The crime when someone breaks into your home to steal your belongings is called "Unlawful Entry With Intent." In 2017, about 70% of these crimes happened at residential properties. Your doors and windows are the main barriers between you and those who want to enter your home. But, do you maintain your locks and keys with the same regularity as you do your car or your air conditioning unit? It's never too late to begin a maintenance routine to keep your home secure, and these are the three areas you must focus on.
Key Maintenance
Have you ever been in a situation where you turned a key in a lock, and it snapped in half? It brings with it a moment of sheer panic as you wonder what you should do next. Often there are signs that your key is about to fail before it snaps in half. Being aware of these signs can prevent you from having to call in an emergency locksmith to remove the broken key. Signs that you need to replace your key include:
- Damage to the tip, cuts, or shoulder of the key. You may notice they are chipped or bent.
- A bend in the key caused by forcing it into the lock mechanism.
- A hairline crack seen in any part of the key body.
A locksmith can make a replacement key for you while you wait by copying the original key.
Lock Mechanism Maintenance
One of the biggest enemies of a lock is the weather. The intense heat of summer and the deep cold of winter can cause the lock metal to expand and contract. Over time, this movement leads to metal fatigue, and the lock stops working.
Lock lubrication is one way to combat the effects of weather and time on a lock. The best lubrication to purchase is a powder-based one rather than an oil. An oil lubricant attracts dirt, and this builds up over time and interferes with the fit of the key. Powdered graphite is available at home hardware stores and also through locksmiths. The powder container is placed against the lock and puffed into the mechanism. Use it whenever the key sticks in the lock or becomes difficult to turn.
If the key continues to stick despite using lock lubricant, then the lock may be damaged. A locksmith can change the whole lock or just the inside lock chamber for you. The decision of what needs replacement occurs after they physically check the lock.
Door Maintenance
Finally, lock maintenance is not just about locks and keys. It is also about the healthy state of the door the lock is attached to. So, it's time to add door maintenance to your checklist.
For a door lock to be at its most effective, the latch needs to line up perfectly with the strike plate. The latch is the metal part which sticks out of the door, and the strike plate is the square in the door frame which holds the latch once the door is closed. If the door has shifted slightly because of age or because its hinges are falling out of place, then the latch and the strike plate cannot connect.
A visual check of the door is the best way to see if it has moved. Look at the hinges on the doorframe to check if they are loose or moving. Take a close look at the door as it closes to see if the latch and strike plate are still in perfect alignment. If they are not, then talk to a repairer about realigning the door to its correct spot.
Regular key, lock and door maintenance makes sure you get a long life out of these vital components of your home. Your local locksmith can answer any other questions you have if you suspect you need to repair or replace any of these items. Contact a company like Cambridge Locksmiths to learn more.
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