Broken back door
Discussion
Sorry, not what you were thinking, but actually the uPVC back door of my house.
I went to lock it as normal (as in push handle up past horizontal and turn key), but the handle didn't return to horizontal as it normally would. It felt like I'd pushed it upward too hard and something in the locking mechanism stuck or jammed. I returned the handle by pushing it down, but it wouldn't go past horizontal.
Now I can lock and unlock it with the key, but can't push the handle down past horizontal, feels like it's still locked. Tried tapping the handle to try to release whatever is stuck, but nothing. I don't think it's the lock itself, it feels like the locking mechanism/bar in the door.
I will take the cover off the lock and have a look, but suspect I have to call a locksmith. Or should I call a double glazing company instead? Does this mean a replacement door if they can't release it, or can you get to the mechanism some other way? How would the old door be removed if it can't be unlocked?
Any help appreciated
Neil
I went to lock it as normal (as in push handle up past horizontal and turn key), but the handle didn't return to horizontal as it normally would. It felt like I'd pushed it upward too hard and something in the locking mechanism stuck or jammed. I returned the handle by pushing it down, but it wouldn't go past horizontal.
Now I can lock and unlock it with the key, but can't push the handle down past horizontal, feels like it's still locked. Tried tapping the handle to try to release whatever is stuck, but nothing. I don't think it's the lock itself, it feels like the locking mechanism/bar in the door.
I will take the cover off the lock and have a look, but suspect I have to call a locksmith. Or should I call a double glazing company instead? Does this mean a replacement door if they can't release it, or can you get to the mechanism some other way? How would the old door be removed if it can't be unlocked?
Any help appreciated
Neil
dougc said:
Sounds like its the deadlocks rather than the lock itself thats got jammed up. Have you got a thin piece of metal like a steel rule that you can slide between the door and the jamb to see if the deadlocks are still engaged or try to free them if they are?
Will give that a go tomorrow. Failing that, I'll hold off on the kick it in option, just for the minute.What do you recommend for lube? Will wd-40 do, or should I go for something water based?
NeilBeforeZod said:
dougc said:
Sounds like its the deadlocks rather than the lock itself thats got jammed up. Have you got a thin piece of metal like a steel rule that you can slide between the door and the jamb to see if the deadlocks are still engaged or try to free them if they are?
Will give that a go tomorrow. Failing that, I'll hold off on the kick it in option, just for the minute.What do you recommend for lube? Will wd-40 do, or should I go for something water based?
Edited by ChrisRS on Sunday 14th December 22:47
NeilBeforeZod said:
What do you recommend for lube? Will wd-40 do, or should I go for something water based?
I fear it was sexual innuendo, not a suggestion as to how to fix your door. 
I don't see the metal strip suggestion working, as, much like the credit card and Yale lock myth, you can't get the steel to curve round the overlap of the door.
A firm push toward the top or bottom of the door from the 'outside' will unfold the secrets of whether it is the main central door lock, or the outer extremity dead locks that are the cause of your malady. If the door flexes around the central lock part it means that that bit is jammed. If it is solid from top to bottom it means your multiple individual locks are locked.
Are you sure your key is actually unlocking it?
Edited by King Herald on Sunday 14th December 23:30
Did this to my parents house a few years ago.
Called a double glazing bloke he fitted a new locking mechanism to the door. If you are handy and can get the door off by the hinges that should make it possible to do the work yourself.
Not sure if the deadlocks make this impossible though.
Called a double glazing bloke he fitted a new locking mechanism to the door. If you are handy and can get the door off by the hinges that should make it possible to do the work yourself.
Not sure if the deadlocks make this impossible though.
If you know what you are doing it is quite easy to take a locked door out, but it has to be done from inside.
When the same happened to me, all be it with the front door, I called out the guys who fitted the door. They had the door open inside 10 mins, looked at the mech, and said it needed a new mech. That then took 3 months to arrive, and in the mean time, the only way in and out was through the side door.
When the same happened to me, all be it with the front door, I called out the guys who fitted the door. They had the door open inside 10 mins, looked at the mech, and said it needed a new mech. That then took 3 months to arrive, and in the mean time, the only way in and out was through the side door.
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