The Impact of Weather on Your Locks and How to Protect Them

Do you ever think about how weather and changing temperatures can cause locks to jam and not work? Understanding how weather conditions can significantly impact the functionality and reliability of door locks is key to maintaining security in your home or business.

One of the most common issues regarding faulty locks is weather. Extreme weather affects locks in your home or business, especially humidity, which can cause lock issues.

Even keyless locks are affected by rising temperatures, causing doorways to expand and swell, putting a squeeze on the deadbolt locks, resulting in them becoming stuck. Temperature changes significantly cause the metal to expand and contract.

If you’re having issues with your locks, consider how extreme temperatures can impact your locks. Don’t let extreme weather conditions compromise your security. Locksmith United offers residential locksmith services and regular maintenance to help protect your locks from extreme weather conditions.

This blog will show you how to avoid rust, corrosion, and weather damage so that you can turn the key quickly every time, regardless of weather conditions, and increase the longevity of your locks. Here’s the takeaway:

Weather Patterns

Cold and hot weather can lead to more damage, especially with swelling and contraction of wooden doors, locks, and most door-hardware components. For expert advice and tips on protecting your locks from direct exposure to the elements and changing weather,  call a professional locksmith for all weather-related lock issues.

Heat and Humidity

Changes in temperature can lead to loss of performance of your locks. With time, heat and humidity will lead to rust in locks. To keep your locks working, you should inspect them regularly to see if there are any issues with locks in your home. 

Hot weather and humidity cause swelling and moisture buildup inside the lock. When exposed to the elements, locks regularly need maintenance from a professional locksmith who will help you protect your locks. 

• Warping: Doors made with wooden frames can warp in extreme heat, which affects the alignment of the lock and door, resulting in operational issues.Ice buildup also bends hinges and jams locks. Try using a hairdryer on low heat to gently reshape warped areas.
• Misalignment: When metal parts expand in extreme heat, it will affect the alignment of the lock and the door and result in operational issues.You’ll end up with stuck keys, gaps that compromise your home security and unlatched deadbolts.For any sort of misalignment issues, you’ll need to use residential locksmith services for realignment.
• Rust: Rust comes about with rain and humidity. Rain and moisture react with iron and steel components in locks, even with lubrication. This can be from condensation (temperature changes when days are hot and evenings cold)), high humidity, or fluctuations in weather, which can also contribute to how your lock mechanism works. Consider installing weather-resistant locks in coastal areas and regularly check your locks, especially if they are challenging to turn.
• Mechanical Failure:  Weather affects your locks, pins, springs, and latches and has an impact on locks and internal mechanisms. It’s essential to keep your locks lubricated with silicone-based lubricants like WD-40 to repel water and keep parts moving. Weatherproof locks offer resistance to weather damage and extreme temperatures and help with the functionality of your locks regardless of where you live.

Winter Moisture and Corrosion

Cold weather can be just as damaging to locks as extreme heat. This is because, in colder climates, the metal components of locks contract. Temperature affects all locks exposed to snow and ice, and by understanding how weather can impact a lock entirely and lead to problems,  you can work with an expert locksmith to avoid weather-related lock issues.

Cold weather can make it difficult to turn the key and affect the functionality of your locks. The lock may freeze from the ice and snow. This can also affect even things like lubricants, which can thicken or freeze and affect the performance of the lock.

Brittle Materials: If you’re dealing with freezing temperatures, the metal components of outdoor locks can become brittle and can cause the lock to break when using force.

Frozen Block Pins: Water can get into the different parts of the locks and freeze the entire lock, making it inoperable until it thaws.

Lock Spring Stiffening: Extreme cold temperatures can cause locks to freeze and stiffen, making it difficult to lock or unlock smoothly.

Key Jamming: When water or condensation freezes around the lock, it will impact the functionality of your locks, not allowing them to lock properly. Metal locks will shrink, making it difficult to turn. It’s important to inspect your locks and check for dirt and grime that can clog pins and cylinders when frozen.

How to Prevent Weather Damage on Locks

Excessive heat or extreme cold results in weather damage to your locks and can leave you locked out of home. Humidity, freezing temperatures, rain, and even salt air can result in rusty, stuck keys and costly replacements.

According to the News Channel Nebraska, SouthEast,” weatherproofing your locks can save you a lot of trouble and extend their lifespan.”You can protect your locks by doing the following:

• Lubricate Regularly: Use a silicone-based lubricant like WD-40 every 6 months.” It’s a good idea to lubricate your locks at least once every six months. However, if you live in an area with extreme weather conditions, you might need to do it more frequently,” explains News Channel Nebraska, SouthEast.While you do this, check all your locks for wear and tear.
• Clean & Inspect: Do this with residential locksmith services or use a soft brush and isopropyl alcohol. If you’re in a snowy area, always rinse your locks with warm water to remove road salt.
• Address Rust Early-On: Use white vinegar or any commercial rust cleaner if you see rust on your locks. If you detect severe corrosion, call for residential locksmith services.
• Call for Residential Locksmith Services: If you want help to maintain your locks and prevent water damage and rust, call a professional locksmith.
• Use Weatherproof Locks: Work with your locksmith and opt for stainless steel, brass, or marine-grade locks. This can prevent glitches like stuck keys, same-day emergency locksmiths, and most lock issues. Keep in mind that weatherproof locks resist salt air and humidity- so no more frantic lock-outs from water damage, rust, and seasonal wear.

Final Thoughts

If you find that your door frame has warped or there’s dirt and grime trapped inside the lock, call Locksmith United to get residential locksmith services without damage to the locks.

Your locksmith may need to install a new lock entirely to gain entry if you’ve had plenty of temperature fluctuations and have key-to-turn issues. 

Things like rust, corrosion, constriction, and expansion can lead to you being stuck out of home. Call us at Locksmith United to ensure that your locks are made of weather-resistant material, which will prevent corrosion and “seizing up” of locks.