Entry door hardware, like most items these days, is getting more expensive. A quick look at online pricing for an entry door hardware set finds a range from $100 to $300 dollars. Installation of that hardware is an expense on top of the actual cost of the new hardware and can add another $80 to $200 per lock.1 Adding it all up you might spend anywhere from $180 to $500 to replace your entry door lock hardware.
When you find yourself in the situation where you key has just broken off in your entry door lock, consider that calling a locksmith to pull out the broken key is probably your most economical move.
It is also the move that is most likely to get you back in a secure home faster and with much less effort.
The more key that is sticking out of your lock the easier it is for a locksmith to extract the broken part of your key. That is why it is important that you don’t try any maneuvers on your own which will push the broken part of the key further into the door lock.
Broken key parts generally can’t be removed unless the cylinder is in the locked or unlocked position. It takes a locksmith’s experience to get the cylinder in the correct position. You could try to do it yourself but putting needle nose pliers into the lock often results in forcing the key further into the lock and rarely results in a quick cylinder relocation to the proper position.
It is always tempting to follow online instructions to do-it-yourself. The wikiHow To Do Anything website lists just six easy steps to removing a key broken in a lock.2 In addition to a good bit of luck, you also need some tools which you may not have. The first mentioned in the article is spray lubricant, either silicone lubricant or graphite powder. What the article fails to tell the reader is that locksmiths recommend teflon-based lubricants and believe that graphite “tends to gunk up over time and oil based lubricants will collect debris.”3
A lubricant with a polytetrafluoroethylene formulation, known commonly as Teflon, is non-stick, leaving a dry film that resists oil, dust and dirt.4 Most people have WD-40 on hand. It is a silicone lubricant, not a Teflon lubricant.
After you’ve liberally sprayed the lock with the broken key with the correct lubricant, the wikiHow website article step four advises you to select the correct key extractor tool, assuming you have a set of key extractor tools.
Not many homes have a set of these tools lying about. A quick search of the Ace Hardware website, using the term, “key extractor tool set” didn’t turn up any product that looked like the set in the picture on the wikiHow site, so your local hardware store may not be able to help you get the right tool for the job.
Even if you did locate a set of key extractors the wikiHow website states that, “while many of the tools might work for a number of different keys, it may take some trial and error to find the tool that best fits your lock and grips your key fragment.”5 Remember that using the wrong tool may push the broken part of the key further into the lock, which ultimately will make it more difficult to extract the broken part of the key.
Proper lock maintenance can ensure that you are never in a situation where your key has broken in your entry door lock. It is best to follow the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations for your particular lock. General maintenance instructions can be found at various “how to” sites (see links below). If your key is sticking in your lock or you are experiencing other issues, consulting a locksmith before you have a key emergency will save you money and anxiety.
Action Locksmith provides many door lock, security tips and advice for the residents of Michigan. Our knowledge and experience are extensive, and we can assist in all areas of locksmithing. We are here to help with doors, locks, security systems, safes and so much more. Have you thought about a keyless entry system so you don’t have to worry about broken keys? Call our locksmith business today to learn more!
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1 How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
Link: https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/safety-and-security/hire-a-locksmith/
2,5 How to Remove a Broken Key, co-authored by Shawn Fago, 11/24/2022
Link: https://www.howtobecomealocksmith.org/best-lock-lubricants/#:~:text=Silicone%20lubricant%20is%20widely%20used%20for%20its%20top-level,lubricant%20special%20is%20its%20protective%20qualities.%20Teflon-Based%20Lubricant
3 What is the Best Lock Lubricant – Locksmith Recommended Lubricant, 11/18/2022
Link: https://www.acmelocksmith.com/articles/best-lock-lubricants/
4 Top 5 Best Lock Lubricants for Your Locks
Link: https://www.howtobecomealocksmith.org/best-lock-lubricants/#:~:text=Silicone%20lubricant%20is%20widely%20used%20for%20its%20top-level,lubricant%20special%20is%20its%20protective%20qualities.%20Teflon-Based%20Lubricant
6 8 Low-Key Lock Maintenance Tips to Keep Your Doors Secure by Ginny Bartolone, 12/22/2022
Link: https://www.angi.com/articles/6-keys-proper-door-lock-maintenance.htm