Safes can be constructed with high-quality, durable stainless steel, but this is no excuse for neglecting their care. If you’re interested in having a system that truly lasts a lifetime, proper safe maintenance is necessary.
If you’re wondering, how to do it properly? Then it’s time to review these safe care tips, both from professionals and those you should follow, which will surely come in handy.
What is the purpose of these safe care tips? Simple, to provide your most valuable objects and documents with the ideal space to preserve them.
What is safe maintenance?
Safe maintenance is the process of cleaning and repairing your security box to keep it in optimal condition. There are two types of care that can be performed:
Personal care, where you maintain the appearance and functionality of the safe.
Professional maintenance, which involves diagnosing potential future problems and ensuring the proper functioning of the security system.
While the first should be done once a week or monthly for deeper cleaning, the second can be done every six months.
4 practical tips for safe maintenance
Among the care you should take with your safe, there are some easy-to-follow tasks you can include in your general cleaning routine.
Let’s review some practical tips for proper safe maintenance and cleaning to ensure its durability and optimal performance:
Avoid mistreating the unit
Your safe may be made of very durable metal, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be affected by misuse. The use of abrasive objects can slowly damage the surface layer of your safe, and strong impacts when closing the door will wear down its individual components.
Even unnecessary pressure on the controls or improper use of the key can degrade your locking system and harm both the unit and the security it provides. How can this be fixed? By operating the unit wisely and providing excellent care just by handling it properly.
Basic cleaning and maintenance
Part of safe maintenance is keeping it clean. Both built-in and standalone safes need to have dust and other particles removed from them.
Cleaning isn’t complicated; it only requires wiping it down with a cloth. To remove the layer of dust on the outside, simply use a dry or slightly damp cloth and then dry it thoroughly.
The same procedure applies to the interior. It’s important to wipe down its compartments and shelves to keep all surfaces in perfect condition, extending the lifespan of the structure, lock, and overall system.
One important note is to avoid using polishes or solvents, as these can affect the integrity of the safe and cause greater deterioration either immediately or over time.
Oil bolts, hinges, and locks
When a safe shows signs of jamming, it’s possible that the lock and hinges are deteriorating due to particles or rust. Applying special oil to the bolts, hinges, or lock can help resolve this issue.
However, be careful. It’s important to consult the safe’s manual or speak directly to specialists before doing this. Part of caring for your safe is using the right products for its preservation.
Internal protection against moisture
We want our safes to protect the items and documents inside from external dangers. But what about internal dangers, such as moisture inside the safe?
Proper safe maintenance also involves keeping the interior environment ideal for preserving everything stored within. Moisture can be a significant issue when items are kept inside for extended periods.
The solution to this problem? Simple and homemade remedies like using small bags of baking soda, charcoal, or specialized products designed to absorb moisture in closed spaces.
Recommendations for professional safe maintenance
Now we move on to a crucial step in safe care, handled by professionals. Remember, modern safes, especially newer models, have more sophisticated security systems.
Given this, the care of the unit should be more comprehensive. To ensure your safe remains in the best condition, preventive maintenance is essential. If the safe shows any malfunctions, it should be repaired immediately to maintain its integrity.
What does corrective maintenance involve? Several things:
- Inspecting the entire unit, both its external and internal condition.
- Checking the functionality of the locking system, whether it’s a lock or security pins.
- Maintaining bolts, hinges, and locks.
- Verifying the locking system.
- Adjusting the locking mechanism.
- Checking the digital panel.
- Assessing the battery condition and replacing it if necessary.
- Testing the unit’s proper functioning at the end of the corrective check.
If the unit has any issues, the specialist should perform specific and general safe maintenance. In this case, they should address the initial problem and then conduct the same check that would be done in corrective maintenance after the primary issue is fixed.
A safe is a long-term investment. To keep it operating as needed, safe maintenance should reflect this.
Thus, the final recommendation is to perform regular safe maintenance and follow the original care instructions. This way, you can enjoy your safe without issues for much longer.
Still unsure how to take care of your safe or which one might be best for you? It’s time to call us. At Arcas Gruber, we have the variety you need at the price you want.