Broken Key Extraction
Did your key snap off inside the lock? Don't try to dig it out. We safely extract broken key fragments and cut precise replacements right on the spot.
Safe Removal Without Lock Damage
Keys endure an incredible amount of stress. Over years of use, especially brass keys used on stiff or misaligned deadbolts, the metal fatigues. Eventually, you turn the key, feel a sickening snap, and pull out only half of the metal. The rest is jammed deep inside the lock cylinder.
When a key snaps off inside a deadbolt, door knob, or car ignition, the first instinct is to grab a paperclip, a needle, or pliers and try to dig it out. Do not do this. Amateur extraction attempts almost always push the fragment deeper into the lock, wedging it past the pins and permanently destroying the delicate internal mechanisms. What could have been a simple extraction becomes an expensive full lock replacement.
Our mobile locksmiths carry specialized, ultra-thin extraction tools (spiral extractors, hook extractors, and micro-pliers) designed to grip the broken piece and slide it out smoothly without harming the lock. Once the piece is out, we can often decode the fragments to cut a fresh, strong replacement key immediately.
Why Do Keys Break?
Keys rarely break for no reason. The most common culprit is age. Standard residential keys are made of brass, a relatively soft metal. Over years of turning against steel pins, the cuts on the key wear down and the blade weakens.
The second cause is "side-loading." If your door sags or the strike plate is misaligned, you have to push or pull hard on the door while turning the key to throw the deadbolt. Using the key as a handle puts immense lateral stress on the thin blade, guaranteeing it will eventually snap.
When we extract a key, we don't just hand you a new one and leave. We diagnose why it broke. If the cylinder is gummed up, we lubricate it. If the door frame is misaligned, we adjust the strike plate so the deadbolt throws effortlessly. We fix the root cause, not just the symptom.
What's Included in Our Service
Common Extraction Scenarios
- Snapped House Key in Winter
Cold weather causes metal to contract, making old deadbolts stiff. You push hard to get inside, and the brass key simply gives up. We extract it and get you out of the cold.
- Broken Ignition Key
You turn the key to start the car, and half of it comes out in your hand. The steering wheel is locked, and the car won't start. We extract the piece from the ignition and cut/program a new transponder key.
- Jammed Mailbox Key
The small, fragile cam lock keys used for mailboxes and file cabinets frequently break off inside the lock. If it can't be extracted, we drill the small cam lock and replace it entirely.
- Bent Key Rescue
You sat on your keys, and now the car key is severely bent. Do not try to bend it back, it will snap. If it hasn't snapped yet, we can often decode it to cut a new, perfectly straight copy before disaster strikes.
The Extraction Process
Assessment & Lubrication
We inspect how deep the fragment is lodged. We generously lubricate the cylinder with specialty spray to loosen the pins gripping the broken metal.
Specialized Extraction
Using micro-hook or spiral extractors, we slide alongside the keyway, hook the bitting of the broken key, and gently drag it out of the cylinder.
Decoding the Fragments
We align the broken piece with the head of the key you still have. By measuring the cuts, we determine the exact factory code of your key.
Cutting a Fresh Key
Using our mobile cutting machines, we originate a brand new, strong key. We test it in the lock to ensure it turns smoothly without binding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Key Stuck?
Don't force it. Call immediately before trying to extract it yourself.
(912) 712-0050