Every person may encounter a situation where they come home from work and are disappointed by a jammed lock. Any mechanical part can sooner or later fail, as always, this happens unexpectedly and is very upsetting for the owners of the house, because it is so close, but the front door does not open. A similar scenario for the development of the situation - the key is lost, and there is no one to open it from the inside - what to do. There are two ways to solve the problem of opening a door, each of which has a right to exist and its own strengths and weaknesses.
Anyone can encounter a situation where the front door does not want to open.
What can you do to urgently open the door to your apartment?
The problem when it is impossible to get into the house sometimes terrifies us, and if there is a small child there or soup is being cooked on the stove, this is an emergency, so we immediately call the Ministry of Emergency Situations. There is no phone at hand, we turn to our neighbors and ask for help. Rescuers will arrive quickly, but if there is a threat to people’s safety, they will not stand on ceremony at the front door. At a minimum, you will have to change the lock, and at most the entire box, but people’s lives will be saved.
Rescuers will quickly open the front door, but do not guarantee the integrity of the structure
This problem often arises due to our lack of foresight and we ourselves are to blame for it, so we need to remember a few solutions that will come in handy in an emergency.
What to do with a broken cylinder lock?
Locking devices of this design are subject to repair, and this can be done independently. Breakdowns that could not be repaired are not typical for such locks and are incredibly rare. In a cylinder mechanism, the weakest part is the cylinder; it is the one that breaks first in the device. It will no longer be possible to repair this element, but even a not particularly trained person can replace it.
If the lock is stuck on a metal door, you must:
- Insert the key into the keyhole.
- Unscrew the side strip at the end of the door panel.
- Find a small screw near the crossbar; it holds the cylinder in place. It needs to be unscrewed.
- Turn the key slightly in the hole, after which you can remove the larva with it.
- Having grabbed the element, go to the construction supermarket to choose a similar one for replacement.
- At home, repeat the steps described above, but in reverse order.
If the methods described above did not help, you will have to remove the door. Since it is metal and has special protection against burglary, you will need to cut off the bolt hinges using a grinder. But this is the most extreme option.
If the lock in your apartment or office is jammed, there is no need to despair. It is quite possible to repair it yourself or call specialists who will help you open the locking device and replace damaged parts of the mechanism.
For what reasons can a lock jam on a door?
The prerequisites for not getting into your apartment arise in advance, but people rarely pay attention to them. A slight jamming of the key in the keyhole will sooner or later lead to breakdown of the entire mechanism, which is why experts recommend lubricating the lock at least once a year, which extends the life of the metal parts. There can be many reasons for an unpleasant situation, but it is worth paying attention to the main ones.
If the door doesn't open, there's no reason to panic.
How to open a door leaf if it is jammed
There are situations when the locking system is jammed and you don’t know how to open the door. To answer the question of how to open the door if the lock is jammed in the apartment from the outside yourself, you must first find out the causes of the problem in order to understand how to act correctly. The system may need to be cleaned or lubricated. If individual parts fail, they will have to be replaced. The procedure to follow in a situation where the door is jammed and the lock cannot be opened depends on the material the door is made of and the type of breakdown. In any case, you should try to open it yourself. If the door lock is jammed, you must act carefully so as not to damage the lock or key. If you can’t solve the problem yourself, you need to call the Ministry of Emergency Situations, a locksmith, or an employee of the service and repair of locking mechanisms. Only after eliminating the cause of the jamming can you insert the key and continue to use the locking device.
The key is difficult and does not move completely into the keyhole
There are many reasons why the key is difficult to turn in the keyhole and does not open the door. Often the problem is due to blockage and lack of oil. You need to clean the keyhole and lubricate it. The system may need to be disassembled. Lubricate the locking mechanism with machine oil. After this, you should go out and open the door.
It happens that the reason lies in the key inserted on the back side. You need to contact the person who is at home and ask him to remove the key from the inside. The cause of a difficult turn may also be mechanical damage. Then you cannot do without the help of a specialist.
The key won't come out
If a key gets stuck, you need to know how to act correctly so as not to break the key. If the product does not turn, how to open it and avoid breaking the locking system? If the key is stuck, do not hit it or pull it hard. Otherwise it will break. This will make the situation worse.
You need to act like this:
- Take WD-40 liquid. It removes rust, dirt, and lubricates. Has good penetrating ability.
- Draw up the composition with a syringe or syringe.
