Any hour. A person answers.
Key snapped or stuck in the lock?
Stop turning it. Don't push the broken piece in deeper or reach for superglue. Text us a photo of the lock, and we extract the broken piece and cut you a working key, usually on the same visit.
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What should I do if my key breaks off in the lock?
Stop turning and don't push the broken piece in further. Don't use superglue, which can seal the lock shut. If a piece is sticking out you may be able to pull it straight out with pliers. Otherwise a locksmith can extract it and cut a new key.
Stop turning, and send a photo
A snapped key is a small problem that gets bigger with every twist. Leave it, and text us a clear photo of the lock with the piece in it. That tells us which tools to bring and lets us give you the price.
Don't use superglue. It's the most common internet tip, and it can glue the pins and seal the lock for good.
Door locks
We take the broken piece out with extraction tools that hook the cuts on the key, without drilling. Then we cut a new key, from the broken pieces or from the lock itself. If the lock is worn out, which is often why the key broke, we tell you and you decide whether to replace it.
Car ignitions and door locks
A key stuck or snapped in an ignition needs a little more care, because the ignition is part of how the car starts. Put the car in park and don't force anything. We extract the piece and, for most makes, cut and program a new car key on site.
Why it happens here
Keys get thin with use, and Winnipeg cold makes locks stiff. A stiff lock plus a worn key is the classic snap. If a lock fights you, a little graphite lubricant or a service visit is cheaper than a broken key at minus 30.
Price first
You hear the price before we start. Our Price Promise.
Questions people ask
- Can I get the broken piece out myself?
- If a good piece is sticking out, pull it straight out with needle-nose pliers, no twisting. If it's flush or deep inside, leave it. Pushing or prying usually jams it further and damages the pins.
- My key is stuck in the car ignition. What now?
- Make sure the car is in park, turn the wheel gently while turning the key, and don't force it. If it still won't release, call us. Forcing a stuck ignition key is how keys snap.
- Why do keys break?
- Worn keys, worn locks, and cold. In a Winnipeg winter, a stiff or partly frozen lock plus a thin, worn key is the usual mix. A lock that's hard to turn is telling you something.
- Do I need a new lock afterwards?
- Often not. Once the piece is out, many locks work fine with a new key. If the lock is worn or damaged, we tell you and quote a repair or replacement for you to decide.
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Open 24 hours, 7 days. You approve the price before we start.