Is August Smart Lock waterproof?

Smart locks are not a cheap investment, regardless of the company you purchase them from. It is important to ensure they can handle the elements and conditions they are exposed to regularly, which allows them to last for a long time, including August that is among the more famous smart lock manufacturers.

The August smart keypad, doorbell camera pro, and doorbell camera all have IP55 ratings, which allows them to be water resistant and dustproof while the doorbell camera has an IPX5 rating, which allows it to be waterproof and you can mount it outside your door. Overall, the smart lock system itself has some waterproof parts, while other parts are only water resistant.

The smart keypad, doorbell cam, and August View are all intended for use outside your home and will be waterproof, while the August Connect and smart locks are intended for the interior section of your door so they will be water resistant.

Are smart locks generally waterproof?

All smart locks are water resistant and can withstand water jets as well as normal rainfall, but you cannot submerge them unless you implement measures to seal the lock, although they can handle more water than you may think.

If you are intending to purchase a smart lock, you need to add waterproofing to ensure they last a long time. As a rule, they will include some waterproofing capabilities, so you should not worry much about their functionality just because they were exposed to rainwater.

If you want to install the smart lock on some outdoor entryway though, you will require to waterproof both sides of the smart lock to ensure it can last. This is because their inside parts are not waterproof, which means that rain can cause the side of the deadbolt lever to break. They can resist weather that hits the outside section, or the parts of the smart lock that have the numeral pad or keyhole, not the section used to store the wireless connectivity and batteries.

Can humidity affect the smart lock?

During the winter and fall months, the smart lock is more prone to issues due to being exposed to colder weather, and the same case applies to the summer months as humidity increases and the door frame expands due to the hotter temperatures.

The repeated expansion ultimately affects the door lock, making it difficult to turn it without some effort. During colder times, the door goes through compression, and this leads to misfits between the door and the smart locks.

If you want to reduce the chances of these issues occurring, it is important to implement some changes like using steel or fiberglass doors in place of wooden ones, enlisting the help of a locksmith to see if there are any risks present, and lubricating the locks.

Why is waterproofing rare in smart locks?

Making smart locks waterproof is very hard because they will remain mounted on a surface, especially those that use rechargeable batteries like smartphones. In this case, only the parts that can be waterproof have a design that enables this, but all other parts are not.

A smart lock needs to be fully modular and have plenty of access ports, because users will not want to rechargeable a mounted object on their wall; rechargeable batteries make more sense. However, a rechargeable battery means your device has an access port, which can allow water to enter and destroy the inner components.

On the other hand, the outside section of a smart lock is easier to waterproof, as it only has a few insulated wires that go through it, and the electronics are simpler.

How can you waterproof the inner parts of your August smart lock?

Waterproofing your locks is a problem because of the lack of information, and the insufficient quality of resources available – no one expects you to waterproof your locks anyway. Despite this, you can implement some solutions, which include:

Using silicon and Vaseline

Silicon is an excellent solution when you want to waterproof a surface, and it works for smart locks as well. it will help protect the surface by preventing the entry of water between the smart lock and the door crevices, which is its major entry point and ruins your smart lock’s inner components. Use it on any crevices that can allow water entry, such as the battery compartment’s cracks.

If you do not have silicon, Vaseline is a great alternative. You will need to disassemble the lock and apply Vaseline on every component, including its battery parts. It may be a messy choice and not work as a permanent solution, but its effects are enough to protect your lock for one to two months. Take care to avoid using it if you live in a place with a hot climate though, as it can melt out of the lock.

Providing a lock roof

There is a reason why all homes and buildings have roofs; it is to waterproof the home and divert the rain away into drainage systems. The same solution can apply to a smart lock, as you can install a rain blocker on the top of the lock.

You can use a variety of materials, such as hanging tarp to protect it from water and rain. While the solution may not be the most attractive in appearance, it is the best way to keep water away from your smart lock system.

Plastic bags

This is the most unattractive solution, but can still operate well. All you need is some strong plastic and use it to wrap the lock, then screw it in. You can unlock the system through your phone, since you will lose your access to the actual locking mechanism.

Conclusion

Using a smart lock for your home is a major asset when you want to secure your home, but there are some challenges that come with their installation and usage depending on the climate you live in. from downpours and gentle showers to heat waves, it is important to know that the smart lock can handle certain conditions, and taking extra measures to ensure it can handle extreme weather changes.