Guide
Winter Lock Care: Frozen Locks, Sticking Doors, and Prevention
Frozen lock? Sticking deadbolt every January? How to prevent winter lock problems and what to do when the key will not turn.
New York winters punish locks. Moisture gets into cylinders, freezes overnight, and the key will not turn at 7 a.m. Prevention starts in fall: a shot of graphite lubricant in each exterior cylinder, weatherstripping that keeps driving rain out of the mechanism, and doors adjusted before they swell and contract with the season.
If the lock is already frozen, do not force the key — snapped keys in frozen cylinders are a classic January emergency. Warm the key with your hands, try gently, or use a lock de-icer. A hair dryer on the cylinder works in a pinch. What never works: boiling water, which refreezes and makes everything worse.
Recurring winter trouble usually means the lock or the door fit needs professional attention — a misaligned strike that is merely annoying in October becomes a deadbolt that will not throw in January. We do pre-winter lock servicing across the Upper West Side; one visit in November prevents the 2 a.m. call in February.
Frequently asked questions
My key will not turn in the cold. What do I do?
Warm the key, try gently, use lock de-icer. Do not force it — call (646) 469-7112 before the key snaps.
How do I prevent frozen locks?
Graphite lubricant in fall, weatherstripping, and doors properly adjusted before winter.
Can I use WD-40 on a frozen lock?
It can free a frozen lock in an emergency, but follow up with graphite — oils attract dust and gum up over time.
Why does my deadbolt stick only in winter?
Doors and frames move with temperature and humidity. A strike that is slightly misaligned becomes a real problem in January.