A key can be more fragile than you might think. If you are doing something simple like turning the key in your front door, the key might break unexpectedly, and you might suddenly find yourself locked out. Or your key might become stuck in the door, and it may seem impossible to remove it. There are some tricks you can use to get yourself back in your home, and you might decide to contact an emergency locksmith service.

When the Key Is Stuck

If you push the key in all the way, this might allow for the tumblers to align properly and may allow you to then remove the key from the lock. While turning the key, use your other hand to push on the face of the lock. Twist and gently pull the key out.

You will not want to excessively twist or pry the key when it is stuck in the lock. Doing so will simply increase the risk that you'll damage the lock and will have to spend more money to have the lock replaced.

When the Key Is Broken

To make the key easier to remove, you will need to spray a lubricant inside the keyhole. You will then want to insert pliers into the keyhole to grab the key and you will then want to jiggle and gently pull the broken piece of the key out. If this doesn't work, you may be able to remove the key by sliding a jigsaw into the keyhole.

While the key is broken, an intruder will not be able to pick the lock. Therefore, you can feel safe leaving the lock where it is while you head to a local hardware store to purchase the tools you need to remove the broken key.

When To Hire a Locksmith

If you're concerned about breaking the lock, you will be better off turning to locksmith services. Even if it is late at night, there are several emergency locksmith services available that will fix the problem so that you can get back in your home.

If the key is so damaged that it cannot be salvaged, you will need to hire a locksmith anyway to have your old key replaced with a new one. If your lock is damaged during the process of trying to remove the key, you can have the locksmith repair your lock or replace it if necessary.

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