Mansfield Locksmith: How Weather Changes Affect Door Locks

We all know how important locks are. They protect our valuables and they keep us and our family safe. Locks are what stand between us and burglars and thieves. The problem is that most people only pay attention to the state of their locks when there is a problem. Most people replace locks when they malfunction or when they are no longer working as they should. But did you know that weather can have adverse effects on locks as well? In some cases, even new locks may have problems when it’s too hot or too cold outside. And the reality is that a lock that suddenly malfunctions can cause a lot of problems.

Weather Changes Cause All Sorts of Problems

Weather can affect locks and cause a lot of problems. There have been many cases where locks have stopped working when temperatures dropped below zero. Also, some locks stopped working when the weather was too hot. And it’s not just the locks on your front door that are malfunctioning. The locks on your vehicle may suddenly stop working as well. The humidity, moisture and temperature of the outside air all play a role. When the conditions are right, your locks will start to malfunction. And this can cause a lot of problems:

• You will suddenly experience a lockout. You will not be able to get into your vehicle or into your home.
• The locks may be less secure and may open immediately when someone attempt to use the bumping technique on them.
• The door lock may simply break when you turn the key in it. Your key will become stuck and the door will remain shut. 
• You will sometimes be unable to lock the door behind you. In other words, you will struggle with the lock every morning, usually arriving late to work.

Who would want to put up with these problems? Nobody! However, few people know that weather can cause locks to malfunction and behave strangely. Let’s take a look at why this is happening and what you can do to prevent problems.

Hot Summer Months

During the summer months, when temperatures are high, many homeowners experience lockouts or have to deal with jammed locks. Why? There are many causes for these problems. In most cases, the problems are caused by the door frame that is expanding due to the high temperatures. This expanding causes the lock to get stuck. And according to various locksmith experts, solving the problem is not as easy as you may think. Locking and unlocking locks that are malfunctioning requires a lot of time and effort in most cases. Closed deadbolt locks are most prone to suffering this problem during the summer months. Wooden doors are also a lot more likely to have problems with high temperatures and with high humidity because wood swells and contracts according to the outside temperature and humidity.

Cold Winter Months

During cold winter months, lock problems are caused again by the contracting of the door frame. This contracting forces the lock into an unnatural position and it usually gets stuck. Again, unlocking a door when the lock is having this problem is quite difficult. The services of locksmiths are usually required to get the door opened or to lock it properly. Deadbolt locks are prone to having this problem when temperatures fall below zero. In some cases, the locks can freeze due to low temperatures and high humidity. You will simply be unable to turn the key in the lock. This can happen quite frequently to vehicles and it’s very frustrating. A simple fix is to warm the lock a bit or to use a solution designed to unfreeze locks.  When you notice that your locks are having problems during the winter months, you need to get in touch with a locksmith and fund a solution. If you postpone fixing the problem, it will only get worse. You will eventually be unable to lock or unlock the door, which can be a very serious problem.

How to Prevent Problems With Locks

There is no doubt that having problems with your locks due to weather conditions is very frustrating. However, you can take some measures to prevent this from happening. The first thing you need to do is get in touch with an experienced locksmith. He or she can make sure the locks are properly fitted to the door frame. Changes in the weather should not affect the lock. Of course, if the lock is damaged, a locksmith can replace it with a brand new one that works perfectly. Another option that is very useful at preventing lock problems due to bad weather is to replace wooden doors with steel or fiberglass doors. This may not be a very cheap option, but keep in mind that steel doors are a lot more reliable and secure than wooden doors. You are investing into protecting your home, your family, and your valuables.

Another solution is to keep the locks lubricated and in perfect working order. For this, you need to work with a professional locksmith. These people are insured, licensed and certified to deal with all kinds of locks. Remember that locksmiths know how to make sure that your locks are in perfect working order. For example, a locksmith from Mansfield Locksmith in Mansfield, TX can come to you and inspect all the locks on your property. We can quickly show you which locks require lubrication and which locks are going to have problems during the winter or summer months. Locksmiths also know how to work with automotive locks, so don’t hesitate to call such an expert when you are having some problems with the locks on your car doors. A locksmith can quickly get the car door or the car trunk unlocked. If the problems are caused by a damaged lock, a locksmith can replace it with a perfectly functional lock. And remember, lock and key experts are affordable and will not overcharge you in most cases if you are having an emergency. In most cases, you will be able to reach an expert even in the middle of the night. Choose us if you are local to our service area!


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