How to remove a broken key from a door lock?
Many a time, you will find yourself locked out of the house or a room within your home because the key is broken in the lock.
You might try to help yourself out, but without the tools or skill to extract the key, it is all in vain.
However, that does not mean you should not try.
Through your efforts to extract the broken piece, you might be able to open the lock and find a perfect solution later.
But why will a key get stuck in a lock?
Regardless of whether you are dealing with car ignition, trunk lock or door lock, you are susceptible to your keys getting stuck.
The same is also true when dealing with residential and commercial locks.
So here are some tentative reasons why the key will stick in your locks;
- Old locks
- Bent, worn out or damaged keys
- Rusty locks, etc.
While these are some of the underlying reasons for a frustrating house lockout, it is crucial to involve a professional locksmith if you have no skill.
In a stuck key ordeal, the problem could aggregate from a mere stuck key that would need simple DIY techniques, to a more difficult situation.
While trying to fiddle with the key, it might, unfortunately, break into pieces, leaving the lock useless.
However, the condition can be saved with simple Do-It-Yourself methods.
Lubricate the locks.
One of the problems relating to stuck keys is rusty locks.
Also, you could find that your lock is filled up with debris.
All these factors might limit the opening and operations of your key in the lock.
Applying or spraying a general-purpose lubricant will help solve the problem.
An important consideration that most homeowners don’t recognize is whether their locks are suitable for use indoors or outdoors.
Due to adverse weather conditions, you will notice that outdoor locks are designed to draw water and lid-off moisture from them.
You do not have to wait until your key is stuck in your locks; you can always lubricate and maintain your locks often.
Use a screwdriver to turn the lock.
The best way in which a screwdriver is useful in this case is if the cuts are still aligned with the lock.
When the cuts and the pins in the locks are aligned, it is easier to slide the key out of the lock.
However, if you had turned the key before it broke, you will have to use a screwdriver to turn the lock, and then try to draw the key out of the lock.
Using needle-nosed pliers.
This is one of the most effective ways to extract a broken key in the locks.
However, you might not have the pliers with you before the ordeal.
If you can access your garage, you might find the appliances.
Besides, you can purchase a pair from your local store.
But how do you use needle-nosed pliers to extract a broken key?
If the key cuts are aligned with the lock, you will be able to grab the key and slide it out of the lock.
However, if the two are not aligned, you will have to opt for another alternative.
Using a scroll or jigsaw blade.
Other popular appliances that are effective for broken key extraction are scroll and jigsaw blades.
If you have these tools, you will be able to extract the key by sliding it in the lock facing downwards.
When you feel that the blade is in contact with the cuts on your key, pull out the blade.
This way, the key should slide out of the lock without damaging the lock.
Call a locksmith.
Sometimes, not all DIY broken key extraction techniques will work.
The situation could be more difficult, and thus without the tools and skill, you might not slide the key out.
Moreover, if acquiring the tools from your local store seems pricey, while also considering the time it will take to get the key out without any skill, then a locksmith is the way to go.
A professional locksmith can extract broken keys in residential, commercial and car door locks hassle-free.
Moreover, they have the tools and equipment to extract the broken key without damaging the locks.
