You’ve likely located this post because you’re finding yourself in a dilemma. You put the key in your door after a long day of work as you’ve done for the last twenty years and then you hear the snap. The key has broken inside the lock before you had a chance to turn the knob and make your way over to the couch which you’d been dreaming about ever since your 3 p.m. coffee.

Maybe you turn the key and it just keeps turning, never unlocking the door or you wiggle and jiggle and the key is just stuck in the door. Whichever emergency you’re now faced with, you have options.

Here’s what to do when your key is broken or stuck in your door lock.

Check that the door handle isn’t loose or jammed.

Screws can loosen over time and cause your door handle to no longer sit properly against the door frame. When this happens it may cause the door to not properly close and the lock to fail. Sometimes the issue can also be internal. If your key continues to turn inside of the lock it could be parts inside that have worn or broken. Calling in a professional locksmith is the best way to resolve the issue as they will be able to repair, diagnose and safely get you back into your home.

You may need a new door lock tumbler.

Door lock tumblers are a critical internal function that makes locking and securing your property possible. When the internal pieces break or become worn they will no longer work as intended and will need to be replaced. This isn’t an easy DIY task either and should be done by a professional who understands the internals of locks and how parts should be installed. While working with the lock, they can also rekey, re-pin or replace lock tumblers to add more security to your locks.

Get the broken key out.

If you’re dealing with a key that has broken inside of the lock itself, you’ll need to first get that piece out before you can work on gaining access to your home. Not only will it need to be taken out, but you’ll also now need a new key made that you can use going forward. Avoid adding further damage to the door lock by trying to jam things into the hole in hopes of pulling out the broken piece.

In need of a locksmith? All American Locksmiths is available for prompt lockout services for customers in Connecticut and Westchester County. We offer everything from residential locksmith repair to cylinder rekeying, broken key extraction – and so much more.

Need help with your broken key or lockout situation? Request Service Now!

One of the most important safety elements in your home are the locks on your doors. Since most break-ins happen by entering right through someone’s front door, it’s important to know the locks on your house inside and out. Becoming familiar with their operation, who may have access to spare keys and ensuring that the lock is functioning properly is critical.

Here is a look at the different types of locks that can be used to protect your residence or business.

Door Knob Locks

The most common lock we’re all familiar with on doors is the one you use with a key right inside the same knob you turn to enter the door. These locks are necessary but also limited in their ability to provide complete protection. Since many of these knobs can easily be broken apart with a hammer blow or drill they should only be used together with an additional lock type to keep your door secure.

Dead Bolts

To add another layer of security to your door, installation of a deadbolt lock is necessary. These are typically placed higher up on the door and require an understanding of their operation and considerations about emergency escape routes before selecting the type of deadbolt to install.

High-Security Locks

High-security locks are the newest form of security for homes because they include features that make it much harder for intruders to break in. Some of those elements include metal contents in the composition of the lock parts that are heavy and difficult to break as well as drill protection and bypass resistance that stop thieves from using counter methods to gain access to homes by exploiting a weakness in the locks.

All American Locksmiths is dedicated to providing peace of mind to customers while also minimizing interruptions to their business operations and life. We pride ourselves on reliable, fast, high-quality service and look forward to helping you with your lock needs. Contact us today!