How do I get my bathroom door unlocked?

Question

Here is the stupid question of the night. I've never had this problem before. I was cleaning my bathroom and I left to go into the kitchen, closing the door behind me. I didn't know I had the knob in the lock position. It's just a regular old knob, it has two screws on either side. If I get a philips head screwdriver and unscrew them will the knob just fall off on each side, letting me unlock them and put them back together?

Answer 1

Normally the screws are on the same side as the lock mechanism. On the outside of the privacy lock is a small hole dead center. You can take a very small bladed flat screwdriver and stick it in the slot to turn the thumb lock to the unlocked position. If you have a privacy lock key handy it will do the trick. In new homes the carpenter usually lays it on top of the trim above the door.

If you have a kwikset privacy lock and the screws are on the outside you can remove the knob and use a screwdriver to push the bolt back and open the door.

Answer 2

Most often all it takes to open it is something like a nail or even a paper clip. You just push it in and it will pop the lock. Some use a thin bar. Things that may fit are some regular keys, small nail files. You can also straiten a paper clip then fold it in the middle into a U shape with about 1/8 inch distance and it will fit in the slot type and you turn it. Since this is not and enter door there will be no deadbolt to prevent you from doing what is called a shim. Take something like a thin credit card or ID and slide it between the door and the frame where the latch is. You can then wiggle the card and move the latch until it is no longer holding the door. Since the door closes to you it will be a lot easier. Since the door closes to you you can't remove the hinge pins which is a good bypass but you can't use that here.

Answer 3

"Paper" certainly has explained it well. I cannot imagine a key/lock system for a bathroom passage knob. I also agree that the screws are never on the side we would like them to be, in a case like this. I'll assume I don't know everything about every manufacturing design however.

BTW it isn't a Dumb question. have you ever surfed some asked here? :)

There is another option,,, and I'll further assume you weren't locked in your bathroom when you typed this.

You could possibly use a wide blade putty/paint knife, disrupt the door jamb, and push in against the latch throw piece.

On another note, and with no offense, I've never quite understood LOCKING doors INside a home.

Answer 4

The bathroom lock should have an external method to unlock it. I know of three.
One is a coin slot, you put a penny in it and turn counter-cloockwise.
Another is a small rectangular hole which can be turned counter clockwise with a small screwdriver.
The third is a small round hole through which you can push a small allen wrench, tiny screwdriver or stiff wire. Pushing firmly will "pop" the lock on the other side just the same as turning the inside know would.

Bert

Answer 5

There should be a small hole in the center of the out side knob just stick a small nail in the hole and push,this releases the lock. I believe this is the most common.

Answer 6

Probably. But you can easily put it back together once the door is opened. You might as well replace with one that you pick from outside, not expensive.