All locking mechanisms work worse over time, so they require additional care. There is a stereotype that after installing the lock, it is not recommended to touch it, as it can impair its performance. However, this is a misconception. During operation, debris, dust and other small elements get into the keyhole. In addition, iron mechanisms wear out over time and the formation of small chips is obtained, which harms the operation of the lock, therefore it must be regularly lubricated.

Very little attention is often paid to the door lock, since opening and closing the front door to an apartment is a mechanical movement, and a person does not think when he performs them. But, in the case when the lock seizes and an unpleasant embarrassment happens in the form of being late for an important meeting, without having time to put on shoes, a person begins to think about the cause of the breakdown and try to solve it. To avoid damage to the lock at the wrong time, it is necessary to take proper care of it. An open well is susceptible to the ingress of small debris. Most popular and effective method the prevention of problems with the locking mechanism is its regular lubrication.

At the moment, various lubricants can be purchased in stores, and there is no need to look for improvised fluids, which are often ineffective.

There are many types of lubricants from different manufacturers. For each type of mechanism, it is necessary to select a lubricant suitable for it in terms of composition and application. Manufacturers provide for easy and convenient material supply in cylinder devices, thus, the entire mechanism is completely lubricated and it can be easily opened and closed without fear of getting dirty.

Lubricants for outdoor locks:

• Do not wash off with water;
• Excellent resistance to temperature extremes;
• Not susceptible to condensation.

In addition, most lubricants include anti-corrosion and other running components that extend the service life of metal mechanisms, which is very important for options outdoors, for example, in a garage, as well as for outdoor locks, it is important in winter, so that the lubricant has an anti-icing effect ... After the procedure, it can be repeated as needed.

Front door lock sticks: types and breakdowns

The front door in an apartment or house separates the dwelling from the street environment, therefore it is very important that it is reliable and the door mechanism does not let down. Repair of the castle, if the owner of the house does not have special skills, must be entrusted to the master, who will determine the type of mechanism without difficulty, and, accordingly, carry out a high-quality repair.

The main types of locking mechanisms for locks are not multifaceted. Smartlock is a modern complex system that does not involve the use of a key to fight back. The action of a lock with such a mechanism is based on entering a password. Mortise - installation takes place inside door leaf... Overhead - installation takes place on the canvas, works by means of an electromagnet. Hinged - fastened with brackets, classic version.

The locking mechanism can break down for many reasons. One of the implicit ones is a marriage in manufacturing, but this happens extremely rarely.

The most common violations:

• Rough closing and opening;
• Violation of working with keys;
• Aging of parts and their wear;
• Deformation of the door leaf;
• High demands with low quality of the lock.

Not everyone can disassemble and assemble the locking mechanism, therefore, starting to self-repair, you need to soberly assess your knowledge and skills in this area, otherwise you can simply ruin the castle and even the master will not be able to restore it.

Grease for front door locks: what to lubricate

Why is it necessary to lubricate the locking mechanism regularly? After lubrication, turning the key in the lock will be much easier in this way to use for all family members. Lubrication is necessary to protect parts and mechanisms from rust, dirt and wear, significantly increasing the service life of the lock; after lubrication, the lock does not creak when the key is turned.

The lock must be maintained once a year.

Shut-off street gears need lubrication more often. It is also necessary to lubricate correctly, otherwise it may happen that the lubricant will mix with debris and dust and make the lock work even worse. As a rule, a manual is attached to a high-quality lock, and it indicates the care measures and rules of operation. It is necessary to use only the lubricant specified in the instructions.

In addition to specialized products purchased in the store, you can use folk recommendations for lubrication:

1. Machine oil (working off).
2. Sunflower oil is rarely used.
3. It is not recommended to use melted fat, as it will give a quick effect, but then the situation will only get worse.
4. Solid oil is the most common lubricant.
5. Gun oil is recommended for external locks, as it works great even at temperature extremes.

You always need to lubricate the lock post and cylinder, as they most often wear out from constant friction. The push pin needs lubrication, without it, you will have to make an effort to close. Pistons will last longer with regular lubrication. The latch is also constantly rubbed. The deadbolt of the lock is very important for normal operation.

The best silicone lubricant for locks

Silicone grease is offered by manufacturers in spray form, so it is very easy to use. Such a lubricant is suitable in the cold season, it prevents water and condensation from freezing. Also on sale you can find a form of release in the form of a gel in tubes, in this form it is recommended to rub it into the parts of the lock, having previously protected your hands with gloves, but in this form of release, the lubricant is not popular, since it is not always convenient to use it.

