Condensation in lock

[J2502]

Hi Everyone am new here so please excuse if this is in the wrong place.

My front door was new last year and now it is off/on difficult to put the key in, it goes half in then sticks and I have to give it a push with the palm of my hand to get it in, once in it will turn fine etc. Am wondering if this is a condensation/moisture issue due to the cold weather. I noticed this morning,( I always leave the key in when indoors) and when I took it out this morning it was wet. Could this be the warmth of the indoors v cold outside issue. We had 12 degrees indoors (no heating on overnight) but weather report said 0 outside and it was frosty.

How can I dry it out as am worried it will rust up or get totally unusable all of a sudden? My landlord does all repairs but if it is something I can do then I will.

Thank You.

 

[footprints]

Lock makers frown on using WD40 but it this case a water displacement product like WD40 might be the best option.

 

[JohnD]

Don't lube the cylinder.

I don't believe it is condensation.

When the door is open (not latching into the frame) does the key turn freely?

If not, is it an original key, a copy, or a worn one?

Is it the same from both inside and out?

Photos of the key and lock would give more clues. Include closeup of keyhole.

Do you suffer from local urchins?

 

[J2502]

The key goes in fine on some days...not on others. And once the key is in it turns freely, the issue is getting the key fully in and it is a random issue sometimes as normal and other times not. New door last winter, nothing worn, original key etc. Same things happen with spare keys given by the installer. So whatever it is causing this it is not the key/s

 

[Rodders53]

Use Graphite as a lubricant on locks. Run a soft pencil over the key surfaces and insert. Remove repeat. Or a puffer graphite powder sprayer.

 

[JohnD]

Does it happen inside and and out?

(And the remaining questions please)

 

[J2502]

key turns freely every which way, with door open and closed once the key will actually go right into the lock
original key and original spare keys from new door installed last year
only happens from outside is fine going into lock from indoors
photo in last post
no idea what you mean by local urchins

I generally leave the key in the door when am home, noticed this morning it was wet..which is why I assumed condensation?

 

[JohnD]

only happens from outside is fine going into lock from indoors

no idea what you mean by local urchins

Only happens from outside
Suggest the key is not at fault but something has happened to the outside keyhole

For example dirt, glue, chewing gum, attempted forced entry with tool or deliberate damage with screwdriver

Or it might just be tight if new and hardly used

So, close-up of external keyhole, please

It will not be caused by condensation.

"Local urchins" means badly behaved children.

 

[J2502]

Ah right... of course re urchins. Have to say have not had any issues to date.

 

[J2502]

We cannot see anything in there.. and if it was chewing gum or something it would stick every time? maybe get the landlord to sort it out. We just thought if it was something simple we could sort it ourselves. The will go half in only sometimes, and needs a push to go right in, always turns fine once in. Some days it goes in fine.

 

[JohnD]

I can't see any marks or damage. Some locks have a hinged shutter to keep out dirt, but I can't see one.

It might possibly need wearing in, if you repeatedly push the key in and out, it might wear smooth.

Look at the key afterwards for any traces of grit, as might occur from building work.

Might have happened if key was previously dirty, e.g. dropped in puddle or put in pocket with sticky sweets.

Don't use any oil, as this tends to hold dirt.

 

[J2502]

It is odd as when the door was new last january and until just the past month, the lock was fine. I think i'll need to tell the landlord and have them check it out to cover myself.

Thank you so much for all the replies and help here, I really appreciate it.

 

[crank39]

Its been said high up in the thread already but do not lube the lock with WD, granted it'll work but in a day or two will start to gum up and you'll end up replacing the cylinder, again as said you need a dry lube like graphite, pencil lead rubbed across the key helps. A possible reason its difficult outside is maybe the wind has blown dust and dirt intom the key hole, I see this all the time on new build sites where theres plenty of dirt

 

[J2502]

we can see inside the lock and it looks fine, but i've now reported to landlord so they can sort it out and just check the lock etc.

I have seen so many saying do not lube the lock so I haven't, and it is not something I will do. The landlord will sort it out now.

 

[foxhole]

I sprayed mine with WD40, no more sticking key.