Advice with a deadbolt lock that sticks?

Question

Hi - My front door has a deadbolt lock that sticks from time to time. I am afraid of breaking the key in the lock. Is there some kind of lubricant I can use to get the lock moving smoothly again?

Answer 1

I agree with KB. If you're up to it, remove the lock and clean out the parts. If you don't feel like doing that, your best bet is to use a silicone based lubricant.  

Answer 2

I'd agree with the above suggestions, but I'd also suggest that you check to see whether the bolt itself is rubbing against the frame when you close it. My front door will expand when the humidity's high, and that expansion means the bold isn't centered on the hole in the frame. It rubs against the edge of the plate and is hard to open and close.

If this is the case, using a file to rasp off just a bit of the plate (1/32 of an inch) can help.

Answer 3

graphite, u cn pick it up @ hardware store

Answer 4

Spray WD-40 on the bolt and mechanism.

Put your key in the lock and lock/unlock it several times to spread the WD-40 around and lubricate the parts.

This has worked for me a number of times.

Answer 5

WD 40 will work well to help to clean out the crud and sticky stuff inside the lock. The best way is to pull the lock and clean it. If you don't want to pull it just drowned it with wd-40 till it works well then after a couple of days spray it with a good silicone lubricant.

Answer 6

Graphite Powder, you can get it at a hardware store or from a locksmith.  It comes in small bottles with long, thin tube spouts for

injecting into the lock mechanism.