Broken key in PVCu door

[lostsilva]

Hi, I'm looking for some help regarding the above problem.

Can anyone tell me if a locksmith is unable to remove my key from the lock, whether this will require replacement of the lock near the keyhole only or will replacement of the whole locking mechanism of the door (as the 4 additional bolts are 'up') also be required?

Thanks.

[pinky]

if from what you are saying, the only problem you have is a key snapped off in the lock, then any competent locksmith should be able to extract the broken key without damage to the cylinder or mechanism at all.

worst scenario if key so jammed that extraction isnt possible then the cylinder could be destroyed, and replaced, but this would be cylinder only.

but in normal conditions , id say there is no need to drill or damage your lock, and it sounds like a simple extraction of the broken key, and no more than this.

[Shrub]

You may be able to get the key out if you try with some pliers or such like, if its snapped just in the lock then yes a lockie is your best bet.

A real locksmith will be able to remove your key and make you a new one, a cowboy will lie to you and say they cant do it and drill the lock and charge you for a new one.

You wont in any case need the full locking strip replaced at all.

To call me out in my area it would be £40 and i would cut you a new key as well for that, if it needed a new lock that would be between £10 and £20 depending on size and brand.

Anyone charging/quoting over £80 to supply and fit a new lock should be avoided.

You should not need a new lock the key should be able to be removed and you should be left with a new working key.

Whereabouts do you live?

[lostsilva]

I omitted to mention that the key was jammed before it broke, however when I gently push the broken bit into the door it does slightly 'spring' back so hopefully it's loose enough to be extracted.

I live in Slough and have just called around and the average labour charge to remove the key or replace the lock if neccessary appears to be £50 - £55, which doesn't seem too bad.

As I'm being quoted £35 - £40 for a new cylinder, I'll have to see if Wickes will provide me with a new lock seeing as my door's less than a week old.

Many thanks for the advice.

[bonez]

if it's a week old who fitted it,how did the key get jammed!!

if you've just paid for it get it changed under the garantee!
should be 12 months on most pvc doors and windows for any
door furniture etc.

unless down to missuse!

j.

[toomush2drink]

A real locksmith will be able to remove your key and make you a new one, a cowboy will lie to you and say they cant do it and drill the lock and charge you for a new one.

You wont in any case need the full locking strip replaced at all.

To call me out in my area it would be £40 and i would cut you a new key as well for that, if it needed a new lock that would be between £10 and £20 depending on size and brand.

Anyone charging/quoting over £80 to supply and fit a new lock should be avoided.

Be careful making sweeping statements like that, sometimes the keys cant always be removed depending how they have snapped ie the strip is faulty and the lock is unable to turn to the unlock position, ive had this a few times. The pins prevent the key from being removed in this instance and its something ive had to deal with on a few new doors, normally with
avocet strips.
The price you quoted shrub is for your area, remember prices have to vary depending on the location so £80 down here in london isnt over the top at all and i would charge £75 if it needed a new cylinder.A lockie near me mla member etc charges £120 for the call out and £30-40 for the cylinder plus vat, now that sort of price should be avoided.You have to also consider parking etc, its not cheap down here so you have to factor it in to your prices.

[Shrub]

Yes i do see what your saying but i did say over £80, you being in London charging less than £80 would get you the job, as i say i would charge a lot less than you and the £80 but im not in London and neither is the OP .

The lock should be able to be removed and then the key taken out if the multi point has broken but on a week old door i would think the multipoint is ok, also the key is turning so the cylinder isnt jammed so either way the key should be removed, my price didnt suggest it was for replacing a locking strip.

But again i do see what your saying.

[toomush2drink]

Believe me the avocet strips do go wrong after a week or less, the design is crap and i had to write a letter for a lady who this happened to on a week old new door.In this case the cylinder wouldnt turn the full 360 and the key was trapped. The only way to get it open was to pick the back door open and remove the handle from the inside so i could snap it. Even with the euro turning tool it was hard to catch the lever which is why the design is so bad.If the cylinder moves only slightly this can happen and no amount of trying to "wiggle" the cylinder overcomes it.The cylinder fitted in this case had a slightly narrower cam and was some unbranded crap so that was the cause, so beware

Whos OP ?

[illusion]

OP = Original Poster.

[1st solution locksmiths]

I agree with toomush

I have had this problem many times were the broken key can't be removed.
Alot of upvc door are fitted with cheap cylinders so on a securtiy basis it may be worth upgrading the cylinder anyway.
Go for a Garrison or Mul-t-lock break safe if you finance can run to it.
Around £25.00 TO £ 30.00 For Garrison Break secure. Or GEGE 6pin is a good cheaper option

[toomush2drink]

Ok thanks illusion.
The "OP" is just outside london so im not surprised at his quotes to do this job.

[Shrub]

Believe me the avocet strips do go wrong after a week or less, the design is crap and i had to write a letter for a lady who this happened to on a week old new door.In this case the cylinder wouldnt turn the full 360 and the key was trapped. The only way to get it open was to pick the back door open and remove the handle from the inside so i could snap it. Even with the euro turning tool it was hard to catch the lever which is why the design is so bad.If the cylinder moves only slightly this can happen and no amount of trying to "wiggle" the cylinder overcomes it.The cylinder fitted in this case had a slightly narrower cam and was some unbranded crap so that was the cause, so beware

Whos OP ?

Ok fair enough live and learn i suppoise, ive not been out to such a new installation so i guess the one who fit them locally to me use better stuff but ill certainly keep that in mind.

[acl]

On the pricing thing: i had a call from aguy who id been to recently to adjust a upvc door(happily paid 45 +vat)
Hello mate can you give me a price to open a bedroom door?(weiser knoset ,lost keys)
Yes no problem(im in luton on the way home anyway so quick pick) itll be £40"
"FORTY POUNDS!!!!!"
"no forty pounds not FORTY POUNDS!!!"
" mate i could open it myself and put a new lock on for 20"
"ok chap you do that"
Now for those who dont know im not a million miles away from toomush,sure i dont have the parking problems that he does but its only about 30 -40 miles away,so what does this guy expect ? I do it for £20? Anyway ive made it clear that if he does drill/force this lock and still cant get in and THEN calls me,the price will go up.
I get the feeling b+Q will be selling a new internal door tomorrow
Andy

[Shrub]

Last year i thought i would have a go at the car boot thing in that ill get rid of some crap and while im at it ill offer key cutting and stick some locks on the table and offer fitting as well.

Some woman walked up and picked up a nightlatch pack that had the cylinder and everything with it, i cant remember the item nor price but i do remember that she couldnt believe the price, she said thats very good and cheaper than any of the local hardware stores to which i said yes it was as all my stock normally is, she said she would have to myther her grandson to fit it for her but with luck it might get fitted by Christmas.

She said she wanted it as hers had failed and she has to keep useing the back door which was sticking in the wet weather.

As she was getting her money out and putting the lock in her bag i said i could fit it for her if she wanted to which she asked how much when i told her £40 all in she threw the lock back on the table and said she wasnt paying that to have somthing like that fitted and walked off.

I just thought to myself wait until your locked out on a Sunday night, im the only lockie in the area and it will be me that gets called out, it will be twice that price lol

And she wanted the lock without fitting but didnt want it after finding out how much fitting cost, so she didnt want it then