Here are some steps to take to care for the maintenance of your locks:  

• Perform a lock inventory – You should walk around your home and go into each room to figure out how many locks you have in each room and where they are located. Don’t forget your garage or any external locks that you might have. Don’t overlook the locks that are also on your windows. If there are any added security features in your home then you should also make note of those. This could be padlocks and door chains. You don’t need to do this every time you get ready to perform lock maintenance unless you have had some remodeling work performed and you now have additional locks. Also, if you have had any locks rekeyed; you’ll also want to make a note of these.
• Clean Your Locks – Now that you know where all of your locks are located, the next thing to do is to clean them. Even though this can be time consuming, it is very helpful to keep them working efficiently. As you clean them, you are able to double check to be sure that you didn’t miss any of your locks.
• Test Each Lock – As you work through your list you should also test them. This includes any attached parts, such as handles. They should be secure and sturdy and in good working condition. Make sure there are no loose screws or that the lock isn’t damaged in any way. If you notice that you have a lock that is damaged then you should contact our locksmiths in Atlanta to have them replaced. Check for missing screws to make sure there are none missing. Also, insert the appropriate key for each lock that requires them. If you have any trouble unlocking the lock then you may need to replace the lock. All of them should open without incident. Only use the original keys. Make sure that the lock doesn’t stick or make noise. If it doesn’t then you’ll need to clean and lubricate them. Check again, if the problem persists then have a new lock installed. If you are finding that you have to lift up the lock or push and pull the door or window to get it to open or close, this is a problem. This means that it is time to have the locks replaced. As you go along cleaning the locks and inspecting the functionality of each lock, make note of those that do not work efficiently so that you’ll know the ones to have replaced. 

Note that when you go for years without caring for your home locks, grime and dirt start to build up and this has an effect on your locking mechanisms, which causes them to stick. This can also contribute to other problems with your locks and shorten their length of effectiveness. Something as simple as performing routine maintenance on your locks can help prevent these problems from occurring. While it may seem like an inconvenience for you, it will be well worth it to know that your home is as secure as it can be.  

• Keys – If you are performing maintenance on your locks and you notice that the keys are not working in the locks then you should check the locks to figure out why they aren’t working. It could be that they simply need to be cleaned. If you have had a copy made, take back the original key and have another copy made. When duplicate keys are made from other duplicates, they are usually cut incorrectly. Use the original key whenever possible. This will ensure it is cut properly.