How to Fix Stuck and Jammed Locks

A door lock might look like a simple device but its working mechanism is quite complicated. This makes it susceptible to jamming. Harsh weather, rust, and misaligned strike plates among other things can cause your door to get stuck.

Don’t attempt to free the lock by force. Doing so can damage the structure of your door, junction and door frame.

To fix a jammed lock properly, you need to first diagnose the cause of the problem.

Here are some common reason behind jammed door and their possible solutions.

Broken Key Stuck In The Lock

If your lock is stuck because of a broken key then the first thing you need to do is to try to take out the broken piece as smoothly as you can. One way to do so is by using a key extractor. If you don’t have access to a key extractor, try using a pair of tweezers to remove the broken part from the lock. Lubricating the keyway can make the process easier.

The easiest way to get a broken key out of a lock, without causing any damage to the door is to have a professional locksmith do the job. He’ll have all the required tools and specialized knowledge to fix your stuck lock easily.

Dirt Buildup In The Keyway

Dirt and grime can build up in the keyway of locks due to low maintenance. While some people might clean their locks occasionally, others never do. What they fail to understand is that locks need to be cleaned regularly for them to keep functioning properly.

A door lock jammed because of dirt buildup has only one solution – get rid of the dirt! Clean the lock after spraying lubricant in the keyway; this will minimize any chances of damage to the mechanism.

If the problem isn’t solved by light cleaning, call in a locksmith immediately. He’ll unscrew the door lock entirely and clean the whole assembly.

Frozen Lock

If you live in a cold area like the Orlando, where it snows heavily in the winter, your locks might get frozen and jammed.

If the lock is stuck due to external frozen parts, like the keyway, you can access it by heating up your key by a dryer or the car heater. However, if the internal mechanism is frozen you’ll have to call in a local locksmith for assistance.

If you’re in NYC and have jammed door locks at your hands, get in touch with Best Locksmith Orlando for help. We have been offering reliable residential locksmith Orlando services to clients since 10+ years.