- Pour the liquid into the keyhole.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Try to turn the key (you may have to use pliers) in both directions without much effort.
- Before inserting the key and trying to open and close the system, you should disassemble the locking device and clean it, replace worn parts.
Do not use cotton swabs or pads for lubrication. The fluff will penetrate into the system and it will completely jam, making it impossible to open the front door. If the key is stuck in the lever mechanism and WD-40 does not help, you need to hit the locking device with something blunt and heavy. The larva will break into two parts. To open it, just move the tab with a screwdriver.
The tongue is jammed
If the front door does not open because the tongue is jammed, you should use a knife, an old plastic card or an aluminum ruler. Any other hard, thin object will do. If the tongue is jammed, you must act extremely carefully so as not to damage it. A hard object should be inserted between the door leaf and the frame. There is a tongue there. Start pressing gently and slowly. The item should go deep enough to catch the furthest part of the item. Next, push the tongue out of the hole. You'll have to use a little force. As a rule, pulling out the tongue always works. But, if such actions do not help open the locking mechanism, you need to call a specialist.
The locking system is broken
There are many cases when the lock on the door jams and the locking mechanism breaks, but not everyone knows what to do. If the lock is broken, you should not apply excessive force to the iron door leaf, because if the mechanism is broken, it will no longer be possible to open it, the problem will only get worse. If the cylinder or lever system fails, special tools and specialist assistance will be required. After all, you will have to dismantle the entire device.
When the front door lock jams, sometimes the only way to open it is to remove the broken cylinder with pliers or a drill. The outer part is drilled or bitten off, and the remains are knocked out with a hammer and screwdriver. Then the crossbars on the drive mechanism are moved with a metal hook.
Keyhole contamination
If the locking system on the door leaf gets stuck, you need to know what to do. More often than not, it does not open because the keyhole is dirty. We need to clean it. It is worth using WD-40 liquid. It is injected into the system. After each filling, you need to insert the key and try to push it deeper, turning it until it stops. After two or three attempts, the channel is cleared. A wire or needle may help. They are used to remove individual fragments of contamination.
Stuck debris
It happens that when opening the locking device, the key breaks. The question arises of how to remove the stuck fragment and get into the apartment. You can open the entrance door lock using pliers. You need to grab the fragment with them and turn it in the right direction. Open or remove a piece of debris from the apartment's keyhole and use a spare product.
If this does not help, you need to do this:
- Pour silicone or kerosene into the keyhole. Better machine oil or WD-40.
- Wait 10 minutes.
- Insert a jigsaw blade into the keyhole and press it against the piece of wood. Pull towards yourself. Grip with tweezers or pliers.
An interesting way to open a door lock is with a lighter and a glue stick. But it works if the stuck piece is located neutrally.
Difficulty turning
Poor cranking occurs when the mechanism is clogged. Then it is cleaned. A difficult turn may mean that the door leaf or frame has become deformed. If the structure is wooden, the problem is solved by combing the wood material. If it is metal, you will have to change the door leaf to solve the problem.
The lever system is stuck
If the lever lock jams on the third or fourth turn, you need to grind off the protrusions on the key. They prevent him from standing up correctly. If there is nothing to grind, press the hole of the lever lock from the outside and insert the key with the other side.
Cylinder system jams
The door cylinder lock often jams. If the cylinder lock is stuck, try the following:
- Use a syringe to inject a few drops of machine oil or kerosene into the larva.
- Insert the key and try to open the locking system.
- Lift the door leaf and try to open it at the same time. Perhaps it sagged due to wear on the hinges.
You can try to press the door and increase the gap between the door leaf and the frame using a pry bar. Move the cylinder lock bolt in the desired direction using a thin screwdriver or nail file.
The key is in the lock, but the door cannot be opened
It can occur in a new home when the building shrinks. At the same time, the front door experiences serious loads and can become deformed if the frame is made of low-quality metal. If the apartment was purchased immediately after the construction of the house, this problem is not uncommon.
The most common reason why it is impossible to open the front door is a worn-out lock cylinder mechanism.
The second option for an unpleasant situation is poor-quality fittings and locks. If the hinges installed on the front door are not designed to support its weight, the locking mechanism will quickly fail. And the third reason is the lock purchased from unscrupulous dealers and its incorrect installation. Such front door elements should only be purchased from certified centers or stores.
Help from special services
When you can’t open the doors without professional help, you should contact the housing office or the building management company. Usually, specialists arrive an hour after the application is accepted. At first they use gentle methods. If they turn out to be ineffective, you have to resort to hacking, cutting off the hinges or removing the lock from the door leaf.
