Seasonal Lock Care: Preparing Your Locks for Winter and Summer

Temperature and weather changes affect locks and doors more than most people realise. In winter, frozen mechanisms can lock you out. In summer, expanded doors can become impossible to lock. Here's how to prepare your locks for each season.

In winter, moisture can get inside lock mechanisms and freeze, making the lock stiff or completely inoperable. To prevent this, apply a PTFE lubricant to all external locks before the cold weather arrives. If your lock does freeze, never force the key — you'll snap it. Instead, warm the key (don't use boiling water on the lock) and try gently. A lock de-icer is a worthwhile investment.

Wooden doors absorb moisture and swell in damp, cold weather, which can make them difficult to close and lock. A locksmith can adjust the lock position or shave the door to accommodate seasonal swelling. Anti-swell treatments can also help.

In summer, uPVC doors expand in the heat, which can cause difficulty locking as the hooks and rollers struggle to engage with the keep plates. If your uPVC door is harder to lock on hot days, the hinges may need adjusting. Don't force it — you risk breaking the mechanism.

Between seasons, it's good practice to test all your locks and lubricate them. Check that window locks operate smoothly, test your door deadbolts, and make sure all keys turn without excessive force.

For seasonal lock maintenance across Oldham, call Oldham Locksmiths on 07949 139 475.