Doors and Windows - Locked out of my closet.

The doorknob on my closet was installed backwards by the previous owners of my house. The lock is on the inside. Somehow, the door was locked and shut, and now I can't get into my closet. Any tips on how to break into my closet other than calling a locksmith?

If it's a regular interior lock, look in the center of the knob on the outside for a small hole......stick a pc of coat hanger wire or about an 8p finish nail in there and turn the knob.....it will unlock.

Or use a credit card on the striker....or just a wide flat bar and a little easy pressure......most interior door jambs are flimsy and it will "give" enough to let the door open without damage.

Maybe they did it on purpose to keep nosey kids OUT around Christmas :)

Assuming that whoever installed this lockset used all of the parts from one package, ANY knob that can be locked from one side can be unlocked from the other -- whether it is by using the items Andy mentioned (or a small screwdriver, or the "key" from the bathroom door lock) in the case of privacy locks, or a real key, like in the case of an entry lock, like your front door knob.

If, what they used was an ENTRY lock (one that requires a real key) and you don't have the key, your choices become calling a locksmith, or trying to drill out the center of the cylinder.

If the fit is a bit loose, you could drive out the hinge pins and pry out the door.



You could also remove the trim and then SawzAll the nails holding the door casing in place. Since the interior trim would remain nailed in place, the force needed to push the casing inwards into the closet might be considerable, and some trim might be damaged.

As Steve said, drive out the hinge pins and lift the door out.