Why do keys get stuck in locks?

There are several reasons why a key might break in a lock. For example, the key may have weakened over time, making it more susceptible to snapping when it’s turned in the lock with force. If you use your key to open parcels or paint tins, its teeth will soon start to wear down. And when your key is damaged, it’s more likely to break and get stuck in the lock when you insert it. Alternatively, your lock might be faulty or the mechanism could have become clogged up with debris. To keep it working smoothly and to prevent it from breaking in the future, it’s worth lubricating it with a Teflon, silicone or graphite-based product at least once a year.

Do I need to call a locksmith?

Depending on how stuck your key is, you may be able to retrieve it yourself – saving the expense of a locksmith in Newcastle. To begin, spray the lock with WD-40 to help loosen the key inside the lock. Then, using tweezers, a hair clip, a paper clip or a Swiss army knife, gently pull the broken piece out. If your door locks are complicated, you’re in a hurry, or you’re unsure how to extract the broken key, it’s in your best interests to contact an expert locksmith. Our locksmiths in the Newcastle area are familiar with the different types of locks and have the tools required to remove the key quickly and safely from your lock. We’ll also prevent damage to both your lock and the door.

How much will a locksmith charge to remove a key that’s stuck in a lock?

For a locksmith to remove a broken key from a lock, you can expect to pay around £70 – providing it’s a straightforward job, taking less than half an hour. There are a few things that will make your call out more expensive, however. For example, if your key is seriously jammed in the lock, it will take us much longer to remove it, equating to higher labour costs. New hardware may also be required, increasing the overall price. Likewise, if you need to hire a professional locksmith in Newcastle to remove your key from a lock, contact a local firm like us here at NLS Security. This may save you money because the further companies have to travel to reach you, the more you’ll pay to cover fuel costs. Similarly, be mindful that calling a locksmith out of hours – either in the evening, at the weekend or on a bank holiday – will also cost you more.

Will it take a locksmith long to remove a broken key from a lock?

Usually, it takes our Newcastle locksmiths no longer than 30 minutes to remove a key that’s stuck inside a lock. However, depending on how far inside the lock the broken piece of key is, what caused the breakage, and whether the lock is faulty or damaged, it may take us longer. Once our experts arrive and take a closer look at your broken key and lock, we should be able to offer a suitable timescale. We will resolve the problem as soon as possible, without sacrificing safety or quality.

Blog Post

What To Do If Your Key Is Stuck In The Lock

Stephen Wylde • Aug 19, 2021

Ever found yourself in thatawkward situation where you can’t remove your house key from the front door? Oryour car key is jammed in the ignition?

Though highly embarrassing, neitheris uncommon – and our locksmiths in Newcastle want to assure you thatit’s nothing that we haven’t seen before!

Here are our top tips on whatyou should (and shouldn’t) do if your key gets jammed.

3 things to remember when youget your key stuck

#1 Don’t panic

Keys can become stuck in locksfor all kinds of reasons.

It can be the result of lockfailure, a poorly cut, worn, bent, or broken key, incorrect operation of thelock, damaged wafers in the ignition, or the wrong key has been used bymistake.

Often, these dreaded thingshappen when you least expect them and, nine out of ten times, it’s when youhave somewhere to be. But our Newcastle locksmiths are on hand 24/7 andhave the required tools and skill to remove the key.

#2 Don’t take matters intoyour own hands

Many people begrudge payingfor a locksmith to come out to their rescue when their key gets stuck in thelock and, instead, attempt to resolve the issue themselves.

Let’s be clear – forcing thekey out of the lock will cause it to snap inside the lock, if not breakaltogether.

However, the worst thing youcan do is take the door lock apart in the hope of freeing the trapped key. Itcould cause more damage and leave you needing to call a locksmith to come andreplace the lock as well. Take our advice – it’s not worth the hassle orexpense!

If your key is stuck in theignition, the best thing you can do is contact an experienced auto locksmith toensure work is done correctly.

#3 Wait for the locksmith toarrive

As tempting as it might be tojiggle the key whilst pulling gently to release it from the lock, it’s notsomething we recommend.

Once you call our locksmithsin Newcastle , we will send someone out to you as soon as possible – meaningyou shouldn’t have to wait too long.

As uPVCspecialists , we have the skill and expertise to removekeys that won’t budge from UPVC locks, as well as mortice locks and safe locks.And we make sure that repairs are carried out quickly and safely.

In most cases, our knowledgeablelocksmiths will get the job done within 20 minutes, but it depends on what iscausing your key to be stuck and the type of lock you have.

Contact NLS Security

For more tips on what youshould do when the worst happens, get in touch with our experts today.

Our Newcastle locksmiths have more than 40 years’ combined knowledge and offer an array of services tosuit the needs of domestic and commercial clients alike.

Simply give us a call on 0191 238 6000 for free advice oremail info@nlssecurity.co.uk , andwe’ll get back to you as soon as we can.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do keys get stuck in locks?

There are several reasons why a key might break in a lock.

For example, the key may have weakened over time, making it more susceptible to snapping when it’s turned in the lock with force.

If you use your key to open parcels or paint tins, its teeth will soon start to wear down. And when your key is damaged, it’s more likely to break and get stuck in the lock when you insert it.

Alternatively, your lock might be faulty or the mechanism could have become clogged up with debris. To keep it working smoothly and to prevent it from breaking in the future, it’s worth lubricating it with a Teflon, silicone or graphite-based product at least once a year.
Do I need to call a locksmith?

Depending on how stuck your key is, you may be able to retrieve it yourself – saving the expense of a locksmith in Newcastle.

To begin, spray the lock with WD-40 to help loosen the key inside the lock. Then, using tweezers, a hair clip, a paper clip or a Swiss army knife, gently pull the broken piece out.

If your door locks are complicated, you’re in a hurry, or you’re unsure how to extract the broken key, it’s in your best interests to contact an expert locksmith.

Our locksmiths in the Newcastle area are familiar with the different types of locks and have the tools required to remove the key quickly and safely from your lock. We’ll also prevent damage to both your lock and the door.
How much will a locksmith charge to remove a key that’s stuck in a lock?

For a locksmith to remove a broken key from a lock, you can expect to pay around £70 – providing it’s a straightforward job, taking less than half an hour.

There are a few things that will make your call out more expensive, however.

For example, if your key is seriously jammed in the lock, it will take us much longer to remove it, equating to higher labour costs. New hardware may also be required, increasing the overall price.

Likewise, if you need to hire a professional locksmith in Newcastle to remove your key from a lock, contact a local firm like us here at NLS Security. This may save you money because the further companies have to travel to reach you, the more you’ll pay to cover fuel costs.

Similarly, be mindful that calling a locksmith out of hours – either in the evening, at the weekend or on a bank holiday – will also cost you more.
Will it take a locksmith long to remove a broken key from a lock?

Usually, it takes our Newcastle locksmiths no longer than 30 minutes to remove a key that’s stuck inside a lock.

However, depending on how far inside the lock the broken piece of key is, what caused the breakage, and whether the lock is faulty or damaged, it may take us longer.

Once our experts arrive and take a closer look at your broken key and lock, we should be able to offer a suitable timescale.

We will resolve the problem as soon as possible, without sacrificing safety or quality.