I feel like I’ve been giving door and lock hardware way more love than safes here lately so I thought I’d even it out today. Our techs service a lot of safes for us and we receive a lot of calls where our service reps sit back and shake their heads while thinking, “Oh man, you could’ve avoided that…”
But that’s ok!
You can’t help what you don’t know!
That’s why we’re here.
So, today I have safe repair tips you can use in everyday life.
Safe Repair Tips: Simple Ways to Save Yourself Time and Money
Make Sure the Bolt Work Isn’t Extended
When you open the safe, the bolt work will automatically extend. This leaves a very important part of your safe vulnerable and exposed. If you forget to release the bolt work before you slam the door, I can almost guarantee the inner bolt work will slip out of alignment and screw up your safe.
This can result in having to have your bolt work repaired or replaced, which costs you money you didn’t plan on spending. This safe repair tip will save yourself and your safe the trouble. Remember to close your bolt work before you slam the door.
Close the Door
The door of a safe is particularly heavy. This is especially true for high-security and fire-resistant safes. These are typically made of steel and have an extra layer of protection on them adding even more weight. If the door is open for an extended period of time, it’s going to have a continuous pull on the hinges.
Do we know what this leads to?
You guessed it! Alignment issues.
Alignment issues on a safe are something I hope you never have to experience. They’re very expensive because the entire door has to be removed from the hinges to repair the alignment issue. This will cost a very pretty penny.
Do yourself a favor.
Close the door.
Electronic Keypads and Liquids Don’t Mix
This is a no brainer, but I’m going to point it out anyway because it seems to slip people’s minds… a lot.
You know what’s not crazy about electronic keypads?
They’re electric.
You know what doesn’t go with electricity?
Liquid.
This will screw up your keypad in a heartbeat so keep all of your liquids far, far away from your electronic keypad and you will be a much happier person. I promise.
Annually Serviced
Just like your car, your safe needs to be regularly serviced. Have a tech come out for a tune-up at least once a year and you’ll save yourself money in the long run to avoid safe repair issues.
Safe repair technicians will give it a good work-up and do everything from inspecting the alignment to ensuring the inner workings are in great working condition. If it’s a fireproof safe, they’ll check for any corrosion.
Trust me on this one.
Those are a few safe repair tips to help keep your safe in working condition to get a longer lifetime out of it. However, if you have more questions for me, feel free to click the link right here and contact me. I’d be happy to answer any questions you might have!
Hi, I have a sentry safe-I know-with a key lock and combo and I cna’t get in. the key lock is out. Sentry told me to call a locksmith to drill it out but i don’t want it damaged. i have tried magnets,paper clips and no results-i do hear a hum after i put in the combo and get a green light pull the handle down and nothing.
Any ideas??/ I appreciate your help–thanks
Hello Lois.
Thank you for your comment. If I understand your problem correctly, the key override is physically no longer connected to the safe and when you enter your code you hear a hum but the door doesn’t open.
Sentry is correct about your need to hire a reputable local safe technician to assist you. Sentry safes are made to be used until they fail and then discarded in most cases.
Prior to contacting a professional in your area, I suggest installing fresh/new Duracell batteries and trying again. Many times the batteries that are installed lose power and are unable to fully engage the solenoid in the safe. Off brand batteries, although they may be new, don’t have the same voltage and amperage output needed for operating the lock efficiently.
Since it sounds like your safe has been damaged in some way, I would suggest purchasing another safe. There are a variety of safe manufacturers with lower priced models but these safes are seldom available at big box stores. I suggest contacting a reputable safe and lock company in your area to check on availability and prices for a sturdier and more reliable replacement.
Thank you again for your comment and I hope you’re able to get your safe open.
All the best to you.