What to do if a key gets stuck in a mortise or padlock?

You have to go through many unpleasant moments if you cannot get into your own apartment, and the reason for this is simple - the key is stuck in the lock of the front door. Whether in this case it is possible to pull it out without breaking the lock, or whether the locking mechanism will have to be reinstalled, depends on what reason led to the jamming.

Why does the key get stuck in the lock?

There are two groups of factors leading to jamming - improper operation or manufacturing defects.

The first group includes:

• mechanical damage to a key that was used for other purposes, for example to unscrew screws or open bottles;
• opening/closing the lock with excessive force;
• operation of the locking mechanism at high humidity without preventive measures;
• the mechanism is not lubricated;
• attempts to open the lock with a master key;
• debris getting inside the mechanism;
• the door is installed incorrectly - skewed - or the skew appeared over time;
• Instead of a lost key, a new one was cut out, and it was not made accurately.

Jamming for these reasons can be avoided, but the next group is entirely on the conscience of the manufacturer. The lock may come with poorly turned keys, the shape of the blank may be damaged, or there may be a defect in the mechanism. Most often, such a defect is that the pins are made of the wrong metal (softer), as a result, they do not move away from pressing the key, but block it.Damage caused by improper use can most often be eliminated, but if there is a manufacturing defect, you have to change the core or the entire lock.

Should I remove the key myself or call a professional?

If you find yourself in a situation where the key is jammed and it won’t turn in the door lock, you should immediately decide whether to call a professional or act on your own. There are several factors to consider here.

• The jamming occurred while the door was open - you can try to correct the situation yourself.
• The trouble occurred when the lock was closed - even if you manage to pull out the key, a second attempt to open the door may again lead to jamming. It is better to invite a locksmith to disassemble the lock and eliminate the cause of the problem.
• The key broke when trying to open the doors, and all the tools are inside - calling a specialist is completely justified.

How to remove a stuck key?

To pull out the key without breaking it, you need to pull yourself together and not try to increase the pulling force. Just a large mechanical force leads to breakage. As a result, opening the doors and getting into the house becomes even more problematic, since you will have to break the lock. If you do everything thoughtfully, it is quite possible to remove the key using a non-destructive method and preserve the mechanism.

The most likely reason is a lack of lubrication or rust, especially in the entrance doors of a private house. Therefore, first of all, you need to spray the lock with WD-40 spray or its equivalent. If the spray is not on hand, you can use kerosene or machine oil. It can be dropped into the keyhole using a syringe.

The sequence of actions looks like this.

1. Apply kerosene or spray with kerosene.
2. Carefully move the wrench from side to side so that the liquid is distributed along the entire length of the core.
3. Repeat everything in the same sequence.
4. Wait 15-20 minutes.
5. Carefully try to remove the key.
6. If you can't get it, use a little more force and rock it a little from side to side when pulling it out.

After successful “liberation” you will have to disassemble the lock. This must be done in order, firstly, to identify the cause of the jam, and secondly, to check whether mechanical damage to the mechanism has occurred. Identifying the reasons will make it possible to prevent the same situation in the future.

Advice

Do not apply lubricants with cotton wool. Its lint can clog the lock.

What to do if there is a piece of debris left in the lock?

When you pull out the key, it is very easy to break it. It will be more difficult to get the fragment out of the castle. But here, too, you can first try non-destructive methods - lubricating with kerosene or spray or disassembling the lock. The fragment is pulled out in the same way as a whole key, only pliers or tweezers are used to grab it. If a piece of debris sticks out of the lock so that it can be grabbed with pliers, then the probability of a successful outcome is quite high, since with their help you can reliably grab a piece of metal. Otherwise you will have to grab it with tweezers. The capture area is insufficient, so this process rarely ends successfully.

If the gap for gripping is small or not at all, you can use a jigsaw blade with a previously broken off fastening end. It is inserted into the lock parallel to the rod. The teeth should be tilted towards themselves. When pulling out, you need to turn the jigsaw with its teeth towards the rod, trying to grab it.This procedure is repeated several times until a sufficient grip for the pliers is formed.

Prevention measures

To avoid having to pull out a stuck key or call a technician to open the doors, you need to periodically treat the lock.

One of the mandatory procedures is cleaning and lubricating the mechanism. It is done very simply.

• Pour kerosene-based cleaning liquid into the lock generously.
• Insert the key into the hole, and when you take it out, wipe it off from dirt.
• Repeat manipulations with the key several times until it remains completely clean.
• Pour lubricant (machine oil) into the mechanism and turn the key in the lock several times.
• Wipe all accessible parts dry.

Taking good care of the door fittings will prevent force majeure situations, and you will avoid an unpleasant time spent near a closed apartment.