The composition of silicone lubricants consists of a complex of chemicals. For the manufacture, synthetic oils are used that facilitate the operation of the lock and special additives that protect all parts from wear and an aggressive environment. The result of using silicone grease is a reduction in wear of parts by reducing friction, while this effect lasts for a long time. The lubricant remains on the parts, regardless of the impact on the lock. Removal of grease is only possible chemicals specially.

How to lubricate the front door lock (video)

Lubrication of locks - a well-forgotten "old-fashioned" method or the realities of our time?

During the daily hustle and bustle, we do not notice how many times we open and close the door lock, running away on various matters. Door locks are technical devices that not only protect and protect property, but also require proper maintenance and periodic lubrication of mechanisms.
As soon as the key in the lock began to turn tightly, there were signs of jamming or biting the key, the lock began to open and close with effort - it is necessary to lubricate the lock.

But here a reasonable question arises: how to lubricate the door lock?
The easiest, seemingly, solution, lubrication of the lock with oil, which is available in every home - sunflower or olive, is already a matter of everyone's taste. This is absolutely impossible to do! Oil poured into the door lock as a lubricant will make it easier to open the door for a very a short time, after which the situation will only get worse.

Vegetable or vaseline oil absorbs dirt very well, thus, metal dust, which appears due to rubbing parts of the mechanism, rises to the working elements of the lock, which leads to further seizure and breakage.
Lubricating the locks with oil is not a panacea for the problem that has arisen, but just a short-term measure to prolong the operation of the lock in the door.

• the door lock is too old - the mechanism is worn out, the parts are grinded and worn out due to the long service life, it makes no sense to lubricate the lock
• initially incorrect installation of the lock with a skewed landing pocket - at the mechanism the crossbars are rubbed against the protruding parts or the strike plate, you have to press the door with your shoulder
• factory defect in the lock - the case is not securely fixed to the fastening bar, hidden defects

If all of the above problems do not apply to your case, then as a preventive measure, we will consider two options for lubricating door locks

Universal grease for locks spray WD - 40

Great option emergency door locks and hinges when squeaks appear.
The main components of the spray are white spirit and mineral oil, which serves as a lubricant and moisture barrier, while volatile hydrocarbons guarantee a low viscosity.
So, lubricant - spray for WD-40 locks will help:

• eliminate squeaks
• displace moisture
• form a protective micro film against corrosion and rust
• clean the adhered dust and dirt on the door lock mechanism

Lubricant - aerosol for LIQUI MOLY Turschloss-Pflege locks

In winter, front doors located on the street, at the entrance to shops, offices, warehouses or garages, especially need locks lubrication, prevention and maintenance. The door locks installed in them freeze and rust from temperature extremes and atmospheric phenomena.
Therefore, it is necessary to lubricate locks in winter that are in operation on the street with specially oriented formulations, for example, LIQUI MOLY Turschloss-Pflege spray lubricant, which:

• expels unnecessary accumulated moisture
• stops the process of rust formation
• effectively lubricates the interior of the lock, increasing the rotation and entry of the key
• defrosts, removes icing from door locks in winter, while it does not thicken and does not freeze
• unlike WD-40, it is not washed out with water!

How to lubricate the lock so as not to damage the mechanism?

The security of our home is ensured primarily by the presence of a solid and reliable front door. The opinion that a metal door is eternal is very wrong. Some of its components - door lock and hinges - do not have such strong performance characteristics.

However, whatever the front door lock is expensive, of high quality and successfully preventing burglary, it can easily fail if you do not take minimal care of it. If you suddenly feel that the key is sticking in the well, does not turn as it should, it means that you are not paying close attention to caring for the front door.

After all The best way avoiding repairs and big expenses is timely prevention. Any mechanism wears out over time, and only you can extend the service of your door lock through regular maintenance.

What is the maintenance of the door mechanism? The answer is banally simple and known to many from childhood - lubrication of the mechanism. This "old-fashioned" method is still relevant today, since it does not require special skills, efforts and costs.

Only today the grease has been slightly modified. It can be silicone, calcium (solid oil), lithium, hydrocarbon, oil and others. Each of them has a unique composition and valuable properties.

With regular lubrication of the lock, you are unlikely to know how it sticks, and when you lubricate the hinges, you will not hear the creak of the doors.

If we are talking about proper care behind him, it will be useful to mention the elementary recommendations, the observance of which will increase the service life of the lock.

