You've broken your key off while in the lock. Now what?

Repair Cost in USA

If the key has been broken off while fully inserted into the lock, the lock will

most likely be operable.

$20 - $150 (Residential Purpose)

$100 - $550 (Commercial Purpose)

The pliers method will require pressing or pulling on the door knob with the other hand so that there is as little

pressure as possible on the lock's bolt.

If a spare key is available, try to pull the broken key straight out.

If there is no portion of the key pro-truding from the lock to grab with

pliers, use a straight blade screwdriver (or anything with a blade small

enough), inserted or pressed into the keyhole.

Once unlocked, open the door and twist the screw driver in both direc-

tions.

If you're in a hurry, lock the door with the screwdriver and leave.

Once you have the time, the lock mechanism will most likely require removal and / or disassembly to

remove the broken key.

If the key is broken while being inserted, pushing the rest of the key into the lock should allow the lock and

unlock operation of the lock.

If at anytime you are unable to open the lock as outlined above, there are only two other ways to open the lock.

If drilling, the object will be to drill to a depth equal to the part of a key that would normally be inserted into a

working lock.

Once the bulk of the cylinder metal is removed, pry as much remaining metal of the cylinder and pins out so that the mechanism will turn to

unlock.

Presented by:Source:http://www.wikihow.com/Repair-a-Broken-Key-While-It's-in-the-Lockhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tSkbZ72uMQhttp://www.autopricelocksmiths.co.uk/broken-car-keys.phphttp://www.instructables.com/id/Repair-a-broken-key-handle/

"Feel" when the bolt is free from pressure while turning the pliers, and open or unlock the door.

If the key snapped between the lock and unlock position, it will need to be twisted to either position before it can be with-

drawn.

Press or pull on the door knob with the one hand so that there is as little pressure as possible on the lock's bolt. Twist the screwdriver to operate the lock much the same way as if the key were attached to the end of the screwdriver, to open or

unlock.

Ensure that you can reliably lock and unlock with the screw driver.

It will probably not be readily apparent that the key is already in the lock, and you should be able to attend to this later on with no one being the wiser - unless someone attempts

to use insert a key or it is plainly visible.

A decent hardware store should be able to set you up with either a new key (bring the broken key) or parts to make the

entry set operable.

The lock mechanism will most likely require removal and / or disassembly to remove the broken key. A decent hardware store should be able to set you up with either a new key (bring the broken key) or parts to make the entry set

operable.

A locksmith or drilling. The locksmith will do the least (if any) damage but will probably cost the most. Drilling is inexpensive but is the most damaging. Drilling too far could

render the lock set unserviceable.

Choose a drill bit that will remove the metal from the lock cylinder ONLY. The lock cylinder is the portion of the lock that turns with the key - it is not the handle. Generally, most

home locks can be drilled with a 1/4" drill bit.

Remove the lock set and bring to a hardware store to obtain repair parts (new lock cylinder and keys).

With a key that's been snapped off while fully inserted into a lock and if there is a portion of the key sticking protruding from the lock, it may be best to try to twist or remove the key

with pliers.

12 StepsHow to Repair a Broken Key