Door locks, like hinges, need to be lubricated regularly. This extends the life of the locking mechanism. Almost all types of locks on steel doors are lubricated. For this, special formulations are used.

Why do you need to lubricate the lock on the door

Door locks are subjected to even more stress than hinges. These are complex mechanisms, therefore, without proper care, they will quickly fail. Most often, the owners begin to carry out preventive work with the locks when there are any problems. For example, a mechanism is lubricated if it starts to jam. Ideally, this work should be done regularly.

The locks are lubricated to extend their life. The lubricant protects the mechanism from:

Corrosion and rust;
- dust;
- rubbing and complete wear.

Corrosion is the enemy of all steel structures. A castle that has been exposed to moisture or steam will not last long. Corrosion is especially dangerous for steel doors in private houses.

Dust is another factor that can destroy the mechanism. Once inside, it can block the movement of the crossbars. The lock will start to open worse.

Lubrication in the lock is needed for sliding. When there is little or no lubricant at all, the mechanism works with difficulty. The door does not open well, especially in certain weather conditions. In addition, this creates conditions for friction, rubbing and wear of the lock. The details of the product begin to rub in, as a result of friction, chips appear, which then clog the mechanism.

How to lubricate the lock: types of lubricants

Locking mechanisms can be lubricated with the same compounds as door hinges. It is important to choose the right funds. If you choose the wrong composition, then you can only ruin the castle. All lubricants can be divided into two main categories:

Special;
- folk.

Of folk remedies compositions such as sunflower oil, graphite, melted fat and grease are well known. Litol and machine oil can also be partially attributed to folk - these funds have long been known among the population.

Special formulations are produced exclusively for the lubrication of mechanisms. This, for example, WD40 - a universal grease, which is also used to lubricate the hinges and locks of both entrance and car doors. The composition can be taken from the spray company, it is more convenient.

Silicone is suitable for some types of mechanisms, it is also a professional tool. Litol, despite its popularity among the people, still belongs to the category of professional compositions. It is ideal for lubricating locks in private homes and for frost protection. The lithol composition prevents the locking mechanism from freezing even in the most severe cold. Carbon grease can be selected instead of conventional graphite. This compound is a conductive graphite grease.

Features of lever locks

Reliable steel doors always have a lever type locks. Such mechanisms are also popularly called safe. Lever mechanisms are characterized by increased durability. These designs are best handled with dry lubricant, ideal for graphite prevention.

To lubricate the lock, you must first turn the key completely in the well so that its mechanism comes out. It is on the "secret" that graphite chips or dust is applied. Graphite is also additionally blown into the keyhole. Experts do not recommend using other types of lubricants for such mechanisms. Various fluid substances can lead to malfunction of the mechanism.

How to lubricate cylinder locks

Cylinder locks are maggot mechanisms that also require preventive maintenance. It is not recommended to fill such locks with lubricants. It is best to treat only the deadbolt itself with plain machine oil or WD40 grease.

If you pour oil inside the mechanism, then very soon dust will begin to accumulate in the larva, which will clog the lock. The door will stop opening normally, and this will lead to breakage in the future. Cylinder locks sometimes seize and corrode. As a last resort, if you need to check the mechanism, it is better to take out the larva and inspect it. In case of serious damage, the lock cylinder is replaced with a new one.

Does the combination lock need to be lubricated?

Like any other locking mechanism, combination locks are also lubricated. However, it is impossible to give unequivocal recommendations on the choice of a tool here. Usually, the recommended formulations are indicated in the instructions for the lock. In each specific case, it may be some kind of specialized tool. One thing is for sure - it is better not to pour folk compositions into such mechanisms.

Combination locks usually have special holes for the introduction of lubricants. The type of lubricant depends not only on the specific model of the lock, but also on the operating conditions. For example, when installing the mechanism on external doors, frost protection may be required. If the lock is installed in the inner door of the office or in the safe, then such compositions will not be required here.

Lubricants that are developed for combination locks not only penetrate deep into the mechanism and prevent friction and corrosion. They also additionally clean the lock from dust and dirt that inevitably gets inside.

How to maintain door locks

Door locks need regular care... In order to avoid problems with the mechanism in the future, a number of rules must be observed.

Do not wait until the lock is completely jammed or until some other problem appears. The best remedy to protect the castle - prevention. It is recommended to lubricate the doors approximately every six months. If the owner carries out such work less often than once a year, then he exposes the mechanism to the risk of deterioration and premature failure.