After the specialists arrive, the owner of the apartment or house must be prepared for the fact that he will be asked for documents proving his identity. It’s good if your passport or driver’s license was not left in a locked apartment. When renting residential premises, tenants must call the owner and ask him to come, taking with him the necessary documents.
Calling specialists from the housing office or the building management company will not have consequences in the form of material expenses for a tenant who finds himself in a critical situation. As a last resort, you can use the paid services of commercial organizations. Advertising leaflets with their phone numbers are always found in mailboxes or on entrance doors. Specialists from a commercial organization also have the right to demand documents from a person, but there are companies that operate without these requirements.
Some commercial firms provide further services after a forced break-in of a residential premises. For a fee, they can install a new lock or a new door.
The key cannot be inserted into the keyhole
Most often, this situation is faced by homeowners who have been subject to a break-in or attempted break-in. It is possible that there was sabotage or pranks of children who filled the well with some substance.
A common reason for locking a lock is children's pranks or vandalism.
In this case, you will have to open the door lock with the help of professionals or hack it.
What to do
Once the main causes of breakdowns have been identified, it’s time to move on to ways to eliminate them. Each breakdown has individual recommendations for repair, but there are a number of general tips that are suitable for almost any similar situation.
General recommendations
Experienced citizens who have repeatedly encountered similar problems recommend the following actions:
- If the mechanism jams while turning, clean or replace the cylinder. This will cost less than completely replacing the lock and will require less time for manipulation.
- If the key is stuck in the entrance lock and does not want to come out, treat the cylinder with lubricant. Kerosene or machine oil is suitable for these purposes.
- At the first sign of an impending breakdown, do not be lazy to disassemble the mechanism and check its condition.
Cylinder lock failure
The following problems may occur in the operation of the cylinder lock:
- Due to contamination, the mechanism will begin to turn worse, requiring more effort from the owner.
- The key gets stuck in the keyhole and it is impossible to pull it back out.
- During interaction with the mechanism, extraneous sounds appear.
Level type
If complications arise during insertion of the key into the mechanism cylinder, it is recommended:
- Insert the key on the back of the door.
- Grind off longitudinal protrusions that interfere with comfortable penetration. In situations where you cannot grind off the tabs, try applying light pressure on the keyhole.
How to remove a stuck or broken key
If your key is stuck in the lock and causing it to not turn, try one of the following methods:
- Treat the keyhole with oil or special lubricant.
- If the door is not closed, disassemble the lock and carefully remove the key.
- Using pliers or tweezers will help you remove the broken key.
Force methods
In cases where careful methods of influence do not help, they move on to forceful techniques. They are more effective, but can cause irreparable damage to the door or locking device. Forceful methods include:
- breaking out;
- knocking out;
- drilling;
- call the Ministry of Emergency Situations.
Breaking out
If the need arises to quickly open a stuck door, breaking it out will help. Algorithm of actions:
- take the gas key;
- use it to clamp the secret;
- we turn sharply.
The cylinder and the fasteners holding it are destroyed, thereby allowing the door to be opened.
Advantages of the method:
- speed;
- simplicity;
- the door remains intact.
Minuses:
After such an impact, the lock will finally break. It cannot be restored.
Drilling
To drill, you need to insert a drill of a suitable size into the keyhole, and then drill out the pin mount. It holds the bolt and prevents the lock from turning. If everything is done correctly, the lock should turn smoothly inside the lock.
Knockout
When knocked out, the lock is completely destroyed, and it will not be possible to restore it, as is the case with drilling. To knock out the lock, you will need:
- prepare a hammer and chisel;
- place the chisel on the lock;
- knock out the lock cylinder with strong blows to the chisel.
Try to use a heavier hammer, otherwise you will have to fiddle with the jammed mechanism for a long time.
Contacting the Ministry of Emergency Situations or specialists
Opening doors yourself is not always a good solution. The owner of the apartment may incorrectly determine the essence of the problem and cause more damage to his property than necessary. To prevent this from happening, contact the Ministry of Emergency Situations or companies specializing in hacking. They will minimize damage and get the job done much faster.
The key is broken in the lock and it is impossible to open the door
Another reason is the purchase of a low-quality locking mechanism. The key must be made of a durable alloy that cannot be broken by simple actions of the homeowner. And if this happens, the lock must be replaced immediately.
