You've decided to upgrade to a digital lock? That's great! Our consultants have found you the right model, and our installation team have completed your home or office improvement project. Now, it's time to sit back and enjoy the added convenience and security that come with a digital lock. It opens, pun intended, new ways to secure and provide access to your home or office. With its warranty, you can also enjoy peace-of-mind should defects rear their ugly and annoying head. Digital locks can take a beating and keep going--built tough, it's their job. However, everything needs a little TLC, R&R or maintenance, because even seemingly indestructible tech has a breaking point.
With a bit of effort, you can keep your smart digital lock working well. But how do you maintain your digital lock? Well, we've got 5 quick and easy maintenance tips for you.
Change your batteries often
'How often?' you ask. Our consultants who are a wealth of knowledge on digital locks recommend changing them every 6–8 months instead of waiting for a low battery indication. Firstly, it prevents last-minute headaches, especially if you're going to be away for an extended period--like a holiday when the COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions ease🙃
Another reason to change your digital lock's batteries often is to prevent old batteries from leaking and damaging the lock's internal hardware. It's happened to everyone who's had a remote control. We forget to change it for a year(s), and when you decide to change it, corroded batteries greet you and fluid gets all over your hands. If you're lucky, the internal hardware isn't damaged. However, battery fluid is corrosive, so it's better to err of the side of safety and save yourself the headache of getting your digital lock repaired. Or worst, buying a new one.
Use the right batteries for your digital lock
Staying on the topic of batteries, using the correct batteries is just as important. Digital locks are designed to be user-friendly, and their use of AA alkaline batteries (1.5v) is part of their user-friendliness. AA alkaline batteries are widely available in Singapore and wherever you may be. From the convenience store under your HDB block to the neighbourhood big-chain supermarket (e.g., NTUC Fairprice). As some brands of batteries are better than others, we recommend the following brands:
Types of batteries you shouldn't use and why
Now that you know which batteries to use, we thought it'd be good to know which you shouldn't use. These are the types of batteries we don't recommend:
- High-voltage batteries (e.g., lithium-ion batteries)
- Rechargeable batteries
Most electronic devices function at a specific voltage range, and using high-voltage batteries that surpass your digital lock's range can overload and damage its motherboard.
Rechargeable batteries, on the other hand, while convenient, are prone to leaking after prolonged usage due to wear and tear. To summarise, we highly advise sticking with the simple and humble AA alkaline batteries to avoid incurring unnecessary costs.
Clean your digital lock every 6 months
As a general rule of thumb, we recommend performing general mortise (a.k.a., grooves or pocket that's been cut out for the digital lock to fit a door or gate) maintenance every 6 months. All you'll need is WD-40, which is widely available across Singapore.
Every 6 months may seem like a lot, especially if you're not one to clean locks. However, Singapore's humid conditions and the weather are leading culprits in the wear and tear. Whether it's shoes that you leave along HDB corridors or your flat's digital lock, our climate is enemy #1. WD-40 or any mechanical lubricant keeps things running smoothly, literally, and creates a protective layer.
Do not slam your gate or door, and consider installing a door closer
Is your lock designed to take a beating? Yes, it is, but not repeated or frequent episodes of high impact. Think of it this way, the latest smartphones are stress-tested to take a beating too, but you wouldn't drop yours on the floor just because its spec-sheet said it could. At Liminal we highly recommend installing door closers (a mechanical device that helps prevent your door slamming) and have it as a necessary addition when installing digital locks on wooden doors--not doing so may render your warranty void.
Align your gate or door properly before installing your digital lock
Whether installing your digital lock on a door or gate, it's essential to ensure everything is aligned. A misaligned door or gate is akin to building your home or office's security on shaky foundations. The digital lock won't solve the pre-existing issues, and, likely, your digital lock won't function well. Misalignment will cause your digital lock to consume more energy (as mechanisms overcome more friction) and lead to accelerated wear and tear.
4 simple ways to maintain your digital lock
- Change your batteries every 6–8 months
- Use AA alkaline batteries
- Clean and lubricate your digital lock every 6 months
- Don't slam your gate or door, and consider installing a door closer
- Ensure your gate or door is properly aligned
With these 4 easy-to-follow digital lock maintenance tips, you'll be able to reduce headaches, unnecessary costs and enjoy peace-of-mind. If in doubt, feel free to message us on Facebook or call us for a free consultation.
