Stuck key in door lock - familiar, unpleasant situation? If this has not happened yet, it means that the locking mechanism performs its task well. If this happened, the key is stuck and does not move in the keyhole or is it completely broken? Such situations can unbalance any person, since it is impossible to get into the apartment, and what to do in this case is not clear. First of all, do not panic. Soberly assess the situation and try to remove the jammed key yourself, but so that the lock mechanism is not damaged. How exactly to do this, we will consider further in the article.
Why is the key stuck in the lock?
Before you begin to take steps to remove the key stuck in the lock, you need to find out the reason.
There are two main groups of factors that lead to jamming - these are factory defects and improper operation. Let's consider each of them separately.
Improper operation
The main reasons why the key could be stuck in the door lock:
- The key is mechanically damaged. This happens if it was used for other purposes, for example, they were unscrewed by screws or bottles were opened. As a result of such manipulations, the key can be deformed, bent. This is what later becomes the reason why the key is stuck in the lock.
- Key rotation with excessive force.
- The use of the locking mechanism in conditions of high humidity without preventive measures.
- The mechanism is not lubricated.
- Opening the lock with a master key.
- Getting inside the garbage mechanism.
Also, the reason why the key is stuck in the lock may be improper installation of the door - with a warp.
Factory defects
This group of factors lies entirely on the conscience of the manufacturer:
- a poorly machined key is attached to the lock;
- the shape of the disc is broken;
- marriage directly in the mechanism;
- the pins are made of inappropriate, softer metal, as a result of which they do not move away from pressing with a key, but block it.
If the breakdown due to improper operation in most cases can be tried to be eliminated, then during the factory defect it will be necessary to replace the core or the entire lock.
Pull out the jammed key yourself or call a specialist?
If the key is stuck in the lock, what should I do? Act on your own or call a wizard? It is important to consider some factors here. In the case of jamming with the door open, you can try to correct the situation yourself. If this happened when the lock was closed, it is better to invite a specialist to dismantle it and fix the problem.
You will also have to use the help of a specialist if the key breaks when you open the door, and all the necessary tools are left inside.
How to remove the key jammed in the lock?
Stuck key in door lock? What to do? First of all, to pull yourself together, do not panic and do not increase the pulling force, since excessive mechanical effort often leads to breaking it off. Then open the door and get into the room will be even more problematic, because it will be necessary to break the lock. If everything is done thoughtfully, the key can be pulled out and at the same time the mechanism itself be saved.
One of the most common causes is rust or lack of lubrication. Therefore, you can initially spray the lock with a special spray WD-40 based on kerosene or kerosene or machine oil itself. It can be poured into the well with a conventional syringe. This will lubricate the rusted lock mechanism. After that, after some time, you need to carefully move the key in different directions so that the liquid that gets inside is well distributed throughout the core. Then the procedure must be repeated again, and then wait 15-20 minutes. Next, you can try to carefully get the key. At the same time, it can be shaken in different directions, but it is not worthwhile to exert excessive force, since it can break off.
After the key is "released", it is better to disassemble the lock in order to identify the cause of jamming and check if there is any mechanical damage to the mechanism. Identifying the cause will prevent the same situation in the future.
If the key is stuck in the lock before the door has been closed, you can open the case and remove the "core". Next, you need to find and unscrew the fastener that holds the larva. Then press on the cylindrical element and remove it. After this, it is necessary to insert a new larva and fix it in the lock mechanism.
When the key is bitten in the door lock when turning when closing and opening the door, and when the door is open, the mechanism works well - the reason is a skewed door. The language of the castle touches its reciprocal part or does not pass into it.
In this case, you need to bore the counterpart with a file or a drill. This situation happens quite often, especially in new buildings.
What to do if the key is broken
It is easy to break a stuck key when pulling it out, but it is much more difficult to get a chip out of the lock. In this case, you can first try using a spray, kerosene or just take apart the lock. The chip is pulled out in the same way as the whole key, but use a pair of pliers or tweezers to grab it. If a chip sticking out of the castle can be captured with a tool, then most likely it will work out.
Preventative measures
In order not to have to pull out the jammed key or call the master to open the door, it is necessary to periodically process the lock - to clean and lubricate the mechanism. Also, for prevention, a keyhole can be hung on the keyhole, which will protect against dust and debris.
It is also possible to install two locks independent of each other, so that in case of poor operation of the castle use a spare. So do not have to use the faulty. Otherwise, upon return, you can simply not get into the house.
How to remove a key from a padlock
If the door is closed with a padlock and a key is stuck in it, there are two options. The first - radical - to saw a hacksaw or a hinged part with a hacksaw for metal. If you do not want to spoil the lock, and there is no hacksaw at hand, you can try to do everything that was done with the mortise, since their internal mechanism is practically no different and the reasons for biting the key are the same.
When jamming a key in the lock before hanging it on the door, you can use the following options:
- soak the entire castle in kerosene or it is good to coat it with rust liquid;
- heat the lock well;
- replace the larva in it (cylinder part).
So, we looked at how to remove the key stuck in the lock. If you are not confident in your abilities, then it’s better not to try to do it yourself, so as not to break it. Invite a wizard to help you enter the house.
Remember, a careful attitude to the lock and keys will prevent such force majeure situations, and you do not have to spend time in a closed apartment.
The key is stuck in the ignition
If the problem is locking, you need to find the optimal steering position so that the column is unlocked.
Often the key cannot be removed from the ignition switch due to contamination. In this case, you need to remove the mechanism and clean it. In emergency cases, you can try to solve this problem on the spot using WD-40 liquid.
If the problem is the ignition lock freezing, then you can try to warm it up. For example, use a hair dryer, a freezing agent or heat a key with a lighter and insert it into the lock.
If the ignition key does not rotate due to wear, it must be replaced with a new one. The same applies to the ignition lock itself.
If the key breaks in the ignition, you need to remove the mechanism and remove it.