What To Do When Your Broken Key Snapped In Your Door Lock

If you’ve experienced a broken key issue, you likely know just how frustrating and stressful it is. Keys can grow weak over time and break off inside of a door lock, creating a dilemma. Now you’re locked out of your home or business and left without a functioning key. What do you do from here? […]

If you’ve experienced a broken key issue, you likely know just how frustrating and stressful it is. Keys can grow weak over time and break off inside of a door lock, creating a dilemma. Now you’re locked out of your home or business and left without a functioning key. What do you do from here?

In virtually every case, you should reach out to an expert locksmith if you encounter this problem. Today’s guide will break down exactly how and why a snapped key can get lodged in a door lock, and what you should do about it. Our advice and recommendations are approved by Lock & Key Leeds master locksmiths, meaning you can trust the provided information. Here are some things to know about broken keys:

1. Understanding How Keys Get Broken

Most keys are built from sturdy metal alloys, but even the toughest keys can be worn down over time. The ridges you see on your front door lock align with the pins within the lock, and if these ridges get eroded or damaged, the key (and the lock) can be disabled. There are a few common reasons why a key snaps off, however. A key break can occur if:

• The wrong key is used – certain keys will fully enter a lock’s cylinder, even if it’s the wrong key. By attempting to turn the wrong key, you can cause a snap.
• A key is turned but not inserted all the way.
• A key has been damaged or chipped on accident.
• The key is inserted but the door isn’t fully in line with the doorframe – the door may be slightly off-centre, and if force is applied, all of the pressure will be sent to the key, causing a snap.
• The key is simply too old or corroded.

 

A snapped key can result from everyday wear and tear, even if you didn’t apply a lot of force. Don’t feel too bad about it if this happens, simply call up a local locksmith. Agencies like Lock & Key can send someone to your location often in an hour or less, and the key extraction can potentially be done in minutes.

2. DIY Key Removals are A Bad Idea

We definitely advise that you refrain from attempting a key extraction yourself. Tampering with the lock once a key has been snapped off inside of it can cause additional damage, making it more difficult for professionals to help you. Broken keys require specific tools to remove, and unless you’re explicitly familiar with the process, trying to remove the key is futile. Instead, phone a locksmith and explain the situation.

3. Let a Professional Locksmith Deal with a Broken Key 

If you’re suffering from a snapped lock, a locksmith is your best bet for finding a quick solution. In fact, locksmiths are specifically trained to help with key extractions. This process involves unique locksmithing tools designed to reach deep into a lock to remove stuck items. 

Whether or not a locksmith can remove a broken key from your lock depends on a few factors, including the type of door lock, how deep the break is within the lock, and what material your door is made from. Locksmiths are equipped to handle most snapped lock situations, but the time it takes to complete a key extraction can vary widely.

What Locks Can Locksmiths Work On?

Professional locksmiths carry equipment to assist with nearly every type of lock. Call a locksmithing agency if you experience a broken key issue for the following locks:

• Yale, Rim, Euro, or any other style of cylinder locks. Chances are, your front door is one of these.
• Mortice and Pre-21st-century locks
• Garage Door Locks
• Padlocks and other low-security “add-on” locks 
• Window locks
• Car Locks

It should be noted that broken key issues involving a car can require an entirely different process. Different tools are required to remove a snapped key stuck in a car ignition and you may need to call an auto locksmith to help.

4. Some Locks Can Snap Keys Easier Than Others

The locks that are common for snapping keys are cylinder-style locks, but this is more likely because of the vast popularity of this type of lock. Most instances of key snapping happen on the person’s front door lock, and those locks tend to be euro cylinder locks. 

The more important factor for key snapping is the material the locks are made from. Expensive locks with great build quality tend to do better at preventing snapped locks. Similarly, cheaper locks built with thin industrial metal sheets are more likely to jam and cause a stuck key. 

You should also consider the quality of the key being used. If you make a spare key at a local hardware store, particularly ones made from hard plastics, they’re less likely to hold up against your locks than a metal key made by a locksmith’s key-cutting machine. 

5. Locksmiths Need Accurate Information To Assist

As mentioned, the time it takes to remove a stuck key can vary depending on environmental factors. If your lock was faulty before the key incident occurred, this can add additional time. If force was used or the lock was tampered with, the locksmith might have to remove and replace the lock entirely in some cases.

A good locksmith will ask you some questions regarding the lock ahead of their visit with you, such as the style of the lock and what materials your door is made of.

Under normal circumstances, where a regular key has broken off into a fully functioning lock, the process should take less than 30 minutes to resolve. Some key extractions can even be completed in a few minutes if the break is close to the base of the cylinder!

6. Broken Key Service Prices

The charge for removing a broken key can vary greatly, again depending on the circumstances and the area you live in. A standard key extraction will likely cost you between £50 and £100, but certain things can modify this price. For instance, if a locksmith charges a call-out fee no matter what the issue is, you can expect a larger bill. Locksmiths that charge in hours or other time blocks may need more time to complete the job if the lock is particularly disabled, or if it was in poor shape before the key break happened. 

We recommend reaching out to a locksmith that doesn’t charge call-out fees, such as Lock & Key. When phoning a locksmith, make sure they give you a detailed quote or estimate for the job.

7. New Keys Can Be Made from Broken Keys

It might not work in every case, but it is possible to create a new key from a broken key. Generally speaking, a new key can be made if all parts of the key are recovered from the lock. Because of this, it’s a good idea to hold onto the part of the key that broke off in your hand, if possible.

Key duplication machines work by identifying the exact shape of a key and cutting the outline in a blank key. Keys that don’t line up correctly in the machine can’t be replicated. Therefore, if any chunks or parts of the key can’t be recovered, duplicating a broken key won’t be possible.

8. Locksmiths Can Make New Keys Even if the Old Ones Can’t Be Saved

A locksmith can cut a new key for you if the original can’t be recovered. Once a key extraction is completed, a skilled locksmith can use the lock to mark out the necessary measurements to create a new key using a key-cutting device.

Understand, however, that key cutting is a technical skill and it isn’t guaranteed that your locksmith will have the equipment or experience needed to get the job done. When calling a locksmith, simply ask them if they are able to cut new keys from scratch. 

Final Thoughts

Dealing with a broken key is stressful, but luckily it can be solved by hiring a local locksmith. You’ll, unfortunately, have to pay some amount of money to regain access to your property, but there are things you can do to minimise the cost, or even avoid future incidents altogether. Refrain from touching or adjusting the lock once it’s been jammed. If possible, take a bit of extra time to call a few locksmiths to get a few different quotes. 

To help prevent broken keys, locksmiths recommend changing any old or faulty locks with newer models. Also, try to spend a few more pounds to get a quality metal key when making spares. Sadly, you can’t avoid or prevent every lock issue, but you can take steps to keep your locks well-maintained and secure, retaining peace of mind for the coming years.