How Weather Affects Your Locks

Everyone has heard of locks becoming old and developing rust over the years. However, one of the things that many people do not pay much attention to is when the locks develop issues due to the weather or temperature outside. Unfortunately, these things can adversely affect the way that your locks operate. At 24 Hour Montebello Locksmith in Montebello, CA, we often have to explain to our clients, why their locks are not working. Many are surprised to hear that it has something to do with the weather or temperature outside.

During the spring and summer when temperatures are generally warmer outside, humidity and moisture in the air begin to affect the way your locks work. What happens is that the door begins to expand and this eventually will wedge the door lock. This is what makes it hard to get the lock to turn without putting too much pressure on the lock. Locks that are affected most often are the exterior locks; although interior locks can also be difficult to unlock when there is too much humidity in the air. It is also more common with the hardware of wooden doors. They are more susceptible to hotter temperatures.

Colder weather affects door locks even more than hot weather. The doorframes will expand during the hotter weather but in the colder weather, they compress. This usually occurs when the temperature drops below freezing. This will prevent the lock mechanisms from aligning themselves properly, thus preventing them from locking and unlocking properly. Our locksmiths often find this problem with vehicle hardware. However, this problem does not only have an affect on the doors locking mechanism but in most cases, the cold weather will seal the door shut. This, no doubt, will make it very difficult to open the car door.

In order to prevent too many issues with the weather affecting your door locks, it might be a good idea to replace your wooden doors with a steel or fiberglass door. When the locks of these doors are routinely lubricated you are less likely to experience a problem with your locks. If you still experience problems with your locks due to temperature changes, it is probably a good idea to rely on a good and qualified locksmith who can get to the bottom of the problem. They will also be able to identify the cause of the problem and offer you a solution.

Finding a Good Locksmith

Finding a good locksmith who won’t just take your money and run can be a little more challenging than you think. No doubt you want a locksmith who knows what they are doing and one that is trustworthy and honest. The only way for you to find one that fits this bill is to make sure you do your research ahead of time. Just think about it, it you hate the idea of being locked out of your car or home, wouldn’t you want to avoid this if possible. One sure way to do this is by seeking professional help for your problem with your locks.

Unfortunately, problems will occur due to changes in the weather. The weather isn’t something that even the best locksmith can change. However, a good locksmith will be able to determine why you are experiencing the problem that you are experiencing and provide you with a suitable resolution.

One of the things that we would suggest that you should do is to start online. Check the online review websites to find out what others are saying about local Montebello, CA locksmiths. You should look at several review websites not just one. Looking at several different review websites will give you an overview of exactly how the particular company operates. Whether customers are happy or dissatisfied, you’ll find out by reviewing the various websites. You’ll need to determine what matters to you when choosing a good locksmith.

Make sure that the locksmith company you are considering hiring offers you a written estimate for the work that they are performing. If they are not willing to provide you with a written estimate, this usually means that they will elect whether or not they will charge you more when they complete the job. Certainly, a legit locksmith will be as accommodating as possible because they want to win your business. They will not have a problem with offering you a written estimate and standing by their quote. You may even want to get several quotes to make sure that the rate you’re receiving is at least in the right ballpark. If the estimate is too high then immediately disqualify this service.

Make sure that the locksmith that you are considering hiring is licensed and insured. This protects both you and the service provider. In fact, we would even take it a step further to make sure that the company is listed with the Better Business Bureau (BBB). This serves to establish their business as a legitimate business. They have to maintain certain standards and their listing with the BBB will evidence this.

Don’t Take Chances

Now that you know for certain that your locks are being affected by the changes in the weather outside and that it isn’t all in your head, do something about. Take action now! When you ignore the problems that you are experiencing with your home locks, do something about it. Don’t take unnecessary chances with the safety and security of your household. You deserve to feel safe and secure in your home or business, no matter where you are. The only way to ensure that you are is to make sure you don’t ignore problems that you might experience with your exterior doors. Even if you have the slightest problem with your door locking or unlocking, it shouldn’t be ignored. Some people feel as though there is no problem as long as they can continue to open the lock. However, if they can maneuver the lock, so could a would-be burglar. Don’t take chances!