Picture this: you’re turning the key in your front door and that’s when you hear it: a loud snap.
You look down and half your key is in your hand, while the rest remains in the lock.
Broken keys happen all the time. But it’s not time to call a locksmith yet; there are a few things you can try before taking that step.
WHY DO KEYS BREAK OFF IN LOCKS?
Before we talk about how to remove a broken key from a lock, let’s look at why keys break to begin with. There are two main reasons that keys break off in locks:
- Key issues: Made out of soft metals like brass or nickel, it’s no surprise that keys can easily break against the pressure of other metals. This combined with the wear and tear that keys can face will ultimately weaken them and increase potential for breaking.
- Lock issues: Locks can also face problems that will cause keys to break inside, including poor lubrication or jamming issues.
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR KEY BREAKS IN A LOCK
When a key breaks off in a lock — no matter whether it’s an exterior or interior door — it’ll be no surprise that you should deal with the issue immediately.
Not only could the broken key cause damage to the lock, but you also may not be able to either lock or open the door until the broken key is removed.
For exterior doors, broken keys are concerning, as you may not be able to lock and secure the door until the problem is resolved. For homes and businesses alike, an open entrance door is a huge security issue.
In other situations, you might have the opposite problem: it’s possible that you may not be able to open a door once the key has broken off inside.
If you’re dealing with a broken key in a lock, you essentially have two solutions:
- Try to remove the broken key from the lock yourself
- Call a locksmith
5 Ways to Remove a Broken Key from a Lock Yourself
In a typical door lock, there are a number of pins that correspond to the unique cuts in a key, allowing it to turn the lock cylinder when the key is inserted. When a key is broken off inside the lock while the cylinder is turned, the lock will actually hold the broken key inside until the cylinder is returned to normal.
If your key breaks off in a lock, start by looking at the lock and determining:
- Can you see the key inside?
- Is the key out of reach or is a piece sticking out that you could grab?
- Is the lock still engaged (vertically) or had you started turning the key when it broke off? What you see in the lock will help you determine which step(s) to try below.
1. Take the lock apart.
For some types of locks (like Schlage), the best way to remove the broken key is take the lock apart.
Simply disassemble the lock to expose the back of the cylinder. Then, you’ll see holes in the back where you can push out the broken key using a paperclip or other small object.
2. Use a key extractor.
The same tool as locksmiths use — the key extractor — is the perfect way to remove your broken key.
One type of key extractor is a thin strip of metal covered in grooves to grip the broken key and remove it from the lock. Another is a hook extractor used to hook the first cut of the key and gently pull out the broken piece.
3. Use a small tool.
Don’t have a key extractor laying around? (Most of us don’t!)
Try using a paperclip or other small tool like a bobby pin, small jigsaw blade, or small flathead screwdriver to ease the broken key out of the lock just like a key extractor would.
4. Use a grabbing or hook tool.
In some situations, you may find a broken key edge sticking out just far enough to grab with a pair of needle nose pliers or tweezers. (Be careful not to push the key further into the lock with this solution.)
You might also use a tool like the hook extractor, such as a fishing hook or needle with a barb on the end, to guide the broken key out of the lock. Be sure to pull the key straight out, not at an angle up or down.
5. Try a hair dryer.
If your exterior door lock got moisture inside and is frozen from winter temperatures, the lock could be challenging to turn and easily break your key inside.
If this happens, try to first use a hair dryer to melt the ice and dry the resulting water. Then, try a method from above to remove the broken key from your newly thawed lock.
When Do You Need to Call a Locksmith?
If none of the strategies above worked, it’s time to make the call to a trusted local locksmith.
Be sure to keep the part of the key that broke off in your hand, as your locksmith might be able to use it to make a new key.
When your key breaks off a lock, it’s frustrating and inconvenient. Be sure to plan for the worst by having more than one way to enter your home. Then, make sure your home is protected with quality home insurance coverage.
If you need help finding the best homeowners insurance coverage for the best price, start by speaking to a SimplyIOA agent at 833.872.4467 or get a homeowners insurance quote online now.
