Spring is the perfect time to review your primary home or holiday home protection. Security barriers like aluminium louvre shutters fortify your home against both break-ins and extreme weather. Warmer weather increases their worth because they keep us safe while we open doors and windows to enjoy the season. Barriers must be in top condition to protect us, so here is a checklist to spring clean them for peace of mind as we move into summer.
Spring Security Checklist
1. Inspect all Protective Barriers
Start by doing a visual inspection of your louvre shutters and other burglar proofing like sliding gates. Check if there are any dents or damage to the bars, slats, or louvres. Operate each shutter and gate slowly through its full cycle. Make sure that all parts move freely.
Uneven movement or misalignment could mean an imbalance that needs fixing. If a shutter feels skewed, is difficult to open or close, or the louvres don’t tilt smoothly, the unit may need adjustment. Anything mechanically worrying may need to be checked by your supplier.
Do an inventory of all the keys that were originally supplied with the security shutters and gates. Do you know where all the keys are? Do the keys still work smoothly in each lock? Your original security barrier supplier should be able to provide replacement keys. Or if keys are lost, they can change the locks for you and provide new keys.
Any concerns should be easily sorted out by the company that installed your door and window barriers. Contact them well before the start of summer so that you can open up doors and windows to the warmer weather, safely behind your barrier security.
2. Shutters and Other Security Barriers
Trellidor Shutterview louvre shutters are easy to clean because they have a high quality surface finish. As with all Trellidor security barriers, they’re treated to resist corrosion, scratching, chipping, wearing and discolouration from UV-rays. A simple cleaning process gets them summer-ready and looking as good as new.
To clean aluminium security shutters and other protective door and window barriers, use a soft cotton cloth and a premium quality (salt free) car wash liquid. Mix the washing liquid with water according to the directions. Don’t use dishwashing liquids, washing powders, or thinners because these could damage the surface of the shutter or burglar proofing.
You may need to use a soft nylon bristle brush like a dishwashing brush to loosen grime, especially in hard to reach areas. Dust, sand, and cobwebs can be vacuumed out if necessary. Dry the unit with a soft cotton cloth or chamois after cleaning.
The cleaning process should be carried out every six months if your home is more than 10km away from the sea. In coastal areas (or very dusty regions) it should be done more regularly. The recommendation is a minimum of twice a month if your permanent or holiday home is 500m from the sea. The gap between ideal cleaning intervals increases to every two or three months if the property is 5km to 10km away from the coast.
3. Lubrication and Hardware Maintenance
Security shutter features like hinges, handles, and other hardware may need some maintenance. Like any other fixture or fitting that is used frequently, there may be signs of wear and tear than need attention.
One of the benefits of Trellidor security shutters is that they don’t have any handles. The louvres are hand-tilted to your preferred position for the perfect amount of sunlight, fresh air, and privacy from neighbours. There are no external rods or levers to get damaged through everyday use. All the driving mechanisms are hidden inside the shutters.
But they do have hinges and locks that should be inspected, and some security shutter configurations have additional moving parts. Bi-fold and sliding security shutters, for example, have hinge points inside the channel sections and the top tracks that need lubrication.
To do this, use a lubricating spray. Remember to read the warnings on the label as these sprays are highly flammable. They must not be ingested, and they are irritating to eyes and skin. Make sure you know what to do in the event of an accident.
Spray the lubricant directly onto the shutter or security gate from a distance of about 20cm. Then wipe the entire unit using a clean cotton cloth. Never spray any lubricant into the keyhole of the lock cylinder where the key fits. Wipe off the excess residue. The lubricating spray forms a protective barrier against moisture and contamination by airborne pollutants.
If you haven’t cleaned your security shutters for a long time, they may have become stiff, dry, and difficult to operate. In this case, apply a second coat of lubricant and wipe off the excess with the soft cloth.
4. Review all Other Security Measures
As part of your spring security audit, check your other security measures as well as the burglar proofing.
- If you have security cameras and motion detectors, check that the lenses are clean and free from spiders and webs.
- Test the battery back-up for any electronic security measures to put your mind at rest that they’ll work even without power.
- At night, walk around your property to see if all the external lighting is working as it should. Fix anything that isn’t.
- While you’re doing your outdoors inspection, look at your home from a robber’s perspective. Are there any unsecured areas that they’d see as an easy entry point? Get these protected as quickly as possible for peace of mind once summer arrives.
- Trim shrubs and trees so that there are no hiding places for intruders to wait in until the moment they decide to break in.
- Get a tidy-up routine going to put away loose items like garden tools, toys, and bins everyday so that opportunistic thieves can’t use them to break into your home.
Have a Safe Summer after your Spring Clean-up
In this security checklist we’ve focussed on the benefits and features of security shutters and how to get them ready for summer during the spring season. These tips are not limited to louvre security shutters. They apply to all types of barrier security: roller shutters, retractable security gates for doors and windows, mesh security screens, and burglar bars of all types.
If you follow the same inspection and cleaning guidelines, you’ll set yourself up for a safer summer. But if you have any doubts about how secure your permanent or holiday homes are, contact Trellidor for a security assessment. It’s a free service and well worth doing to make sure you are not vulnerable to crime while you enjoy the warmer weather.
