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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Garage door openers are one of the major conveniences of modern life. It can be a big problem if you’ve come to rely on one when your garage door remote battery goes dead. Some people even rely on this as their primary method of entering their home, sometimes not even having a house key with them. Now they’re stuck calling a residential locksmith or commercial locksmith to get back inside! It would be best if you tried to handle this problem ahead of time, rather than getting stuck out in the rain.

It’s Probably the Battery

A dead garage door remote battery is the most likely reason that your garage door isn’t opening. You can expect these batteries to last up to two years, depending on the frequency of use and the specific brand. If you find that you have to press the button multiple times before the garage door will pick up on the signal, your battery is running low, and you should replace it before it’s too late.

A Garage Door Remote Battery Is Easy to Change

There are many different types of garage door remotes, OEM and aftermarket. In most cases, you aren’t going to need any tools to open the remote. It should just slide open like any other remote. If anything, there might be a small Phillip’s head screw to take out. The battery should readily visible behind the cover.

Make Sure to Get the Right Battery

Different remotes will take different batteries, usually coin batteries. The battery will have a code etched into it that lists the battery type. Make sure you get the right kind of battery, as there are many types of coin batteries out there. If you have an integrated system in your car, you might have to call a mechanic or automotive locksmith for help.

Investigate Other Possible Causes

You should consider that the remote itself might not be the problem. A misaligned track could be causing your garage door to jam. Someone could have locked the door from the inside, or there could be electrical problems inside. Check your garage door regularly to avoid having to call an emergency 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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This is one of the more obvious car security tips. Seasoned criminals understand the importance of working discreetly. While you might imagine a car thief wouldn’t hesitate to bash your window in with a rock, most know better than that. One of the most common methods car thieves employ is simply trying the handle on cars as they walk along. If the door is locked, they quickly move on. This saves them time and effort in the long run. Lock your doors and rollup your windows every time you park your car.

2.      Avoiding Leaving Valuables Inside is One of the Best Car Security Tips

It’s not hard to see inside most vehicles. If you’ve left your wallet or purse lying on the seat, you’re singling your truck out. The prospect of some quick cash will lure burglars into breaking into your vehicle. Once inside, they could very well decide that they’d like to take the entire car as well. This is doubly dangerous if you have a spare set of keys inside your vehicle or left them in your purse. Keep your valuables on you or hidden out of sight.

3.      Invest in a Steering Wheel Lock

If you’re in an area with high car theft rates, it might be worth your while to pick up a steering wheel lock. These simple yet effective devices make it impossible to turn the steering wheel until you unlock the device. Even if a thief gets inside and starts up the vehicle, they won’t be able to go anywhere but straight forward or back. When they see the device through the window, they’ll move along to a better prospect. This is one of the most effective car security tips out there. These locks typically use standard keys, so you can call up a residential locksmith, commercial locksmith, or automotive locksmith if you ever lose the key yourself.

4.      Choose Your Parking Spot Carefully

Breaking into a car is one thing; breaking into a garage is quite another. If you have a garage, you should be parking your vehicle in it every night. Most criminals aren’t so bold as to break into a garage and risk alerting the homeowners or triggering an alarm. When you’re out and about, park near streetlights whenever possible. Car thieves don’t want to work right out in the open and will go to great lengths to avoid detection.

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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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