Instructions to keep a house door lock from freezing.
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Why a House Door Lock Freezes
Door locks may freeze shut when the outside temperature plunge to minus 12-15C, especially in windy conditions.
The house door locks that freeze are the ones located in room’s cooler that normal room temperatures, such as a garage connected to a house. The garage is not heated as well as inside the house; the locks in the door do not stay warm. The moisture in the garage tries to escape to the outside through the edge of the door and past the lock assembly. When moisture contacts cold metal, it freezes.
Older lock assemblies that have been lubricated at one time, attract dust and grim over time, the oil and grime dry out, this causes the lock
assembly to become sluggish. When moisture is added, the water particles attach to the grime and metal and jam the lock mechanism.
Fixing a Frozen Lock problem
Frozen Door Bolt Mechanism
To fix this problem the door lock mechanism must be removed from the door and all oil and grime must be removed from the sliding and turning
parts. Use a Philips screwdriver to remove the two long bolts (2 inches) which hold the knob turning assembly together, and the two short
screws (3/4 inch) that hold the bolt sliding mechanism to the door. Turning counterclockwise removes. Slide out the bolt assembly. Wash all the locking mechanisms thoroughly with Varsol and a paint brush. Place the sliding bolt assembly into a container like a used metal coffee container, add Varsol, place the plastic lid on and shake thoroughly. Dry off all the lock mechanisms with a cloth and finish drying with an electric hair dryer or heat gun. Do not get too close; just close enough to heat the metal to vaporize the Varsol. When finished the metal should have a very dry look. If the knob assembly is sluggish, also clean it well with Varsol.
Lubricants
Lubricating a Lock Mechanism
The two products recommended to lubricate the lock mechanisms are WD40 and Lloyds MooVit high performance, penetrating lubricant. Lubrication is needed to displace moisture and provide lubrication to the turning, and sliding mechanisms. If the problem is not too great WD40 may do the job, for greater moisture problems use Lloyds MooVit, it is a high penetrating lubricant, long lasting, displaces moisture, and is a non solvent. Spray all the moving parts.
Assembling the Lock Assembly
Install the sliding bolt assembly into the door. The beveled edge points towards the hole in the door jam. Secure in place with the two short screws. Clockwise tightens. Slide the door knob assembly into place, with the keyed side facing the outside, and the manual locking inside. Secure together with the two long bolts (2 inches). Start the bolts with finger pressure to prevent cross threading. Center the door knob assembly on the hole in the door and tighten.
Tip
For the very difficult frozen lock, carry a small butane lighter, heat the key, the heated key will unfreeze the lock mechanism momentarily, allowing you to enter the home.
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