How to Safely Thaw Frozen Doors, Windows, and Locks

For many homeowners, the winter months can be a time of great anxiety. The snow and ice accumulating in front of their homes make it difficult to leave for work or school. I’m sure that many of you have had an unfortunate experience with a frozen door, window, or lock. It can be pretty frustrating when your key won’t turn in the lock because it’s too cold outside, and you’re stuck inside!

Frozen locks, windows, and doors can be a huge hassle. Not only do they make it difficult to enter your home or business, but frozen locks also expose you to the risk of theft. Fortunately, there are many ways that you can safely thaw them out, like contacting a professional locksmith service in Toronto. This article will go into more detail about other methods and some tips for dealing with them without causing damage. Read on to learn more about how this works.

How to Defrost Frozen Doors, Windows, and Locks in a Safe Way

It’s a pretty common problem – you come home from work to find your front door frozen shut. You might be tempted to use a hairdryer or heat gun, but that could cause more damage in the long run. Here are some ways you can safely thaw your locks and doors without damaging anything!

Methods You Can Use

There are many ways you can use to thaw a frozen door, window, or lock safely. The method you choose will depend on your specific circumstances and the available materials to work with. Below are the things you can do that are proven effective when removing or defrosting ice on your doors, windows, and locks.

1. Clear snow around the frozen area

Try to make the surface as clear of snow and ice buildup as possible. This is a common problem in cold climates, like Canada’s Ontario province. And it gets worse when you’re not able to clean up your sidewalks very well because of the recent harsh winter weather. The snow piles up on top of your door, window frames, and locks – preventing you from opening them at all!

How to clear snow from the area around a door, window, or lock? 

Clear snow from the area around a door, window, or lock by brushing off any excess accumulation with several quick strokes using an old broom handle fitted with stiff bristles (e.g., nylon scrub brush). A small shovel can also be used for this purpose but may damage the door, window, or lock.

If you have a metal storm door, gently remove any ice chunks with a putty knife and then clear off snow from all surfaces of the frame (i.e., both inside and outside). 

Next, use an old broom handle fitted with stiff bristles (e.g., nylon scrub brush) to sweep away snowy debris around the edges of windows by applying firm pressure on the top edge until it starts coming out freely at the bottom edge – don’t forget about corners! For doors without thresholds: Clean up in front of your doorway as well so that when people come knocking, they’re not stepping into fresh piles of slushy snow.

2. Use an Ice Scraper

Using an ice scraper is a great way to remove the ice from your doors, windows, and locks. You can also use this method if you are trying to eliminate ice that is causing an icicle or stalactite formation on any surface.

1. a) Choose Your Scraper – There are many different scrapers available for purchase in hardware stores. The type of scraper you choose will depend on what kind of material your door, window, or lock is made out of.

1. b) Gently Run the Scraper Across the Surface – Starting at one end and going side-to-side should take care of most surfaces cleanly with minimal effort. Take care not to press down too hard as it may damage sensitive materials like vinyl siding. 

1. c) If the Scraper Doesn’t Work – You can also try using a de-icer to melt ice. This is especially helpful on delicate surfaces like glass and mirrors, as well as for removing icicles from your roof or other fixtures.

How to use the Ice Scraper?

• Place the ice scraper at an angle against one of the blocks and push it away from you. The blades will cut through any ice in front of them, so be sure to give yourself room when starting by scraping off a smaller chunk first. 

• Move down towards your feet with every swipe until all blocks are cleared or trimmed into tiny ice.

• Start with a small chunk and slowly work your way up to the large blocks.

• After you’ve cleared one block, rotate the ice scraper in order to use new blades that are just as sharp.

• Slide it along like a windshield wiper starting from one side of the window or door until all of the ice has been scraped away.

