Tips to Protect Your Home Locks from Harsh Weather

This year, Australia saw an unprecedented cold during July and August. As the lockdown protocols were set in place during the period, people in New South Wales, Victoria, as well as South Australia had to stay back home due to bitter cold, strong winds, and rain. Reports state that this kind of harsh weather is likely to be seen again next year. Therefore, it is advisable to prepare for it when there is still time. While the cold and rain could affect your normal livelihood in many ways, one thing people often tend to overlook is its consequences on home safety. If you are wondering how that may be relevant, let us fill you in. As one of the most prominent Narrabeen locksmiths, we have seen that most homeowners in the region still rely on traditional metal locks to secure their properties. But they are often oblivious to the fact that the harsh weather could damage the locks and doors out front and thus, compromise their effectiveness. 

There is more to the problem. If you consult any Avalon locksmiths, they might give you a long checklist to watch out for. To save you the hassle of going over the confusingly long list task, here is a simple heads-up for you to prepare for the winters. Learn what you might face and how to deal with the problems efficiently.

Doors Binding in the Upper Corner

One of the most common problems faced during winter you will see is your entry door binding in the upper corner of the door jamb. This is the result of the changing weather, as it can cause the door frame to expand and contract, subsequently pulling it down from the top corner. This is especially relevant if you have an authentic heavy wood door. 

How to Fix It: Now that you know what causes the problem, get on to fix it with the most effective solutions recommended by reputed Narrabeen locksmiths. First, replace the old, rusty screws of the door frame with new ones. Make sure to get the screws a bit larger than the old ones, as the old screws might have dug deeper over time. The ideal size would be 3”. 

Locks Freezing Due to Cold Weather

Not just snow, rain and thunderstorms can also make the locks freeze. It can also cause rust, leaving the locks unusable. 

How to Fix: In case your lock is already frozen, you can use a trusted lubricant to loosen it up. You can also use graphite as a lubricant which, if used beforehand, can prevent the locks from freezing and allow the moving parts inside the lock to move freely. 

Weatherproofing your home is a smart move all the way. If you don’t think you can do it all by yourself, you can always take help from the best Avalon locksmiths. After all, it is better safe than sorry. So, reach out and make your home ready for the harsh weather.