Why does my lock only stick in the summer in Sunrise?

Summer humidity swells wood doors and frames, and the wet season in Sunrise lasts months. A swollen door can push the deadbolt against the strike plate so it binds. The locksmith can adjust the strike plate and hinges.

Could the problem be corrosion in the lock itself?

Yes. Even about 10 miles inland, Sunrise has humid onshore air that promotes rust on lock cylinders. Grit after storms can add to the problem. A cylinder in that state is cleaned and lubricated, re-pinned or replaced.

Will I be given a price before work begins?

Yes. The estimate is free on every job. The locksmith gives you the price before any work starts, and you approve it first.

Does Florida license locksmiths?

Florida has no statewide locksmith license or licensing board. The trade is regulated at the county or municipal level, and the rules vary. To check current requirements, contact the county or city consumer protection or licensing office where the work is done.

Why will the locksmith ask for identification?

The locksmith needs to confirm you are entitled to enter the property or vehicle before opening anything. That usually means photo ID and something tying you to the address. It protects you as well as the property.

Lock stiff or will not turn in Sunrise, FL

Most of Sunrise was built out between the late 1960s and the 1990s, so a lot of the locks here have been turning for decades. If your key goes in but the lock will not turn, the lock has almost certainly worn, corroded or clogged, or the door has moved slightly so the bolt no longer lines up with the frame. Either way, stop and read the next section before you try again.

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In Sunrise the cause is usually the weather. Florida's heat and humidity swell wood doors and frames, so a deadbolt binds against its strike plate. Moisture and fine grit left after storms can also get into the cylinder and corrode it. Which one you have decides the fix, and that is what the locksmith works out first.

While you wait — please don't

Do not force the key. Forcing a stiff key is how it snaps, and then you have a broken key in the lock as well as a stiff lock.
Do not spray oil or a general-purpose spray into the cylinder. These gum up a cylinder and leave it worse than it was, especially once grit and humidity are involved.
Do not take the lock apart yourself. Loose parts and a half-built lock can leave your door unable to close or secure properly.
Do not wait for it to fail completely. A lock that is getting harder to turn can stop working altogether, usually when you are in a hurry.

What the technician does

You get a free estimate firstOne Call Locksmiths arranges the job with an independent locksmith. The locksmith gives you the price before any work starts, and you approve it first.
Identification is checkedThe locksmith will ask for identification and proof that you are entitled to enter the property or vehicle before opening anything.
The cause is foundThe locksmith separates the lock itself from the door and the frame to see which one is causing the problem.
The cylinder is treatedIf the cylinder is the problem, it is cleaned and lubricated. If it is worn, it is re-pinned or replaced.
The door hardware is adjustedWhere the door has moved, the strike plate and hinges are adjusted so the bolt meets the frame properly.
Everything is testedThe latch and deadbolt are tested open and closed several times before the job is finished.

Why this happens in Sunrise, FL

Sunrise has a mix of single-story homes, villas, townhomes and large low-rise condominium communities, mostly concrete block and stucco. Much of the housing is now 30 to 55 years old. Original locks and hinges on homes that age have had a long time to wear and corrode. The city is about 10 miles inland, so direct salt spray is limited, but humid onshore air still promotes rust on hinges and lock cylinders. Your lock does not have to be near the coast to corrode.

The western edge of Sunrise backs up to the Everglades water conservation areas. Homes there deal with a high water table, heavy summer rain and strong sun. The summer wet season brings near-daily thunderstorms, and wood doors and frames take on moisture and swell. If your lock only sticks in summer and is easier in the drier winter months, door movement is a likely cause. If it is stiff all year, suspect the cylinder. Many Sunrise communities are governed by HOAs or condo associations, so if the lock is on a shared entry, tell the locksmith when you call.

Questions people ask

Why does my lock only stick in the summer in Sunrise?: Summer humidity swells wood doors and frames, and the wet season in Sunrise lasts months. A swollen door can push the deadbolt against the strike plate so it binds. The locksmith can adjust the strike plate and hinges.
Could the problem be corrosion in the lock itself?: Yes. Even about 10 miles inland, Sunrise has humid onshore air that promotes rust on lock cylinders. Grit after storms can add to the problem. A cylinder in that state is cleaned and lubricated, re-pinned or replaced.
Will I be given a price before work begins?: Yes. The estimate is free on every job. The locksmith gives you the price before any work starts, and you approve it first.
Does Florida license locksmiths?: Florida has no statewide locksmith license or licensing board. The trade is regulated at the county or municipal level, and the rules vary. To check current requirements, contact the county or city consumer protection or licensing office where the work is done.
Why will the locksmith ask for identification?: The locksmith needs to confirm you are entitled to enter the property or vehicle before opening anything. That usually means photo ID and something tying you to the address. It protects you as well as the property.

One call

Call (866) 690-5848 and One Call Locksmiths will arrange an independent locksmith for your stiff lock in Sunrise. The estimate is free, and the price is agreed with you before any work starts.

Call now · (866) 690-5848

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