Surprising Ways that Weather Affects Locks

When you start to consider why you’re having problems with your locks, you might not think about the weather. In fact, that is probably the furthest thing from your mind. It is often the key that you are focusing on and not the lock itself. At Reliable Locksmith and Safe in Downtown Miami, FL, we often find that it is also the lock as much as it is the key; that is causing your problem. There are lots of reasons why your lock may no longer be effective. You may also assume that your lock isn’t working because someone tried to break-in and they damaged your lock. While this is certainly a possibility, you must also consider the weather conditions outside. Yes, you heard it right, the weather. When the temperature outside changes it can affect locks. We thought it might be helpful for you to understand what happens at very times of the year so that when you begin to experience problems with your locks, you don’t panic.

1.     Summer and Spring

The most common problem that a person might experience during this time of the year is door jams. In this case, your door might not turn or if it does, it will only turn in one direction. This is a problem that we often find with exterior doors. The hotter it is the more the doorframe begins to expand. If your exterior door has a deadbolt on it, which most do; it can contribute to your problem. The door will start to get wider around the lock. If you have wooden doors, you may experience this problem more than someone who has a door made from steel. Wood can expand rather easily due to the material. It is one of the reasons some people decide against purchasing a wooden door.

2.     Fall and Winter

We often receive more service calls during this time of the year than any other due to locks that are not working. This is often the case during winter since locks can freeze more easily during this time of the year. Instead of the door expanding, the opposite will occur. Again, the problem affects both the lock and the door. Your key may not turn in either direction or your deadbolt lock will not work. In this case, you may realize that the problem isn’t necessarily because of the key; rather it is because your door is contracting because of the temperature outside. You may be able to get your door to open by pulling it toward you and re-aligning the lock with the doorframe. While this isn’t a permanent solution it can at least work for the moment and give you access inside our out. The problem that you’re experiencing could get worse without the help of a qualified locksmith in Downtown Miami. Let us know if you’re experiencing a problem with your locks and we’ll get you the help you need right away.

Cold Weather and Car Locks

The temperature outside not only affects your home locks but it can also begin to affect your car locks. Your door or the lock may be totally frozen. This can occur when there is moisture inside your doors lock. If it is frozen, it is impossible to get the key to open you door or a remote. Although this may sound weird, it happens more than you might imagine. Some people suggest heating up your car key before attempting to place it in the door. This isn’t something that we would personally suggest that you do but it has worked for some people who know how to effectively do it. If your car is newer and you can start it with your transponder key, you could start your engine before attempting to get inside. This will begin to heat up your engine and could possibly aid in unfreezing your door locks. You can certainly try these solutions before calling on us for assistance but if it is cold outside, chances are that you would rather get back inside of your car quickly rather than trying something that you are uncertain as to whether or not it will actually work or not.

How to Prevent Problems Due to Weather

If you have never had this problem before, you can’t imagine how upsetting this situation can be. If it is an incident that you do not want to happen to you or if it has happened to you before and you want to make sure that you can prevent it from happening again, we have news for you. This isn’t a plug to get you to use our services but contacting us to make sure that your locks are correctly installed is one good way to avoid this problem from happening to you because of the weather outside. In some cases, when the locks are not properly aligned, it is far easier for you to experience a problem with your doors sticking or expanding.

Also, if you’re considering purchasing a wooden door, you should also consider that wooden doors are problematic, especially when it comes to weather. You might be able to save yourself the frustration by considering having a different type of door installed that will not pose this same problem. With the various options that are available today, you are sure to be able to find a door that you’ll like just as much as a wooden door and save yourself some stress in the future.

The best way to avoid the problems that occur due to weather, we strongly suggest that you keep your locks lubricated. This can keep your locks working even in the worst temperatures outside, high or low. The absolute best way to lubricate your locks is to dissemble them. If this is not something that you wish to do, we have many customers who depend on us for the maintenance of their locks. This means that we’ll dissemble your locks and properly lubricate them. Schedule your lock maintenance today.

