How to open a jammed door

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invisibleman18

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#295825 27-Apr-2022 09:04

Last night I went to get something out of the spare bedroom and the door jammed. There was a click sound as I attempted to open it so I think the mechanism in the handle must have broken. The handle lever moves up and down but the latch is stuck so it won't open. Any tips on getting this door open? I have tried the "credit card" method as per YouTube demos but all I managed to do was destroy the two cards I tried. Have also tried to take the door handle off but can only get the lever part off. Any other suggestions without breaking the door before I have to admit defeat and pay a locksmith? Sadly I'm lacking in tools and DIY skills. Door was kept closed to keep cats out of the room. Thankfully they were not shut in there or it would be a bit more urgent to open.

Photo of the door handle attached.

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#2907153 27-Apr-2022 09:07

If you rent, ask your landlord to get a contractor out.

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invisibleman18

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#2907155 27-Apr-2022 09:08

Not renting so it's our problem not someone else's. Would have just called the landlord to sort it if we were.

duckDecoy

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#2907160 27-Apr-2022 09:23

invisibleman18:

Not renting so it's our problem not someone else's. Would have just called the landlord to sort it if we were.

If all else fails would it be cheaper to replace the glass in a window than get a locksmith out? We had a basically identical situation, a bit of metal broke off internally and completely jammed the snub, and the locksmith wasn't able to do a thing about it other than tell us to find a way to forcibly remove the handle and/or door. Going through the window gave us access to the door pins and we were able to remove the door that way

Bung

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#2907162 27-Apr-2022 09:24

When you say you can get lever part off is it turning the square part? We had a door where one handle came off and the square rod moved so it disengaged from the remaining handle.

Juicytree

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#2907164 27-Apr-2022 09:29

I suspect that even if you had access to the other side of the door, it would be of no help to you as it seems the fault may be inside the mechanism that is buried inside the door. If you have the same mechanism throughout the house you could disassemble another door latch to fully understand how it works and what may have failed in the faulty one. Armed with that knowledge you may then be able to detach the handle and poke the 'square' shaft out into the other room. With a strong steel probe (a piece of Kiwi number eight wire 🙂) you may be able to manually actuate the mechanism. Then call the locksmith 😒

invisibleman18

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#2907165 27-Apr-2022 09:40

duckDecoy:

If all else fails would it be cheaper to replace the glass in a window than get a locksmith out? We had a basically identical situation, a bit of metal broke off internally and completely jammed the snub, and the locksmith wasn't able to do a thing about it other than tell us to find a way to forcibly remove the handle and/or door. Going through the window gave us access to the door pins and we were able to remove the door that way

Hmm, could be an idea. Would have to get some quotes on call out fees etc to work that out. Although we have actually had a burglary via breaking a window in that room a few years ago so if there are supply issues or delays etc I wouldn't be keen on a long wait to have a window replaced. No immediate urgency to get into the room (what I was going to retrieve last night isn't really important) so hoping to find a non destructive way first.

invisibleman18

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#2907166 27-Apr-2022 09:43

Juicytree:

I suspect that even if you had access to the other side of the door, it would be of no help to you as it seems the fault may be inside the mechanism that is buried inside the door. If you have the same mechanism throughout the house you could disassemble another door latch to fully understand how it works and what may have failed in the faulty one. Armed with that knowledge you may then be able to detach the handle and poke the 'square' shaft out into the other room. With a strong steel probe (a piece of Kiwi number eight wire 🙂) you may be able to manually actuate the mechanism. Then call the locksmith 😒

Good idea. We do have the same door handles throughout the house so worth a try. I'm not especially handy though so wouldn't like to take a working one apart then not be able to put it back together!

wellygary

7384 posts

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#2907168 27-Apr-2022 09:50

Removing the Handle is going to be your best bet...

Getting the handle off is good,

Then try to remove the "ring" closest to the actual door, they usually rotate...

Once you have more access to the mechanism, you should be able to get a better idea about what is actually stopping the latch from retracting...

it sounds like you don't have time pressure on you, so treat it as "door handle 101"

pih

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#2907169 27-Apr-2022 09:59

duckDecoy:
If all else fails would it be cheaper to replace the glass in a window than get a locksmith out? We had a basically identical situation, a bit of metal broke off internally and completely jammed the snub, and the locksmith wasn't able to do a thing about it other than tell us to find a way to forcibly remove the handle and/or door. Going through the window gave us access to the door pins and we were able to remove the door that way

Along these lines but non-destructive: depending on what type of glazing you have you may be able to pull the rubbers out, remove the glazing bead (clip-in extrusion that holds the glass in to aluminium frames) and carefully remove a pane of glass intact (get a couple of large suction grip handles and some cut-resistant gloves from Bunnings for this). Just find videos online to match your glazing type.

invisibleman18

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#2907176 27-Apr-2022 10:22

Wooden window frames so don't think that's an option, or at least not one I'd have any confidence in trying myself.

Can get the lever handle off but not the ring bit. It won't rotate and can't seem to prise it off either.

pih

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#2907178 27-Apr-2022 10:39

invisibleman18:
Wooden window frames so don't think that's an option, or at least not one I'd have any confidence in trying myself.

Can get the lever handle off but not the ring bit. It won't rotate and can't seem to prise it off either.

Is there a small hole anywhere in the ring bit? If so try using that with a small screwdriver or coathanger wire to get leverage. That cover should unscrew anticlockwise, though it may be quite tight.

wellygary

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#2907224 27-Apr-2022 10:41

invisibleman18:

Wooden window frames so don't think that's an option, or at least not one I'd have any confidence in trying myself.

Can get the lever handle off but not the ring bit. It won't rotate and can't seem to prise it off either.

Look for "press pins" or other thigs that are holding it on.

It should come off as the rings are not usually on when the latch is installed

invisibleman18

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#2907251 27-Apr-2022 11:46

Here is what it looks like with the handle off. Can't get the ring part to budge, either by trying to rotate or prise it off. Can't see any pins or anything hold it on.

Dynamic

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#2907256 27-Apr-2022 11:49

Does the opposite side ring have screws that 'clamp' the two halves together? Mine do at home, so you have to be on the inside of the room to unscrew the rings.

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invisibleman18

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#2907260 27-Apr-2022 11:56

I assume so. This is the inside of another room with the same handle which looks like what you describe. Looking like we'll need either a locksmith or to break the door or a window to get to the inside then. Annoying thing is my wife's brother is a builder so would probably have the tools and an idea of how to help or know someone who could without it costing a fortune, but due to a recent irreparable family split we can't ask him.

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