As a leading home inspection company in Buffalo and all of Western New York (WNY), we are regularly entering homes using a key left for us or held in a realtor’s lock box. We never really know what kind of condition the lock or key is in…we just turn the key and hope for the best.
So consider this, you’re in a hurry or it’s pouring outside…you turn the key in the lock only to feel it snap. Problem is-the key is still in the lock. Now what?
Well, you have a couple of options: you can call a locksmith and promote the local economy by paying a couple hundred dollars for a service call; or you can fish the key out on your own – MacGyver style.
If you chose to try it on your own, here’s how…
What kind of tools you can use:
- A piece of a coping saw blade, jigsaw blade or small hacksaw blade
- A dental or lock pick
- Spray lock lubricant or WD-40
- Needle nose pliers or nail clippers
Getting your key out of the lock
The concept is quite simple. First you want to get a strong, thin piece of metal in beside your key shaft then pull it back out of the lock. Once you’ve got the end sticking out, grab the protruding piece of the key and pull it out the rest of the way. The piece of a coping saw blade (or other thin saw blade) is good for getting the key started, since the teeth on a saw blade all point in one direction and they’ll grab the key shaft.
Step 1
First thing to do is give the lock (keyway) a quick shot of spray lubricant. You want to make it as easy as possible for the broken key to slide out.
Step 2
Next, slide the section of saw blade into the lock or keyway alongside the broken key shaft. Make sure the teeth are facing toward you.
You want to slide the saw blade in along beside the grooved edge of your key, not the smooth edge. Study the key to make sure you slide it along the grooved edge otherwise this trick will not work. On one side of the teeth the key shaft is thinner or cut back – you want to slide your saw blade in along this area. Car keys that can be inserted either side up also have a thin side on each edge of the key.
Step 3
Now, turn the saw blade slightly so the teeth grip into the grooved edge. When it grabs, start to move the broken key shaft out of the lock.
Step 4
Once you have pulled a small portion of the broken key shaft out of the lock, grab the exposed part with needle nose pliers and pull it all the way out.
If the broken key shaft won’t budge, the lock may not be in a “neutral” position. The tumblers inside the lock are still holding onto the key shaft. If the lock isn’t in a neutral position, you can probably get it aligned by turning it with your saw blade in the lock.
Hints
- Now that you have removed the broken piece out of the lock, don’t just throw it away. If need be, a locksmith can usually make a new key from the two pieces of the old key.
- Lubricating your locks on a regular basis (use a proper lock lubricant) will make sure they turn easily.
- Hardware stores used to sell lock picks that are made with a tiny hook on the end; some may still do so.
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Lawrence Watkins is a NYS Licensed Home Inspector and the President of Specsure Property Inspections. As a leading full service residential home inspection and commercial property inspection company proudly serving Buffalo, Lewiston, Orchard Park and all of Western New York (WNY) for over 20 years, we are pleased to provide timely and simple DIY tips and hints for today’s homeowner.
For more information you can reach us at 716-881-1914 or via email at info@specsure.com.