Most residential locks fail slowly: a key that needs jiggling, a deadbolt that has to be pushed into the frame, a lever that droops. A few minutes of maintenance a couple of times a year catches these problems while they are still cheap to fix, and helps you avoid the day the key breaks off or the bolt will not turn at all. Here is what to check, how to clean and lubricate locks properly, and when a problem needs a locksmith.

Lock already sticking or failing? Call (613) 707-4884.

A Simple Twice-a-Year Routine

Spring and fall suit Ottawa homes well, because doors and frames shift as the seasons change. For each exterior door:

  1. Test the deadbolt with the door closed. It should throw fully and smoothly without you pushing or pulling on the door. If it only works with the door open, the bolt is rubbing on the strike.
  2. Tighten screws. Snug the screws on the lock, the strike plate and the hinges. Loose hinge screws let the door sag, which is one of the most common reasons a bolt stops lining up.
  3. Check the latch. The door should close and latch without being slammed.
  4. Try every key. Note any key that sticks, and any lock that needs the key wiggled to turn.
  5. Check smart and keypad locks. Replace batteries before they run flat, and confirm the backup key or entry method still works.

Cleaning Lock Hardware

Use gentle cleaning on the visible hardware. Schlage's guide to cleaning door locks recommends a mild liquid dish soap mixed with water, then a wipe with plain water and immediate drying, and warns against spraying or submerging the hardware. It also cautions that some disinfectants contain harsh or abrasive chemicals that can damage the finish. Check the care instructions for your own brand and finish.

Lubricating the Cylinder

Lubrication is where many well-meant repairs go wrong. Follow your lock manufacturer's guidance rather than reaching for whatever is in the garage:

  • Schlage's knowledge base states that it has applied a liquid lubricant to its pinned cylinders since 2014, and it lists Fluid Film as an acceptable liquid lubricant for use in the field (Allegion knowledge base). Other manufacturers may recommend something different, so check your brand's support pages.
  • Do not mix lubricant types. Adding oil on top of graphite, or the reverse, can leave a sticky paste in the pins.
  • Use a small amount. Excess lubricant collects dust and grit, which is the opposite of what you want.
  • After applying, insert and turn the key several times to spread it, then wipe the key clean.

If a lock still binds after cleaning and correct lubrication, the problem is usually mechanical: worn pins, a misaligned strike or a damaged cam. More lubricant will not fix that.

Look After Your Keys

Worn keys wear out cylinders and are more likely to snap. Keep an original key aside for cutting copies, because copies made from copies lose accuracy. Replace any key that is bent, cracked or noticeably worn, and do not use a key to pry or twist anything. If a key does break off in a lock, our guide to a broken key in the door explains what to do next.

Seasonal Considerations in Ottawa

Humidity in summer and frost in winter make doors swell and shrink, so a strike that lines up in July may bind in January. Freezing rain and blowing snow can also get into exterior cylinders. Our winter lock maintenance article covers cold-weather problems in more detail.

When to Call a Locksmith

  • The key turns but the bolt does not move, or the lock spins freely.
  • The bolt only throws if you lift, push or pull the door.
  • A key has broken off or a cylinder is visibly damaged.
  • The lock is loose in the door even after tightening the screws.

Next Step

If maintenance has not solved a sticking or failing lock, our lock repair page explains the options, or call (613) 707-4884 to describe the problem.