WHAT TO DO WITH OLD KEYS

Do you have old keys lying around your house? They may be in a drawer or cabinet. Maybe some are resting unnoticed on a dresser or table. Everyone seems to have these older, mostly forgotten keys. They might be at home, or at your workplace. They might be in your car’s ashtray or glove compartment. Why do you save them? Why not just throw them out? The reason is pretty much the same from everyone; they just might be needed someday! Here at Reliable Locksmith & Safe we’ve heard all kinds of reasons to hang on to these once valued and productive keys. Who doesn’t remember trying key after key in a lock to see if this particular mystery key is the right one for it? It’s so odd that a key that was once used so much is now almost gone from your memory (but not your dresser drawer!).

The origin of old keys

Old keys were not always forgotten and near-useless pieces of metal. They were once used, useful, and on your key chain, going with you wherever you went. They may come in all sizes, materials, colors and shapes but now when you put them all together, they look like a hodge-podge of forgotten misfits that have no use or purpose. Old keys come from file cabinets, mailboxes, front doors, cars, motorcycles, desks, cabinets, office doors, bicycles, laundromats, vending machines and thousands more! When you think of how many old keys there are here in Miami, FL it staggers the mind. In fact, every year there are over 400 million keys that make it to local landfills and this huge amount does not include the many more that are still in people’s possession!

Why not throw away?

So, why haven’t you thrown your old keys away? Is it because you just haven’t taken the time or effort to round them all up and “toss them?” Or, does a little voice in the back of your mind tell you that you just might need one or more of them someday? Don’t worry – the Miami, FL trash department won’t mind if you actually do something creative or useful with them after all!

Run them through again!

It’s kind of like key re-birth. We are talking about recycling your old keys. They might come back as a different kind of key, or maybe not a key at all; how about part of a table or dinner fork? Recycling is becoming a useful and popular way to help our planet while getting rid of items that are no longer useful or needed. Whether you live here in Miami, FL or elsewhere in the world, your local area should have recycling guidelines – just call your local municipality and inquire as to what yours are.

Old keys for good food!

Did you know that there is a little known way to use your old keys to feed the less fortunate? This unique way to dispose of your old keys also serves another purpose – educating school children on the less fortunate and how to help them. The name of this great program is Key For Hope. This organization collects old keys from donors all around the country. They sell the keys for scrap metal and donate the proceeds to the food bank of your choice! On average it takes about 50 keys to equal a pound of metal. This program is very popular and thousands of keys pour into their location from all over the world. Key drives in local schools are sponsored by Key For Hope and the school children work excitedly to gather keys from home while they learn about both recycling and helping others with food.

Sell crafts

While making and selling craft items doesn’t appeal to all, it can be a good hobby for some. E-bay and Etsy are great places to sell your craft items as well as to friends, family members and at yard sales and flea markets. Many people are surprised to find that old keys can be used to make useful and unique items that actually sell. You can search the online shops above for ideas on how to use your mystery keys in this way and turn them into fun and now profitable items. Don’t copy people but do use their own craft creations for inspiration and ideas. 

Old keys are handy around the house!

It’s true – mystery keys can be morphed into curtain weights and tablecloths. If sown into the hem, they act as the perfect weight and balance to keep the drapes and table linens from flapping about in the breeze or sliding off.

Many ceiling fans and lights are missing the small knob on the end of the light cord. You can use one of your old keys to replace it. You can decorate the key to match the lamp or leave it “key-like” if on a vintage item. Also keys can replace the ends of zippers on backpacks, suitcases and other luggage type items. They are big enough to grasp but flat enough to lay against the surface and be too noticeable or cut anyone.

Get your neighbors involved

Do you know your neighbors? Would you like to? One nice way to get more involved with the other folks on your street is to run a key drive of your own. Use the recycle program with Key For Hope and let your neighbors get involved too. It’s a nice way to “break the ice” and do some good for others at the same time. You can do on online search for them and get additional details on how this program works and how it helps the less fortunate. There are millions of keys that are no longer being used, not only here in the greater Miami, FL metro area but all over the country. If you put your mind to it, you can give these mystery keys a new life and so a little good at the same time!

THE BEST WAYS TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR LOCKS AND KEYS

It happens to the best of us. Something will eventually go wrong with keys and locks. Although a premium locksmith will be ready to rescue you whether it’s day or night, you ought to be pro-active, so that you’ll avoid getting into a jam in the future.

If you want your home to be as safe and secure as possible, keep all your locks in tiptop shape. Be sure that the locks on your outside doors are always working. Your valuables and your loved ones will be well-protected if all of your locks are reputable name brands ~ tough and resilient.

