Can't get key out of lock when the door is unlocked??

Jon_01

Okay, so UPVC front door, about 8 years old I think.

Yesterday used a spare key and since then when the doors unlocked it's impossible to get the key out of the lock. When the doors locked, no problem, the key comes out.

We have to open the door, then operate the lock to lock it with the door open, remove the key from the side it's in then unlock and lock it again so we can get in and out!.

Doesn't matter which key we use.

Anyone have a clue what's happened, and is there a fix without getting a new barrel.

Thanks...

DullGreyGuy

Your lucky, its a faff but you can get in and out, we had the opposite problem that they keys wouldnt come out when it was locked so unable for both of us to go out at the same time. We didn't come up with any solution other than changing the barrel but its a 2 minute job, we'd intended to do it anyway as we'd recently bought the home and the existing lock had no security features. 

housebuyer143

You will need to change the barrel, it will cost you £10-20. Give it a YouTube, you can do it yourself in a few mins. 

TELLIT01

When we had a problem with a lock the locksmith suggested trying WD40 as a first potential solution.  We did, and the lock has been fine ever since.

Jon_01

Thanks all.  

I tried WD40, no change!

Went to Screwfix this morning with the old barrel and got a new one. Took 5 minutes to fit. Everything works fine now

Eldi_Dos

Once or twice a year I give the door key a rub with a pencil and put key in lock and give it a few turns, the graphite is reputed to keep the lock working smoothly.

CliveOfIndia

Eldi_Dos said:

Once or twice a year I give the door key a rub with a pencil and put key in lock and give it a few turns, the graphite is reputed to keep the lock working smoothly.

Graphite is an excellent lubricant, and is a real old-school method for keeping locks running smoothly.  You can buy powdered graphite or spray - but as you say, an ordinary pencil rubbed on a key works perfectly well for most domestic requirements, and is probably far cheaper and more convenient for most people.

One big advantage is that it's dry, so it doesn't attract and retain dust like WD40 or grease can.