Winter is the busiest season for lock problems in Toronto. Most of them start in the fall, when a few minutes of prevention would have avoided them.
1. Lubricate before the cold
A dry lubricant made for locks, applied in the fall, displaces moisture and keeps pins moving. Avoid oily sprays that gather grit.
2. Keep water out
Freezing rain and meltwater that refreezes overnight are what freeze locks. A small keyhole cover on exposed exterior locks helps.
3. Watch for door movement
Doors shrink and shift in the cold. If the deadbolt starts to rub or you need to push the door to lock it, adjust the strike rather than forcing the key.
4. Protect against salt
Road and sidewalk salt tracked onto doorsteps corrodes hardware at the bottom of doors, thresholds and storefront pivots. Rinse and dry exposed hardware occasionally.
5. Replace smart-lock batteries early
Cold reduces battery capacity. Fresh batteries before winter prevent the most common smart-lock lockout.
If a lock is frozen
Warm the key gently or use a lock de-icer. Do not pour hot water, which refreezes, and never force a frozen key.
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Salt, slush and lock wear
Road salt and meltwater get into keyways and latches, causing corrosion and stiffness. Locks on side doors and gates, where snow builds up, are often the first to fail. Wipe visible salt from the lock and hardware whenever you can.
Cold-weather routine
Apply a dry lubricant in the fall, keep weather stripping in good condition and check that doors close fully after snowfalls. If a lock freezes, warm the key rather than forcing it. Avoid hot water, which refreezes.
Plan for cold snaps
Keep a spare key somewhere warm and accessible, tell family members which door to use if one entrance freezes, and check batteries in keypads. If you are locked out in extreme cold, call for help sooner rather than later. See door not closing properly.