Did you get stuck at your home entrance due to a malfunctioning door lock? Or are you skeptical about its current condition? In this article, we will discuss the reasons locks get jammed and explain some steps that you can take to fix them.
Be it your house front door, car door, or office door, which is being very rude to you, knowing how to deal with a door lock will save a lot of your time and trouble. Therefore, to keep this in a nutshell and understand how to open a stuck door lock again, let’s do this.
A Detailed Guide on How to Open a Jammed Door Lock
Here is a detailed guide on how to open a jammed door lock.
1. Lubricate the Lock
Use a drop of lubricant to smoothen the lock and make it easy to rotate. You can apply graphite spray or silicone-based lubricants. Lightly coat a key with lubricant and insert it into the mold.
Spin the key a couple of times clockwise to apply the lubricant inside the keyhole. Do not use excessive amounts of lubricant, as this may make the lock sticky, and the lube will accumulate dirt and debris.
If a generous amount of lubricant is sufficient to unlock it, but the lock faces jamming problems later, you may need to get help from a locksmith.
2. Check for Obstructions
To make sure there is no obstruction, the lock and surrounding area should be visually inspected. Try to eliminate any rubble, dirt, and nonbonding elements that might be hindering the entrance of the key or interfering with the mechanism of turning the lock. Use a flashlight, if there is a need, to get a clearer view down the keyhole.
If you spot anything obstructing the area on the stick, carefully remove it using forceps, a toothpick, or a thin brush. Take care not to damage the lock or push the obstacle even deeper inside.
After clearing the obstructions, let’s use the key to check if the lock is now in working order. If it persists, contact a locksmith for additional help.
3. Use a Lock Picking Tool: Use a Lock Picking Tool
Using a typical lock-picking tool is a convenient method of opening a jammed door lock. These tools are built to manipulate the lock parts without damaging them. To use them, first you insert the tool into the lock, and then you gradually move the pieces until you hear a click.
It implies that the lock is unlocked, and you can thus operate the key to open the door. The practice and skill matter when using locks, but the legality of such breaching action might be a problem. You can call a locksmith in such a case to avoid damage to the lock.
1. Try Different Keys
Key trying is also an additional technique used to unclog a jammed door lock. If the first key doesn’t fit well, the second key may work better. You can first try the keys that indicate that they are the right keys that can open the lock.
If you are a homeowner without any substitute keys, you have another option of making use of the keys from the other locks in your home that are of the same size. Slowly feed the key level with the keyhole and twist it both ways.
It may also occasionally be the circumstance that a small difference in the shape or size of the key is enough to enable it to be turned.
Nevertheless, be careful not to use too much brute force; otherwise, you might lose the key, which will embed itself into the lock and worsen the situation. If the problem persists after trying with all the keys, it is a better option to get it fixed by a specialist Locksmith.
2. Consult a Professional Locksmith
If your door lock is stuck, it’s best to have a professional locksmith unlock it for you. Locksmiths are skilled professionals who are well acquainted with locks and have the specific equipment to mend them. They can identify what is wrong with your lock, fix it, and make it work again.
They can also help you prevent it from happening again. Whether it’s your house or company, it’s a wise choice to let a locksmith deal with lock issues so that you can be sure that the door will not be breached.
FAQs
What do you do if the key locks you in?
You can just apply a minimum amount of graphite powder to the keyhole with a brush and then use a copy to get the powder in the lock. One other way is to apply the graphite powder first to the key and then insert it into the lock.
How do you open a door nob that won’t unlock?
This can be resolved manually by spraying graphite or using a silicone-based lubricant. Dusting the product and turning the key a couple of times should do the trick.
For stoppages due to clogging, we recommend not using oil-based lubricants, such as WD-40, since these can cause further blockages.
Why does the Door Lock Get Jammed?
As a rule, Jammed locks made from debris would fall. Maintain the keyhole clear of dust and dirt by using the dry lubricant to keep the locking mechanism free of dust so you don’t end up with a jammed lock.
Conclusion
If your door is blocked by key failure, there is no need to fret. Give it a little shot yourself and try fixing it with the lubricant or by tapping the lock gently. If that fails, there is no problem seeking help.
Technically, a locksmith is a professional who knows a lot about locks, which means that they can provide a solution to your problem. Take your time, and don’t rush, even if it might seem impossible- there’s always a way to solve every padlock issue.
Andy Locksmith
Andy owns Emergency Local Locksmith which is also based in Harlow Essex. He always aims to provide a high-class and responsive service regardless of the lock issue. Andy doesn’t get stuck opening, repairing or fitting locks – pun intended. This is because Andy is highly trained and has over 20-years of experience with locks and mechanisms.
Catherine Morgan2024-04-12Excellent service and workmanship. Very polite and helpful. Thanks for sorting it out quickly
Nykolina Gibson2024-04-05Excellent service. Andy took time to explain what was causing the problem with the doors. Solved the issues swiftly and effectively.
Seb Page2024-04-04Great service from Andy, helped me out when I was stuck. He kept me fully informed when he was on his way. Also got my locks changed by him a few weeks later. I highly recommend his services, a genuine friendly guy. Thanks Andy
Davina Jarvis2024-04-04I am Absolutely so grateful for Andy and hes fast response to me this morning, I'm in harlow and he came to me within 20 minutes of our phone call to change one of my locks. But in the end he did two for me. Now I can sleep again tonight. Also he is so affordable even with two locks so it definitely didn't break the bank so I'm a very happy lady today. Thank you Andy.you have a customer for life now.
Martin Brown2024-03-26Prompt and efficient service. Very professional and friendly. Thanks
Maria Saval2024-03-25Solve my problem on the phone! Thank you! 😊
GFZ2024-03-23Excellent service. Arrived promptly and was extremely efficient and friendly. A+. Many thanks Andy.
Chris Rogers2024-03-17Andy was very efficient this morning (sunday) arrived in around 5 minutes from me calling and had the lock changed in no time. All in all about 30mins from call to completion
Paolo Di Domenico2024-03-14Andy was with us within five minutes and we was in our house within 20th seconds, very professional, would highly recommend him
Thomas Dunleavy2024-02-25Brilliant - came out late on Sunday night and fixed two broken doors in no time.