If the key breaks in the lock, then you need to think about completely replacing the mechanism
Therefore, you can even open it in a barbaric way and go to the store for new fittings.
Debris recovery methods
To extract a broken key, different methods are used, which are grouped as follows:
- Gentle. You can try to remove the piece without destroying the lock. First, it is recommended to lubricate the lock with oil or grease. Next, the fragment can be pulled out with tweezers or pliers.
- With the lock removed/damaged. If gentle methods are not effective enough, it is necessary to disassemble the lock. Sometimes it can be restored, but usually it needs to be completely replaced.
- Rough. Sometimes traditional methods of removing debris are useless. We have to resort to brute force breaking the door. Instead of trying to break the door yourself, it is better to turn to professionals.
Where to go when you can’t open the door and get home
The main thing in such a situation is not to panic and not to ask for help from family and friends, they are unlikely to be able to help with anything. The first option to solve the problem is to call a locksmith from the management company; if you are lucky with a master, he will be able to open the front door in 30 minutes. In this case, there is a possibility that not only the lock, but also the box will be damaged, which threatens the loss of money to replace the entire structure.
Masters from the management company often open locks using vandalism
Unusual ways
There are other ways to remove a broken key from a lock. They may look strange, but professionals use them.
- Two awls can be used as a removal tool. They should be thin. The tools are pushed into the lock and the fragment is shaken. Then they try to pull it out. In this case, an anti-corrosion lubricant is also used. You can also use machine oil.
- In another method, a jigsaw file will be useful. It is cut off so that a clove remains, pushed into the hole and turned to the sides. If the fragment gets caught, they begin to carefully pull it out.
- If there is a brass tube, then a piece of the key is placed on it. After a successful attempt, the tube is heated with a blowtorch, and when it cools down, it is pulled out with the fragment.
- You can also try using a fishing hook. In this case, a considerable amount of patience will be required. But experts consider the method highly effective. At the same time, it will not harm the lock mechanism. To remove a piece, the hook is unbent, and the notched tip is inserted into the hole, fishing out the fragment. If you succeed in hooking the key, it is carefully pulled towards you. This method, even with repeated use, often ends in success.
Call a master door opening service
This option is more preferable - call a master of the entrance door opening service, which is available in every city.
Specialists work around the clock and are ready to help in a short time. It is worth noting that such services employ only highly qualified professionals who can handle foreign and Russian-made door locks and any breakdowns.
If you can’t open the door yourself, then a special service will handle it in a few minutes
It will take more time to solve the problem, but the front door will remain intact and in the worst case, the lock will have to be changed, so if nothing is burning inside and there is no threat to the safety of people, then this is the best way out. The technicians arrive within 30 minutes, and it will take about the same to open access to the apartment. But in this case, you will have to present an identification document with registration at the address of the call or contact the local police officer or neighbors to confirm that your actions are legal.
Entrance door opening service experts can quickly solve the problem
Calling such a master has a lot of advantages compared to a mechanic from a management company.
Door opening service specialists can handle any type of locking mechanism - these are mechanical, electromechanical and electromagnetic locks, and simple overhead locks are not a problem for them at all. At the same time, the experts work around the clock, resolve the situation in the shortest possible time and provide comprehensive services. You will not be left with the doors open for the next night; specialists, if necessary, will replace the cylinder in the lock or the entire structure and issue new keys to the house.
The masters of the lock opening service have enough skills and a lot of devices to open any door
Main types of locks on entrance doors
Barn padlocks with lugs are a thing of the past. Today on sale you can find 3 basic types of locking mechanisms, each of which has design and functioning features:
- Cylinder - a standard locking device consisting of a steel bolt and core, into which a cylinder cylinder with a unique arrangement of pins for the key is integrated. When the cylinder is turned, the eccentric ring acts on the tongue located in the body of the box, and the door opens.
- Level - has a more complex design - the locking mechanism consists of many stacked plates - level, each of which has its own groove shape. The keys are equipped with a flat bit with similar mirror grooves. It is more difficult to counterfeit such elements, and it is almost impossible to pick the lock, especially when we are talking about high-quality mechanisms from world-famous brands.
Level castle
- Crossbar - easy to install and operate. The principle of operation is similar to a cylinder product, with the only difference being that turning the cylinder does not activate the tongue, but the locking bolts, which go into the holes on the side of the threshold and the door lintel.
