- Freezing components
To freeze to the point where the standard dial combination lock cannot be opened, you only need to freeze the temperature. The area where the lock is located should show signs of frost. Because the surrounding ice is melting naturally, the ice in the lock will do the same. In some cases, the frost may stay in the lock for longer, but it should be in the process of melting.
Even if your lock is not near water, there may be enough moisture in the air to ensure that the padlock will not open. If the lock is exposed to a large amount of water, the possibility of the padlock freezing increases. In many cases, you will not be able to prevent this seasonal problem from recurring, but a weatherproof cover can reduce the accumulation of internal moisture.
The best padlocks can still freeze, but no lock should be hurt for this. The injury will come from trying to force the lock to work and over-tightening the key. If the lock does not properly drain the melted ice, it will rust. Most padlocks have drainage holes on their bodies, but if the padlocks are positioned so that the holes face upwards, gravity will not work.
solution:
When the padlock cannot be opened due to ice, isopropyl alcohol is the best solution. You can use rubbing alcohol or hand sanitizer so that you don’t add water in case it freezes and rusts in the future. Heated locks are also possible, but it can be difficult to provide a heat source for the locks. However, the ice has melted, please make sure that the water is drained from the lock.
- The key will not turn
When the padlock with the key cannot be opened, there may be a problem with the key. A key that does not turn should be different from the symptoms of a stuck lock. The key will be inserted, but it will not affect the lock at all. It's as if the wrong key was inserted. If the key is not inserted correctly, check the blocking part of the keyway.
A key to damage may be the subject person in charge, or the padlock broken by one of the other methods discussed elsewhere in the article. You can check your keys and check for signs of wear. Just by touching it, you can judge whether the teeth of the key have become smooth and rounded, and have lost the sharp and pointed shape of the correct lifting pin.
The easiest way to determine if a padlock cannot be opened due to key-related issues is to use a spare key. A keyed padlock is equipped with at least two keys. See if you can find your spare key and test it in a padlock. If the problem with the second key persists, there may be a problem with the lock instead of the problem with the key.
solution:
When the padlock cannot be opened because of your key, you may not be able to repair the broken key. Instead, you will want to make a new key from the lock, which requires a locksmith. Through methods such as lock printing and key decoding, a new key can be cut out from the code. Copying the worn out key will only allow you to get a second key that doesn't work.
- The combination wheel is stuck
Whether your padlock uses a single combination wheel or multiple combination wheels, they will all be damaged for similar reasons. The most common reason that the combination padlock cannot be opened due to the binding of the wheels is the shackle tension. When the shackle is pulled, the wheels will not move and the padlock will not open.
If the shackle is not pulled, something may still raise or tighten the shackle to produce a similar effect. Something may get stuck in the gap between the shackle and the lock body, keeping the shackle pushed up (rather than pulled). Pull up the handcuffs and make sure to give in a little. When the shackle did not move up slightly, it was stuck.
If your shackle is not jammed and not tightened, please refer to the section on rust. If the password padlock cannot be opened when it is extremely cold outside, you can take measures to treat it as frozen. If there is a way to change the padlock combination, such as changing the key or external device, you can try to use it to release the combination wheel.
solution:
If the shackle does not move at all, apply lubricant. Application points include the space between the shackle and the lock body, combination wheels and drainage holes. After applying lubricant, pull on the shackle and rotate the wheel. Even if the material gets stuck in the joint of the lock, the lubricant may cause them to slip off.
- Rust
This is very common in old locks or antique locks. The accumulation of rust may be the reason the padlock cannot be opened, even if there is no obvious sign of excessive accumulation. This is especially true when the padlock has a stainless steel catch and a lock body that will not rust. However, even if there is no external discoloration, some internal components may corrode.
Rust is the product of chemical changes in which iron combines with oxygen and water (H 2 O). Iron is turning into iron oxide, which appears as a reddish-brown substance, decomposing into flakes. These sheets can clog the keyway or clog internal components. The components themselves will also degenerate to the point where they break to the point where the padlock cannot be opened.
Rust is a common reason why outdoor padlocks cannot be opened. Due to the proximity to water, the risk of rust increases. Reliable moisture exposure areas include yards where sprinklers are frequently used, boat storage areas, swimming pool doors, etc. If your lock is frozen or has frozen, the moisture generated by the melting of the ice can cause rust to accumulate.
brass padlock for sale provides solutions:
Although WD-40 will cause the lock to become sticky due to the oil collecting dust and dirt over time, it can indeed remove rust. You can spray lubricant into the various openings on the lock (keyway, drain hole, shackle hole, etc.), and then test the lock again. Make sure to turn the key and pull the shackle in a quick and repetitive motion to try to remove the rust. After opening, wipe off the liquefied rust residue.
