The Types of Lock Maintenance That Should Be Performed On a Routine Basis

Here are some maintenance steps that can be undertaken that will help to keep your home, automotive, and business locks in great working condition:

• Lubrication

  This is one of the most important maintenance functions that can be performed on any type of mechanical locks. That includes deadbolt locks, combination locks, keyed locks and many others too. Lubrication not only helps locks work better but it also offers vital lock parts an essential layer of extra protection from the elements too.

• Freeze protection

  Once ice forms in a lock it can become a powerful force as it expands. This can cause damage to even the sturdiest of locks. So if you have locks that are exposed to extreme low-temperature conditions at certain times of the year, keep them well lubricated and be sure to de-ice them when necessary too.

• Moisture protection

  Lubrication will take care of most moisture problems with mechanical locks but you need to be sure to keep moisture away from electronic locking devices too. Blown air can be used to get rid of visible moisture in electronic locking devices.

• Cleaning

  Periodic cleaning of the outside of your locks should be done as part of any routine lock maintenance plan. This is especially true for locks that are used in harsh or external environments.

   - Mechanical locks

  Dirt, dust, mud and other harmful contaminants can build up on the outside of locks over time. This will eventually impact their performance. So wipe down and scrub any locks that you see are visibly dirty as you do your routine lock maintenance.

   - Electronic locking devices

  You certainly can’t scrub electronic locking devices to get them clean but there are some measures that you can take to keep them working well. They can be wiped down and cleaned with blown air if you feel the need for it.

• Periodic testing

  Periodic lock testing is important for a number of reasons and should be part of any routine lock maintenance plan. It will also point out which locks may require more maintenance to keep them working well than other locks may need.

  This will also help identify which of the locks on your car or at your home or business are in serious need of upgrading. Lock testing is absolutely a 100% essential lock maintenance task to do on such critical locks as those on fire and panic doors. That’s because the failure of these important emergency locking devices could lead to the injury or death for many people that cannot exit a building properly in a crisis.

• Visible damage repairs

  Be sure to note any locking mechanisms that have visible damage as you are doing routine lock maintenance. If you see any of this it’s important to correct it immediately. Look for such things as locks that have loose screws, bent parts and other conditions that may prevent them from working properly. Be sure to replace any locks that are damaged beyond repair.

• Replace damaged keys

  You may not realize it but using keys that have become deformed and damaged in your locking devices can really hurt them and eventually may even ruin them. So be sure not to use keys in your locks that have such physical blemishes as worn out teeth on them or are slightly bent.

• Inspect surfaces that locks are attached to

  Here is an often overlooked aspect of routine lock maintenance. Locks that are attached to such things as doors and windows that are not hung or working properly can lead to lock failure or poor lock performance. So be aware of this as you have your locks inspected and maintained.

Who Can Help You With Your Routine Lock Maintenance?

In both populated and rural communities it’s easy to find mobile locksmith services that can help you with your routine lock maintenance. As a matter of fact, we highly recommend that businesses and homes have routine lock maintenance done on their locks at least once a year. Reputable locksmith services like Fast Locksmith Tarpon Springs out of Tarpon Springs, Florida not only do a great job at lock maintenance but they charge reasonable prices for this service too.

Many times these locksmith companies that perform routine lock maintenance at homes and businesses will find small lock problems that can be resolved before they become bigger and more expensive lock problems. These can sometimes save the homeowner or business several times the amount that they paid for their routine lock maintenance service. This will also help keep your property more secure because your locks will be kept functioning at a higher level too.

So there are several good reasons it’s well worth the small cost to have a locksmith come to your home or business and do routine lock maintenance at least one time a year.