help open my door!
June 13, 2012 8:25 PM Subscribe
my doorknob is broken and I'm stuck in my bedroom! help me open the door?
when you turn the knob the piece that is supposed to turn doesn't move. it feels loose like it's going to fall out. help!!
when you turn the knob the piece that is supposed to turn doesn't move. it feels loose like it's going to fall out. help!!
Best answer: If you are inside, there should be two screws holding the handle on the door. They probably have a Phillips head, which is like a little x. You can use something like a nail file to undo these, and pull the handle off, which will reveal the mechanism that you can push aside with the nail file.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:29 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:29 PM on June 13, 2012
Response by poster: i have bobby pins, pens, credit cards, keys.
posted by sabh at 8:30 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by sabh at 8:30 PM on June 13, 2012
Can one of the keys be used to undo the screws?
posted by malibustacey9999 at 8:31 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by malibustacey9999 at 8:31 PM on June 13, 2012
If you have the internet, can you contact anyone else in the house or anyone nearby to get your keys (from a window?) in order to help let you out?
Keys might work well, if you can use the corner of the credit cards or the pins to get the screws off. Dissembling it will allow you to stick the keys in and fiddle with it until the part of the lock that goes into the door releases. I grew up in an old house and for years just kept a screwdriver in my room as a makeshift doorknob as the modern ones would always fall out and not work.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:32 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
Keys might work well, if you can use the corner of the credit cards or the pins to get the screws off. Dissembling it will allow you to stick the keys in and fiddle with it until the part of the lock that goes into the door releases. I grew up in an old house and for years just kept a screwdriver in my room as a makeshift doorknob as the modern ones would always fall out and not work.
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:32 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
*er since you have the internet, obviously....or a phone?
Mainly, don't panic! You will be able to get out!
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:33 PM on June 13, 2012
Mainly, don't panic! You will be able to get out!
posted by jetlagaddict at 8:33 PM on June 13, 2012
Try sliding a credit card between the door and the door frame. It will push the latching mechanism into the door, and you can then pull it open.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:35 PM on June 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 8:35 PM on June 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
Can you use the back bendy side of a bobby pin to turn the screws, if the key doesn't work?
posted by Sara C. at 8:38 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by Sara C. at 8:38 PM on June 13, 2012
Remove the hinges. Use a pen to knock the hinge pins up. Start with the lowest hinge and go up.
posted by leastlikelycowgirl at 8:39 PM on June 13, 2012 [5 favorites]
posted by leastlikelycowgirl at 8:39 PM on June 13, 2012 [5 favorites]
Best answer: Can you remove the knob and then use a pen to manually push back the slide that is keeping the door closed?
posted by nestor_makhno at 8:40 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by nestor_makhno at 8:40 PM on June 13, 2012
Response by poster: wow thanks all! I was able to disassemble the already breaking doorknob and use a key to push the latching mechanism in!! so now the doorknob is broken but at least I'm not trapped!
posted by sabh at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012 [20 favorites]
posted by sabh at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012 [20 favorites]
What does the doorknob look like? Is it a knob or a lever? Did the outside have a little hole in the knob?
posted by nicebookrack at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by nicebookrack at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012
If you are on the inside, take the door off it's hinges.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:43 PM on June 13, 2012
Or do what you did.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:44 PM on June 13, 2012 [8 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 8:44 PM on June 13, 2012 [8 favorites]
And get your landlord to install a functioning doorknob!!
posted by jrochest at 9:00 PM on June 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
posted by jrochest at 9:00 PM on June 13, 2012 [2 favorites]
How does a doorknob work? An interactive visual tutorial.
posted by Monsieur Caution at 10:04 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Monsieur Caution at 10:04 PM on June 13, 2012 [1 favorite]
This is why my mother leaves screwdrivers in all the rooms of her house. I thought she was being disorganized, but she is just being practical. There is also an axe next to her bed, but I don't want to know the story behind that one.
posted by gjc at 6:24 AM on June 14, 2012 [4 favorites]
posted by gjc at 6:24 AM on June 14, 2012 [4 favorites]
There is also an axe next to her bed, but I don't want to know the story behind that one.
Make an escape route in case of fire.
posted by endless_forms at 6:59 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Make an escape route in case of fire.
posted by endless_forms at 6:59 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Best Mefi question ever.
posted by BadMiker at 7:29 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by BadMiker at 7:29 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
Really? Better than this?
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:13 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 9:13 AM on June 14, 2012 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Also, check out this similar thread.
posted by punchtothehead at 8:29 PM on June 13, 2012 [2 favorites]