Have you ever had a key break on you whilst still in its lock? If yes, you’ll know how frustrating this is. If this hasn’t happened you yet (count yourself lucky), know that getting a broken key out of a lock is a little harder than you’d first think.
Before you call a locksmith service in your local area for help, there are a few things that you can do to try and get yourself out of this sticky situation. Let’s explore some of them:
1. Lubricate the lock
Yes, it’s a bit of a no-brainer but it’s something that many people overlook. Grab yourself some oil or another lubricant and spray it into your lock where the key is stuck. Leave it for a few moments before touching anything. Best-case scenario is the broken part of your key will loosen allowing you to pick or tweeze it out.
2. Use a tweezers
If you have a tweezers to hand, now is the time to use them. Perfect in size and allowing for easy manoeuvring inside such a tight space, having this beauty item in your possession might just be the solution to freeing your broken key piece(s).
Just be sure that you don’t push them in all of the way, as you don’t want to have to call your local locksmith and tell him that you have a broken key and a tweezers stuck inside your lock.
3. Super glue
If part of your key is visible but you don’t have a tweezers to hand, this superglue method might just save the day.
Start by adding a couple of drops of super glue to a match or length of wire and hold it against the broken key.
Leave it there for enough time for the glue to harden and then slowly extract the match or wire which, if you’re lucky, will have your broken key glued to it.
4. Probe and pull
Using two thin pieces of metal, start by slowly inserting them into your lock either side of your broken key, taking care not to push it in any further.
Press the metal pieces against the sides of your key and apply enough pressure to allow you to pull it towards you.
Release your broken key and repeat this technique all over again. Once it’s visible, you should be able to slide it right out.
5. Get help
If all else fails, you should call your local locksmith or 24 hour locksmith who will have all of the necessary tools and skills to retrieve your broken key quickly and easily.
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