What to do if the key in the door lock is broken. How to remove a broken key from a lock and open the front door: tips and solutions to the problem How to remove a broken key from a keyhole

In everyday life, situations often occur that are difficult to foresee and predict. Returning home from work, you, as usual, insert the key into the keyhole and begin to apply a little force to open the door. But instead, the key breaks inside the lock with a crunch and grinding sound, and you are left with the handle (a fragment) in your hand.
What to do in such a situation? What tool is needed to remove a broken key from a keyhole? Will the lock work after the key is broken?
All these questions are asked to specialists over the phone, and in this article we will try to consider options for solving the problem yourself.

1. Try to get a piece of the key.

First, you can try to remove the fragment with your hands. Sometimes a deft movement of your fingers is enough to get a piece of metal and open the lock with another key.

You can also try using tweezers or long-nose pliers. The thinner the “grip” of the tool, the more likely you are to catch a piece of debris. But effort is also important: simple eyebrow tweezers are unlikely to be enough to remove a metal piece.

You can also pick out a piece of the key with a needle or toothpick.

2. Disassemble the keyhole cover.

Decorative plates are often used on the keyholes of lever keys to cover the holes in the door.
If the key breaks in the lock and a piece remains inside, such linings only complicate the situation and prevent you from getting the piece out.

In order to see the lock itself and all the holes, you need to remove the decorative trim and inspect the keyhole from the inside (a flashlight will help with this). When access to the lock is open, you can try to remove the fragment with pliers or any long “catching” tool that comes to hand.

When removing key fragments, make sure that all unnecessary “parts” are removed, otherwise the lock will completely jam and you will have to call a locksmith.

3. Use a magnet.

One way to get all the debris out of a lock if the key is broken is to use a powerful magnet.

A small neodymium magnet (take it from a keychain or toy) attached with superglue to a long pin is best suited.

Such a mini-magnet can be inserted directly into the keyhole and it will attract all the “extra” in the lock.

You can also try to remove the key from the cylinder mechanism (cylinder) with a large round magnet, the size of a washer.

4. If the key gets stuck in the lock and won’t open, use WD-40!

After removing the key, it can often happen that the lock jams and the key does not turn in the lock.
This can be due to wear of the lock itself, or due to friction of the bolts, wear of the lock cylinder, and so on (there are many reasons).

One of the quick ways to solve this problem is penetrating lubricant (like WD-40, etc.)

Pour grease liberally into the lock mechanism as deeply as possible and try to “stir” it with the key again.

If this measure does not help, unfortunately, more professional intervention in the mechanism is necessary.

If you do not want to waste your time, or you do not have the necessary skills, you can always contact a specialist in opening locks without damaging the door in Tyumen. The master will arrive at a convenient time and complete the task in a few minutes.

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Can't get into your own home because the key is broken? This situation can seriously upset anyone. However, knowing a few life hacks and using the advice of professionals, you can easily solve the problem.

Even if your neighbors are not at home, your phone is dead, and there is no one to turn to for help, you can solve the situation yourself.

Among the main reasons leading to the breakage of a lock key are:

• wear of the internal lock mechanism;
• getting dirt or small foreign objects into the well;
• using the wrong key, inserting it incorrectly (not completely or at an angle);
• short-lived material from which the mechanism and key are made.

There are only two solutions to the problem - removing broken remains from the lock or breaking the entire mechanism.

Types and characteristics of locks

Door locks are conventionally divided into 3 groups according to installation method:

• mortise;
• mounted;
• invoices.

The first type is one of the most aesthetic, since it is inserted directly into the entrance door leaf and is not conspicuous by its massiveness. These devices are best suited for metal doors.

Mortise locks can be called safe, since they can be additionally protected from breaking by special metal inserts.

The hinged version is rarely used in residential premises, since it is the simplest in structure: it is threaded through ordinary eyes. However, such mechanisms can well protect warehouses, cellars, basements and other outbuildings.

Overhead mechanisms are often placed on the door indoors, so they can protect against thieves if the owners are at home. Such a lock cannot be seen from the outside, and accordingly, attackers have no opportunity to break it.

Necessary tools to remove the lock from the door

In order to get the rest of the key from the door well you may need:

It is by pouring lubricant into the lock field that you need to start working. Wait 10-20 minutes until the oil is distributed over the surface, this will greatly simplify the process of pulling out the broken remnant. Immediately after this, they begin to extract the key.