Deadbolt lock
Regardless of the design features, as well as the reliability class of the mechanism, a professional can open almost every lock with minimal damage to the door structure.
Contact the industrial climber service to open the door
Safe entrance doors are often supplemented with class 4 locks and anti-burglary mechanisms that are impossible for even a professional to handle. Industrial climbers can come to the rescue, who can quickly safely hang equipment from the roof of the house and go down to the window or onto the balcony. If they are glazed, it doesn’t matter - these craftsmen are able to open any locks that are installed on plastic or aluminum structures.
Industrial climbers will quickly come to the rescue and open the door from the inside, entering the apartment through a window or balcony
This service costs a little more than a lock opening service, but it is quite effective if the door is simply slammed shut.
Who should I contact for help?
If you are unable to solve the problem on your own, it is recommended to seek help from highly qualified professionals:
- Housing office. Specialists usually arrive no later than 1 hour. They try to open the door through gentle techniques. Masters have the right to demand an identity card from the owner of the apartment. If the living space is rented, it is necessary to agree with the owners so that they arrive with documents.
- Commercial services. Before contacting employees of commercial companies, you need to make sure that they have special work permits and a service agreement. In turn, they may demand from the owner of the apartment a passport confirming registration in the living space. If companies do not have the necessary documents, fees for services may increase significantly.
How quickly can a specialist solve the problem and open the door?
Specialists arrive on call as soon as possible and open the front door within 20-60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the lock and the type of breakdown. The only thing you need from the property owner is to confirm that he is one. Usually a passport with registration at this address is sufficient. If you don’t have the document with you, you will need autopsy witnesses and a local police officer - these people will confirm that the actions to open the front door are legal and not of a criminal nature.
Sometimes two tools and five minutes are enough to open the front door
If the arriving master does not ask for documents, then you should think about whether he really is a specialist.
Necessary tools to remove the lock from the door
In order to get the rest of the key from the door well you may need:
- Tweezers or pliers.
- Screwdriver.
- Small diameter screws.
- 2 thin awls or pins.
- File.
- Drill.
- Jigsaw.
- Lubricants: machine oil, wd-40 or brake fluid.
It is by pouring lubricant into the lock field that you need to start working. Wait 10-20 minutes until the oil is distributed over the surface, this will greatly simplify the process of pulling out the broken remnant. Immediately after this, they begin to extract the key.
How can a locksmith service technician help?
The service master knows the operating principle of most locking mechanisms. Such skills can not only keep the front door intact, but also the lock. If the well has been vandalized, he will immediately determine what substance it is filled with and how to dissolve it without leaving a residue. If the lock cylinder fails, the technician will quickly unlock it and open the door.
Masters are able to open the front door without a key, regardless of the number and complexity of locks
The owner of the apartment will only need to replace the failed element. A broken key in the lock won’t cause any problems either; door opening service specialists will come to your call with a full set of tools and accessories that may be needed.
Rough methods for opening a lock
If standard methods that do not involve destroying the locking mechanism do not help, the technician, with the consent of the apartment owner, will have to use crude methods to correct the current situation:
- Knocking out the cylinder core using a chisel and hammer. In such cases, damage is possible not only to the cylinder, but also to the crossbar, since the parts are mated to each other with a steel rotating ring with a protrusion.
Knocking out the larva with a hammer and chisel
- Drilling out the larva. A metal drill is fixed to the electric drill, after which its tip is inserted into the hole for the key. As the drill operates, the metal is gradually drilled out, leaving chips and opening access to the locking element. After the physical destruction of the larva in the cylinder, the tongue is moved back by simply pressing the hand.
- Cutting out part of the canvas along with the lock.
Cutting out a lock and a piece of canvas
- Cutting a supporting steel frame by sawing the post.
- Cutting off hinges, provided there are no anti-removal pins on the door.
Cutting hinges on a door
The methods described above are used only in extreme cases, especially if we are talking about an expensive product. If non-destructive methods do not help, you should consult or ask for the help of a specialist before using brute force. The cost of calling a professional will be much cheaper than purchasing and installing a new entrance or interior door.
How to ensure the safety of your home when opening doors
Calling such a master does not threaten the owner in the future. The service guarantees the safety and integrity of the home and enters into an agreement with the owner, where he undertakes to pay for the work, and the master agrees to non-disclose information about the lock mechanism in the apartment.
