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A few weekends ago we got a key stuck in the lock of our patio doors, I tired to free it but to no avail so we called a locksmith. He came round and had to drill out the lock, he fitted another lock (different brand). This evening the same thing has happened! It’s making me think that perhaps it’s got something to do with the door rather than just the lock. It’s a 5 point engagement UPVC door and only 2 years old. Any thoughts on what could be causing it before we throw more money at a locksmith?
Cheap shit Eurocylinders? A key should come out of a cylinder lock so long as it's lined up with the keyway.
The locksmith seemed to rate the lock he drilled out, didn’t think the replacement was particularly cheap either.
If the key can be turned to the starting position but won't come out, then it's the lock as just getting the key out from the lock is nothing to do with the door.
If the key won't turn to the starting position then it might be the mechanism in the door jamming; given more complicated multi-locking systems this sounds quite likely...
Can you lock/unlock the door with the key, i.e. is it only that the key won't come out?
I'm guessing that the door is locking, but won't unlock, as well as the key being stuck? If so I'd look at door adjustment and that the espagnolette mechanism inside the door is aligned and secure (when you can finally open it 🙂 ) Euro cylinders are pretty reliable IME
If you safely can, let the warmth of the day/central heating work on the doors before getting a locksmith out
When you turn the key in a Euro cylinder, provided it is the right key, it simply makes a small nose stick out in the the centre of the euro cylinder and this nose then engages into the locking system in the door. Typically, in engaging, it simply slips a section which then allows the handle to be moved up and down and this moves the espag of the multi point lock.
If you cannot get the key removed (because it wont go into the vertical position), its probably because the nose is caught in the internal locking system (and its had it). If you can get the key into the vertical position but cannot remove it then I would suspect the Euro cylinder (lock barrel) but, TBH, the chances of this happening twice are slim.
Locksmith told me not to leave keys in lock - especially in cold weather as they cause condensation & rust
Is a neighbour putting glue in your locks?
Or possibly the door is warped and putting sideways pressure on the eurocylinder unit, deforming it and jamming the key in it.
Thanks for the thoughts so far. The handle will lift, engaging the various bolts in the door but the key won’t then turn to lock (I’ve managed to secure the door though!) I’m pretty sure this is what happened with the other one too. We don’t leave the key in the door!
Mat.
That's a gearbox problem that is.Iv'e done loads of them and there not expensive.
If you can use a screw driver you quids in.
1-Open door and the make of the lock will be stamped into the steel lock mech.
2- order new gearbox online
3-undo the euro lock retaining screw and slide out lock by turning key slightly.
4-undo all the screws holding on the lock mech
5 remove and replace gearbox then put it back together
You tube will probably help you.
Go for it mat it's so easy to do.
Thanks Rob, we couldn’t get the lock out so got the same locksmith back. He got the gearbox out to have a look and found the sheared off locking bolt (or whatever it’s called) from a previous cylinder. Seems to be working fine now.