pull or lift the door in order to get the locking mechanism to work – remember, your deadbolt won’t be locked unless it is fully extended, so make sure that the hole in the door jamb is big enough to accommodate it.

• Inspect your locks for wear and tear

Is your key sticking to the lock? It might be time to call a locksmith in Milwaukee to check things out. You may be dealing with a worn out lock that needs replacement. If you fail to replace a lock early enough, you will likely get locked out of your property.

• Oil up your locks

An overlooked fact for all property owners is that locks actually require yearly lubrication. You’ll need to find the right type of lubricant here: we don’t recommend petroleum-based products, but Teflon and other dry lubricant options are a great choice for this job. If you can’t find these anywhere, a graphite based lubricant can be quite good as well. Spray a small amount of oil into the keyway, then run the key in and out of the lock a couple of times to spread it evenly. Remove any debris you find each time you remove the key from the lock.

• For electronic or keyless locks: only use brand-name batteries

There are times when the cheapest solutions are going to be the most expensive. Off-brand batteries wear out a lot more quickly – so investing in a brand-name battery will actually save you time and money in the long haul.

• Never close your door by tugging the key

This will just put pressure on your locks, which will eventually lead to wear and tear. Simply said, when the pins inside are constantly under stress, they become less responsive and more susceptible to damage.

Broken or worn out locks? Call a locksmith

Sometimes, you may find yourself with locks that need to be repaired or replaced. While you can usually trust these to last you up to seven years, no security fixture is ever completely immune to damage.

That’s where locksmiths provide an invaluable amount of help and expertise. A qualified professional in your area will be able to inspect the locks in your property or vehicle for damage and provide the right solutions if they encounter any issues. You can expect a credible expert to give you a full cost breakdown of repairs – and they won’t try to upsell or push you into taking things one step further. You should tread with caution if a locksmith tells you that they need to completely dismantle your locks and start anew, as there is seldom any need for such drastic measures.

Remember, you are letting the professional into the property you have invested time and money into. If you don’t feel comfortable with the person inspecting your locks, you don’t have to go ahead with their services. For a bit of peace of mind, make sure to visit the business you’re considering to hire and talk to a locksmith in person – most companies offer free consultations and price quotes to enable their customers to do just that. On the topic of price quotes: be wary of any professional who changes their estimates once they’ve reached your property as they are likely trying to get more money out of you.

Other tips to consider if you’ve never hired a locksmith before: always ask for recommendations, keep the contact details of at least a couple of businesses handy, and take the time to shop around for the best deals and do a bit of checking into backgrounds. Always go for a local business with a physical address that is easy to verify – this will save you money and will ensure you are hiring a credible professional. Read up on online reviews on websites like Angie’s List and Yelp, cross-check the company’s license and insurance details (which you should always request when you contact them) through the local directories, and make sure to get in touch with client references in the area (a credible professional won’t balk at the idea of providing these upon request). Make sure to ask for a full cost breakdown for all solutions, and, while you’re at it, ask about their after-hours services costs too – you never know when you’ll need emergency locksmith assistance.

Locksmith Master Milwaukee is more than happy to help anyone in Milwaukee, WI who is experiencing lock troubles. Be it a malfunction, wear and tear, or 24/7 lockout assistance, our licensed and insured professionals are always at your disposal. If you’re in the area, get in touch to discuss some options with our team and we’ll go from there.

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