When you need to replace your locks, you can do it yourself, or you can hire a professional locksmith in Downtown Miami. When you want only prime locksmith services and hardware, seek a dependable professional ~ a friendly, reliable, and solid individual. An eminently qualified locksmith will bring better equipment and products than you’ll ever find at the hardware store, as well as provide you with the knowhow and experience required. If you’re in Downtown Miami, Florida, consider hiring a mobile residential locksmith specialist on staff at Reliable Locksmith & Safe.

Points to Bear in Mind When It Comes to Lock Changes

Deadbolts. If you feel vulnerable to theft, any locksmith expert will tell you that deadbolts are one of the best ways to augment your security. There are various types of deadbolts, so do your research to determine the perfect one for each purpose.

New tenants & roommates. If you rent out space in your home or apartment, or if you have other rental properties, you must immediately replace the locks each time you have new residents. Even if the former occupants gave you back their keys, you can’t be sure that they didn't keep some spare keys somewhere. If a break-in ever happens, you don’t want to harbor any doubts about previous occupants.

A new home. By the same token, if you’ve moved into a new place, you never know who might still be in possession of their old keys. Accordingly, it’s essential that you get your locks changed right away.

Rusty locks. As time goes by, exterior locks can get rusted, which means they’ll break eventually. If your lock is rusty, you’ll find out that it’s harder and harder to insert the key, or to turn it. If so, replace the lock.

Stuck keys. If an issue arises with a lock’s internal mechanism, the key will slide in only with a great deal of effort. If you notice resistance when you turn your key, it’s probably time to replace the lock, because unfortunately, a key can frequently get stuck, or even break off, in the lock mechanism.

Damaged locks. If your locks are vandalized, or otherwise damaged, you need new locks. Damaged locks make it easier for a robber to get in.

Lost keys. If you’ve accepted the fact that your keys are really gone, then you should change your locks. All your exterior locks ought to be replaced. After that, replace any interior locks in the order of your personal security priorities.

Combination locks. If you’re often losing your keys, maybe you should replace your conventional locks with combination locks, which can be opened with a code. If the combination input ever fails, or if you can’t remember the code, don’t get upset; most combination locks also have a keyed lock. Keep in mind that you should always change the combination if you think its access has been compromised, just as you would replace a plain lock if you lost your keys.

Break-ins. If you are ever burglarized, replace locks without delay. The force involved during the process of a break-in compromises the lock mechanism’s integrity. Damaged locks put you at greater risk for another robbery. In addition, mechanical malfunctions, all the more likely, could easily leave you locked out. Not only that, you never know if your keys could’ve landed in the wrong hands. Don’t tempt fate! Replace locks now.

Normal wear and tear. Rusted or worn-out or locks are a weak spot in your security. Over the years, they become more and more difficult to open, growing easier for burglars to break and pick. If a lock is rusted, badly tarnished, or displaying any other signs of wear, replace it.

Go digital. Do you want to go high-tech? Then replace all your traditional locks on your doors with digital locks. Now you won’t need to carry any keys at all, and it’s an ideal way to keep your property secure. Keyless locks are certainly at the new horizons happening in home security technology. They work with remotes, smart devices, keypads, alarm systems, remote codes, biometrics, and so forth. Once you are accustomed to it, you’ll see that keyless locks are easy to use. Most will offer an impressive selection of advanced features that provide extra safety and convenience.

You’ll have greater peace of mind. As the years pass, you may forget how many neighbors, friends, and family members you’ve given your spare keys to, and how many people didn’t return them. Consequently, it’s a good idea to replace locks periodically, in order to maintain and enhance your property’s security and safety. Thus, you will have much-needed peace of mind, knowing that you’re safeguarding your loved ones and your possessions effectively.

Would you like to be a locksmith yourself? If you often enjoy performing lock jobs around the house, perhaps you should be doing it as a profession. If you’ve been contemplating becoming a locksmith, you’ll first have to work as an apprentice. Extensive training is required, and you’ll have to become licensed. If you already possess talent and experience in construction, metal fabricating, and/or electronics, you’ll have an advantage over other expert locksmiths in the field. If you’re good at problem-solving; if you’re an honest, trustworthy person; if you can conduct yourself professionally; if you can maintain discretion regarding confidential matters; and if you enjoy working unusual hours, you are well-suited to become a locksmith.