It’s winter, and we are doing our best to survive it. There are a lot of things about winter that are uncomfortable and inconvenient, but high on that list is going out to start your car in the morning only to find your door locks are frozen. What’s worse than that? Finally getting home in the evening and being frozen out of your house! Read on to see how you can avoid both.
We’ve all read the headlines: “Be sure to wash the salt off your car!” The carwash lines are crazy after winter weather, and it makes sense. You want to get that grime off and keep your car in good condition. What those stories don’t mention is that when you wash your car in the wintertime, you have to make sure to get it very dry. If temperatures are below freezing, washing your car and letting it sit can cause frozen locks.
A few helpful tips:
- Wash your car on the way to work when it will be parked in the sun during the warmer part of the day.
- Wash your car on the way home from work if you park in the garage.
- Lubricate your locks often. This keeps them in good working order and helps prevent freezing.
Frozen house locks are just as frustrating as car locks. Fortunately, most homes have more than one door, but a frozen lock can still cause problems. The best way to prevent frozen locks is to keep them lubricated. The lock freezes from moisture inside the locking mechanism, and proper lubrication can eliminate that. We recommend lubricating your locks in the fall, before the first freeze of the year.
We are all just doing our best to survive until spring! Hopefully these tips will help you get through until the days are warmer. If we can help you with a frozen or worn lock, contact us anytime.