Emergency service
Broken key extraction in Ottawa and area
Broken key extraction starts with a snapped blade in a worn cylinder.
613.801.8531
Call 24/7 — we answer
20–40 min
Typical arrival in Ottawa
$95
Typical starting price
Insured
Insured and bonded, 12+ years
How it works
Broken key extraction starts with a snapped blade in a worn cylinder. Usually it happens at the worst moment. Cold morning, hands full, and turning harder than usual. However, the break itself is only the visible event. In fact the wear behind it has been building for months.
- Step 1
You call
Tell us where it broke and how much still shows.
- Step 2
Fragment removed
Hooked extractors. Therefore the cylinder stays intact.
- Step 3
New key cut
Decoded from the lock, or cut from the fragments.
- Step 4
Lock checked
Rekey or replace, because wear caused the break.
Why keys break, and why it is never sudden
Brass wears down every single time you use a key. Gradually the cuts round off and the blade thins. Meanwhile the pins inside wear too. Furthermore, dirt and old lubricant collect in the keyway. Consequently the lock needs more force each month. Cold weather makes it worse, because brass turns brittle below freezing. Therefore Ottawa locksmiths see a clear spike between December and March. If your key already needs a specific angle, it is warning you.
Signs your key is about to break
First the key needs a specific angle. Then it needs a wiggle. Eventually it needs force. Additionally you may notice the blade looks thinner than its spare. Because each of these signals wear, none of them improves on its own.
Why winter makes it worse
Brass turns brittle in the cold. Meanwhile grease inside the cylinder thickens and drags. Consequently the same force that worked in September shears the blade in January. Therefore Ottawa sees a clear spike between December and March. Consequently Urban Locksmith keeps extra vans running through those months.
How Urban Locksmith performs broken key extraction
Urban Locksmith slides thin hooked or spiral extractors alongside the blade. Then they catch the cuts and draw the fragment out. Success depends on how deep the break sits. Additionally, the pins may be resting on top and holding it. Therefore turning the plug back first often matters enormously. Done carefully, the cylinder survives and keeps working. By contrast, forced attempts usually make things worse. Superglue, pliers and blind drilling push the fragment deeper. Consequently a small job becomes a lock replacement.
Typical starting price
$95
Worn key, worn cylinder, or both. Furthermore, cold weather makes brass brittle and speeds it up.
Ignition keys are a harder case
A key broken in a car ignition adds complications. Firstly, the cylinder sits in a tight housing. Secondly, the steering lock may be engaged and holding tension. Moreover, many vehicles will not turn to the extraction position without a working key. If the key carried a transponder, the chip still matters when cutting a replacement. Usually extraction is possible on site. However, some models need the cylinder removed instead. In either case you hear which before work starts.
You will need a new key either way
The half in your hand is unusable. Likewise the extracted half is scrap. For a house key, Urban Locksmith cuts a replacement on site. Alternatively we decode one directly from the lock. For a car, it depends on the type. A plain mechanical key is straightforward. However, a transponder needs programming, and a proximity fob takes longer still. Above all, cut two while the van is there. Because the cause has not gone away, a fresh key in a worn cylinder wears quickly too.
House keys versus car keys
A house key is cut mechanically and works immediately. By contrast, a car key may carry a transponder chip that must be programmed to the vehicle. Furthermore, a proximity fob needs pairing as well as cutting. So the timescale differs considerably. Either way, Urban Locksmith confirms the type before quoting.
Rekey or replace the cylinder
If the lock was stiff enough to snap a key, extraction alone is temporary. Therefore two honest options remain. Firstly, cleaning and rekeying restores smooth operation cheaply where the body is sound. Secondly, replacement makes sense where wear has gone too far. Frankly, a deadbolt that has fought you for a year is not worth nursing. In any case you get both prices and the reasoning. Moreover, if the lock genuinely has life left, Urban Locksmith will say so.
Questions about broken key extraction
Can you extract the key without replacing the lock?
In most cases yes. Extraction tools remove the fragment, and afterwards the cylinder keeps working. Urban Locksmith keeps the original cylinder wherever possible.
I tried pliers and made it worse. Can you still help?
Usually. Admittedly failed attempts make broken key extraction harder, but rarely impossible.
Can you cut a new key on site?
Yes, for house keys and most car keys. However, transponders and proximity fobs also need programming. Urban Locksmith carries blanks and a programmer in the van.
What if the key broke in my car ignition?
Often it is extractable on site. However, some models need the cylinder removed, and we tell you before starting.
Why did my key break in the first place?
Worn key, worn cylinder, or both. Furthermore, cold weather makes brass brittle and speeds it up.
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Where we cover
Across Ottawa and every community within an hour’s drive — 47 areas in total, from downtown out to Kanata, Barrhaven, Carleton Place, Kemptville and Rockland. You get an honest arrival window on the phone rather than a number chosen to win the booking.