3. Spray de-icer spray onto locks and keyholes for an easy fix

If you have an exterior lock that needs to function during the winter months when it’s cold outside, try to avoid using a lubricant on the lock, as it will quickly freeze up. Instead, apply de-icer spray liberally onto the metal lock surface and work product into the keyhole if applicable. The de-icer should loosen the ice and allow for it to be removed easily.

Steps on Using De-Icer

1. a) Use a towel or cloth to cover locks and keyholes before spraying – this will prevent overspray from damaging your surfaces, as well as keep you dry while removing snow or ice from them. 

1. b) Spray generously onto small sections at a time so that the de-icer spray has enough space to work without drying up too quickly. 

1. c) Let sit on the lock surface for 15 minutes after applying the product in order to remove frozen items with ease.

1. d) Scrape away any visible residue left behind by deicing spray using standard scraping techniques. If there is an excess buildup of ice around your keyhole, try twisting keys in the opposite direction to break up any ice and snow 

1. e) Repeat the process until the door or window and locks are completely thawed. This may take a while, and please be patient!

4. Place towel soaked in hot water around the frozen lock, door handle, or window.

One of the safest ways is simply using warm water as long as it does not cause any damage to paint or other surfaces if spilled. You can also use boiling water placed in towels so that they are soaked and then pressing them against an ice-covered area for a few minutes at a time until it melts enough to be removed from its surface without damaging anything else around it.

• This is a suitable method for locks and windows that are not painted shut.

• You will need to monitor closely in case of thawing too quickly.

• If you feel any warm air emitting from around your towel, stop heating the area as it may have already become dangerously hot.

• Lock doors with a key if possible before doing this so no one can get locked out while you’re at work (but do still keep an eye on things) 

• For windows, don’t block heater vents behind curtains or furniture because they might overheat and combust.

• Do not use boiling water directly against the glass! The steam can explode through cracks in the windshield, causing injury.

5. Contact a professional locksmith

If the lock is frozen, and all these methods are not easy and a hassle for you. Then, you will need a certified locksmith to fix it and open your door or window. A locksmith is an excellent option if you desperately need to get inside or outside your home, business, or car. They have the tools necessary for handling challenging situations because they deal with them every day. Locksmiths help people by fixing locks and supplying them with keys. They also have the expertise in handling a number of other situations! 

Some Tips that Can Help Prevent Your Lock from Freezing

It is essential to keep an eye on things like moisture levels, so you do not end up dealing with this problem again later. There are many ways that you can try and prevent lock freezing, including:

Blocking off drafts around windows and doors

You will need to block any drafty areas near where it could be exposed to cold air. If the window has cracks or holes, cover those up as well since they may let some cold air inside your home when they freeze over during these days. 

Keeping vents closed

Make sure you can close any vents in your house. If there are leaks around the windows or doors, seal them off so that air cannot escape and cause problems.

Using caulking

You may also want to use a type of caulk on damaged areas like cracks where cold air can enter the home. This could help prevent future lock freezing as well if done correctly. 

Turning up heaters

It’s essential to make sure that you have enough heating inside your home at all times because this will stop more moisture from collecting and create an environment where freeze locks do not form nearly as quickly.

Heating vent

You can also buy a heating vent to place in front of your door or window that will allow heat into the area and prevent it from freezing up on you! 

Using fans

It’s essential to make sure air is constantly moving inside your home, which means using fans as well as opening windows at night so cold drafts are not coming in when people are sleeping. These methods should help keep doors, locks, and windows safe during this harsh winter season.

Conclusion

As you can see, knowing how to remove ice from doors, windows, and locks safely is vital, so when an ice storm may happen, you can get on your house, office, or car back.

By contacting a professional locksmith company, you can avoid the potential dangers of frozen locks, doors, and windows. A Plus Services, a licensed locksmith in the Greater Toronto area, can safely thaw your property. Contact us today at (647) 850-7305 if you are suffering from frosty lockpicks or other icy intrusions! We will come out to assess what needs to be done in order for you to get back inside with ease.