- credit card method will NOT work; there is an edge along the door frame
- locked from the inside, with straight side of bolt in hole facing you
- minimal damage to the door preferred
- old doorknobs, left by previous owners
- no keyhole, screws to hold doorknob in place, or holes of any kind on surface of doorknob
2007-02-19 14:27:52 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
You'll have to damage the door knobs I'm afraid. Drill out the knob with an half inch drill, go right through the middle of the knob. When you get through the first knob stick a screw driver in and turn the knob. You can get cheap replacements from Home Depot.
2007-02-19 20:27:15 · answer #1 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You have two choices without destroying anything. First try using a pointed sharp knife blade on the bolt. Push the door in, use the knife tip to pry the bolt, preferably straight on using the strike plate as a pivot, pull the door out to hold the bolt, reset the knife blade and keep repeating until the bolt is sprung from the plate. You can only move the bolt a little at a time but it will almost always open.
If the flat of the bolt is facing you, so must the hinges. With a relatively good screwdriver and a hammer tap out the hinge pins and pull the door towards you.
Been there done that. Good Luck!
2007-02-19 15:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by Pat C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think I would just bust the door knob off with a hammer. once the inner workings are exposed you can open it easily. If you are careful with your aim, you might not hurt the door itself at all. you will of course need to replace the doorknob, but i think that would be a wise idea anyway to prevent the same thing from happening again. Apparently, it is one that you can lock just by shutting the door with it in the locked position. you don't ever want that on an interior door. If by chance the hinge pins are on the side of the door you have access to, you can simply drive them out with a screwdriver or something and open it that way.
2007-02-19 15:26:31 · answer #3 · answered by tootall1121 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Getting behind the door stop is the right way. I'll add to that a little. Once you get access to the bolt, you will probably have to work it back in "steps". A butter knife won't grab the smooth bolt surface too well. I have used two pocket knife blades in unison. Press the first blade into the bolt with enough force to be able to work the bolt. When yo get as far as you can, use the second knife blade to grab the bolt at the side closest to the jamb, release the first blade, and work the bolt back with the second blade.
Repeat as needed until the bolt clears the striker and the door opens. Then, I'd replace that lockset with modern hardware!
2007-02-19 14:48:27 · answer #4 · answered by Hank 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
from the inside of the door, at the handle or knob look for a small hole usually on the side of the lock spindle. use a small nail or bobbie pin and push in hard; at the same time pull on the handle and release the pin. the handle should come off. then pry off the large round escutchin plate or trim plate which is against the door. the screws are behind this plate. if this doesnt work, try turning the piece with the small hole in it.it may be tight and you may have to put plyers on it to make it turn. again the plate comes off and the lock is removed. hopes this helps. all locks come off from the inside and the attaching screws are usually behind the large plate. if this dosent work, try and find a name of the lock and go back on line
2007-02-19 14:49:50 · answer #5 · answered by mlcabodi@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
look at the base of the doorknob some times there is a flat tab if you push it in with a screw driver the nob will come off then you can unlock it
2007-02-19 14:33:24 · answer #6 · answered by Pat B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
********Use a coat hanger and create a hook. Use the hook to get around to the round side of the knob latch and pull it from that side to pop it. Kind of like a credit card...but the hanger lets you get around to the other side.
Anyways...there is surely a hole or some tab to undo. But this will work.
2007-02-19 16:34:12 · answer #7 · answered by KayV 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
pull the door stop out a little and use a butter knife to hit the latch the the edge u stated in ur question
2007-02-19 14:32:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Knife in the jam, the lock always faces out and you can hook the tip and unlock it. Done it tons of times :3
2016-03-29 03:38:59 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
pop off the door frame trim and jimmy the lock
2007-02-19 17:08:35 · answer #10 · answered by RUSSELLL 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