Damn cold weather!

[pais]

   Well, the cold showed up and I forgot about this problem. The '02 Chevy PU I have is horrible with the cold temps. The locks freeze soooo easily. Evidently the seals around the doors aren't worth a sh*t either. Once I get the lock unlocked then, I have to get the door open.  Seems to be only the drivers side. It's a real PIA! I have used liquid graphite on locks in the past but, I am out. So I have to go buy something. Any ideas/suggestions? I think some silicone wiped on the seals should take care of that issue.

[Valker]

  Well, the cold showed up and I forgot about this problem. The '02 Chevy PU I have is horrible with the cold temps. The locks freeze soooo easily. Evidently the seals around the doors aren't worth a sh*t either. Once I get the lock unlocked then, I have to get the door open.   Seems to be only the drivers side. It's a real PIA! I have used liquid graphite on locks in the past but, I am out. So I have to go buy something. Any ideas/suggestions? I think some silicone wiped on the seals should take care of that issue.

Scrub the doors and seals with WD-40. Powdered graphite is all you shoud use in locks.

[Jess from VA]

Besides lube, stick your key in the microwave before going outside (in paper towel).

Wear gloves.  

Anti ice lock spray is alcohol, isn't it?

Do the door locks have the little doors intact?


One of my spankings as a child was because I heated a penny on the stove, then told my younger brother... hey, there's a penny on the kitchen floor.

Apparently, I was the only one who thought this was funny.  

[Mr Whiskey]

...stick your key in the microwave before going outside (in paper towel).

Forgive me Brother, but I wouldn't recommend this
2¢ worth

[Mr Whiskey]

Scrub the doors and seals with WD-40. Powdered graphite is all you shoud use in locks.

Ditto

[Jess from VA]

On the microwave:

NOT for keys with electronics in them (which cost a fortune to replace).

I only meant for 10 seconds or so, and even in a towel if it starts arcing/sparking in there, stop.

Even a key heated up with a lighter can unfreeze a door lock.

This is not a fix for a chronic problem, just an emergency measure to get in.     

[Ken aka Oil Burner]

I use Fluid Film in my lock tumblers, and spray my door hinges and latches as well. From their website's FAQ section: FLUID FILM works very well in locks. FLUID FILM will provide long term lubrication in a lock assembly. In cold weather applications, FLUID FILM will keep locks from freezing, and since FLUID FILM contains no solvent, it will not get gummy or create a build-up of dirt. Do not over-apply; a light application is all that is necessary.

I also spray a rag and wipe my door seals to keep them from sticking too.

[The emperor has no clothes]

On the microwave:

NOT for keys with electronics in them (which cost a fortune to replace).

I only meant for 10 seconds or so, and even in a towel if it starts arcing/sparking in there, stop.

Even a key heated up with a lighter can unfreeze a door lock.

This is not a fix for a chronic problem, just an emergency measure to get in.     

Dang, I was hoping you'd post a video.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=VL1OCvyxLfM

[..]

Outside spigots covered.

Faucets on a very slow drip.

Cabinet doors under sinks open.

Central heat on 50F. I normally don't have the heat on once I'm in my pit.

Forecast low is 26F but I'm at 2,200 feet so maybe 1 or 2 degrees colder.

[cookiedough]

so, what is everyone's opinion on how low of a heat setting to leave it on so the pipes do not freeze in a house?  Last winter at moms house here in WI I set at 59 degrees no one living there.  This year just last week I turned the heat on since was in the upper 40's in the house and turned it down to only 54 degrees.  Is that too low to keep the pipes from freezing?  I am thinking will be fine since no one living there probably going to sell the house next summer once we go thru the house, like that will happen in many weekends???