How to get a broken key out of a keyhole

First, you should try to disassemble the lock to the maximum possible level if the door is already open. To do this, unscrew all the bolts with a screwdriver, use pliers or ordinary tweezers to pull out the fragment, and then the mechanism is cleaned and generously lubricated. Immediately after this, the castle is reassembled.

In cases where it is not possible to get into the house in any other way, the problem can be solved using one of the simple methods:

Using awls or pins

1. Two thin awls (or pins) are inserted into the gaps between the key and the lock at the top and bottom.
2. With light rocking movements, the fragment is gradually pulled out.

Using small screws

1. A hole with a diameter suitable for the existing screws is drilled in the middle of the fragment.
2. One self-tapping screw is carefully screwed into the hole, and then slowly pulled out along with the rest.

Using a jigsaw file

What to do if the rest of the key is not retrieved

If all methods have been tried, but the fragment stubbornly refuses to leave the keyhole, you can try one of the following methods:

Pulling out the lock cylinder

If you remove the cylinder - one of the key elements of the locking mechanism - the debris can be easily cleaned out and the door can be opened with a screwdriver:

• if the cylinder is in a protruding position.

Its end is clamped with a gas or other round key and rolled up, and then the lock is opened with a flat screwdriver;

• if the cylinder does not protrude.

Any type of nail puller will help: first remove the top cover, and then, according to the previous algorithm, use a gas wrench.

Drilling a cylinder

You can drill out the central part of the lock with a drill:

• use a drill with a diameter of 6-10 mm to pull out the cylinder;
• the damaged cam of the mechanism is pulled out;
• Use a bent screwdriver or thick wire to move the lock bolt and open the door.

Pulling out the fragment with a metal tube

You will need a brass or copper tube:

• the diameter must correspond to the remaining outside part of the key;
• pressing strongly, the tube is put on the protruding pin;
• using a soldering iron, melt the end of the tube;
• the tube is attached to the fragment in the lock, waiting for it to completely harden;
• With a sharp movement, the auxiliary part is pulled out along with the rest of the key.

But the video will tell you how to open interior doors without a key.

When will you need to break the door itself?

1. All gentle methods have been tried, but there is no result.
2. There is a small child in a locked house.
3. There is a burning smell or smoke coming from behind the door.

In other cases, it is better to contact specialists who will be able to open the entrance to the house with minimal losses.

Who should I contact for help?

If there is a piece of key left in the lock and it is impossible to open the door without outside help, you should call special services:

• Housing office, house management company.

Specialists should come to you within 1 hour and try to solve the problem in a gentle way. At the same time, they have the right to demand that you present documents proving your residence in the apartment.

If the living space is rented, you should call the owners in advance and ask them to come with documents.

• Commercial services.

Having found the phone number of such a company on the Internet or on leaflets next to mailboxes, you should make sure that their employees are ready to provide their work permits and a service agreement.

For their part, they have the right to demand a passport confirming registration in an apartment or house with a jammed lock. Some companies do without presenting documents, but you will have to pay several times more for their services.

If, while solving a problem, a door needs to be broken, for an additional fee some services can restore the integrity of the entrance to an apartment or house and install a new lock.

How to prevent the key from breaking in a door lock?

To avoid an unpleasant situation, experts recommend following simple rules:

1. Lubricate the keyhole from time to time.
2. Use only keys suitable for the mechanism.
3. Regularly inspect the lock for dirt and foreign objects.
4. Near the entrance, it is advisable to keep an “alarm” bag with tools that will help deal with the problem that has arisen.

How to quickly open a lock

If a piece of the key remains in the lock and prevents the door from opening, you can use several gentle methods. They will not damage the mechanism and will protect you from the need to purchase new equipment. If these methods do not help, you will have to use additional tools, but then the integrity of the lock will be compromised.

Sometimes you cannot do without additional services from specialists, which can be obtained from a management company or a commercial company. To avoid such problems, the easiest way is to regularly monitor the condition of the lock, lubricate and clean it.

Even the most durable lock can wear out due to daily use. Dust can accumulate inside the well, and practically no one monitors the system. This is why the structure can be deformed. That is why the question often arises of how to remove a broken key from a lock without opening the entire door.

Gentle ways to solve the problem

There are several known ways to extract a key from a common system. To unlock the structure and pull out a piece of the part, use:

• tweezers
• hairpin
• screwdriver
• pliers
• nail puller

In some situations, a piece of the key gets stuck so tightly that it is impossible to do without a hammer, drill, jigsaw or grinder.