After all, if the mechanism itself is damaged, it is unlikely that the lubricant will correct the situation, it will be difficult to avoid buying a new lock.

1. Do not apply force on the cylinder of the product: when installing it, when inserting and turning the key.
2. Do not try to insert two keys on either side of the door at the same time.
3. Do not insert damaged or foreign keys and objects into the cylinder.
4. Do not turn the inserted key until it reaches the stop.
5. In addition to regular lubrication, if the mechanism sticks, it needs to be cleaned of dust and dirt.

Reasons for lubrication

It's not hard to come to the conclusion that your lock needs lubrication. The reasons for this are simple and obvious:

The parts are subjected to friction with each other and gradually grind off, which leads to wear on the mechanism, as a result, the lock jams and wedges, it becomes more difficult to open the door each time.

As a result of incorrect installation of parts or misalignment of the place of installation, the bolt in the mechanism begins to rub against the protruding parts, the lock sinks and this leads to a more difficult opening of the lock.

What to use as a lubricant?

The type of lock lubricant used depends on the type of mechanism. The most popular folk way for lubrication is considered to be a long-term "waste" machine oil.

But there is also an opinion that the easiest and cheapest solution is lubrication. sunflower oil... It is strictly forbidden to do this!

Although this method will make it easier for a while to open the door, and it will seem that the problem has been solved, on the contrary, the situation will only worsen. The fact is that the oil very easily absorbs dirt, metal dust and shavings inside the mechanism during the operation of parts and mutual friction will turn into a cause of jamming and possibly a breakdown of the lock.

Let's say that lever door locks are lubricated mainly with graphite grease in the form of a powder. Cylinder locks, thanks to the manufacture of bronze, the least need for lubrication. But, Chinese production began to fill all markets, and now such door mechanisms need special revision, since they are made of cheap metal.

Today, the most popular in use is silicone grease. The action of such a lubricant is applied in a very wide range, including the lubrication of door locks and hinges. Most often, silicone grease is presented in the form of a spray bottle, as this makes it easier to use the product for direct purposes.

Silicone grease allows for easy movement of moving parts for a long time. It prevents rusting of door components. Silicone protection displaces moisture from the mechanism and gives it anti-corrosion properties.

Also quite common and effective is a silicone fluid for lubricating parts called WD40.

How to properly lubricate the lock?

The required frequency of lubrication depends on the intensity of use, for example, locks of the front doors of apartments require maintenance at least once a year, and street doors from the house or entrance - at least three times a month.

The lubrication process is easy. To begin with, it is necessary to pour the cleaning agent into the well just enough that it would be enough for flowing out. Wipe the lock cylinder with a dry cloth, insert the key and turn it several times. This procedure is carried out in order to disperse the dust in the cylinder. After thorough cleaning of the mechanism, a few drops of lubricant can be poured into the well, and the wrench can be turned several times again.

Lubricants in the form of spray cylinders are very convenient to use due to the thin tube through which the agent flows into the mechanism. Silicone grease is also available as a spray and can be applied without fear of spilling or splashing.

To extend the service life of the front door, it is important to monitor the condition of the fittings and, first of all, it concerns the locking mechanism; to ensure its smooth operation, it is necessary to regularly lubricate the lock. At first glance, this is a simple procedure, but it has a number of important nuances If you do not follow these recommendations, you may eventually have to completely change the lock due to its breakage.

Every door lock needs lubrication from time to time.

When it is necessary to process the castle

Lubrication of door fittings is the responsibility of every owner; such work must be carried out regularly in order to avoid problems and breakdowns of various kinds. This is especially true of the castle, since it is this detail that plays a huge role in ensuring the safety of the home. Let us consider in more detail for what purpose it is necessary to lubricate door locks:

• For sliding. Lubrication improves the cranking of the mechanism and makes it easier to use.
• Rubbing and wear. With a lack of lubricating fluid, the operation of the system becomes difficult, the parts rub against each other, remove chips from the metal, and dust particles that get inside further aggravate the situation, acting like abrasives.
• Dust. If there is a lack of lubrication, the dust becomes dense lumps and blocks the movement of the crossbars in the larva.
• Rust. This is the most dangerous enemy of any metal mechanism, it leads to the fact that the most important elements gradually collapse, begin to seize and completely block without any possibility of displacement from the position.

Door hardware should be lubricated regularly for prevention

Now let's figure out how often this processing needs to be done. Usually, people only lubricate locks when there are certain inconveniences and malfunctions in their functioning. To prevent this and maximize the life of the locking mechanism, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatment at least once a year. However, for frequently used interior latches, this will not be enough and you need to reduce the interval to 6-8 months.

