When you’re ready for a quiet evening in after a long day of work, one of the worst sounds you could hear is the snap of your key breaking off in the lock. If you don’t have another entry point, you can’t get into your home. You might consider calling up an emergency locksmith right away for broken key extraction. This is a sure-fire way to get you back into your home as quickly as possible without damaging your lock.

You can try a few things instead of calling in a residential locksmith if you have the time. Whatever you do, don’t try to insert the other half of the key to turn the lock. The broken half is likely in the wrong position inside the lock. Even if it isn’t, your attempt to open the door will surely misalign the key. Pushing the key deeper will only make things worse, possibly even to the point of no return.

The First Step to Broken Key Extraction

No matter what method you use to extract your key, the first step is to apply a lubricant to the lock. This makes sliding the broken key out much easier and reduces the chance of lasting damage to your lock. The best possible lubricant for this situation is a graphite spray. This dry lubricant won’t gunk up the workings of your lock. An oil-based lubricant can work in a pinch, but you run the risk of accumulating oil inside the lock. Be sure to wipe up any excess lubricant after application.

The Right Tools for the Job

You’re going to need to apply the right tools to succeed in broken key extraction. Tweezers are the obvious choice, but many tweezers are too thick to slide alongside the key. A jigsaw blade or small hacksaw blade is the ideal thickness. The blade will be able to slide in, and the serrated edge will hook the key, allowing you to pull it out.

Last Resorts

If this doesn’t work, you can try applying super glue to a wire piece or another object that will fit in the lock. Allow the item to bond to the key, and pull it out. If it’s your car key that broke off, you should consider calling an automotive locksmith, as vehicle keys are often more complex and challenging to remove. This also applies to high-security commercial locks, that would require an experienced commercial locksmith.

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A sticky lock might not seem like a severe problem, but it can quickly develop into one. Whether you find that you have trouble removing your key from your lock or have difficulty turning the lock, you should act swiftly and try these ways how to fix a sticky lock to avoid having to call an emergency locksmith when you end up locked out.

Carefully Inspect the Key Itself

The first thing you should look into is the key itself. It isn’t necessarily the lock that is causing the problem. If your key is bent or otherwise damaged, that could be the cause of the issue. Most keys can be bent back to straight with household pliers. If you‘re having this problem with your car keys, consider calling an automotive locksmith for a replacement set.

Smooth Out a Sticky Lock with Graphite Powder

Lubrication is an integral part of regular maintenance. One of the easiest ways to lubricate a lock is by using graphite powder. The powder is available in small bottles that you then spray directly into the lock to ensure smooth performance. You should try this solution over traditional oil spray lubricants, which could cause dirt to stick in the delicate mechanism. Graphite is a common lubricant for applications where oil wouldn’t be suitable.

A Pencil Will Do in a Pinch

Do you believe in making the most of household items when doing repairs? Do you want to find out how to fix a sticky lock without a trip to the store? Try using an ordinary pencil instead of designated graphite lubricant. Rub the lead against the surface of the key. When you slide the key into the lock, the graphite will rub off in the mechanism.

How to Fix a Sticky Lock, The Professional Way

You could also consider picking up a spray can of lubricating spray. These provide smooth operation, along with increasing your lock’s water resistance. If you have more complex lock hardware, you might want to consider calling a commercial locksmith or residential locksmith to find out about hardware-specific issues that wouldn’t apply to general locks.

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Reasons Why Your Key Isn’t Working

The key to your car is much more complicated than the key for most locks. Keys for vehicles have become increasingly complicated over the last few decades. Keys today have a wide variety of safety features that could go wrong. The ignition in your car doesn’t use pins like a house lock. Instead, it uses thin wafers. These wafers can wear down with lots of use and eventually stop working correctly. Frequent use can also take a toll on your key. If your key wears down to the point that it doesn’t properly engage the wafers, you won’t be able to start your vehicle.

Picking the Right Time to Fix a Car Key

The best time to fix a car key is before it stops working altogether. There should be some clear signs that something is starting to go wrong long before you’re unable to start your car. If you find your car key sticking in the ignition or turning hard, you should consult an automotive locksmith before things get out of hand. They can quickly help you with replacement keys and can repair or replace your ignition. Nearly every residential locksmith or commercial locksmith will also have some experience with vehicle locks, but be sure to ask ahead of time.

Troubleshooting Tips

There are some steps you can take to doublecheck if you need a locksmith. The first thing is to turn the steering wheel back and forth while trying to turn your key. The steering column is supposed to lock when the key is out. If it’s become stuck, it can stop the key from turning. Make sure your car isn’t in drive or reverse, most cars only start when in park or neutral. If you have a spare key already, try that. That way you’ll know if it’s the key or the ignition itself. Check your vehicle’s battery if you have a newer car, some won’t let you turn the key with a dead battery.

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Weak or Damaged Latches Are Door Lock Problems That You Should Not Ignore

If you find yourself having to slam your door every time you close it, you might have a severe security problem on your hands. The strike plate and latch of your door can wear down over time, creating a misalignment that can make closing the door tricky. This can also leave your door feeling loose when closed. This can make your home easier to break-in to or leave you more likely to end up with a jammed door. Make sure your locks are installed correctly and are well maintained to avoid this common issue.

Shaky Knobs and Locks

Doorknobs and locks fit snugly into your door when working as designed. If you haven’t installed them correctly, they can have gaps around their edges that allow them to wiggle. These gaps also present an opportunity for insects to enter your home and can cause drafts during the winter months. You should make sure your hardware is installed by a trained residential locksmith, who will know how to fit locks properly.

A Hard-Turning Key Wil Lead to Trouble

Many people don’t consider an ill-fitting key to be among serious door lock problems. If you have trouble inserting or turning your key, it’s a sign that something is wrong with your lock. You might be able to open your door by wiggling the key for now, but eventually, the lock will seize entirely. Don’t wait until its too late, have your lock looked at today. Don’t let what should be regular maintenance lead to an emergency.

Loose Lock Cylinder

If you ever find yourself turning your key without the lock engaging, you need to replace or repair your lock. If the key can turn without engaging the cylinder, something is loose or damaged inside. This could leave you locked out of your business, call a certified commercial locksmith to handle this today.

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Call a Professional to Get a Broken Key Out of the Lock

The most reliable method to get your key out of a lock is to call in a qualified locksmith. Any locksmith will have the tools and knowhow to make quick work of a broken key. They use a dedicated tool fittingly called a key extractor. The tool works by hooking onto the teeth of the key. Once the tool has a grim grip, the key can be turned and removed. This can be tricky, but a residential locksmith will have had enough experience to do it quickly.

Homemade Extraction

If you’re deadest against calling in a professional, you can take a crack at removing t yourself. There are a few different methods you can try to get a broken key out of the lock. A thin piece of metal like a jigsaw blade could potentially be used to extract the key. Hopefully, the teeth of the saw will happen to hook the key, a sort of makeshift key extractor. This could be worth a try if you aren’t in any hurry.

Super Glue for Key Extraction

If you don’t have a jigsaw blade or some other slim piece of metal suitable for probing the key, you might want to try super glue. You should be warned that this is a risky technique that might leave you in worse shape than before. The idea is to glue something, a piece of wood or metal, to the key with super glue to get a better grip. If the key broke, so a bit is sticking out of or flush with the lock, you could apply super glue and press something against it. Hopefully, this will let you turn and pull the key out of the lock.

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