In the Ottawa region we experience both extreme heat and cold months throughout the year – unfortunately that means that there are some things you should consider doing to prevent any common weather related issues that can happen. We will be covering what effects both the hot and cold weather can have on your door locks and some of our preventative measures that we recommend our customers take into consideration to preserve your locks throughout the year.
Hot Weather:
As temperatures warm up in the summer, many homeowners and business owners experience jammed locks. This usually affects exterior doors, as increasing temperatures can cause the door to expand slightly. As a result, locks can become difficult to turn or get stuck in one position.
This effect is more common in the following situations:
- For closed deadlocks, which are compressed in the door as the door frame swells around it.
- For wooden exterior doors and door frames, because wood material is more prone to swelling and contracting in extreme temperatures.
Cold Weather:
Lock problems often manifest themselves during the cold months of the year. When temperatures fall below freezing, the door frame tends to contract. This causes a poor fit between the lock and the door itself.
This effect is more common in the following situations:
- For wooden exterior doors and/or door frames, which are affected by the rising humidity levels.
- For door frames made of wood which tends to contract in colder temperatures.
You may find that it’s difficult to turn the key in a deadbolt when locking or unlocking exterior doors. For a quick fix, try pulling in on the door handle from the outside to re-center the lock within the door frame. However, this shouldn’t be considered a permanent solution, as it will likely get worse over time and eventually make it impossible to lock or unlock the door.
Preventative Measures:
Fortunately, there are some preventative measures you can take to avoid these issues.
- Whenever you have new locks installed, be sure you’re working with one of our experienced locksmiths. We will ensure that the lock is properly fitted to the door frame, thus reducing problems with the changing weather.
- Take the time to maintain locks by oiling regularly. This will make it easier to turn—even when the weather changes. To lubricate properly, you’ll need to take the lock apart first.
- Keep the lock dry. Ensure that overhangs, eaves, and gutters are sufficient to keep rain and snow away from the door.
Different Ways Weather Affects Your Electronic Door Locks?
Electronic locks are becoming increasingly popular in the business world for both their security features and convenience. One of the advantages of Electronic locks is that they’re not impacted by many of the issues that standard locks are during cold snaps and heatwaves.
The main advantages of electronic locks are that you can program the entry system and review time-stamped access activity whenever it’s convenient. In residential settings, homeowners can program electronic systems to give access to roommates, guests, children, or delivery services, just to name a few examples.
There are some important factors to consider, however, related to the effect that seasonal weather changes have on electronic locks. These include battery drain, mechanical issues and jammed buttons. Find out more about these issues which can impact the functionality and performance of all kinds of lock systems.
Here are some of the ways that weather can affect keyless locks:
- Battery Drain
- Mechanical Issues
- Jammed Push Buttons
When to Call a Locksmith
If extreme hot or cold temperatures have made it difficult for you to operate the exterior door locks at your home or business, they may need to be re-fitted within the frame. This is a job best left to a professional locksmith, as it will likely involve fully removing the door and modifying it to ensure a perfect fit. Depending on the condition of the existing lock, it may be time to replace it altogether.
Give us a call if you have any issues with your locks and locking systems.
613-591-0909 or ken@trumaxsecurity.ca