The master’s task is not only to open the door without a key, but also to ensure the safety of the customer’s home
Useful expert advice
Door repair and maintenance experts often share simple tips with the public on how to avoid serious structural damage followed by costly repairs:
- If you always take with you a simple universal master key for any type of lock, one day it can come in very handy. You can purchase such a tool at any construction or household retail outlet for nominal money.
The simplest master key for a lock
- In each apartment building there is a management company that is responsible for the maintenance of public premises and provides all possible household assistance to residents in the event of emergencies.
In such organizations, most often, during the daytime, there is a master, locksmith or plumber who can be contacted for the service of opening the door without a key. Such specialists have the necessary set of tools and skills to act promptly in such situations.
Professional door opening
- For people who are prone to forgetfulness, experts recommend installing smartlocks. Such locks can be easily opened by scanning a fingerprint, typing a code, or reading the retina. Such devices do not require keys, and all maintenance and care of the equipment consists of timely replacement of batteries.
Smartlock with code access
By following these simple recommendations, the apartment owner can save money and time. Even if an emergency situation has not occurred for many years, no one is immune from its sudden occurrence.
What additional services can a door opening specialist provide?
Specialists not only open locks and leave the customer with an open door, but also solve the problem comprehensively. If a certain element of the locking mechanism fails, the technician can replace it. In addition, the service specialist, having found out the cause of the malfunction, may advise replacing the lock with a more complex and reliable one. Craftsmen always have new locking mechanisms and door hinges in their arsenal, which may be required for the normal opening and closing of the door.
In addition to door locks, the service, represented by its specialists, provides services such as opening safes and cars - this is also considered an emergency situation that requires a quick solution.
Opening methods: step-by-step instructions
An algorithm of actions developed by qualified craftsmen will tell you how to open the door. If the lock is broken, you need to prepare standard equipment and begin the process. Tools:
- Hammer;
- Screwdriver Set;
- Pliers;
- Hairpin or needle;
- Wire;
- Ruler or knife;
- The key is "10".
This is a general list of tools that will allow you to use any of the methods listed below.
Method No. 1
Opening a door with a needle or a woman's hairpin. Algorithm of actions:
- The outside of the lock cylinder is cleaned with a brush to eliminate obstacles in the form of small particles. If you are sure that metal shavings remain inside, a magnet is used to remove them;
- Next you need to lubricate the mechanism with silicone or regular vegetable oil;
- Insert the tip of the selected object to find the bolt. The action is carried out as carefully as possible. If a person feels that he has hit an obstacle, he must press to the right.
If a piece of key is stuck in the keyhole, pliers will help remove it.
Method No. 2
When it became clear that it would not be possible to open the door with master keys, a more radical method was used - removing the lock core and then replacing it. If the door lock cylinder is broken, here are instructions on how to open the door and replace the failed element:
- Carry out a thorough inspection;
- Unscrew the fasteners;
- Remove the larva;
- Lubricate the internal parts of the door;
- Install a new device.
The method is suitable in cases where there is access to the inside of the metal sheet.
Method No. 3
If you come across a lock with an English tongue, then the core will have to be drilled out and the remaining elements pulled out using a screwdriver. To remove the larva, you will need a piece of wire that will hook the device from the inside. Having picked up the drive, it will be possible to push the crossbars. A simple hammer will help in knocking out the cylinder.
Method No. 4
If the lock on the door is broken and the person remains inside the room, a wedge will help. It is better to use a heavy screwdriver with a flat tip or a chisel. The opening device must be inserted into the gap between the frame and the door leaf. The object is pressed in the direction opposite to the one in which the canvas opens. This technique can correct the skew of the box.
Method No. 5
If the handle is jammed, then the problem lies in the tongue. Algorithm of actions:
- An iron ruler or a long knife is inserted into the gap;
- The object tilts slightly and slides along the steel cut;
- When you feel that the knife is resting on the tongue, you should apply pressure on yourself.
- If the closing device does not have a shear, then it is necessary to press from above obliquely.
Cost of lock opening service
Calling a specialist is usually free. The locksmith arrives at the address, assesses the situation and names the preliminary cost of the service, which depends on the type of lock and the complexity of the work. It does not matter what material the front door is made of: metal or wood, the specialist’s task is to preserve the integrity of the door for further use. The cost of opening a domestic lock starts at 700 rubles, and an imported one starts at 1,500 rubles. Opening a safe door can cost up to 2000 rubles.
From the above we can conclude: you should not wait for a negative development of the situation when the front door does not open. At the slightest jamming or incorrect operation, you need to immediately repair or change the lock, which will prevent the problem and will not force it to be solved urgently.
