It can be a real hassle when a key breaks inside of a lock, leaving you stuck outside, unable to get into your property. Thankfully, there are few strategies for removing the broken pieces and getting your lock back to work.
Before You Begin: Here Is What Not To Do!
When attempting to remove a broken key out of a lock, there are certain things you should definitely avoid doing. Most importantly, do not try to use the remaining piece of your key – this will only push the broken piece further into the lock, making it way more difficult to retrieve. Additionally, do not throw away the remainder of your key, the part that is outside the lock, as it may be necessary for a locksmith to duplicate a new one for you. Finally, do not try using anything like gum or other sticky substances as they can cause serious damage to the lock mechanisms.
Strategies For Removing The Broken Key
First strategy
Spray graphite or WD-40 lubricant before attempting to remove the broken piece. This can help ease some of the internal tension in the lock and make turning easier. It also provides additional lubrication which may have been lacking prior to breaking off in the first place.
Second strategy
Use tweezers if part of the broken piece is sticking out from the keyhole itself or close enough that you can get needle-nose pliers around it and pull it out gently. Be very careful when using tweezers so that you don’t accidentally push the key further in instead of pulling it out! Thinner prongs will provide better luck here as well as ones that come with a Swiss Army knife type toolkit. For an emergency situation where you need access now but understand that this strategy carries more risk than reward, super glue may be an option if done carefully and judiciously. Take an item like a matchstick or toothpick and apply only a tiny dab of superglue onto its end before placing against any protruding pieces of the broken key until set (or close enough). Then pull on the handle gently while maintaining pressure on both sides simultaneously until it releases fully. You may also want to rotate any large slivers back and forth while applying pressure on both sides so as not to break them off inside too deeply into where they cannot be retrieved anymore at all!
Third strategy
Finally, if you happen to have a jigsaw blade handy, this could be used by breaking off small pieces at regular intervals so they fit into keyholes alongside broken keys in order to hook onto them and pull outwards gently yet firmly without damaging either side too much (or cutting yourself!). Be very patient here as it may take several attempts before success!
After all being said, it’s very important to stay calm and assess the situation before trying any one of these strategies for removing a broken key. You have to be patience, It may take some multiple attempts to succeed, but with the right approach and careful execution, you will have access to your home, car or office!
Never the less, it is always important to have a locksmith number on hand in case you are not able to remove the broken piece yourself. A qualified locksmith will be able to quickly and efficiently remove the broken key out. Make sure that you contact a reputable locksmith so you won’t add more strain on an already stressful experience. Do your research in advance, when you’re not under any kind of stress, and keep his number handy just in case – you’ll never know when it might come in handy!
