For your security door hardware - handles, hinges, closers, and locks in particular - to continue functioning properly, regular maintenance is required. Why? Salt and other airborne particles can enter the keyhole from the outside. These stray particles have the potential to enter the mechanism and interfere with its functionality. For instance, this occurs when the bottom locking point fails to engage properly. In this article, we will go over how and why to maintain your home security door hardware and system.
At what frequency must you maintain your hardware?
It is advisable to schedule a security door hardware maintenance service every:
- 6 months for milder environments
- 3 months for environments in industrial areas, containing red dirt or within coastal regions.
If you have an ongoing or recurring problem with your home security door, you should also schedule an Ad Hoc maintenance.
How to Keep Your Door Hardware in Working Condition?
These are the steps you can follow to keep your lock cylinder and triple lock system in perfect condition.
Maintenance of the Triple Locking System
It is advisable that you use silicone sprays that are easily accessible at local hardware stores for maintaining your home security systems and avoid using WD40 since it tends to gather more dust which would be problematic in the long run.
- Step 1: Open the sliding or hinged screen and make sure that the points at the top and bottom are withdrawn. If extended, rotate the snib which is a small lever located on the inside of the door handle. The purpose of the snib is to manually control the mechanism that seals and opens the screen.
- After retracting the top and bottom points, lightly mist the silicone spray between the gap of about 1x1 cm.
- Step 2: Next, retract the central point by turning the handle as though you were intending to open the security door, while the door is still open. Mist a little of the silicone spray into the central point's opening.
- Step 3: To get the silicone through the points, turn the snib back and forth. NOTE: Push the tiny silver button next to the locking point to release the snib if it is immobile.
How to Repair a Sticky Lock?
Graphite powder can be used to repair a sticky cylinder and keep your key from getting lodged. Additionally, for a sticky lock, keep in mind to NEVER USE WD40 or Silicone Spray. To use the powdered graphite, you can either pour the powdered graphite into the keyhole straight from the tube. Or after applying a small amount of the powdered graphite to the key, place the powdered key into the keyhole.
NOTE: The degree of stickiness in your lock will determine how much graphite powder you require.
Once there is sufficient graphite powder in the keyhole, disperse the material by repeatedly inserting and removing the key. Keep maneuvering it until the key slides in easily.
Regular Maintenance of the Tracks and Frame of Sliding Screens
- Step 1: Use a vacuum to clean dirt and debris from the sliding screen’s tracks and frames of your home. Dirt may ruin the screen’s rollers, guides, and drop bolts as well as prevent them from operating as intended. NOTE: To avoid touching or scratching the tracks, move the vacuum's attachment above them.
- Step 2: Use a soft cloth and non-abrasive cleaning solution to wipe down the hardware, removing any debris or potentially dangerous residue on the surface such as salt spray.
Your security door and its system all play an essential role in home and office security. Therefore, it is vital that you do not overlook the maintenance of your hardware and get it maintained as frequently as possible and whenever required to ensure it is fully functional.
In conclusion, by following the steps mentioned above you will be able to protect and maintain your security hardware, thus prolonging the lifespan of your door’s locking system and hardware.
About the Author: Nicholas and George are co-owners of AAA Security Doors. The company specializes in providing window security bars and window screens in Melbourne, Australia.
