Spanish doors and locks work a little differently from what many visitors are used to, and when something goes wrong it's hard to tell whether it's a five-minute job or a bigger one. Below are the most common faults I see in flats in Madrid and Toledo, what usually causes them, and what it takes to fix them.
If you're standing at the door right now: call or WhatsApp me on +34 663 48 41 13. I speak English. Tell me what the lock is doing and I'll tell you what it probably is and what it will cost before I set off.
Cylinder or lock? The difference that sets the price
Two words come up all the time:
- Bombín (the lock cylinder): the part you put the key into. It's the part that most often wears out, jams or needs changing when keys are lost.
- Cerradura (the lock): the whole mechanism inside the door that moves the bolts and the latch.
In many cases only the cylinder needs replacing, which is quicker and cheaper. Changing the whole lock is needed when the mechanism inside the door is broken or worn out, or after a forced entry has damaged it.
Common problems and what they usually mean
The key won't turn
Often it's a worn key or a worn cylinder, dirt inside, or a copy that was badly cut. Sometimes the door has dropped slightly on its hinges and the bolt is rubbing against the frame. Don't force the key: that's how keys snap. Try the original key if you have it, and push or pull the door gently while turning. If it still won't move, call me.
The key broke inside the lock
Leave it as it is. Trying to pull it out with tweezers or glue usually pushes the piece deeper and damages the cylinder. Keep the half you have in your hand; it's useful. Very often the piece can be removed and the cylinder saved. If not, a new bombín is fitted on the spot.
The door won't close or won't stay shut
The resbalón (the latch, the angled tongue that clicks into the frame) may be stuck, broken or no longer lining up with its plate. In old buildings, doors move with heat and damp, and a small adjustment is often enough. If the latch itself has failed, the lock may need a repair or replacement.
The key turns but nothing happens
That usually points to something broken inside the cylinder or the lock. It's one of the cases where I need to see it to tell you for sure, but I'll give you the possible range on the phone.
After a break-in
If someone has forced your door, first make sure nobody is inside. If you plan to report it, don't touch anything until the police have seen it. Take photos of the door, the lock and anything damaged. Then call me: I'll make the door secure so you can lock it again tonight, and give you an invoice (factura) for your insurance. If the old door was easy to force, it's worth talking about an anti-bump cylinder or a stronger lock, but only if you want to.
Prices
- Cylinder (bombín) change: from €150
- Anti-bump cylinder: from €200
- Lock change: from €220
- High-security lock for a puerta blindada (armoured door): from €350
- Shutter or garage door: from €180
- If the broken lock has left you outside, opening the door: €150–250, call-out included
The final figure depends on the door and the part needed. Extra parts are only fitted if you say yes. For a lockout, I tell you the exact price on the phone before I leave, at any hour, and that's what you pay. More detail on my prices page, or in Spanish on precios.
Why call me
A broken lock is an annoying problem to explain in a second language. With me you can describe it in English and understand exactly what I'm proposing. I'm Ismael, self-employed, so the person on the phone is the person who comes. I work 24 hours a day across central Madrid and Toledo, I give you the price before touching anything, and you get an invoice every time, which your landlord, host or insurer will want to see. I don't guess arrival times: I check the route on Google Maps and tell you.
The WhatsApp button on the site asks to share your location and sends it to me as a Google Maps link, so I know exactly where you are. A photo of the lock helps a lot.
Get it sorted today
Don't keep forcing a lock that's on its way out; it nearly always ends with a snapped key or a door you can't open. Call or WhatsApp me on +34 663 48 41 13 with a description or a photo, and I'll tell you what it is and what it costs.
Frequently asked questions
My key broke in the lock in Spain. What should I do?
Don't try to dig the piece out, as that usually pushes it deeper. Keep the other half and call a locksmith. Often the piece can be removed; if not, a new cylinder is fitted on the spot.
How much does it cost to change a lock cylinder in Madrid?
With me, a cylinder (bombín) change starts from €150 and an anti-bump cylinder from €200. The exact price depends on the door and the cylinder size.
Do I need to change the whole lock or just the cylinder?
Most of the time just the cylinder. The whole lock is changed when the mechanism inside the door is broken, worn out or damaged by a forced entry.
Can you fix my door the same night after a break-in?
Yes. I make the door secure so you can lock it again and give you an invoice for your insurance. Take photos first and wait for the police if you're reporting it.