You might have found yourself in a situation where you got home, unlocked the door, and then found that you could not remove your key from the lock. There could be a few reasons why your key would get stuck in the lock. In some cases you might be able to fix the problem yourself, but in others you might need the help of a locksmith.
Problems You Might Be Able to Solve Yourself
On the inside of the keyed cylinder is a small screw that holds the cylinder in place and has a thin piece of metal connected to it. This piece of metal, known as a tail piece, connects two parts of the lock so it can be locked or unlocked when the key is turned. If the screw is not tightened completely, the key can get stuck in the lock. With an older lock, it is possible that the screw is loose. You might be able to tighten the screw yourself and fix the problem.
Another common cause of a key stuck in a lock is dirt and grime inside the cylinder. You can use a good dry lubricant and spray some in the cylinder to clean it. Then insert the key and move it back and forth to get the lubricant into the pins. If this does not work, you can try a little WD-40 or a similar product.
When to Call a Locksmith
If you recently had your lock rekeyed so you could use the same key with multiple locks, the key could be stuck because of a problem with the pins. Keyed cylinders have a set of pins that allow them to turn the cylinder if you use the right key. If you had the lock rekeyed recently, it is possible that the person who did it made a mistake and did not get the pins in the correct positions. This is a problem that should be corrected by a locksmith.
If you have an older lock, the cylinder or pins could be worn. It is best to let a locksmith handle this because parts may need to be replaced.
If you do not know why your key is stuck in the lock or you have tried to fix the problem yourself without success, you should call a locksmith. All American Locksmiths can come to your Connecticut home or business and figure out why your key is stuck in the lock. We can replace any parts that are damaged or worn out so the lock works correctly. Call All American Locksmiths today so we can fix your lock.
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