Removing the lock
It happens that it is not possible to get a broken key using the methods described above. Then all that remains is to dismantle the lock itself. The way to do this is selected based on the type of lock.
There are different methods:
Removing the cylinder. On the other side of the door, they take out the armor plate and screws. The protruding parts of the cylinder are tapped with a hammer. Touching the core. You can use a screwdriver or tweezers. They are inserted into the well and the pins in the secret are raised slightly. This way you can remove the broken part and get inside the house.
The structure is sensitive, the procedure must be carried out very carefully. Drilling out the cylinder
A cylinder is drilled over the well and turned slightly. Then they take him out. Twisting mechanism. You will need a gas wrench. The protruding part of the cylinder is fixed with a tool and turned halfway, then pulled out. Extraction from the end. If the door was able to be opened, you can pull the lock out of the door and separate it into parts. The main condition is that the broken key is not visible from the lock.
Use superglue to remove the key
Sometimes there is no other choice but to resort to drastic measures. If nothing brings the desired result, and you need to get into the apartment in the near future, you will have to break down the door.
The easiest way to do this is by cutting off the lock bolts. They should be visible in the gap between the box and the canvas. You can complete the task using a grinder or a hacksaw. Extreme measures - cutting out the lock. Then the door can be thrown away, or a metal insert can be welded.
Another way is to cut off the loops. This will not be possible on every door, since modern designs are well protected and have anti-removal bolts.
How to open a door without a key yourself
An ordinary person who has no experience in opening locks will not be able to open the door without damage. At a minimum, you will have to change the cylinder, or at most the entire locking mechanism. But this is better than bringing the situation to a critical point and calling emergency services. At the same time, independent autopsy actions will help save the family budget and learn how to solve the problem without outside specialists.
It is difficult to open the front door on your own, so you will have to contact specialist specialists
Bad advice
Some “craftsmen” advise using super glue when opening it, supposedly capable of gluing torn pieces of metal together. Of course, the “method” is flawed. Even the best glue is not able to bind two fragments together enough to pull the piece out. Often the fragment becomes jammed, which makes removal more difficult. The situation can be worsened if chemical elements of the glue get inside the lock. Then it will not be possible to remove the fragment “painlessly”, and the larva will have to be replaced.
Another unfortunate example is the proposal to remove the key using a steel wire. In some cases, this can actually work, but it will require considerable skill.
How to open an interior door yourself without a key
Typically, such canvases are equipped with rotary or push handles, which have a latch on one side and a keyhole on the other. It is quite possible to open an interior door on your own. For this, a small piece of wire, a manicure file, a sharp knife or scissors may be useful. The main thing is that the tool can be partially inserted into the keyhole.
To open the interior door yourself, you can use any available tool.
After inserting the tip of a metal object into the hole, you need to press it a little and make circular movements: first in one direction, then in the other. Sooner or later the lock cylinder will give in and the door will open. Only after such manipulations will it be better to change the latch to a regular handle.
A radical solution to the problem
If the above methods did not help remove the key from the door lock, you will have to use more drastic methods.
Removing the lock cylinder
Sometimes it is not possible to get a key stuck inside and because of this you have to remove the lock cylinder completely. First you need to unscrew all the protective panels and other elements from the structure that will interfere with getting rid of the larva. Then you need to unscrew the lock cover, if there is one. When all the elements are unscrewed, you can remove the cylinder from the door leaf. To do this, carefully knock it out of the mounting grooves with a hammer. If you can't knock it out with a hammer, you can use a metal chisel.
How to cut down locking bolts with a hacksaw
If you cannot remove the lock cylinder, you will have to cut down the bolt. Any tool that is used for sawing metal products is suitable for this.
How to open a door with a padlock without a key
Such locking mechanisms are rarely found in city apartments; usually the problem arises when opening a summer house, garage or outbuilding. It is unlikely that it will be possible to open such a lock without damage, but the goal will be achieved. There are two options - use improvised tools, just like with an interior door, or try to break the lock. If the first method does not bring results, then you need to find a piece of metal pipe or take a mounting tool. Having inserted one end into the eye of the padlock, you need to make sharp movements against the stop in order to break the internal lock.
The easiest way to open the hinged door yourself is to use the installation
Types and characteristics of locks
Door locks are conventionally divided into 3 groups according to installation method:
- mortise;
- mounted;
- invoices.
