How to Get a Broken Key Out of a Lock

It is one of the most annoying things a homeowner could ever hear: the sound of a snapped key in their door lock. Rather than getting the regular smooth click, you are left holding half of a key and wondering how you can get in. The good news is that there are several ways to remove a snapped key safely, and knowing when to call a professional locksmith in New Zealand can prevent you from incurring costly damages.

Here in this guide, you learn why keys break up inside the locks, what you can do at once, home remedies that sometimes work, and when to resign and call a locksmith. You'll also learn how to prevent this from happening in the future so that your keys and locks last longer.

Why Do Keys Break in Locks?

A key can also break inside a lock due to many factors. The most common is wear and tear. Many keys in New Zealand contain soft metals like brass and nickel. Years of use take their toll, and the constant turning of the lock wears the metal down until it breaks.

The other reason is dirt, rust, or grime inside the lock. In tightening the mechanism, you find yourself exerting more pressure than required, and that extra pressure causes the key to break.

Sometimes, poorly cut or poor-quality keys also snap easily. A little bent key or weak alloy will soon wear out. Erratic weather changes can also affect things. In cold regions of New Zealand, locks exposed to frost can get stiff, with keys tending to snap.

First Steps After a Key Breaks

Relax and give yourself a second to think it over. Hurrying will most likely be caused by panicking and will push the broken part further into the lock. Take a look at the lock and observe if you can spot any part of the key extending out. If you notice that there is a tiny fragment, then you may be able to withdraw it with little trouble.

Do not try to use the other half of the broken key. This tends to make the situation worse by forcing the broken fragment further. Do not lock and unlock the door again before the broken fragment has been removed.

You can determine if you want to try a simple home repair or call in a locksmith as soon as you can see how much of the key is showing.

DIY Methods to Extract a Broken Key

With Fingers, Pliers, or Tweezers

If the broken section of the key is still visible from the lock, you have been lucky. You can, at times, easily draw it out with two fingers and two thumbs by a quick pull.

Hold the key with a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers; otherwise, you might have a problem picking it up. These allow you a more secure grasp of the small metal brink. Pull slowly and don't twist, which could push the fragment deeper into the lock.

If you try this technique and the key won't move after a few gentle pulls, you should not push it further and damage it.

Using a Magnet

If you have a strong magnet, you can try pulling out the broken piece. This works best when the piece is close to the surface of the lock and the magnet is strong enough to attract the metal. However, because most household magnets are weak, this trick does not always succeed.

The Paper Clip or Bobby Pin Method

When the broken key is deeper in the shaft of the lock, it will be necessary to make an improvised device. Bend two paper clips or bobby pins back and forth so they are long, thin pieces of metal. Position them on opposite sides of the jamming key and apply mild pressure to feel the resistance.

Once the clips catch the sides of the key, try pulling it forward in increments. The procedure may be patient and slow. Sometimes the goal is merely to get the piece of the key far enough forward so that it sticks out, and then you can switch back to pliers or tweezers to pull it out.

With a Saw Blade

A second technique is the saw blade method. Remove a thin strip from a small hacksaw or jigsaw blade. The ridged side is the hook. Put the strip in the lock so that the teeth are facing down, and it catches into the grooves of the broken key.

As you pull the blade back in, the ridges will drag the key piece with it. The process is done carefully since a hard push will ruin the lock. The blades are also very sharp, so protect your fingers when working.

Lubricating the Lock

Before attempting any of these methods, lubricate the lock to reduce friction. In New Zealand hardware stores, graphite powder or silicone spray can be bought. Spray lubricant into the keyway and wipe off excess liquid from the face of the lock.

Avoid the use of oil-based lubricants like cooking oil or WD-40. Though they may succeed in the short term, they can end up ruining the lock in the long term by drawing in dust and dirt.

The Key Extractor Tool

A professional locksmith uses a special tool called a key extractor. This is a thin, long strip of metal with a spiral or hook tip. It slides into the lock, grabs hold of the serrations of the broken key, and pulls it out.

It is available to purchase extractor kits for home use at a few online retailers, but practice is required to employ them properly. If you are unsure, trying this tool may push the key further in or destroy the lock cylinder. Calling a locksmith is the best solution for most people at this point.

When No Part of the Key Is Visible

Sometimes the key snaps and goes all the way into the lock. With those cases, DIY is much harder. You can try inserting a very thin flathead screwdriver and forcing the fragment into an appropriate position. The idea is to get it to stick out so pliers can grab it.

But this is risky. Using too much force can drive the key deeper into the lock or warp the lock pins. In most such cases where none of the keys is exposed, the best and safest course of action is to call a locksmith.

Dangers of DIY Methods

It is tempting to keep trying different things in the house, but each test can make the situation worse. For example, applying too much pressure with pliers could break the lock pins. Gluing could lock the key in there for good.

When you do manage to break the lock, you may have to replace the entire mechanism, which is many times more expensive than having a locksmith come out and pull out the key.

Cost of Removal of Broken Key

In New Zealand, it costs to break a broken key. If you manage to do it yourself, you will be spending only a few dollars on lubricant. If you hire a locksmith, you may be spending between $80 and $160, depending on where you are, whether or not you call in the middle of the day, and if you make an emergency call-out.

Even if the cost appears to be high, an expert locksmith saves you the expense of breaking the lock and having the task take longer. Certain locksmiths also offer warranties.

Preventing Broken Keys in Locks

Prevention is better than a cure. Continue reading for real-life tips on what you can do in your New Zealand home.

• Replace worn-out old keys. If your key is bent, fat or sticky, get a new one cut.


• Every six months: Grease your locks with silicone spray or graphite. It keeps the mechanism smooth and reduces friction.


• Avoid excess force. If your key does not turn easily, don't press harder; just stop and check the lock.


• Have a spare key, that way you are not putting the same key through use every day. That assists with the wear and tear of your main key.


• Check locks regularly for dirt, rust, or tightness. Clean them or have them serviced before they snap a key if you notice problems.

When to Call a Professional Locksmith

There are clear signs that it is time to say goodbye and call a locksmith. When the key is too far in so you are unable to reach it, when you have already set home remedies to work and handled it and failed, or when the lock is rusty and aged, then the assistance of a professional is the way to do it.

A professional New Zealand locksmith possesses the necessary tools and knowledge to extract the broken key without harming the lock. They can cut a new key, rekey the lock as required, or recommend an upgrade for added security.

Conclusion

A stuck key in your lock is one of those annoying things, but it doesn't have to ruin your day. Wait patiently, and you will hopefully be able to detach the piece using the right implements. However, when a key is difficult to remove deep in the hole, where no piece protrudes, or when it is uncertain that it can be removed easily, then the best plan is to call a professional locksmith.

Locks safeguard your home and your loved ones, and, as such, it is not a risk worth taking in terms of causing your loved ones’ permanent damage. If you maintain your locks well, change worn-out keys, and never use brute force, then you will prevent many problems before they even start.

If you have a broken key lodged in your lock, don't sit around and wait for things to fix themselves. Hire a local locksmith today and get the job done promptly and professionally.