We tend to associate lock trouble with winter, but a Solent heatwave causes just as many sticking doors and stiff locks. When the temperature climbs, materials expand — and that's enough to throw a door or lock out of alignment. Here's what's going on and how to keep everything working.
Why heat makes locks and doors stick
Heat expands the materials your door and frame are made of. Timber moves the most, so wooden doors tend to swell and bind in the frame first, but uPVC doors shift too — a warm afternoon is exactly when a slightly dropped door starts catching and the multipoint lock becomes a fight. A lock that's already old or stiff can seize completely in the heat.
What you can do
- Don't force a stiff key — that's how keys snap. Ease it gently and, if it's regularly sticky, get the lock serviced or replaced before it fails for good.
- A uPVC door that only locks when you lift the handle hard usually needs a small hinge or keep adjustment, not a whole new door.
- A dry lubricant (graphite or PTFE) keeps barrels moving; avoid oily sprays that attract dirt.
Open windows, open risk
In hot weather we all leave windows open — but a window that isn't latched can often be opened from outside even when it looks shut. Fitting window locks that let you latch the window slightly open gives you airflow and security, and it's far cheaper than replacing frames and glass. We can advise on the right locks and fit them quickly.
If a door or lock is sticking as the temperature rises, don't wait for it to jam completely. Our locksmiths cover Southampton and the Solent — give us a call and we'll get it moving again.