How Does Temperature Affect Door Locks?

Unfortunately, your locks could be affected by the seasonal circles to give you frustrating experience when you’re back from the holidays. You probably have not thought about the effects of warmer temperature on door locks, but the truth is that you need to get prepared with the tips shared by professionals from Top Atlanta Locksmith company.

However, before we dive in, you need to call expert locksmiths if you start having problems with your residential, commercial and auto locks. We will arrive at your location with a fully-stocked truck manned by a highly trained and certified locksmith to assist you in getting into your house, or office.

Effects on locks during summer

Increasing temperatures can cause the wood and the metallic components of doors to expand thereby making it jam frequently. In some instances, the deadbolts can become difficult to turn, or your keys might get stuck on the locks.

The swelling of the wood due to the increase of humidity as we approach spring can make the closed deadbolts hard to open. During extreme temperatures, you could find it difficult to operate your locks.

During the winter

The manifestation of lock defects is predominant during the cold months of the year. This is because the colder temperatures absorb moisture from the atmosphere and wooden material is highly affected because they will begin to shrink and close in around the locks.

The deadbolts malfunction during winter due to the contractions of door frames. You will notice that it is usually more difficult to turn the key in a deadbolt when trying to lock or unlock exterior doors.

As the temperature drops, the exterior doors may get worse. However, it is not advisable to forcefully break your locks because your security will become vulnerable to intruders.

Effects on car locks

Car locks are highly affected during cold temperatures, and such a situation could be frustrating when you’re in a hurry. It will become almost impossible for the keys to turn inside the car locks and in some situations decreasing temperatures could affect the remote door opener.

You could unfreeze the locks by using open flames to heat it, but you need to be very careful if you have a remote start function or a transponder key, it’s good to start the engine for a while before hitting the road.

Preventative measures

We suggest the following preventive measures that will ensure that your locks function efficiently during season circles.

Lock maintenance is the key

Always ensure that you oil your locks (especially during summer). Your locks will be easier to turn during harsh weather conditions because the effects of friction will be minimal.

Replace wooden exterior doors. Rising humidity levels affect wooden exterior doors, so you need to consider replacing them with more durable options like fiberglass, aluminum or steel.

Allow professional locksmiths to install your locks. Certified locksmith will ensure that the locks are properly fitted to the door.

Call expert locksmith at Top Atlanta Locksmith for lock installation in your residential and office location.