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- Email: info@lockguy.co.uk
Lock Guy is a professional, independent locksmith based in Essex that operates on a 24/7 basis, 365 days a year. Working as a locksmith all year round means being exposed to all weathers and temperatures and, whilst being a locksmith is not particularly a seasonal profession, there are certain patterns that do tend to develop throughout the year and distinct seasonal lock problems.
Cold weather can cause locking mechanisms to fail due to moisture build-up and parts becoming frozen.
The lubricant that enable smooth movement can harden making mechanisms brittle and prone to component breakage.
In frozen conditions, it is not uncommon to have an increase in incidents of broken keys in locks.
This is because the lock barrel may have some resistance due to the low temperature and the key may not be that strong, so it snaps – especially if there is already some damage on the key.
As frozen water expands, it can negatively interfere with the operation of a locking mechanism. So you should make sure that your door or window does not allow water ingress.
As the weather tends to get a bit nicer, doors and windows are potentially opened for the first time in many months.
This sudden activity can lead to problems being revealed, for example, the window will not open, the lock mechanism fails or things have become misaligned and it is not possible to lock the door.
As a result, Spring tends to be a busier time for domestic locksmiths.
The basic rule is that as it gets hotter, then this leads to the expansion of metal. If your lock is in direct sunlight or exposed to high heat for a sustained period, then you may find that the lock becomes more difficult to operate or does not operate at all.
Sometimes cooling it down with cold water can cause the expanded part to contract enough to overcome the immediate problem.
Misalignment problems can also occur due to the heat. But this is only really evident if the door was not fitted very well or it has dropped over time. There should be enough tolerance to allow for heat expansion. So normally some basic adjustments can make it work again regardless of the heat issue.
Typically we associate wetter weather with this time of year. Rain can cause problems. The most common type of issue around this time of year is that the wet conditions cause wooden doors to swell. This makes them difficult to open and close and can mean that the lock no longer easily goes into it’s locking point in the door frame. In such situations, the door sometimes needs to be planed or sanded, or that the hinges need to be adjusted.
The other issue caused by rain is corrosion. Over time and exposure metal parts may rust and then weaken. Rust can also result in mechanisms becoming seized. Always lubricate mechanisms and replace any rusty fixings.
When the weather is more pleasant there tends to be more of a focus on outbuildings, garages, sheds and gates as people are outside more and wanting to complete projects around the home and garden and may want to improve the security on these places.
The nicer weather means people are out and about more meaning more likelihood of getting calls from people who are locked out.
Burglary rates are often higher in nicer weather as people tend to leave windows open more which is a target for an opportunist burglar.
As a working locksmith, there are various advantages and disadvantages of different times of the year. When the weather is colder and more inclement, then there are challenges around keeping tools dry and keeping fingers warm. You also find yourself working in the dark more which presents increased difficulties regarding locating addresses and seeing inside the property during lockouts.
During the Summer months, it can be very pleasant to work outdoors. Although if you are faced with a seized and locked door in a conservatory, the conditions can get very oppressive!
Locks are complex mechanisms and they rely on the movement of various metal components to do their job – so the weather can have an effect on them and create seasonal lock problems.
It is always a good idea to check them twice a year to ensure that there is sufficient lubricant and that the moving parts actually do move freely.
If you find that it is getting difficult to lift the handle, turn the key and open/close the door, then it is probably a good idea to contact your local reputable professional locksmith as this is a sign of a problem.
It is not advisable to leave these types of problems, as it is likely that something will eventually fail and it will probably be at the most inconvenient time perhaps leaving you locked out – or even locked in!
Regardless of the time of year, if you have a lock related requirement in Essex (Witham, Maldon, Tiptree, Chelmsford, Colchester or all towns and villages around and in between), then contact Lock Guy!
Got a question about a lock issue you may have? Why not have a look at the FAQ page or one of the helpful advice videos on the Media page.