A key breaking inside a lock is a situation that always happens unexpectedly and causes serious inconvenience. A broken piece can remain inside the cylinder, completely blocking the door and making it impossible to open without professional help. To avoid such problems, it is important to understand why keys break and how this can be prevented.
One of the most common reasons is key wear. Over time, the metal wears down, the teeth lose their shape, and microcracks appear. Such a key no longer fits the mechanism precisely and experiences increased stress when turned. As a result, it may break directly inside the keyway. Using low-quality duplicate keys also significantly increases the risk of breakage.
Another common cause is dirt or wear inside the lock itself. Dust, debris, old lubricant residue, and small metal particles interfere with the free movement of internal components. When the lock starts operating with resistance, the key takes on additional load and may fail.
Keys often break due to door misalignment. If the door has sagged or is installed unevenly, the lock operates at an incorrect angle. Even a properly working key experiences increased resistance in this situation, especially when trying to lock or unlock the door with a sudden movement.
The human factor also plays an important role. Trying to turn the key with force, using the lock when it is frozen, or inserting a wet or damaged key greatly increases the risk of breakage. It is particularly dangerous to continue turning the key if the lock already shows signs of sticking.
To prevent key breakage, it is important to regularly check the condition of your keys, replace worn ones in time, and avoid using damaged duplicates. The lock itself also requires preventive maintenance, including cleaning, proper lubrication, and checking that the door operates correctly.
If a key does break inside the lock and part of it remains inside, you should not try to remove it yourself using improvised tools. In such cases, it is more reliable to contact specialists in emergency lock opening, who will safely open the door and resolve the problem without causing damage.