How Does the Weather in London Affect Lock Performance and What Can I Do About It?

How Does The Weather in London Affect Lock Performance and What Can I Do About It?

There’s nothing more frustrating than planning a day out, only to realize it starts raining out of nowhere. However, this level of discomfort goes beyond just personal pleasure and believe it or not, it can influence your door lock mechanism as well.

The Impact of London's Climate on Locks

London and the UK in general is known for being one of the rainiest areas in Europe. While most people are only worried about how rain can influence their daily plans, climate can also influence door locks, a lock mechanism or a key.

In cold temperatures, lubricants used in lock maintenance can harden and cause door locks to get jammed or stuck. During the wintertime, if the water also freezes, it can prevent the locking mechanism from working. This means your key could get stuck in the lock.

Any professional locksmith can agree that using teflon based lubricant or dry lubricant isn’t the only issue with a lock or a key. In hot temperatures, plastic doors and parts can expand, preventing access to and from the property, even if the key works fine.

Types of Weather-Related Issues for Locks

At Top Locksmith, we’ve dealt with all kinds of locks, lock systems, keys, key systems, maintenance issues, hinges, windows, you name it. From our experience with property maintenance and safety, the climate isn’t the primary issue of concern.

However, the climate can and will aggravate particular issues in terms of security. For instance, people living in flats may not always be affected, but those living in houses could face door expansion in heat, as well as rust after extended periods of rain. In other words, the force of climate shouldn’t be overlooked.

Moisture and Rust

While water can get into locks and freeze, let’s face it, this won’t always lead to major issues because temperatures rarely go below a freezing point in London. Exposure to water is more problematic from a different point of view because it can lead to rust in internal mechanisms.

Moisture isn't the only thing that can get in; dust and dirt can also penetrate and ruin the protection. Water will also cause wear and tear after you lubricate such mechanisms, causing them to get stuck upon entry. Like anything metallic, these parts will corrode and fail in the long run, even if the key is fine.

Temperature Fluctuations

UK has one of the most fluctuating climates in Europe. We have days when we can experience all four seasons—a bit of hail in the morning, all white, only for the sun to melt it and reach a boiling point, just to finish the day with an annoying heavy rain.

Fluctuations in temperatures will influence even the most secure locks, making them difficult to fix. Some parts could expand, increasing friction and leading to broken mechanisms. Every insert or part is at risk in your household when locks are affected and go faulty. Walls or the frame can also be affected in the process.

Preventative Measures and Solutions

Here at Top Locksmith, we focus on educating clients on the signs of problematic locks as well as what they need to do in terms of keeping doors safe. It's not all about using a tissue to wipe locks; it's also about maintenance.

• Regular maintenance. Lubricating parts on a regular basis is essential to keeping door locks in shape against climate elements.
• Materials matter. Quality materials aren’t prone to breaking, so paying more for quality will pay off in keeping belongings secure.
• Weatherproofing. Keeping locks lubricated isn’t everything. Responsible homeowners will increase their resistance by installing covers for their peace of mind.
• Climate-controlled environment. If possible, keeping the climate range stable will create a safe environment against stiff, blocked or sticking locks.

Proper Installation and Weatherproofing

Weatherproofing goes in more directions. Most importantly, make sure you rely on a professional locksmith to get your door locks maintained or installed. It’s not a DIY project you can do yourself, especially since they’re exposed to numerous elements.

Weatherproof locks are ideal and given the climate in the UK, more and more homeowners rely on such mechanisms. But for example, you can also install covers on top of your locks. They will protect against moisture going in, but they’ll also delay potential damage associated with low temperatures.

Door lock maintenance on a regular basis is just as important for doors, locks, door mechanisms or even keys on your property.

Regular Maintenance Tips

Lock maintenance is directly proportional with the lifespan of your doors or door lock systems. Regular maintenance starts with getting a professional to check every lock on a regular basis, not just when the door lock acts funny.

Lock maintenance also implies regular lubrication, but remember, there's a fine line between doing it right and messing everything up. If you're not 100% sure about how much lubricant to use for doors or lock systems to your property, seek help from one of our professionals.

When booking lock maintenance for home security with a pro, it's a good idea to check windows and hinges for wear and tear as well, and not just the door lock systems.

Should you perform key and lock maintenance yourself, stick to a quality lubricant to prevent wear and tear, but also lubricate according to the instructions to ensure a safe entry to your property.

Recommended Products and Technologies

From lock maintenance to frame systems, windows and other security measures, we believe that everything must be thoroughly checked for your peace of mind. There are quite a few things to take in consideration when working on protecting a key system or lock against the force of nature.

Weather-Resistant Locks

Different brands have different standards for exposure to dust, dirt, or rain, not to mention security and wear and tear in the long run.

• Yale is a leading name on the market, with quality locks for doors and windows for all budgets.
• Avocet offers a lower selection but more affordable types of locks for a high level of security.
• Fuhr is known for its durability and reliability, but then again, it depends on what lock you choose.

Other reliable brands include Fullex, Millenco, Winkhaus, and Lockmaster, among others. To ensure good protection against exposure to dust, dirt, or rain, stick to locks that match British standards, rather than entry-level locks.

Smart Lock Technologies

Security often goes to another level with smart lock technologies. Some of them don't need you to lubricate parts. Others are made with lock maintenance in mind, so they can withstand extreme temperatures as well.

Such a lock may not always require a key, as you could use an app or just a fob. Security is also enhanced, not to mention durability, as they don't need a technician to fix them too often. But like other modern things, they can break down easily, so it's imperative to invest in a high-quality system.

Furthermore, some locks come with weatherproof materials and good resistance to rain.

Enhancing Lock Longevity in London's Climate

Bottom line, you would think local brands are already aware of the challenges a lock goes through with the local climate, yet many key and lock systems still can't beat these conditions.

The quality of a lock is extremely important in the process, as are the features it comes with. How often you lubricate it is just as important.

And here at Top Locksmith, we believe that even a non-weatherproof lock can last for decades with the right maintenance.