How To Get A Key Unstuck

Is Your House Key Stuck in Your Door Lock Again? Check Out These Tips From Alford to Remove Your Key and Stop It From Getting Stuck Again

It's just been one of those days. You spilled your entire cup of coffee in your car this morning, your dry-cleaning wasn't ready, and traffic was terrible. All you want to do is fall on the sofa to watch that TV show you've been waiting on all year to start up again. But as you unlock your door, your key refuses to come out of the lock. After you scream in frustration, take some time to evaluate the situation. Even though it's frustrating, it's fairly simple to remove a key stuck in a lock, as long as nothing is broken inside the lock. At Alford Safe and Lock, we have a few tips to help you get that key unstuck and prevent it from happening again. key stuck in the lock

How Do Keys Get Stuck in Locks in the First Place?

A pin tumbler lock is the most common locking mechanism found in deadbolts and key-in-knob locks. Key pins have varying lengths and are located in the locking mechanism. The plug (the part of the lock you see) is part of the larger locking mechanism. When the correct key is inserted, the pins align correctly, the plug turns, and the lock opens.

One common cause of a key getting stuck in a lock happens when a new key with rough edges catches on the lock pins and binds them to the key. When that occurs, the key becomes stuck inside the lock. Another common instance that causes a stuck key occurs with older locks. The plug can become loose in older locks and will rotate slightly within the cylinder when the key is turned. If the plug is not aligned properly, the pins cannot retract correctly and the key sticks.

Alford's Tips to Get Your Key Unstuck

If you have a new key or lock,good old-fashioned elbow grease might do the trick. Try using Houdini Spray or another similar lubricant to loosen the key. Hold the application straw just above the stuck key and spray into the lock. Then, gently shimmy the key up and down (not side to side) to work the key out of the lock. Make sure you are very gentle with the key. If you aren't careful, you could break the key off in the lock, causing bigger problems. Once you get the key removed, bring your key to Alford Safe and Lock. We will file away any barbs or rough edges to prevent your key from sticking again.
If you have an old lock, push, hold, and pull. If the plug is loose within the locking cylinder, there is an easy method to remove your key. Push your key in as far as it will go and turn it to the exact position it was in when you inserted it. With the tip of your finger, push firmly on the face of the plug next to the key stuck in the lock. You should be able to gently pull the key out. The pressure you apply to the plug prevents it from shifting when you try to remove the key.

If Problems Persist, Call Alford Safe and Lock

Hopefully, one of these fixes helped you remove your stuck key from its lock. If you have tried both methods with no luck, it's time to call in the professionals. At Alford Safe and Lock, we can extract that sticky key for you, and we can either replace it with a new key that works or change the lock all together. Even if you manage to remove your key, you should still give us a call. If you have a problem with a key or lock, it probably won't be an isolated incident. Alford Safe and Lock takes care of all your lock and key needs. We can help to ensure that your bad day doesn't happen all over again.

If you are experiencing lock or key problems, call Alford Safe and Lock today.