can't remove key from locked door

noelphobic

I have a upvc front door and have had a problem today. My son went out and when he came home my key was on the inside of the door. Sometimes when this happens and you try to open the door from the outside it won't work, until you have removed the key from the inside. I heard him coming in so I went to either remove the key from the inside or unlock it from the inside. He got in OK but since then we have found that when we lock the door we can't get the key out again with unlocking it.

This means that we can't both go out and that when we go to bed we will have to leave the key in the door in order for it to be locked. The key just won't turn far enough to enable us to take it out. We have tried WD40 but it hasn't helped. I don't want to have to pay a locksmith to either fix or replace the lock but we both need to go to work on Monday morning. It's difficult to leave by the back door and access the front of the property so it's really only an option in an emergency.

I'm wondering if replacing the lock altogether is going to be the easiest and most economical option. Has anyone got any better ideas or advice please?

rdp1980

Same thing happened to me. Apparently you can sometimes fiddle with the lock with both keys in and it will go back to how it should be, but I didn't have any success.

Sounds like you would be best to change the cylinder. You just need to make sure you get the right size to match the old one. Loads of guides online show you how to measure and even how to remove the cylinder. A simple DIY job.

Red_Cat

If it is in a UPVC door I assume it's an oval or Euro barrel lock?

The link helps to identify which is which:
http://www.bernards.co.uk/oval_euro_cylinders_faq.htm

I would change the lock in case things get worse and then you can't operate the door!

You will need to open the door to remove the lock (a screw is fitted into the side of the lock via the edge of the door). Measure the lock length, return the lock into the door whilst you go and get a replacement.

Cheap ones are available, but I reckon you get what you pay for in these matters, so buy a good one. Fitting the new one is a straight swap, you remove the old one , put the new one in, side screw and you are done.

noelphobic

rdp1980 wrote: »

Same thing happened to me. Apparently you can sometimes fiddle with the lock with both keys in and it will go back to how it should be, but I didn't have any success.

Sounds like you would be best to change the cylinder. You just need to make sure you get the right size to match the old one. Loads of guides online show you how to measure and even how to remove the cylinder. A simple DIY job.

I think fiddling with both keys in is partly what caused the problem in the first place! My son has now lost his keys so we can't even try that. My brother in law is coming to look tomorrow so if my son's keys don't turn up beforehand then we will try that then.

I have heard it is simple to change, so that might end up being the best option.

McKneff

Do you have another door ??????

noelphobic

McKneff wrote: »

Do you have another door ??????

we have a back door but it is difficult to access the front of the house from it and it backs onto bungalows which are in a road about 5 minutes walk away - I doubt the occupants would be too pleased if I climbed over the boundary wall!

rdp1980

If keys have gone missing that would definitely make me think it was time to change the cylinder.

Agree with the other poster, get a decent make and ideally one that is BS kitemarked.

Unless the cylinder is a funny length you shouldn't have any issues picking one up from Screwfix, B&Q, etc.

Mine was a weird size so had to get one off eBay in the end. I'd be tempted to get someone else to order it and have it delivered to their address, just so that nobody can trace that lock back to your home address.

VfM4meplse

McKneff wrote: »

Do you have another door ??????

Do you mean to enter / exit from, or as a replacement?

IMO if you are going to replace the door - admittedly a sledgehammer approach to the problem- I would go for a metal door. UPVC is too easy to break into. I appreciate that this is not the least costly solution .

noelphobic

rdp1980 wrote: »

If keys have gone missing that would definitely make me think it was time to change the cylinder.

Agree with the other poster, get a decent make and ideally one that is BS kitemarked.

Unless the cylinder is a funny length you shouldn't have any issues picking one up from Screwfix, B&Q, etc.

Mine was a weird size so had to get one off eBay in the end. I'd be tempted to get someone else to order it and have it delivered to their address, just so that nobody can trace that lock back to your home address.

I think the keys are probably in the house somewhere, so not too worried about that at the moment.

I hope I don't have to get a lock from Ebay - I can't take all that time off work!

noelphobic

I've just read this, which is pretty much in line with what people here have said, so hopefully we can sort something out tomorrow

http://www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=78829

rdp1980

One thing that might be worth trying if you can't get a new cylinder quickly.

If your back door is UPVC, swap the cylinders over then at least you can exit from the front door. May be different size cylinders though.