Broken Key Extraction

When a key breaks in a lock, the instinct is to grab tweezers or needle-nose pliers and fish it out. Resist that urge. Amateur extraction attempts usually push the fragment deeper into the cylinder, making professional extraction harder and more expensive. Worse, improvised tools can damage the delicate pin chambers inside the lock.

Don't try to use the remaining key stub to turn the lock. Sometimes part of the key is still engaging the pins, and forcing it can damage the cylinder, jam the pins, or snap off more of the key blade.

Don't spray WD-40 or other lubricants into the lock thinking it will help the piece slide out. It won't, and petroleum-based lubricants attract dust that causes locks to gum up over time. If lubrication is needed, we use proper lock lubricant after extraction.

Don't insert a second key hoping to push the broken piece through. This damages both keys and can jam the lock entirely. The key fragment needs to come out the same way it went in - through the keyway opening.

The only thing worth trying before calling us: if any portion of the key blade is visible and protruding from the lock face, you can try gripping it with pliers and pulling straight out. If it works, great - bring us the pieces and we'll cut a replacement. If it doesn't come out easily, stop and call.

We carry specialized extraction tools designed specifically for removing broken keys without damaging lock cylinders. Extractor picks are thin metal tools with hooks or barbs that slide alongside the key fragment, grip the cuts in the key, and allow us to pull it out. Different extractors work better for different situations - we carry a full set.

For keys broken deep in the cylinder, we may need to partially disassemble the lock. This sounds drastic but is often necessary for complete extraction without damage. We remove the cylinder from the door, access the back of the plug, and push or extract the fragment. The lock goes back together unchanged.

Extraction time varies based on how deep the break is and whether previous extraction attempts pushed the fragment further in. A visible fragment takes 5-10 minutes. A deeply lodged piece that's been poked at with tweezers may take 20-30 minutes of careful work. Either way, we almost always preserve the lock.

After extraction, we inspect both the key fragment and the lock cylinder. The fragment tells us if the key was worn, bent, or simply broke from stress. The cylinder tells us if there's underlying damage that caused the break or that might cause problems going forward. We'll let you know if the lock needs attention.

Once we extract the broken key, you'll need a replacement. If you have another working key for the same lock, we can duplicate it on site for $15-25 depending on key type. If the broken key is your only copy, we have options.

For house locks and many commercial locks, we can cut a new key by reading the lock itself. This involves removing the cylinder and decoding the pin heights, then cutting a key that matches. It takes longer than copying an existing key but produces a perfect fit.

For car keys, the process depends on your vehicle. Basic mechanical keys can be cut from the broken pieces if enough remains. Transponder keys require programming equipment - we carry tools for most major manufacturers and can often program replacement keys on site.

If your key broke because it was worn, replace all copies at the same time. Keys get copied from copies over generations, each slightly less accurate than the last. A fresh key cut from the lock itself restores precision and reduces future failure risk.

We also recommend getting spare keys made while we're there. The cost is minimal compared to an emergency lockout call. One spare key kept in a safe place prevents the next broken key from becoming an emergency.