If possible, you should try to remove the fragment from the structure using gentle methods. In this case, the mechanism remains intact and can be used in the future. In this situation, it is extremely important to prevent deformation of the pins located in the inner part of the secret. Often, to solve the problem, it is enough to simply clean the system of accumulated dust. To do this, the lock is lubricated with grease, machine oil, and liquid silicone. You can use lithol or WD-40.

If none of the suggested remedies are available, then you can pour a little sunflower oil into the structure. The easiest way to perform the procedure is with a medical syringe or a special syringe. You will need to rinse the entire core with oil. It is very important not to make any sudden movements.

It is also important to use something long, thin and sharp to pick up or push through the deformed particle. It is recommended to slightly loosen the structure, after which the part literally falls out. It will be especially convenient to use a hairpin or pin. These handy tools can easily free a broken key from a keyhole.

Jigsaw and vibration are popular methods

A jigsaw helps to cope with the problem perfectly. It must be taken into account that you will not have to work with the entire device, but only with its cutting part. Where to begin? You just need to push the blade inside and try to insert the tool under the broken part of the key. All actions are carried out very carefully. The fragment must be picked up, after which the part is carefully pulled out.

Another option (quite popular) is vibration, which is optimal for releasing the disk structure. First, the pins are thoroughly lubricated. Next, these mechanisms are moved together with the broken part of the lock into a single position. It’s good if there is someone at home, because it is necessary that the system be periodically hammered on the back side. Due to the creation of vibration, the fragment should “go” outward, where it is easiest to pick it up with pliers.

Don't forget that there are many other ways to remove a broken key from a keyhole without damaging it.

Many people are familiar with the situation when, when trying to open the front door, the key breaks in the keyhole. Quite an unpleasant picture. Most people get lost and terribly upset in such circumstances, especially if they have limited time. Don't panic, because there is always a way out!

Causes of key failure

There can be several reasons for the breakage of a product that is stuck in a door, both from the key and from the lock.

• The door has an old locking mechanism. Over a long period of use, it wears out and rust forms inside. This becomes an obstacle to smooth sliding during the opening process.
• Contaminants get inside the lock.
• The key was turned incorrectly or too sharply in the keyhole.
• The key is not inserted all the way.
• The owner is trying to open the door with a non-original product.
• Poor quality material from which the key body is made. For example, aluminum can bend even in a trouser pocket.
• The key is stuck in the door lock and they are trying to force it out using pliers and other tools.

When a situation like this happens, we think little about its cause. We need to open the door.

Types of castles

Depending on the installation method, Locks are divided into 3 main types.

A padlock is often used to protect utility rooms: warehouses, basements, cellars. For apartment doors, this design is considered primitive.

Since such a mechanism is most often exposed to adverse weather conditions, breaking the key in it is not uncommon.

To open the lock and remove the broken piece, there are methods that you need to know about.

1. Create vibrations. They knock on the lock body without disturbing the arms. Under the influence of shocks, the fragment will begin to move and fall out on its own.
2. Lubricate the mechanism with oil. Wait 30 minutes. The oil will help reduce friction, soften rust and straighten the spring.
3. Chemical bath. Place the structure in a solution of gasoline, kerosene, acetone or vinegar. Sometimes Coca-Cola is used. Leave the castle in the liquid for 24 hours. After time, the fragment will leave the larva without difficulty.
4. Heat up the well. You can scald it with boiling water or, if the material allows, use direct flame.

Overhead locks are installed on interior doors. The likelihood of the key breaking off in them is low.

The third type of locking mechanism is the most common - mortise. This is what entrance doors are equipped with, often made of metal. If a key piece is stuck in such a lock, then you can get it out in different ways. It all depends on the complexity of the situation.

Very easy way

If the key breaks in the lock cylinder “successfully”, that is, a sufficient part sticks out of the hole, it did not have time to turn, then use pliers or tweezers.

First, pour any lubricant inside the lock. The most popular option is WD-40. Machine oil, gasoline, liquid silicone, lithol, grease are also suitable. If the listed solutions are not at hand (from your neighbors), use regular sunflower oil. Pour in the liquid and wait 20 minutes. During this time, the solution will envelop the walls of the locking mechanism from all sides.

It is worth noting that it is advisable to do such a procedure at the beginning of any method of releasing the key.

After 20 minutes, try to extract the rest of the key using one of the suggested tools. To do this, grab it and try to pull it out with gentle rotational movements.

