A front door is vital to any property; not only does it provide protection from unwanted intruders, but it also provides protection from the elements. With this said it really is shocking how many people don’t pay any attention to maintaining their front door, leaving their security vulnerable. This is why our team at Delta Forge Locksmiths have put together some top maintenance tips to help you keep your front door security up to scratch and in tip-top condition.
Ensure Door Is Hung properly – Locks are designed to work alongside a correctly fitted frame and handle. If a door is not hung properly or has become misaligned, it can put pressure on the lock causing many problems and eventually causing it to fail.
You can tell if a door is incorrectly hung by observing the gap between the door and the frame; a properly hung door will have a uniform gap around all four sides. If this is not the case for your door, then it is worth calling your local locksmith to come and adjust your door and inspect your lock to ensure it hasn’t been subject to any damage.
Clean Door Locks – Believe it or not, keeping door locks clean and free from dirt and grime build-up is just as important as cleaning your home. Door locks can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water. You shouldn’t use chemical cleaners on door locks as this will more often than not cause more damage than good.
Lubrication – You should lubricate your locks every 6 months; this will ensure they continue to work easily and help prevent unnecessary wear and damage. When lubricating a lock, you should never use oil-based lubricants such as WD-40 as this will cause damage to the lock, often resulting in them clogging up. Instead, always use a silicone-based lubricant to lubricate your locks.
Take Care Of Keys – If you misuse a key, it can not only cause damage to the key, but it can also damage the lock. Things such as pulling the key to close the door behind you, forcing a key to turn in the lock and forcefully pulling a key from a lock are all things you should avoid.
It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your keys and replace them at the first signs of damage or wear to prevent future, more serious problems. If possible, it is always worth keeping an unused original key to one side that can be used to make copies of the keys as and when needed. This will help the accuracy of the new keys that are cut.
Door Handle Maintenance – Excessive wear and tear on handles can cause many issues, the handle breaking or becoming loose to name a couple. Much like when using your keys, a handle should be gentle and smooth to allow the latch to have time to disengage from the catch before pushing the door to open. Rough use, excessive weight and forceful entry are all things that will damage your door handles whether it is an internal door, front door, or back door.
Know When To Call Out A Locksmith – Doors should always be easy to operate; you should never be met with resistance or have to use force when opening, closing, locking or unlocking them. If you are experiencing issues with your door or locks, then you should call out a professional locksmith to come and diagnose and resolve the issue before it turns into a much more serious issue that may even leave your property un-secure and vulnerable. As well as maintaining your door, you should ensure you are up to date with the latest door security measures and all locks should either meet or exceed current British Standard – BS3621 or TS007 for uPVC and composite doors.
If you’re having problems with your doors in Waterlooville or the surrounding areas, then contact Delta Forge Locksmiths today – 07949 633 676
For more information, check out our blog! It’s full of useful information and answering some of your most burning questions – like Can a uPVC door lock be repaired? And Do I Need A Locksmith To Change My Locks?
