Any locksmiths about? Help required
Discussion
Hope someone on here might be able to help. I have in internal bedroom door with a mortice latch. Yesterday I pulled the door shut and it was a bit hard to shut. However, now I cant open the door, turn the handle and the latch doesn't seem to be retracting into the mechanisim. I have removed the handle and the spindle but can't see a way of retracting the latch.
So, the only option I can see is to either kick the door down, or more likely remove the architrave from the door frame and try with a credit card to push the latch back into the mechanisim.
Is are there any other ways of doing it?
Thanks in advance.
So, the only option I can see is to either kick the door down, or more likely remove the architrave from the door frame and try with a credit card to push the latch back into the mechanisim.
Is are there any other ways of doing it?
Thanks in advance.
Edited by LaserTam on Monday 8th December 10:23
LaserTam said:
Hope someone on here might be able to help. I have in internal bedroom door with a mortice latch. Yesterday I pulled the door shut and it was a bit hard to shut. However, now I cant open the door, turn the handle and the latch doesn't seem to be retracting into the mechanisim. I have removed the handle and the spindle but can't see a way of retracting the latch.
So, the only option I can see is to either kick the door down, or more likely remove the architrave from the door frame and try with a credit card to push the latch back into the mechanisim.
Is are there any other ways of doing?
Thanks in advance.
Slip a credit card in the gap, wiggle it, and all is well. Works in all the movies. So, the only option I can see is to either kick the door down, or more likely remove the architrave from the door frame and try with a credit card to push the latch back into the mechanisim.
Is are there any other ways of doing?
Thanks in advance.
Seriously though, you might be able to work the latch back with a screw driver or a couple of sharp implements if you have enough gap to get in.
OK.
Smooth the palms of your hands around the perimiter of the door. Do this whilst standing with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Then, when you feel the "point" - you'll know it instinctively - give it a short, sharp thump with the ball of your hand (the bit where it meets your wrist). Voila, the door will slowly open.
This definitely works, I've seen the Fonz do it.
Smooth the palms of your hands around the perimiter of the door. Do this whilst standing with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Then, when you feel the "point" - you'll know it instinctively - give it a short, sharp thump with the ball of your hand (the bit where it meets your wrist). Voila, the door will slowly open.
This definitely works, I've seen the Fonz do it.
Landlord said:
OK.
Smooth the palms of your hands around the perimiter of the door. Do this whilst standing with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Then, when you feel the "point" - you'll know it instinctively - give it a short, sharp thump with the ball of your hand (the bit where it meets your wrist). Voila, the door will slowly open.
This definitely works, I've seen the Fonz do it.
Smooth the palms of your hands around the perimiter of the door. Do this whilst standing with your feet slightly more than shoulder width apart, knees slightly bent. Then, when you feel the "point" - you'll know it instinctively - give it a short, sharp thump with the ball of your hand (the bit where it meets your wrist). Voila, the door will slowly open.
This definitely works, I've seen the Fonz do it.
If it was hard to close you might have a tight fit against the keep plate. The bolt might be withdrawing but just catching the edge of the keep plate. You can risk wrecking the lock by getting a good bit of leverage on the square shaft with the handle off and a good wrench against that with simultaneous pressure on the door might do the trick. Easier to replace the lock than havin the door/frame repaired if you try and burst it open.
TWSTEEL said:
If it was hard to close you might have a tight fit against the keep plate. The bolt might be withdrawing but just catching the edge of the keep plate. You can risk wrecking the lock by getting a good bit of leverage on the square shaft with the handle off and a good wrench against that with simultaneous pressure on the door might do the trick. Easier to replace the lock than havin the door/frame repaired if you try and burst it open.
Unfortunately I tried that, I think the handle of the other side was restricting how much leverage I could put on it! And no I can't get into the bedroom though a window, they are all locked!I've got a choice of 2 mental images here.
1: Poor sod wearing just a towel locked out of his bedroom and contemplating turning up late for work wearing his kids clothes and his gradening shoes.
2: Bloke with match sticks holding his eyes open turning to PH in desperation as he hasn't been to bed all night and has been sat on the landing trying everything he could think of to get into the bedroom
1: Poor sod wearing just a towel locked out of his bedroom and contemplating turning up late for work wearing his kids clothes and his gradening shoes.
2: Bloke with match sticks holding his eyes open turning to PH in desperation as he hasn't been to bed all night and has been sat on the landing trying everything he could think of to get into the bedroom
If the door stop that the door edge sits against is nailed on the you can prise it open at the lock point and slide a hacksaw blade in to cut through the brass bolt - other than that you might have to split the timber at that point to do the same. Probably less risky than trying to burst open as at least you can see/limit the damage you're doing on your side of the door.
mel said:
I've got a choice of 2 mental images here.
1: Poor sod wearing just a towel locked out of his bedroom and contemplating turning up late for work wearing his kids clothes and his gradening shoes.
2: Bloke with match sticks holding his eyes open turning to PH in desperation as he hasn't been to bed all night and has been sat on the landing trying everything he could think of to get into the bedroom
1: Poor sod wearing just a towel locked out of his bedroom and contemplating turning up late for work wearing his kids clothes and his gradening shoes.
2: Bloke with match sticks holding his eyes open turning to PH in desperation as he hasn't been to bed all night and has been sat on the landing trying everything he could think of to get into the bedroom
funny. Luckily, neither. Its a spare room which neither me or the mrs need to get into for a few days. All the Christmas presents are in there though, so I am on a time line!Mc Lovin said:
LaserTam said:
B17NNS said:
How did you get in here and what do you do?
I'm a locksmith and erm I'm a locksmith.
eh?I'm a locksmith and erm I'm a locksmith.
LaserTam said:
Mc Lovin said:
LaserTam said:
B17NNS said:
How did you get in here and what do you do?
I'm a locksmith and erm I'm a locksmith.
eh?I'm a locksmith and erm I'm a locksmith.
Now you've got the handle off, pull the square bar towards you so it comes out of the handle on the other side, try turning it now as the other handle wont be resticting how much it can turn. This should work unless the latch is actually broke. Otherwise as others have said, ease off the door stop and slide in a knife or size 10 boot.
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