Broken key extraction in Seattle
A key broke off in the lock? A mobile locksmith extracts the broken piece from house, business and car locks and ignitions, in Seattle and nearby cities, every day from 7:00 am to midnight, and repairs or replaces the lock if it was damaged.
- on Google 118 Google reviews
- Washington contractor license #CAPITLI823NN
- Insured and bonded Business insurance and a bond in place.
- Price before we start You hear the price for the job before any work begins.
- 13+ years Over 13 years of experience in the locksmith industry.
A key broke off in the lock?
Stop using that lock and don't push anything into the keyway. We extract the broken piece where you are.
Call (206) 446-6586Can you get it out yourself?
Only if a piece sticks out far enough to grip. If it is flush with the lock, tools tend to push it deeper.
How to get a broken key out of a lockBroken in the car ignition?
Don't try to start the car with the half that is left. The ignition lock may need repair once the piece is out.
Ignition repairOnly had the one key?
Once the piece is out, we can rekey the lock so it works with new keys. For a car, we can cut and program a new key where the vehicle supports it.
Lock rekeyingHow to get a broken key out of a lock
- If a piece sticks out, grip it with needle-nose pliers or tweezers and pull it straight out, without twisting. Make sure the lock is turned back to the position where the key goes in and out.
- If the piece is flush with the lock or inside it, stop. Pins, paper clips and screwdrivers push it deeper and can damage the pins.
- Don’t use super glue. If it reaches the pins or the cylinder, the lock usually has to be replaced.
- Don’t spray oil into the keyway to free the piece: it collects dirt and doesn’t release the key.
When the piece won’t come out cleanly, call us. We extract it with tools made for the job.
What we do
We come to your home, business or car, extract the broken piece, and check the lock. If it works, you’re done. If the pins or the cylinder were damaged, we repair or replace the lock, or rekey it if you have no other key.
Key stuck in the lock
A key that goes in but won’t turn or won’t come out is a warning: it is the moment keys break. Turn it back to the position where it went in, wiggle it gently, and don’t force it. If it still won’t move, call us before it snaps. Keys stuck in a car ignition have their own causes: see ignition repair.
Broken keys in cars
We extract broken keys from car door locks, trunks and ignitions where the car is parked. If the lock was damaged, we repair or replace it, and we can make a new key where the vehicle supports it. See car locksmith.
How to keep it from happening again
- Replace a key that is bent, cracked or worn smooth.
- Fix a lock that sticks: that is what makes a worn key snap. See lock repair.
- Use a lubricant made for locks, such as a dry graphite or PTFE spray, a couple of times a year.