Freezing cold weather might also cause locks to become brittle and potentially even result in a broken lock, which is not ideal if you're stuck outside in the cold.
Freezing temperatures and the absence of moisture in the air can cause your door frame to contract, leading to a poor fit between the door and the lock itself. This contraction means the door will begin to warp around your locks, and may lead to your deadbolt suddenly not being able to lock or unlock properly.
Surprisingly, one of the most common causes of lock issues is the changing weather. As temperatures fluctuate, residential and commercial door locks may jam and not work properly.
As the weather gets colder, it can cause your locks to freeze. Frozen locks are the result of moisture accumulating by the strike or inside the lockset.
Door lock problems are often caused by a malfunctioning lock mechanism or latch assembly, but there are several common reasons why locks stop working: The lock is dry or dirty. It doesn't fit in the door properly. The latch and strike plate don't align.
Try a de-icer with a heating element. Warm your key gently with a flame. Use your warm breath to blow into the lock cylinder. Defrost the lock with a hairdryer.
If the door lock relay has any internal or wiring issues, it can cause the door locks to function intermittently. The door locks may function correctly one moment, and in the next will cease to operate. This can be an inconvenience to the driver when trying to lock or unlock the vehicle.
If your door won't latch due to freezing temperatures during winter, we recommend checking your strike plate and drilling deeper pilot holes. If this doesn't lessen its lean, it may be time to re-adjust the strike plate itself or even replace the door.
Contracting door frame: Moisture and temperature issues can result in a warped or contracted door frame. If there's a poor fit between the door frame and the lock, it may cause your deadbolt to work improperly (or not work at all).
At 32 degrees Fahrenheit and below, water turns to ice. If there's any moisture inside your lock when this conversion occurs, it may cause the lock's internal components, such as the pins, to freeze up. As a result, you won't be able to open the lock until the ice has melted.
If your house front door won't open from outside during the winter, there's a good chance the door components are frozen in place. Try applying a lock de-icer spray. You can also use heating elements to free hinges that are stuck due to freezing temperatures.
Dirty Insides
Dirt, dust, other debris and oil from fingers are the reasons a tumbler lock becomes harder to move when it is cold. The oil from fingers transfers to keys, then transfers to the lock interior. There, it mixes with the material that seeps in through the keyhole over time and becomes a sticky mass.
One of the most common deadbolt issues is one that sticks or is difficult to turn. This is often due to a buildup of rust or grime in the components, preventing them from functioning easily. Repair your deadbolt with a dose of WD-40 (or a similar product). This will loosen dirt and rust and provide lubrication.
Over time, they will need replacing so that they can function correctly, without any problems and to the latest home security standards. It is recommended that you change your locks at least every 7 years, however, you can change them more frequently for your peace of mind or to simply upgrade.
Dirt and dust can sometimes find its way into a lock and build up over time. This can clog up the locking mechanism making it difficult to turn. You can apply some graphite spay or silicone based lubricant in the lock, put the key back in and turn it a few times.
If the key turns but doesn't lock or unlock the door then this usually means that an internal mechanism has failed. Call a professional locksmith to solve this problem.
Spraying your locks with WD-40 helps to prevent moisture build-up inside the mechanism, which would otherwise freeze over a cold night. If you're expecting freezing temperatures, spray some WD-40 into your lock and the lubricant will take care of things. Be sure to get the lubricant inside the lock, though.
In many cases, when a door doesn't lock, it's due to the door latch rather than the lock itself. This is usually because the latch is not aligning with the hole in the strike plate. While this can be easily fixed, it's always best to call a professional locksmith rather than attempting to repair it yourself.
On average, a door lock actuator will cost between $125 and $250 for the part alone. Some models can be significantly higher or lower, though. If you need a mechanic to do the job for you, expect them to charge between one and two hours of labor, which could be a couple hundred dollars or so.
If only one door isn't working, there's likely a problem with a door switch or sensor. If this is the case, you'll need to have a mechanic take a look at your car. If all of your doors don't open, you could have a blown fuse.
De-Ice the Keyhole – The best option is to use a de-icing spray to target the keyhole of the lock If you have access to a lubricant spray, such as WD40, this can also be used to clear some of the ice from inside the lock cylinder through the keyhole.
If you have any rubbing alcohol at home, you can mix it with water and spray it on the door. The alcohol will help melt the ice because it lowers the freezing point of water to around -20 degrees. That means the water will need to be much colder to actually freeze.
Don't Use Hot Water
Common knowledge may tell you to warm your lock up, so many think hot water will do the trick. It won't. While hot water may successfully defrost the lock and allow it to open, it's only a good trick in the short term.
Wooden doors are the most prone to experience problems during this season because they expand and contract in the winter due to fluctuations in temperature and humidity.