Home Security

Top tips and advice on protecting your home with alarms, locks, CCTV systems and security upgrades.

Help! What To Do If Your Key Breaks In The Lock

7th February 2020

It’s something that we all dread: turning the key in the lock, only for it to snap. A broken key is never convenient, but the way that you deal with the situation is all-important.

Your next move very much depends on your circumstances:

Got a spare key?

Follow the advice below to try to remove the broken key without damaging the lock.

In a rush?

If the door is locked, leave it as it is and either get a spare key and try to remove the broken one later when you have more time, or call a locksmith to come when you are free.

No spare key?

If you don’t have a spare key and the door is locked, call a locksmith; they will come out, retrieve the broken key and either be able to make you a new one, or change your locks for you.

Whatever your situation, it is never a good idea to reinsert your end of the broken key and desperately hope that, by luck or magic, the key will work. By doing this, you could cause more damage by pushing the key further into the mechanism.

If you have a spare key… somewhere

If you do have a spare key, and you are not in a rush, then one of these methods may well help you to retrieve the broken piece so that you can get in using the spare key.

Before you start, get a pair of needle-nose pliers and add a lubricant to the lock. While not essential, these will definitely help you to retrieve your broken key more easily. Then, give these methods a try, one at a time.

Tweezers: if there is a bit of key protruding from the lock, use tweezers or your needle-nose pliers to carefully ease the key out. Be very careful not to push the key in further, as this could exacerbate the problem.

Jigsaw blade: if you have a jigsaw to hand, a spare blade or mini hacksaw blade could well be of use. Basically, you are looking for a piece of metal that is thin enough that it will slide into the lock alongside the broken key. Try to catch the teeth of the blade in the grooves of the key; once you feel it catch, slowly turn and pull and the key may come out. Be patient; it may require a few attempts. If this fails, you could use two blades to sandwich the flat sides of the key and gently pull it out; again, this may take a few attempts.

Superglue: if all else fails, you could try super glue. This will only work if you can clearly see some of the broken key. Take a match or a thin piece of wire (pin, safety pin, needle, cocktail stick, hair grip) and add a small amount of glue to the end. Carefully stick the stick or wire to the broken key, and wait for it to set, being careful not to push the key in further. Once it’s set, withdraw the key – voila!

Retrieving a broken key from the lock requires time, patience and some equipment at a time when you are probably already stressed. If in doubt, call a local locksmith; most have reasonable callout rates and will be able to help quickly and easily. For more advice, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or Twitter.

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Looking for more home security advice?

Find clear, practical answers to common home security questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What home security measures do insurance companies recommend?

Most insurers want to see five-lever mortise deadlocks on external doors, key-operated window locks, and ideally a monitored alarm - some require these as a condition of cover. CCTV and smart doorbells are increasingly valued too.
Check your policy documents or speak to your insurer directly - inadequate security can affect both your premiums and whether a claim gets paid out.
Should I get a CCTV system or a smart alarm installed professionally?

Off-the-shelf systems are sold as DIY-friendly, but professional installation gets you proper camera positioning for actual coverage, everything integrated correctly, and reliable connectivity.
If your alarm needs to meet insurer requirements or NSI/SSAIB standards, professional installation is usually a must. A good installer will also assess your property's specific weak points rather than just fitting a standard kit.
Does having a visible alarm box actually deter burglars?

Yes - consistently, according to research. A dummy box offers some deterrent, but a working monitored system with a visible bell box is significantly more effective. Burglars mainly target properties that look easy to enter quickly and quietly - anything that signals risk or delay helps. Combine a visible alarm with motion-activated lighting and CCTV and you're covering the main things that make a property look like a harder target.
What is the most effective burglar deterrent for a UK home?

A combination of things working together is what really makes the difference. A visible alarm, motion lighting, and CCTV remove the cover burglars rely on.
Strong door and window locks matter too - most break-ins involve forcing a door or window, not anything sophisticated. When you're away, timer-controlled lights that make the house look occupied are simple but genuinely effective.
What should I do immediately after a break-in?

Don't touch anything until the police have been - you want to preserve the scene. Call the police and get a crime reference number, which you'll need for your insurer. Report it to your insurer as soon as you can.
Photograph any damage before anything gets moved. Once the police have attended, get a locksmith or security professional out to make the property secure - especially if any doors or windows were damaged.
Should I upgrade to a smart lock and are they more secure than traditional locks?

Security-wise, it depends more on the lock's mechanism than whether it's smart or not. Most smart locks use the same deadbolt mechanisms as conventional ones and just add keypad, fingerprint, or app control on top.
The real benefits are practical - you can give temporary access without cutting keys, see who's come and gone, and set it to auto-lock. Look for Sold Secure or BSI Kitemark accreditation, and make sure it's properly installed - a good lock fitted poorly doesn't offer much.
How often should I change the locks on my home?

There's no set schedule, but there are clear triggers: moving into a new property, losing a set of keys, a relationship breakdown where someone had a key, or after a break-in. Outside of those situations, a quality lock will last many years without needing replacement unless it's showing signs of wear.
Stiffness or keys becoming difficult to turn are worth getting looked at rather than ignoring.
Can uPVC door locks be repaired or do they need replacing?

Often repaired, actually. The most common problem - a multipoint lock that won't engage properly with the frame - is usually down to the door dropping slightly on its hinges. Adjusting the hinges often sorts it without touching the lock at all. The euro cylinder (the part the key goes into) can be replaced cheaply and quickly on its own if that's the issue. A full mechanism replacement is only needed if the internal gearbox has failed. A locksmith can work out which part's the problem and fix just that.

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