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The door lock is an important part of the door. You don’t want it to fail. A quality lock can last decades. You can expect your lock to last around seven years. When properly maintained, door locks will last longer. The lock must also be installed correctly. If the lock is not installed correctly or maintained, it will fail.
They perform better when they are maintained properly. When the locks are not maintained, they become difficult to operate and eventually break.
For How Long Will a Door Lock Last?
The lifespan of a residential door lock is largely determined by the quality, the amount of use, and the location of your home. We replaced the lock cylinder of an original mortise locking system in a house that was 100 years old. We’ve seen some houses use the same deadbolt without any problems for over 50 years, while others need to replace it after only a few short years. If you own a pin tumbler lock of high quality, it will last for tens of thousands of key rotations, provided it is not misused.
In order to estimate the lifetime of a lock, it is important to consider the average number of people who use the door. The mechanism wears out over time each time you lock and unlock the door. Climate and weather can also be a factor. The corrosion of metal components is affected by exposure to extreme temperatures and rain, as well as abrasive air dust and salt.
Why Does a Lock Wear Out?
You will eventually have to replace a worn-out or broken lock. You can tell if your lock needs to be replaced by looking for certain signs.
The lock could have become seized due to dirt and grime. If dirt accumulates in the lock it won’t turn. When oil is used to lubricate the lock, it can also get on other parts of the lock and stop it from working properly.
The door lock is out of alignment if it does not latch into place or click. The strike plate and lock of the door are not in the correct order. The lock may move out of position when the temperature changes.
The lock on the exterior of the door can freeze when the weather is extreme. This causes the lock to become dirty and the internal components to begin wearing out. It is possible to save your locking system by replacing the lock.
If there’s a problem, the weather stripping can lead to a lock problem. The lock can be misaligned and stop working. The weatherstripping also causes exterior paint to corrode. The door lock is also destroyed by this erosion.
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How Can You Maintain Locks So That They Last?
You can maintain your locks to ensure they last for as long as you possibly can. When your door is not hung correctly, a lock will not work properly. The lock can fail if the door sags. You can ensure that the gap around the top and sides is uniform.
Make sure your locks are always clean. Locks are very easy to clean. Use a damp cloth. If this does not work you can try mild soap or detergent. You can damage your lock if you use something abrasive or chemical. The protective coating can be worn off the lock.
You should also lubricate the lock from the inside. Locks are often maintained by lubrication. Avoid petroleum when lubricating inside the lock. The best and easiest way to apply lubricants is with Teflon or dry lubricants. You should clean your keys each time you insert them into the lock.
Make sure your deadbolts and dead latches are working properly. When the door is shut, the dead latch should rest on the strike plate. It is important that the dead latch be aligned correctly, as it is an integral part of your locking mechanism. The lock would work better if it didn’t require you to push or pull the door. Make sure that the hole in which the deadbolt will fit is large enough to allow the bolt to fully extend into the hole. The deadbolt is not locked if it does not extend fully. It cannot protect you if it is not locked.
