How weather changes affect door locks

Changes in the weather can wreak havoc on so many things, and your door locks are one of them. Extreme temperatures at either end of the thermometer can cause problems or even damage to your locks. Welby Locksmith wants to share some ways your locks can be affected by the weather, when you can might be able to deal with lock problems yourself, and when to call us (or your local provider) for some expert help.

Problems in the summer heat

When the weather heats up, things tend to expand. Doors and door frames are not immune to the effects of the heat, and both are prone to expanding. When a door or a door frame expands, it can cause the locks to stick. A deadbolt lock is especially susceptible to becoming compressed as the door swells. The type of material that the door is made of makes a difference too. Wooden doors are much more likely to expand than other materials. Finally, high temps can even have the potential to distort keys, rendering them unable to be used in a lock. All of these things, whether on their own or happening in combination with one another, can make locking and unlocking your doors in hot weather problematic at best and impossible at worst.

Problems in the winter cold

It’s not just the heat of the summer that can cause problems with your locks. The cold of the winter is actually harder on doors than the heat is. Problems are more widespread the lower the temperature goes, especially when it dips below the freezing point. There are two main problems that happen in locks in the cold weather. The first is that locks can freeze. As the temperature drops below freezing, the potential is created for any moisture that has found its way into your locks to freeze. This renders the lock totally useless, making it impossible for you to open it. If it’s your car door lock that’s frozen, it’s likely that your remote opener on your key fob won’t work either since the system is freezing up, not just the place where you put the key. Sometimes you can fix the issue by briefly heating your key over an open flame (like a lighter) and then putting it into the lock. The heat of the key should be able to melt the frozen lock, allowing you to enter your car or home.

The second thing that happens in cold weather is that locks can contract. Cold temperatures tend to make thing contract or get smaller, and locks are no exception. As discussed above when the doors expand due to summer heat, contraction of the door or door frame in extreme cold can likewise cause a poor fit between the lock and the door, and make it impossible for you to get your key in and turn it. If it’s a regular door to your house, you might be able to pull on the door hard enough from the outside to make a difference, but that’s not a permanent solution and repeatedly yanking on the door can cause the problem to worsen.

Preventative measures for keeping locks working properly

Just because the temperature can swing so far during the year doesn’t mean that your locks will automatically suffer because of it. There are several things you can do to make sure that your locks are protected so they continue to work in all different types of weather.

Lubricate your locks on a regular basis. Oiling your locks at regular intervals throughout the year will keep them functioning well and stop them from freezing.

Consider replacing wooden doors with a more durable option. From fiberglass to steel and everything in between, there are many options for doors that will hold up better than wood and be less affected by the weather, thereby having less of an effect on the door’s locks. Shop around and find the one that is the right fit in look and price for you.

Park your car in a protected area whenever you can. Particularly when the weather gets cold, you want to try and park your car in a garage. Doing so will protect it from the elements, and make it less likely that water could enter your lock system and freeze it.

Work with a reputable locksmith when installing door locks or dealing with problems. Properly trained locksmiths know how to deal with all of the issues that weather can create for locks. Our business is a full-service locksmith, trained and available 24/7 to help solve all of your lock problems, whether they’re residential, commercial, or automotive. Working with them when your lock becomes problematic because of the extreme weather can help not only fix the problem faster now, but reduce the odds that you’ll need to do another repair in the near future.

When to call a locksmith

There are times when you can try to take care of your weather-related lock problems by yourself, and there are times to call the professionals at Welby Locksmith (or the professionals based in your local area). Call them when you know that heat has caused a problem for your locks. If your doors have expanded, you may need to have your locks refitted entirely in order to fix them. Call a locksmith when your door locks are frozen. If you really can’t wait until one arrives, you can try heating the key as described above, but that has the potential to damage your lock. Finally, you definitely need to call a locksmith if the fix for any weather-related issues has you taking the lock apart and putting it back together. That’s a job to leave for the professionals.

Take the time to educate yourself on what can happen to your locks in extreme temperatures and how you plan to handle those problems if they arise. And definitely take a few seconds to put the number of your local lock and security provider into your phone. Your safety and security might depend on it.