One of the easiest methods for freeing a broken key is to use superglue. This option is suitable even if the edge of the key sticks out almost flush with the lock. Glue both pieces according to the instructions included with the glue. Make sure they are completely connected and turn the key. This method can be used by everyone. There is one condition - it is effective if the edges of the broken parts remain smooth, without burrs.

Common Methods

The options described above are not always appropriate or effective. There are more popular methods that are most often used in the current situation.

1. Use a jigsaw blade. Insert it into the keyhole so that the teeth are turned to the side. Turn the blade with the teeth up and pull it out sharply. It will pull the key with it.
2. You can use a magnet. Use a thin needle to pick up the fragment from below and try to pull it out with a magnet. Please note that not all of them are capable of magnetizing the key. If you use a neodymium magnet, it will handle any metal key.
3. Take 2 wires, bend one edge of each of them slightly. Place them on top and bottom of the broken piece and try to pull it out. Instead of wire, a hairpin will do. To do this, divide it in half. You can take a paperclip. This method is used only if the key is not turned.
4. Screw a self-tapping screw into the fragment. With its help, the key will easily come out of the cylinder. This method is not suitable for all key structures.
5. Pull up the remainder with an awl. When it appears from the keyhole, grab it with any clamp and pull it.

Whatever option you use to remove a broken key, do not forget that you can pull it when it has returned to its original position. If it is in an intermediate position, then a different solution will be needed.

Cardinal ways

When the key stub cannot be obtained by any of the gentle methods, radical measures have to be taken.

One of them is the extraction of the larvae.

In a cylinder lock it is located in a cylinder. If it is located in a protruding form, it should be clamped with a gas key and rolled up, and the lock should be opened with a flat screwdriver.

If the cylinder is concentrated in the closed position and is not visible, then first you need to remove the top cover. Then act in the same way as in the first case.

There is a method in which the larva is knocked out using a chisel and hammer.

Another option is to cut down the lock bolts with a regular hacksaw.

The most barbaric methods are to completely cut out the entire lock or remove the door from its hinges. Such measures are taken in extreme cases, when all others have proven ineffective or when it is urgently necessary to get into the apartment. This usually happens if there is a small child at home or the smell of gas or combustion comes from the apartment.

Help from outside

If you cannot cope with the current problem yourself, invite specialists.

It may turn out to be a housing employee who is obliged to visit you within an hour after the call. Don't be surprised if he asks you to show your passport, which shows your registration. This will confirm the fact that he will have to open your apartment, and not someone else’s.

If you live in a rented apartment, you should contact the owners.

There are many times in life when failure takes you by surprise. And basically, a person is not ready for it. For example, it just so happened that the key in the lock broke off and a piece remained inside the lock cylinder. What to do? Well, of course, if the fragment sticks out enough to be caught with pliers with thin jaws, then everything is clear: we grab onto the tip and pull it out. What if the key breaks and the piece doesn’t stick out?
I will show you two reliable ways to remove a broken key, leaving the lock completely working after all the manipulations.

Removing the key piece from the lock

Before proceeding directly to extraction, it is imperative to position the key groove exactly vertically, since if the movable cylinder of the cylinder is not vertical, the key will be impossible to remove.

Method one: scissors

As a rule, a stuck fragment can be picked out with the tip of a pair of scissors. Scissors are easy to get, their ends are always sharp in most cases. Therefore, we insert the tip into the recess and create a force on the fragment and in the direction of its extraction we try to pull out this fragment.

In thirty percent of cases, this method works, of course it all depends on how the key was broken.

In this case, I clearly show that everything worked out, although I still had to tinker.
Scissors are just an example as they are easier to find. In general, an awl, a sharp knife and other items will do.

Method two: drilling a groove

Now we move on to a complex method, but more effective.
The theory is this: in close proximity to the fragment it is necessary to drill a groove with a thin drill (1.5-2 mm). To do this, parallel to the key, you need to drill a hole to a depth of approximately 2 mm. Then drill a hole from the side, turning it into a groove. And then, at the same time, drill the key fragment itself, for a better grip.

So let's get started. It is better to do this with a cordless screwdriver. We drill a hole at a distance of approximately 1 mm from the groove and to a depth of approximately 1.5-2 mm.

Next, turn the drill at an angle and drill obliquely.

You need to be especially careful here, as the drill can easily be broken. Especially if it accidentally comes off. Under no circumstances should you rush.
If the groove is level, drill a piece of the key.

Well, then we take scissors and remove the fragment without any extra effort.

The tip fits perfectly into both the groove and the hole in the key.

We got this stub.

Checking the operation of the larva

Now, let's check the larva for performance. Insert another key and turn.