How to open a jammed door

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#2907262 27-Apr-2022 12:00

Rats. If the windows are timber, you should be able to chip out the dried putty and remove the glass. You could have a go at puttying it back in yourself, too. PAL Glazing Compound - Fillers | Mitre 10™

If you DIY, follow the manufacturers instructions around letting the putty dry and then be sure to paint it to protect it.

Example YouTube video that I have not vetted. You should be able to leave/keep the glass intact with a bit of care (says the man who has never done it). https://youtu.be/ePCIWeUBwLI

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Wheelbarrow01

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#2907315 27-Apr-2022 12:24

I have the exact same door handles and can confirm they are affixed to the door via two long screws on the rear (in-room) side of the latch/door (as shown in one of the OP's photos). This means that the outer door side of the assembly cannot be removed from the door unless they are unscrewed from the in-room side of the door. The screws are metal into metal so are quite strong - not much chance of breaking them off - at least without causing damage to the door.

I suspect gaining access to the room via the window or calling a locksmith are your only realistic options. If you can get inside the room, then the credit card trick to at least open the door should work fine from that side, and replacing the whole assembly from then on should be a piece of cake.

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#2907321 27-Apr-2022 12:39

Wheelbarrow01:

I have the exact same door handles and can confirm they are affixed to the door via two long screws on the rear (in-room) side of the latch/door (as shown in one of the OP's photos). This means that the outer door side of the assembly cannot be removed from the door unless they are unscrewed from the in-room side of the door. The screws are metal into metal so are quite strong - not much chance of breaking them off - at least without causing damage to the door.

I suspect gaining access to the room via the window or calling a locksmith are your only realistic options. If you can get inside the room, then the credit card trick to at least open the door should work fine from that side, and replacing the whole assembly from then on should be a piece of cake.

If you get a chance, I wonder if you can open your door, remove your outer handle, and then look through and see if anything is moving when you use the inner handle. Just in case there is something obvious shifting in there that OP could try and hook (even if just hook enough to get the credit card working).

larknz

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#2907440 27-Apr-2022 13:38

Is it worth looking at an insurance claim for the broken handle?

mdooher

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#2907444 27-Apr-2022 13:44

measure the screw positions on the one in the other room, then centre punch and drill the one you are trying to get into

start with a small drill but just to mark it. once you are sure you won't slip (uses tape on the door) drill through with a 8-10mm bit and the standoff (the bit the screw goes into) will separate from the ring

a bit like drilling out a pop rivet

Edit: I know I made that sound easy, but its going to be and absolute C**t 😜

Matthew

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#2907447 27-Apr-2022 13:48

mdooher:

measure the screw positions on the one in the other room, then centre punch and drill the one you are trying to get into

start with a small drill but just to mark it. once you are sure you won't slip (uses tape on the door) drill through with a 8-10mm bit and the standoff (the bit the screw goes into) will separate from the ring

a bit like drilling out a pop rivet

This is exactly what I was going to suggest and would be my approach in the same situation.

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invisibleman18

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#2907448 27-Apr-2022 13:48

I imagine they would just say it's wear and tear (it's at least over 10 years old but no idea how long before that any previous owner put it in) and probably not worth it with the excess anyway, but I suppose there's no harm in asking. Worst that happens is they say no.

Edit: That was in response to the insurance claim idea.

Thanks for the suggestion on the drill idea. I would need to acquire a drill first, could maybe borrow one from someone (I'm not at all handy or a DIYer unfortunately).

shanes

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#2907450 27-Apr-2022 13:52

It might be an idea to pull one of the working doors apart just to get a better idea what you are looking at from the outside.

mdf

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#2907451 27-Apr-2022 13:55

Can you post a pic of the inside of the door handle? Or possible a flash photo of the inside of the door mechanism?

Usually there is a square metal bar going through the center of the door mechanism into each handle. If that has broken or fallen out, you can usually get the door open using a wide flat head screw driver in the lock to move the mechanism. If the mechanism is totally broken, you could try poking around with a bent coat hanger to pull back the latch, but you'd be going on luck rather than science.

Failing that, the door will break open easily with a shoulder or kick against the latch. 50-50 whether the door or the latch will break. Either will be a pain to replace, probably more painful than the locksmith.

BlueShift

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#2907518 27-Apr-2022 14:24

I have brute-forced a similar latch in the past. Basically used a hammer & a flat head screwdrive to munt it up enough to get into the mechanism to open it. Minor damage to the door face around the handle, and it took a while.

The mechanism inside translates the turning motion of the handle into a sliding bar thingy that retracts the catch. The object is to try and operate the slidey bit with your screwdriver, since the handle isn't moving it.

MikeAqua

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#2907534 27-Apr-2022 14:38

OP. if you stick a large flathead screwdriver inside that square hole can you turn it? (edit: turn clockwise)

Sometimes you can get the latch to move that way.

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larknz

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#2907551 27-Apr-2022 14:58

invisibleman18:
I imagine they would just say it's wear and tear (it's at least over 10 years old but no idea how long before that any previous owner put it in) and probably not worth it with the excess anyway, but I suppose there's no harm in asking. Worst that happens is they say no.

Edit: That was in response to the insurance claim idea.

The insurance probably won't pay for replacing the lock, but may pay for damage resulting from getting the door open.

invisibleman18

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#2907573 27-Apr-2022 15:54

Thanks for those last few suggestions. Will have another look tonight and post any progress. In the mean time I've emailed a couple of locksmiths the few photos I've posted here and asked for a rough quote of service/call out fees.

invisibleman18

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#2907624 27-Apr-2022 16:59

Got one locksmith saying they can open the door and replace the handle for $165, or if possible they may be able to replace just the latch and use the existing handle depending what state it’s in once the door is open.

So going with that. At that price it doesn’t seem worth trying anything else and ending up breaking the door or a window.

MadEngineer

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#2907644 27-Apr-2022 18:01

I’d still try your insurance. Ask them if they can cover the cost of repairing a broken window due to having to break into your own house. They’ll also have experience in this matter and should be able to advise for any other options such as a locksmith.

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