Ottawa winters cause three main lock problems: moisture that freezes inside a cylinder, doors and frames that shift with frost so the bolt no longer lines up, and keys that snap when someone forces a stiff lock. Most of these can be prevented with a little preparation in the fall, and handled safely when they do happen, as long as you avoid the quick fixes that make things worse.

Stuck with a frozen or jammed lock right now? Call (613) 707-4884.

Before the First Freeze

  • Service your exterior locks. Clean and lubricate cylinders using the product your lock manufacturer recommends, not a guess. Our lock maintenance best practices article explains how, including Schlage's published guidance.
  • Check bolt alignment. If a deadbolt already needs a push to engage in the fall, it will likely bind once frost moves the frame. Have the strike adjusted now.
  • Replace smart lock batteries. Battery performance drops in the cold, so start the season with fresh batteries and keep a backup key where you can reach it.
  • Fix weatherstripping and gutters. Water dripping onto a door or running down the face of the lock is what freezes inside it.
  • Pack a lock de-icer. Keep one in your bag or coat, not in the car you may be locked out of. Our emergency kit for car and home lists other winter essentials.

Frozen House Locks

If the key will not go in or will not turn after freezing rain or a thaw-and-freeze cycle:

  1. Do not force the key. Twisting hard on a frozen cylinder is a common way to snap a key inside the lock.
  2. Use a lock de-icer, following the directions on the product label.
  3. Wait a minute, then gently work the key in and out before trying to turn it.
  4. Once it opens, dry the area and keep water from dripping onto the lock.

Avoid pouring hot water on a lock. It can melt the ice briefly, then refreeze deeper in the cylinder. Do not use an open flame near the door either.

Deadbolts That Stick in Cold Weather

If the key turns freely with the door open but the bolt binds with the door closed, ice is probably not the cause. Frost and cold make doors and frames move, so the bolt rubs against the strike plate. Pushing or pulling the door while turning may get you in, but repeated forcing wears the lock and can break the key. A strike adjustment or frame repair usually solves it for the season.

Vehicle Locks in Winter

  • Frozen door lock: use a lock de-icer as directed and work the key gently. Do not heat the key with a lighter; many car keys have plastic heads and electronic components.
  • Door frozen shut: often the rubber seal, not the lock, is frozen. Try the other doors, and avoid yanking on the handle, which can break it.
  • Remote or smart key not responding: cold weakens fob batteries. Many smart keys contain a mechanical emergency key; your owner's manual shows how to remove it and where the hidden key slot is.
  • Lubrication: follow the vehicle owner's manual for which lubricant to use on door locks and latches.

When to Call a Locksmith

  • A key has broken off in a frozen lock.
  • De-icer has not freed the cylinder, or the lock turns but does not release.
  • A car door lock or handle has stopped working after a freeze.

Next Step

If a vehicle door lock or handle has failed in the cold, see our car door lock repair page. For help with a frozen or jammed lock at home or on the road, call (613) 707-4884.