We had a great question via our ASK COUNTY WINDOWS service about the maintenance of door and window locks. Modern doors and windows are relatively low maintenance but with a little care now and again you can have a big impact on the longevity of your windows and doors extending their life and usability way beyond the guarantee.
Question:
Are we supposed to treat the locking mechanism Etc on your patio doors and windows and if so what do we use and how often?
Answer:
Yes, but as low maintenance products, once a year would be good frequency. If usage and situation causes excessive debris or build-up of grime, then more frequently. It’s a great question because it is important to use the correct type of maintenance products and adopt a method that does not damage locks or expose them to corrosion.
Here are some windows and door lock maintenance tips:
 – DO NOT use water to clean inside the locking mechanism as this will have corrosive potential.
– Â Keep the exterior of the locking mechanism free of dirt and grime using a nonabrasive cloth, the cloth can be a little damp but wipe dry, again with a nonabrasive cloth.
– Avoid using detergent, no need for washing up liquid or anything of the sort, persevere with a nonabrasive damp cloth and wipe dry.
– To keep the interior of the locking mechanism well maintained, avoid taking anything apart. It’s recommended that you use white lithium grease, in spray can form a little can be spayed towards the keyhole and a little sprayed on the actual key and then insert into the lock a few times cleaning the key and re-applying a little white lithium grease spray each time.
White lithium grease can be purchased from stores like Halfords for around £5.99 for a 400ml can but shop around for smaller, cheaper cans.
A little care goes a long, long way.
If you found this helpful then you may want to read our general windows, doors and conservatories maintenance guide
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