You should always use suitable lubricants, and not use products that have been recommended by neighbors or friends. Friends may have different locks and operating conditions of mechanisms.

Locks on external doors of private houses require even more careful maintenance. It is advisable to lubricate it about once every three to four months. This will avoid mechanical problems. External locks are heavily stressed.

If you take care of the locks, then you can extend their service life several times. Today, in addition to lubricants in stores, you can also find various cleaners and even compounds that defrost ice-covered locks.

To extend the service life front door it is important to monitor the condition of the fittings and, first of all, this 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 to avoid problems and breakdowns. different plan... 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 carry out lubrication. 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 you need to carry out such processing. 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 engine oil is a great option for standard models locking systems, as it allows you to use waste with benefit. it perfect option for car owners, since you do not 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 folk way, provides an immediate effect, but over time it 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 the treatment of various types of parts, including 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 places... 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. Carefully 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 door hole using a key.

After that, you need to carefully pour or inject lubricant into the lock. Wipe off any excess to keep 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 prevent the inconvenience of parts squeaking, jamming or sinking.

The door not only ensures the safety of residents and property, but also is the hallmark of any apartment or country house... It is the duty of every home owner to monitor its good condition. Therefore, you should know how to lubricate. The choice of the composition is largely determined by the type of device and its operating conditions.

Most often, people think about only when it is malfunctioning. However, malfunctions arise precisely due to the lack of proper care of the locking device. Parts rub against each other, which leads to rapid wear of the mechanism. Metal shavings are formed, which are abrasive. Only the right lubricant can reduce friction and wear.

Another enemy metal devices- high humidity, which causes rust. It gradually eats away at the details of the mechanism, which is why the lock begins to jam. Owners of country cottages and summer cottages especially often face such a problem: there the elements of the locks come into contact with the external environment.

Dust and other foreign elements are often clogged into the keyhole. Humbling into a tight lump and mixing with metal shavings, they impede the movement of the crossbars in the locking device. This happens especially often with elements of entrance doors in country houses.

Only timely prevention will help to avoid such problems. Inspection and lubrication of the lock cylinder in apartment buildings must be carried out at least once every six months. With intensive use of the device, high humidity, in the presence of dust and suspended matter in the air, this period should be halved. For the owners country houses it is recommended to carry out preventive maintenance every 2-3 months.

Choice of means

It is possible to lubricate the lock of the front door both with special compounds purchased in the store, and with improvised means. On the advice of experts, it is preferable to use the first option. The most popular and effective remedy is silicone lock lubricant.

For its manufacture, manufacturers use synthetic oils and special additives that protect metal elements from wear and impact external factors... Silicone oil reduces friction of parts against each other, thereby increasing the life of the product. The product has increased durability, it can only be removed with chemicals.

Manufacturers release silicone oil in several forms. It is especially convenient to take care of door lock using a spray. This option is used, in particular, in the autumn-winter period, since the product prevents water and condensate from freezing. Using silicone oil in tubes is not that comfortable. It must be rubbed into the locking device larva, having previously protected your hands with gloves.

If special tools are not available, you can use folk recommendations:

• used engine oil is the most economical option for car owners;
• solid oil is a universal agent for lubricating any metal products;
• graphite powder - you can use pencil shavings;
• gun oil - used under any temperature conditions;
• Litol - oil for bearings, but also suitable for front door fittings;
• sunflower oil - if there is no alternative;
• melted vegetable fat - used only in emergency situations.

Dependence of choice on the type of lock

The tool should be selected based on the type of locking device for the entrance door. For example, leveler systems are cleaned by dry cleaning. The oil easily absorbs dirt and metal shavings, which can cause damage to the device. Therefore, in this case, dry graphite dust is used.

Bronze cylinder locks for entrance doors require less lubrication. But the cheaper metal was used in the manufacture of the locking mechanism, the more carefully one should approach the selection of prophylactic agents.

How to lubricate the lock so as not to harm the mechanism

Before lubricating locking device the front door, you need to clean it. To do this, a cleaning fluid should be poured into the well. Remove all dirt with a key.

The door lock can now be greased. We fill in the product or inject (in the case of a spray) into the well. After waiting for a while, insert and turn the key again. Wipe off excess oil with a rag.

The effectiveness of lubrication depends on the correct choice of the product and the timeliness of the procedure. With regular prevention of the locking mechanism, it will last for more than a dozen years.