Lock Maintenance – How to Look After Your Door Locks

All components that contain stainless steel such as door handles, catches, door closers, and especially your door the locks will need regular maintenance to keep them in good working order.  Dust, salt and other airborne particles can enter the keyhole from outside and get into the locking system, which may cause issues with your lock such as the bottom lock not engaging properly.

How Often Is Lock Maintenance Required?

Door locks maintenance is recommended every 6 months in mild environments and every three 3 months in more extreme environments such as coastal, red dirt and industrial areas.

Maintenance should also be undertaken if you notice a problem with your lock and need to get it back to working order.

How to Maintain Your Locks

You will require silicone spray which is available from most hardware stores. DO NOT USE WD40 as this will attract dust and debris over time and clog your lock.

STEP 1 – Retract the top and bottom locking points (located on the side of the door frame) by flipping the snib lock (located on the front of door frame underneath the door handle).  Once the locking points are retracted, you will see a small gap where you will spray a tiny bit of the silicone spray.

STEP 2  – Pull down your door handle to retract the middle locking point (located in the middle on the side of the door frame) and spray a tiny bit of silicone spray into the gap in the middle locking point

STEP 3  – Flip the snib lock back and forth to move the silicone spray though the locking points. NOTE: If the snib lock doesn’t move then press the small silver button to release it.

How to Fix a Sticky Lock and Stop Your Key Getting Stuck

You will need graphite powder which is available from most hardware stores.  Graphite powder is usually a small tube with a small nozzle.  DO NOT USE Silicone Spray or WD40 for a sticky lock.

There are two ways to get the graphite powder into the keyhole, you can either:

1. Squirt the fine powder directly from the tube into the keyhole
2. Squirt the fine powder onto the key and then insert the powdered key into the keyhole

NOTE: The amount of graphite powder you will need to insert into your keyhole will depend on how sticky your lock is.

Once you have enough graphite powder in the keyhole, insert and remove the key in the keyhole to distribute the powder in the keyhole. You will need to insert and remove the key many times until the keyhole has loosened up.

General Maintenance for Door Tracks and Frame

STEP 1  – Vacuum sliding door tracks and frames to ensure they are clear of dirt and debris.  Dirt can cause damage to, and restrict the proper functioning of rollers, guides and drop bolts in the door. NOTE: Hover the vacuum cleaner hose/brush above the tracks and frames so they do not touch and scratch them.

STEP 2  – Wipe down the external finish of all hardware using a non-abrasive cleaning fluid and a soft cloth.  Be sure to clean off any dirt or harmful residue like salt spray, from the surface.