I changed oil OUTSIDE yesterday on a car northern WI was only 22 degrees out, not fun by any means.  Temp going up there was 28 but further north going kept dropping and dropping even during mid-day.   Today even though in the 30''s the SUN was out and that helped getting snow tires on 1 of the 2 vehicles.  Wife came home from shopping after 3:30 p.m. and was not going to start her SUV since not fun in the dark changing to snow tires taking near 30 minutes per tire to do by hand no power tools with hand jack, etc.  Temps also drop drastically once close to dark was warmer today with sun at 10 a.m. vs. 3 p.m. with clouds. 

[The emperor has no clothes]

so, what is everyone's opinion on how low of a heat setting to leave it on so the pipes do not freeze in a house?  Last winter at moms house here in WI I set at 59 degrees no one living there.  This year just last week I turned the heat on since was in the upper 40's in the house and turned it down to only 54 degrees.  Is that too low to keep the pipes from freezing?  I am thinking will be fine since no one living there probably going to sell the house next summer once we go thru the house, like that will happen in many weekends???

I changed oil OUTSIDE yesterday on a car northern WI was only 22 degrees out, not fun by any means.  Temp going up there was 28 but further north going kept dropping and dropping even during mid-day.   Today even though in the 30''s the SUN was out and that helped getting snow tires on 1 of the 2 vehicles.  Wife came home from shopping after 3:30 p.m. and was not going to start her SUV since not fun in the dark changing to snow tires taking near 30 minutes per tire to do by hand no power tools with hand jack, etc.  Temps also drop drastically once close to dark was warmer today with sun at 10 a.m. vs. 3 p.m. with clouds. 

If nobody is living there, wouldn't you be safer turning off the water and draining the pipes ?

[DirtyDan]

For the record it’s cold here in Kingman

Dan

[The emperor has no clothes]

For the record it’s cold here in Kingman

Dan

Is it windy up there also ? It's kicking butt down here.

[DirtyDan]

YES

Dan

[pais]

 
[/quote]If nobody is living there, wouldn't you be safer turning off the water and draining the pipes ?
[/quote]

+1 
     Unless you really need water, this is the way to go. Here in Ohio during the "foreclosure years". If I had a nickel for every time I heard, "I left the heat on", I'd be in Arizona riding my Valk. I show up to turn the water off because the house is leaking water from walls, ceilings and floors. Man, what a sight. Main shut off inside the house is neglected/old and is inoperable about 50% of the time.

[pais]

Besides lube, stick your key in the microwave before going outside (in paper towel).

Wear gloves.  

Anti ice lock spray is alcohol, isn't it?

Do the door locks have the little doors intact?


One of my spankings as a child was because I heated a penny on the stove, then told my younger brother... hey, there's a penny on the kitchen floor.

Apparently, I was the only one who thought this was funny.  

   Yes, the little doors are intact.

    Curious, do you and your younger brother still talk? Never thought of that one, it's a good one. More importantly, my 2 older brothers never thought of that one!

    Stick lighter for the grill is in garage. Usually would grab that when I needed heat. Never thought of microwave. 

[pais]

I use Fluid Film in my lock tumblers, and spray my door hinges and latches as well. From their website's FAQ section: FLUID FILM works very well in locks. FLUID FILM will provide long term lubrication in a lock assembly. In cold weather applications, FLUID FILM will keep locks from freezing, and since FLUID FILM contains no solvent, it will not get gummy or create a build-up of dirt. Do not over-apply; a light application is all that is necessary.

I also spray a rag and wipe my door seals to keep them from sticking too.

 

   Stopped by Autozone and grabbed a can of Fuid Film. Not wanting to wait on a delivery from Amazon. Price seemed steep but, fortunately it was on sale at AZ for $7.00 a can. As Oil Burner said, "little goes a long way." Hit the locks, hinges and seals Sunday afternoon. Monday morning @ 05:30 it was a balmy 26*. Truck crusted in frost, locks and doors were as slippery as snot on a door knob.  Went ahead and hit the latch assembly and hinges under the hood. Went to the tailgate and lubricated everything back there. Everything works smoother now, no resistance. Wait and see how it holds up throughout Winter.
   Thanx guys for all the input!