It’s happened to all of us. You go to close the door and suddenly it doesn’t move. What happened? It is very likely that your door is blocked. Don’t worry, this guide will show you how to open a stuck door in no time.
Open a blocked door
The lock is an essential part of every front door. It allows you to close and lock the door to make it difficult or, best of all, completely deny unauthorized access to your home, garage, warehouse or office.
But what if the lock is broken or won’t open and you can’t get in? Below are some useful tips that you can put into practice if you are having trouble. open the lock on your door.
The lock on the front door is stuck – what could have happened?
You can think of at least some scenarios with a locked door lock. Let’s list some of the most popular ones:
- You can put the key in the lock but you can’t turn it
- You manage to put the key in the lock and turn it, but the door is still closed (the cylinder « turns »),
- the key broke off in the lock cylinder, it cannot be turned,
- You cannot put the key in the compartment.
The cause can be the normal wear and tear of the lock, dirt or mechanical damage.
So let’s get to the most important question.
How do I open a blocked door?
It’s a good idea to start with the least invasive methods of picking a stuck lock. So if you put the key in the lock but can’t turn it: check if it’s the right key (sometimes we have several similar keys so it can be very easy to make a mistake) . Once you are sure you are using the correct key, check that it is not damaged or bent.
You can also try blow out the mechanism with compressed air and use a special cylinder and lock preservative to remove dirt and improve the smoothness of the lock cylinder mechanism.
If the cause of the lock sticking is a broken key or some other object in the lock cylinder, you can try to pull it out upwards (e.g. with a thin wire) and then remove it with pliers.
If the above methods fail, it means that the error is more serious. In an act of desperation, you may have ideas like picking the lock or trying to force the door open.
Unfortunately, forced choices can do far more harm than good. A damaged door or broken arm is much more difficult to fix than a stuck lock.
I can’t open the lock, what should I do now?
In the event of mechanical damage, it may be necessary to replace the cylinder or the entire lock. It is better to leave this task in the hands of professionals. Emergency locksmiths, i.e. companies that specialize in opening doors in an emergency, will certainly be able to open and possibly change a closed lock (even without a key) without damaging the door.
Door lock stuck: better safe than sorry
Many problems with locked locks can be avoided. Most importantly, do not forget to periodically maintain and check the condition of the cylinder and the entire locking mechanism (it is worth doing at least once a year).
If the key is lost, broken or destroyed, it is advisable to keep a spare key in a safe place (e.g. with a relative). Last but not least, opt for locks and cylinders that are certified for their high quality and reliability.
How to choose a quality system?
For Veneo doors we use cabinets from the well-known German brand Winkhaus. In our offer you will find a wide range of certified cylinders and high-quality multipoint locks. If you have any questions about this, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We also invite you to consult our online window, door and blinds configurator, where you can select, budget and even order online the desired doors with the hinge system and lock cylinder of your choice.
Beyond the Locksmith: Which Type of Front Door to Choose?
Finally, if you need advice on choosing the front door for your home, read our article: Which material is better for an exterior door: PVC or aluminum?