Entrance doors should be inspected and repaired much more often in multi-apartment residential buildings it is recommended to do this every six months. But the owners of private houses need to take care of the serviceability of the system every 3-4 months, since the lock is in constant contact with the external environment, as a result of which the dirt clogs into the well and gradually accumulates on the details of the larva, which leads to its jamming and early abrasion.

Choice of composition

In order for the door locks to function properly, it is important to choose the correct composition for their processing. To do this, you can purchase special formulations or use some available tools, but this approach is highly undesirable. So, consider how you can lubricate the front door lock:

• "Development". This used machine oil is a great option for standard models of shut-off systems, as it allows the waste to be used to the best use. This is an ideal option for car owners, since there is no need to spend money on the purchase of a special tool.
• Silicone. Ideal for cylindrical larvae, provides smooth sliding of parts and protects them from corrosion by retaining moisture.
• Graphite dust. It is used for dry processing, this is how the lever type locks are worked out. You can use shavings of a pencil shavings.
• Sunflower oil. An option available for each farm is used only in case of emergency when there is no alternative.
• Melted fat. Another popular way, provides instant effect, but over time can only aggravate the situation.
• WD40. A well-known anti-rust agent, allows you to put old locks in order, additionally protects the larva from repeated corrosion damage.
• Solid oil. Calcium grease widely used for machining parts different types, including it is used to lubricate door locks.
• Litol. Lithium waterproof grease, mainly used for bearings, but locks can also be successfully treated.
• Carbon grease. Conductive graphite grease in the form of a flowing dark substance, can be easily washed off with plain water.

Machine oil and silicone are the most common formulations for treating door hardware.

The most preferred agents are aerosols and are convenient to apply as they have a special spout for hard-to-reach areas. It is a little worse to work with an oil can and a viscous liquid. If you use improvised means, in no case apply them to the locks with cotton wool, as you risk clogging the mechanism even more with fine fibers and pile.

Work rules

In order not to cause even more damage to the door system, it is important to know how to properly lubricate the front door lock. First of all, you need to clean the keyhole. If you are doing routine processing, it will be very easy to do. To do this, you need to pour a cleaning liquid into the lock to wash out dust and small particles of metal from worn parts. It is necessary to moisten the lock abundantly so that the liquid spills out, while it is important not to stain the door itself, clothes and nearby objects. If the mechanism is stuck, try to carefully remove the key from it, if you cannot do this, try to disassemble the lock and pull out the larva itself.

Under no circumstances use brute force if the lock is seized, as you may or may damage the parts of the mechanism.

In order to remove all the debris from the well, it is necessary to push the key into it several times. Gently wipe off any dirt accumulated on it with a cloth and repeat the procedure until it is completely cleaned.

You can remove dirt from the doorway with a key.

After that, you need to carefully pour or inject lubricant into the lock. Wipe off excess to prevent it from spilling over the door. Wait a little, and then insert the key into the hole and turn it back and forth several times. Remove the key and wipe dry. In the next few days, if the parts are poured abundantly, traces of grease may remain on the wrench, be careful not to stain yourself and your clothes.

In the case of lever systems, it is initially recommended to remove the lock from the door and open its secret. Then treat the crossbars with graphite powder and assemble the product. Turn the key several times and you can return the lock to its place.

If you regularly carry out preventive maintenance, namely, lubricate the locks not only on the front door, but throughout the house, you will extend the life of the hardware. In addition, this way you will prevent the inconvenience of parts squeaking, jamming or sinking.

Any lock requires maintenance, then it will serve you longer and without any jamming. The mechanism on the front door requires special attention, since it is directly exposed to the environment... Let's consider which lubricant is better and how to apply it correctly.

Why do you need a lubricant?

Keyholes are encountered on our way every day - this is the front door, and the doors of the garage or utility rooms. If any lock stops functioning, it will cause a lot of inconvenience. To avoid this, you should lubricate it in time.

Aerosol use

As a preventive measure, experts advise doing the treatment once a year. This method will remove unwanted dust and dirt and improve the turning ability of the closures.

Lubricants are used for several purposes:

• For improved cranking.
• Increase the service life.
• Prevent rust formation.

At the same time, the prevention of pollution will not allow freezing, because freezing occurs in several cases:

• Direct contact with moisture.
• Not designed for outdoor use.
• The presence of dirt.