The first type is one of the most aesthetic, since it is inserted directly into the entrance door leaf and is not conspicuous by its massiveness. These devices are best suited for metal doors.
Mortise locks can be called safe, since they can be additionally protected from breaking by special metal inserts.
The hinged version is rarely used in residential premises, since it is the simplest in structure: it is threaded through ordinary eyes. However, such mechanisms can well protect warehouses, cellars, basements and other outbuildings.
Overhead mechanisms are often placed on the door indoors, so they can protect against thieves if the owners are at home. Such a lock cannot be seen from the outside, and accordingly, attackers have no opportunity to break it.
How to open a cylinder lock on a door without a key yourself
A locking mechanism of this type is often installed on wooden and metal entrance doors, so it simply cannot be opened. If it is not possible to get into the house, you will have to use the help of your neighbors and, at a minimum, ask for an impact screwdriver and a hammer, and at most a drill with a drill of a suitable diameter.
The cylinder lock can be opened independently using a screwdriver and hammer
The basis of the cylinder lock is the “cylinder” itself, therefore it is necessary to carry out all manipulations with it in order to open the door. You need to insert the tip of the screwdriver into the keyhole and hit the tip until the inner cylinder is destroyed. An easier way is to drill out the “larva” and open the door.
You can open the front door yourself using a drill by drilling out the cylinder
How to open a door from the inside when jammed
If the English door lock mechanism is jammed, this indicates wear on the spring mechanism. In such cases, turning the key or master key will not help, since the tongue will not give in even with a working cylinder. When such a situation occurs, you need to perform the following simple algorithm:
- The lock mechanism must be treated with a penetrating lubricant so that the tongue can slide along the metal surface without friction.
Lubricating the lock with a penetrating compound
- A long screwdriver with a flat tip is inserted into the gap between the door frame pillar and the leaf.
- Another screwdriver of the same configuration is inserted 2–3 cm below.
- One of the tools is used to fix the tongue in a static position, the other is used to set it in motion through translational movements of the lever.
Opening the door with 2 screwdrivers
- As the tongue slides a few millimeters using one screwdriver, the master constantly fixes its position with a second tool.
- When the tongue is almost free, one of the screwdrivers catches its edge, and the door opens.
To avoid a recurrence of this situation, you should replace the lock or carry out repair work. To do this, the product is removed, disassembled, and the spring is put in place. If the mechanism has become unusable, it should be replaced. Typically, springs for standard locks are sold at hardware stores.
How can you prevent the problem so that you don’t have to open the door without a key?
As a rule, the lock does not lock immediately; the mechanism begins to warn by slightly jamming and getting the key stuck in the hole long before an unpleasant situation occurs. It is worth paying attention to this: lubricate the metal elements or replace the structure.
If you lubricate your locks regularly, their normal functionality will last much longer.
If there is no need to lock the interior doors, there is no need to install latches on the leaves; it is better to limit yourself to a regular handle. Modern hardware manufacturers offer a lot of beautiful options without locking mechanisms. To avoid calling emergency services, it makes sense to make friends with your neighbors and leave spare keys with them in case the front door slams. But the main thing in such a situation is not to panic. There will always be people ready to help or special services that are created to quickly open any door.
Preventative measures - how to protect the lock from jamming
What to do when purchasing:
- before purchasing a door, check what type of lock it will be and whether there is a guarantee;
- ask about the country of production - high-quality locks are made in Austria and Germany, you can also take Polish, Turkish or Ukrainian;
- In the store, check the ease of movement of the tongue;
- There should be no rust, scuffs or scratches on the lock.
How to care for the mechanism:
- periodically clean from dust and dirt, lubricate;
- turn the key only after it is fully inserted;
- do not use keys of poor quality or damaged;
- You can use machine oil for lubrication;
- the best lubricant is silicone, it has a long-lasting effect and also repels water, preventing the mechanism from rusting;
- correct the distortion of the door leaf or frame, even if the lock is still functioning normally;
- open the door by the handle, no need to pull the key, which is still inside;
- Do not slam the door sharply or forcefully.
Important: do not lubricate the lock with edible vegetable oil. It absorbs all the dirt and dust and can ruin the mechanism.
When the oil thickens, you can open the door with almost any key - this is the method used by thieves.
In order not to waste time and money (on repairing the lock or a new one, on calling a locksmith), you need to handle the lock carefully. If you open it with careful smooth movements and do not apply force, it will last a long time
Do you have any questions?
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