Broken Key Extraction
A snapped key is one of those problems that tends to happen at the worst possible moment — juggling shopping bags outside your front door on a wet evening in Hornchurch, or rushing out to Fairkytes Avenue early in the morning only to find half your key still lodged in the lock. The break usually happens because a key has worn thin over years of use, the lock mechanism has stiffened, or someone has simply pushed too hard at an awkward angle. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: a fragment of metal sitting inside the keyway, the door either stuck fast or left unsecured, and no obvious way forward without specialist help.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Fully insured
This page explains what is happening inside your lock when a key snaps, what you should and should not attempt yourself, and how our team of trained, insured technicians at Hornchurch Locksmith carry out broken key extraction across all the common lock types found on Hornchurch properties — from Yale-type nightlatches on Victorian terraces to euro cylinders on modern uPVC front doors. We cover the RM11, RM12 and surrounding postcode districts around the clock, every day of the year, including bank holidays.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and bank holidays — a real local locksmith answers and sends a fully-stocked van.
We come straight away
Based in Hornchurch, we send a locksmith straight away — we're usually with you in about 30 minutes.
Fully insured
Vetted locksmiths, a clear price on the phone, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to what our customers ask most. Still unsure? Just call.
Can you extract a broken key without replacing the lock?+
In the majority of cases, yes. If the broken fragment has not been pushed deeper by prior attempts and the internal lock mechanism is undamaged, our technician can remove the fragment using specialist extraction tools and leave the lock fully functional. We always inspect the lock afterwards and give you an honest assessment. If a replacement is needed we will tell you clearly and confirm the price before proceeding.
How much does broken key extraction cost in Hornchurch?+
We do not quote fixed figures here because the final price depends on several factors: the type of lock involved (nightlatch, 5-lever mortice, or euro cylinder), whether the job requires a replacement part, the time of day — evenings, weekends and bank holidays are priced differently — and travel distance within the area. What we can promise is that we confirm an exact price on the phone before we set off, so you can make an informed decision with no obligation. Call 020 3757 6053 for a straight answer.
My key snapped and the door is now locked shut — am I stuck until morning?+
Not at all. We operate as a 24 hour locksmith Hornchurch service, which means we respond at any hour, including through the night, at weekends, and on bank holidays. If your door is deadlocked with the broken fragment inside, our technician will work through the keyway to extract the piece and return the lock to working order. We send someone straight away and are usually with you in around 30 minutes.
The key broke in my uPVC door's euro cylinder — is that more difficult to fix?+
It can be slightly more involved than a nightlatch extraction, particularly if the plug had rotated before the break, but it is a job our technicians carry out regularly on uPVC and composite doors across Hornchurch. Where the cylinder itself is damaged beyond practical repair, we can supply and fit an anti-snap euro cylinder that meets the TS007 3-star standard on the same visit, which also improves your door's resistance to lock-snapping attacks.
I tried to get the broken key out myself using a hairpin — have I made it worse?+
Possibly, but do not panic. The most common outcome is that the fragment has been pushed slightly deeper, which can make extraction a little more involved but rarely makes it impossible. What matters is that you stop now and call a professional before the fragment is pushed far enough to become genuinely inaccessible. When you call 020 3757 6053, let us know what you have tried so the technician comes prepared with the right tools.
Do you need proof that I own or rent the property before you carry out the work?+
Yes, as part of responsible practice our technicians will ask you to confirm your connection to the property before starting any work — this is standard procedure for any reputable locksmith and protects you as well as your neighbours. Acceptable confirmation might include a tenancy agreement, utility bill, ID showing the address, or the contact details of your letting agent or housing association. If you are a tenant, we recommend notifying your landlord or managing agent that the work is taking place, and we can provide written confirmation of the job for your records.