Frozen gate hardware is one of the most annoying winter complaints for UK homeowners. You're running late on a cold morning and the latch refuses to open. The lock cylinder is frozen and refuses to turn. The hinges have frozen and won't budge. Your first reaction might be to give it a push, spray something on it, or pour some hot water on it.
Thousands of gates are now frozen solid due to the current cold weather. it is more important to get them functioning without any damage than to do it quickly.
Understanding the problems
One of the key principles to understand is that ice does not merely form on surfaces. It also forms in locking systems, in hinge parts, and in areas surrounding other parts of the latch mechanism. The water that had entered previously had managed to freeze due to lowered temperatures after the colder weather.
It’s not only the construction that counts. Steel parts have good conducting properties and hence thaw slowly. Brass or bronze fixtures tend to thaw faster. Aluminium has an even better conducting property compared to steel.
Safe De-Icing Techniques
The best methods cooperate with physics instead of working against it. It is often necessary to exercise patience instead of relying on force or extreme temperatures.
Isopropyl
It has the ability to lower the freezing point of water effectively compared to salt, without the corrosion that salt products cause. Can be bought from pharmacies and costs little.
Use a tissue/cloth or a dropper to apply it on the frozen portions. The alcohol solution combines with ice, causing it to melt as it can work below zero temperatures when the room temperature is -5° or below.
It has fast evaporation, thus avoiding refreezing. It does not remove lubricants but not as effectively as methylated spirit or solvent.
Alcohol flushes out the lubricants completely. The area needs to be targeted, not soaked.
These de-icers have lubricating agents and freezing point depressants. These products are designed for metal components. Sold in automotive stores and hardware stores.
These work by penetrating around the ice before melting it while lubricating at the same time. Preferable over generic de-icers because of the protective films left rather than stripping already present lubrication.
Use on the keyhole on locks or directly on the latch mechanisms. A little bit goes a long way instead of over-saturating the area. Penetration is needed around the ice, not just on the surface.
Prevention for the Next Time
The most optimal de-icing method is prevention of ice formation in the first place.
Protect susceptible hardware when a freeze is predicted. Using plastic bags tied with elastic bands prevents moisture from accessing the hardware.
Use water-displacing lubricants ahead of cold events. A product such as WD-40 is not a long-term lubricant but displaces water very effectively, preventing ice from forming.
Make sure the hardware is dry prior to lowering the temperature. Remove moisture from the mechanisms. Examine the areas inside keyholes and the areas surrounding the components of the latches.
Frozen gate hardware is sure to test one's patience. The need to gain entry quickly is at odds with the time it takes to do it safely. One is tempted to hurry up the process through forceful means. And for next time remember that prevention is better than cure when it comes to keeping gates ice/frost free.