Believe it or not keys snapping off in the lock is incredibly common and locksmiths are frequently called out for broken key extraction. When it happens to you it can be very frustrating especially if your home from a long day at work or rushing out to make an appointment on time.
Why Do Keys Break In Locks
There are many things that can lead to a key snapping off inside the lock some of the main issues include:
- Over time the key has become damaged.
- The lock has become jammed or is not well lubricated.
- Standard keys are made from sot metals such as nickel and brass.
What To Do When Key Breaks In The Lock
Regardless of how the key broke off in the lock, getting the broken key extracted should be a top priority:
- Broken keys can cause damage to the locks.
- You could be left locked out or locked in your property.
- You may not be able to lock your door leaving your property unsecure.
How Do You Get A Broken Key Out Of The Lock?
If a small portion of the key is still sticking out of the lock then you can attempt to pull the key out yourself using a pair of pin nosed plyers or even a strong magnet if you have one available.
However, you do need to be carful as you could end up damaging the lock itself. The best thing to do in this situation is call out your local locksmith who has the skills, tools and experience needed to carefully carry out broken key extraction. Here is the Locksmith Knaresborough you can check now.
How To Prevent Broken Keys?
There are a few things you can do to try and help prevent broken keys:
Lubricate Locks
Keys can break in locks when the lock has not been well maintained. Using a silicone lubricant, you can spray the keyhole every six months, this will keep the lock well lubricated. It is important that you never use oil-based lubricants such as WD-40 as these types of lubricants will clog the locks overtime and lead to much worse problems.
Replacement Keys
Due to the frequent use of keys they are prone to wear and tear so as soon as you see any signs of wear it is worth going and getting a new key cut and dispose of the old one. Here is the Locksmith Selby you can check now!
If you require a broken key extraction service or are having problems with your locks, then contact Dr Locks Ltd today – 01904 295 465
