Winter Lock Maintenance: Prevent Frozen Locks in Upstate NY

Upstate NY winters are brutal on exterior locks. A frozen cylinder can leave you stranded in your own driveway. Here's how to keep your locks working all season.

Prevent it before the freeze

• Spray locks with graphite or a dry lubricant each fall. WD-40 and wet oils attract grit and eventually gum up — avoid them inside the cylinder.
• Install a weather cover or storm door to keep blowing snow off the keyway.
• Park smart — if your car's door lock faces the prevailing wind, a small magnetic cover helps enormously.

When a lock is already frozen

• Use a lock de-icer (keep a small can inside, not in the frozen car).
• Warm the key with a lighter for a few seconds, then insert gently.
• Never force a frozen key — brass keys snap easily when cold and you'll end up with a broken key extraction.

Don't use hot water

Pouring hot water on a frozen lock works once — then refreezes and makes it worse, often cracking the cylinder.

We're here all winter

If a lock is frozen solid or a key has snapped, our techs carry de-icing tools and extraction kits on every truck. Call us and we'll get you in without damage.