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Did you know that the temperature in your area can affect your home and vehicle locks? You may have noticed during inclement weather that your locks and keys may behave a little differently. There is a reason for this and it all has to do with the changing temperature, one direction or another. Both cold and hot temperatures can affect your locks in different ways. Not all of these affects are negative, but you should be aware of why they are happening. The following article will go over both hot and cold weather conditions and how these temperatures affect your locks. You will also learn some ways you can prevent inclement weather from negatively impacting your vehicle and home locks year-round.
Cold weather has some of the more damaging effects on locks compared to warmer weather. Colder weather causes most things to contract, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. For door locks and door frames, this means that the fit between the two will not be tight. Usually when this happens, there is space between the lock and the frame. This causes a misalignment and can make it difficult to lock and unlock one’s door.
Another problem with colder weather is that the locks freeze shut. This is especially common with car doors. If it gets rainy or snows and then temperatures freeze, one’s car door locks can become frozen shut. In the wintertime, it is not uncommon to have to yank a little harder to open one’s door once it has been unlocked in order to break the frozen seal that has built up around the handle and door.
Warm weather causes materials to expand. In warmer climates, one will have the opposite problem as colder climates when it comes to their locks. Rather than materials around the locks shrinking, they are bound to swell up. This can cause locks to jam, become misaligned, and generally not fit properly. One’s door frame, in particular, may have major issues and may prevent the door from closing in and fitting properly. These potential issues can make it impossible to secure your home.
Tackling the problem as soon as you notice it is the key to combating weather-related lock damage. It is recommended that you call a locksmith to assist you. If you are having issues securing your home, then you should definitely work with an expert. You may need to have the lock itself or other parts replaced. This is best done by someone who knows what they are doing and who is also familiar with how to best address and repair locks that have been damaged by heat, humidity, or freezing temperatures.
If you live in an area that has a milder or more consistent climate, you may not have to worry about how the weather affects your locks as much as other climates. However, it is still important to receive regular lock maintenance and inspections. Other conditions, such as humidity, can affect door locks. It is always a good idea to work with a professional in your area who is familiar with how the temperature and weather conditions there affect door locks.
Keep in mind that even just one particularly cold and wet or hot and humid season can affect your locks negatively. Even if temperatures are normally mild where you live, it cannot hurt to have regular check-ups and inspections of your locks just to make sure no problems are impending or going unnoticed.
You can take preventative measures to help reduce any damage caused to your locks by the weather, especially when it comes to your car. Because our vehicles may face the elements 24-hours a day, taking extra care to protect our vehicle locks is important. For those in colder weather, there are certain sprays and chemicals you can purchase that will help reduce humidity and water build-up around you locks to help them from freezing.
Making sure your vehicle and home locks are well lubricated is another great way to help combat weather-related problems. Lock lubrication can be done by a professional locksmith through routine lock maintenance appointments. If you are especially concerned about weather-related lock issues, it is best to have a professional locksmith help you. They can take a look at your locks and address any problems but also prevent new ones from turning up in the future.
During the summer, try to keep your home as well ventilated and dry as possible. Excess humidity can cause a lot of problems for your home locks. Keep areas near your front door and other locks as ventilated as possible. A dehumidifier may be helpful for certain homes or residential spaces if getting airflow to certain areas is difficult.
If you have any additional concerns or questions about your locks during cold or hot weather, be sure to call a locksmith. You can benefit from a personal consultation regarding your home or vehicle locks to make sure you are prepared for the next extreme season. Locksmiths are trained to look for problems that are just starting to present themselves, as well as fix long-standing issues that may threaten your safety and security. Trust an expert to give you the right recommendations and suggestions for replacing your locks or repairing weather damage that has already been done.
