Countless types of locks are found in residential and commercial doors. One of the most commonly used door locks is a deadbolt. This lock does not use a spring and instead relies on the turning mechanism. More specifically, the bolt is turned to hit the strike plate, allowing the door to open easily. But have you ever considered the possibility that deadbolt maintenance is necessary for a functional door? Luckily, you’ve come to the right place to learn more about deadbolt maintenance.
Your Guide To Deadbolt Maintenance
If your commercial or residential property uses deadbolt locks, you want to ensure they receive the proper maintenance so they can last as long as possible. All you need to do is follow these deadbolt maintenance tips.
Inspection
Before you can proceed with any formal deadbolt maintenance, you need to start by inspecting your door and lock. You want to look out for signs of floor scuffs, see if the door and lock squeak when in use, and test your door to see if there are any problems with opening and closing it. The presence of any of these symptoms means that your deadbolt door requires maintenance and care as soon as possible.
Cleaning The Parts
Following the inspection stage, the next thing you want to do is clean the following parts of your door: the deadbolt lock, hinges, strike plate, keyhole, and door frame. A can of pressurized air, warm water, a toothbrush, and dish soap will be your main pieces of cleaning equipment. The pressurized air will be used to clean the keyhole, which is then wiped down afterward.
For the deadbolt, you can use pressurized air or turn the deadbolt open and closed and clean off grime with a toothbrush. Never use water on this part since you don’t want to unintentionally cause your deadbolt to rust. Soap and water can be used to clean the hinges, door frame, and strike plate. Just remember to use a rag to dry them.
Lubrication
Lubrication is vital to ensuring the parts of your lock move easily. Experts recommend using graphite or Teflon to lubricate the deadbolt lock by putting it on the key and then turning the key to get the lubricant to spread. The hinges will also need lubrication, but you can use an oil-based lubricant for them. The main thing to remember is to never use petroleum-based lubricant for your lock and door parts, as it will trap grime, leading to bigger problems. After lubricating the hinges, don’t forget to see if they need tightening.
The Strike Plate
When performing deadbolt maintenance, you don’t want to overlook the state of your door’s strike plate. After the inspection stage, you want to see if the strike plate is behind any of the symptoms described above. You could be dealing with a misaligned strike plate. First, see if the strike plate placement is correct.
If not, you should take time to adjust its position. You want the deadbolt to be able to hit it the way it should. If you aren’t sure how to properly go about adjusting the strike plate, you can always call a locksmith for help.
Call ASAP Locksmith For Deadbolt Maintenance Assistance!
We hope this guide to deadbolt maintenance makes keeping your locks in shape easier than before. Inspection, cleaning, and lubrication are all vital steps, so be sure you don’t skip any one of them. However, you don’t have to panic and struggle if you aren’t entirely confident in your ability to properly care for your locks. In this case, you rely on a locksmith to take care of these things for you. As for which locksmith is the best to call in Denver, ASAP Locksmith is just around the corner, so contact us today.