Every winter, storefront doors in Rexdale, Etobicoke and across the GTA start misbehaving. The cause is rarely a defective lock. It is the combination of cold, moisture and hardware that has been working hard all year.
What happens in the cold
- Lubricants thicken, so cylinders turn stiffly
- Moisture freezes inside the cylinder and on the latch
- Metal contracts, so the door and frame no longer line up
- Closers slow down and may not fully latch the door
- Salt from the parking lot gets into hinges and pivots
Preventive checks in autumn
Before the first freeze, walk the storefront and:
- Open and close the door slowly. It should latch every time.
- Turn the key. It should be smooth, not gritty.
- Look at the top and bottom pivots for wear.
- Check the threshold and door sweep for gaps.
- Adjust the closer so it closes at a steady speed.
Lubricate correctly
Use a dry, graphite-based or PTFE lubricant made for locks. Avoid heavy oil, which collects dust and gums up in the cold. Apply a light amount to the keyway and the latch.
When a lock freezes
Do not pour hot water on a lock. It can refreeze and make things worse. Use a de-icer made for locks, sparingly, and warm the key with your hands. If the key will not turn, stop. Forcing it can snap the key inside the cylinder. See broken key extraction.
Doors that drag or gap
A door that sticks in winter may have loose hinges or a sagging pivot. Have a locksmith adjust or replace the pivots and closer. See storefront door repair and aluminum glass door repair.
Plan for the one cold morning
Choose a person to check the door before opening and a person to call if it fails. Keep the phone number of a locksmith handy. Apna Locksmith takes calls from 7 AM to 11 PM on (289) 406-1500 and serves Etobicoke from its Brampton shop.
Read more on commercial locksmith in Etobicoke.