Moisture protection cover

To avoid thickening of the grease, it is better to use a special spray. Consider how to process the device before the onset of cold weather.

Tip: door hinges, which are responsible for the correct operation of the canvas, also require periodic processing.

A type of lubricant

If you are wondering how to lubricate constipation to prevent the formation of rust and freezing due to accumulated dirt, then you can use various means that will cope well with this task:

1. "Processing" is a product that is obtained from used engine oil. This option is suitable for standard models, it will help to save car owners on the purchase of special products.
2. Silicone. Suitable for cylinders, as it will provide full sliding of elements, protection against corrosion.
3. Graphite dust. A leveler lubricated in this way will last much longer.
4. Sunflower oil. It is possible to clean in this way only in the most extreme cases, if there is nothing at hand, but it is necessary to lubricate urgently.
5. Melted fat. It will give only a one-time effect, and over time it will only make it worse.
6. WD. A popular anti-rust agent. They can lubricate the larva and other elements so that corrosion does not occur.
7. Solid oil. It is often used to lubricate a wide variety of components.
8. Litol. Waterproof grease, commonly used for bearings, but can also be treated with it.
9. Carbon. The liquid looks like a dark flowing substance, which can be easily washed off with water later.

Grease

If you are planning to buy a professional product from a store, opt for aerosols as they are easier to apply, or you can buy a product such as hinge lubricant separately.

Important! Funds should not be applied with cotton wool, which will only clog the lock more.

How to apply the product

When you have decided how to lubricate, proceed to the very process of applying the product. To avoid further harm, follow the rules for applying grease.

1. First you need to clean the well. To do this, pour a special cleaning liquid into it. It will remove dust, dirt or other particles from the lock.
2. Moisten the device with enough liquid so that it pours out. Just make sure that the door leaf itself does not get wet.
3. To remove all debris from the well, rotate the key several times, removing any dirt from the key in between.
4. Now you inject or pour the product into the keyhole. Wipe off the excess with a napkin or cotton cloth.
5. Wait a while, remove the key and wipe dry. First check if everything is working correctly now.
6. If you are processing a lever lock, then you must first remove it from the canvas and open the lock. Then sand with graphite powder and put back.

You can pour grease separately into the larva

If you carry out preventive maintenance regularly, then you will not have a question of how to defrost a device that is frozen due to accumulated dirt.

To make it clearer for you how the lubrication process takes place, watch the video:

How to prevent freezing in cold weather

In addition to clean content, in order to avoid freezing, two more conditions must be met:

• Choose a model that is not affected by aggressive environments.
• Do not allow moisture or condensation to enter.

To prevent the garage lock from freezing, it is better to install a lever lock. Moreover, in the cold, structures with stiff springs on levers behave well.

Also, the correct choice of the canvas itself will save your door from freezing. If you install a door with an additional layer of thermal insulation, this will eliminate the formation of condensation on the structure, and, therefore, will save you in the cold.

And do not forget to control the process of direct ingress of moisture, that is, the door should be under the visor. If you want to secure your garage door, then mount a small canopy.

Most often, automobile mechanisms are exposed to cold, which subsequently have to be defrosted.

How to defrost a car lock

As already mentioned, absolutely any species, including rack and pinion, can freeze. Even an electromechanical or combination lock can malfunction with a sharp drop in temperature, although it will not physically freeze through, as it is inside the canvas. But what if the lock on the car door is frozen?

Defrosting with a hot key

If your car door lock is frozen, do the following:

1. Heat the key. While hot, insert into the keyhole. Wait a bit and try to open the door.
2. Open the hood of the car. Immerse the key in the brake fluid or non-freeze. Insert the key into the lock cylinder and wait for the ice to melt.
3. If you have a hair dryer, it will quickly warm the area you need.
4. You can ask for help from a nearby car enthusiast, and warm up the lock with exhaust gases. To do this, you need to select a hose of the right size and connect one end to the exhaust pipe, and attach the other to the lock.
5. You can pour pure alcohol, only pure alcohol. He can handle the ice.

So that you do not have to resort to all these methods, it is necessary to carry out an anti-freeze treatment.

To avoid freezing, it is necessary to carry out preventive maintenance, keep it clean and ensure that it is free from moisture. You can decide what is the best way to lubricate in winter, and you can use improvised means or purchased in a store.

Choose from the whole variety of lubricants that suits your type and carry out preventive maintenance at least once a year. Then you will not be faced with the need to defrost.

And also take into account the peculiarities of buying a lock for the entrance block and take care of the visor to avoid moisture settling inside.