HOW DO I REMOVE A BROKEN KEY FROM A LOCK?
Are you stuck outside because your house key broke inside the lock? Are you pulling your hair out because the broken key has prevented access to your cupboard? Don’t worry! It is not the end of the world. There are several ways to solve this problem. And if luck is on your side, you won’t even have to call in a locksmith. A few home tools, a little elbow grease & your handy WD40 Multifunction product will help you get out of this mess real quick.
Things you will need
A tapered beak clip
A screwdriver
WD-40® Multifunction Product
Cleaning Rag
Step 1
Check the position of the keyhole cylinder!
First & foremost, if your key broke inside the lock, avoid inserting the rest of the key to open the lock. It will push the broken key further inside & make your job more difficult. The next step is to check if the barrel or the keyhole cylinder is locked or unlocked. We do this because there are pins inside the keyhole cylinder, which align with the key’s grooves; when the cylinder is in one of the two positions (open or closed). In any other case, the pins will not align with the key & will prevent its extraction. Therefore, you need to move the barrel either in the locked or unlocked position. You can use a screwdriver or a tapered beak clip to do this.
Step 2
Lubricate the lock!
The next step is to provide lubrication. Spray the lock mechanism with WD-40 Multifunction Product. The smart straw will help you in spraying the area precisely. Keep a rag handy to wipe off any drips. The lubricant will help you reduce friction inside the keyhole cylinder and; make it easier to extract the key.
Step 3
Remove the broken key that protrudes slightly from the lock
If you are lucky, a piece of the broken key may protrude from the lock. In this case, you can try using the tapered beak clamp to remove the key. If you don’t have the tapered beak clamp, use a pair of scissors instead.
But just in case you cannot see the broken key protruding out, don’t be upset. The lubrication of the keyhole cylinder & its alignment will help you pull out the key. Use pliers, tweezers, or scissors to help you get this task done.
Step 4
Remove the broken key inside the mechanism
If the above solution doesn’t work, then you need to use one of the following tips:
A powerful magnet: Do keep in mind that your key needs to be iron-based for this solution to work.
A broken key-extraction kit: Locksmiths have a special extraction kit to remove broken keys. If you happen to face this problem of broken keys quite often, then investing in this kit will save you a lot of hassle & money.
Step 5
Take the broken key to a locksmith
After you have removed the broken key from the lock, don’t throw away the broken pieces! Take the broken pieces to your locksmith & get a new key remade; so you don’t end up changing the lock.
Prevention is better than cure!
We always say that prevention is better than cure. Therefore, regularly check your keys for signs of wear and tear. All the keys that you use daily; begin to weaken and crack in the head. If you see cracks or thinning where the head joins the key nicks, it’s time to have a new one made.
You can also keep your locks clean & free from debris & gunk by cleaning them with WD-40 Multi-use Product. Spray the solution inside the lock mechanism. Insert the keys, turn them 2-3 times and then pull them out. You will find some dirt & debris stuck on them. Wipe them thoroughly & repeat it!
Disclaimer
The uses shown and described for WD-40 Multi-Use Product were provided to WD-40 Company by the users themselves. These uses haven’t been tested by WD-40 Company and do not constitute a recommendation of suggestion for use by WD-40 Company. Common sense should be exercised whenever using WD-40 Company products. Always follow the instructions and take heed of any warnings printed on the packaging.
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August 12, 2021
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