Lock Is Frozen: What Should I Do In Cardiff?

As we are embracing the winter season, a new problem arises to our locks – Frozen locks. The freezing temperature will cause damage to your car door locks or your door locks by freezing them till they point of not able to open up.

Frustrated? Trust me, I know how a frozen lock can ruin the start of a day with you struggling to get to work. However, there are a few methods that are worth trying that can get your day started!

However, if you still ultimately struggle and are unable to budge the frozen lock, call up a reliable local locksmith such as Tony’s Locksmith. These locksmiths will be able to solve your lock issues on demand.

What Can Low-Temperature Drops Do To Your Locks?

There are various problems that you will be facing during the winter season due to the temperature dropping to the freezing point. Here are some problems you will be facing :

Frozen Lock

Here’s a mini science fact: Objects expand in high temperatures and contract in low temperatures

A frozen lock is very common in winter, as the low temperature causes the lock mechanism to contract. Once the lock contracts, your key will not fit in the keyhole, making it a stuck lock.

Door locks are not the only victim, frozen car door lock is also a very common sight in cold winters. Your car door lock or car handle will be frozen in place, resulting in you being unable to unlock the door at all.

Door Frame Complications

Door frames will lose their alignment during winter due to contractions in low temperatures. This will lead to doors being unstable, or in worse scenarios, dropping down completely.

When this happens, please contact relevant professionals to solve the problems. A whole home security check is also highly recommended as it might become one of the weak points of your home security.

What Should I Do To Solve The Issue?

De-Icing

De-Icer spray are one of the best tools to cure your frozen lock due to their ability to melt ice forming around the lock. This frees up the lock mechanism and provides access once again.

Pro Tip: Always keep a de-icer in your car just in case your door locks are frozen. A frozen car door lock is usually not a big problem because you can gain access to your home. However, there are very limited things you can do if you are locked out of your home by your frozen door lock.

Hand Sanitizer

Hand sanitizers are made out of alcohol and their properties allow water to have a lower freezing point. Dip the key into the hand sanitizer and just try to insert the keys inside the frozen lock.

The presence of hand sanitizer in the frozen door lock will ultimately bring down the freezing point. Little did you know, hand sanitizers are actually useful for other purposes rather than just germ-killing.

Petroleum Jelly

Petroleum jelly is essentially a lube that allows you to insert the lock into a frozen door lock or frozen car door lock more easily. Similarly to hand sanitizers, just dip your keys into the petroleum jelly and insert it into the frozen locks.

What You Should Not Do

In the midst of frustration, there are things you are tempted to do, but shouldn’t do. Here are some examples of what you should not do :

Pour Hot Water On The Frozen Locks

Pouring hot water on the locks will provide a temporary solution, but it will not be a good choice from a long-term perspective.

Pouring hot water on a lock that is frozen shut will force it to expand, thus providing temporary access. However, when it cools down again, it will contract and the same problem will persist. An extended time of expanding and contracting will lead to the deformation of the lock cylinder, making it worse in the long run.

Try To Force The Door Open

This is clearly a bad choice, but in the heat of the moment, this will definitely be one of the choices that you will consider. Using too much force on the door lock will cause the door to eventually break down.

In this case, when all else fails, call up a locksmith to assist you. They are professionals that will open up the door locks without any damage.