Residential & Commercial Security - Locks, Keys & Dead Bolts - Need help with old skeleton key lock
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kreelstar
07-13-09, 07:49 PM
My front door has an old skeleton key door knob/lock. Today, the lock just quit working and the door will not open. I removed the door knob and face plates to see if I could manipulate something inside to get the latch to open. I found that these locks are not like the new knobs that you can easily open by removing the door knob. Since the door will not open, I cannot get to the edge to remove the latch. What can I do to get my door open?
rstripe
07-14-09, 08:27 PM
I assume what won't unlock is the latch (operated by the knob) rather than the deadbolt (operated by the key).
These old locks usually don't have a "deadlatch" mechanism, so it's usually pretty easy to take a small screwdriver or knife and push the latch in, between the door edge and the frame.
Has the lock gradually gotten harder to operate over a period of time, or did it suddenly break? Your door could be sagging, causing the latch and/or bolt to bind. Try to lift up on the door while operating the lock.
These old locks usually don't have a "deadlatch" mechanism, so it's usually pretty easy to take a small screwdriver or knife and push the latch in, between the door edge and the frame.
Has the lock gradually gotten harder to operate over a period of time, or did it suddenly break? Your door could be sagging, causing the latch and/or bolt to bind. Try to lift up on the door while operating the lock.