Locked out of bathroom

November 26, 2021 12:11 PM

This bathroom door got stuck it locked on its own. We can’t get in! Any ideas? The inside cog turns but doesn’t open the latch at all. Can’t access the inside to get at the hinges either.

https://ibb.co/9ZGhW0P
https://ibb.co/WnCqXq5

posted by gatorbiddy to Home & Garden (16 answers total)

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posted by gatorbiddy at 12:31 PM on November 26, 2021

Is there a gap between the faceplate and the backplate opposing it? If there is enough space, sometimes the latch can be pulled back with a flathead screwdriver or other L-shaped piece of metal, and then you can pull open the door.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:38 PM on November 26, 2021

Latch is protected on this side by the wall jutting out so can’t directly access the latch. And unscrewing that front plate didn’t allow it to be removed.
posted by gatorbiddy at 12:46 PM on November 26, 2021

If I'm seeing this right I've had something similar happen. Try fitting something into the circular handle-hole above the keyhole which will grab at those eight-or-so teeth inside and allow you to work the mechanism. IIRC a butter knife worked for me. Turn like you would a handle and *crosses fingers* it'll open.
posted by myotahapea at 12:57 PM on November 26, 2021

Yep, butter knife does turn it but doesn’t release the mechanism at all. Thanks for the suggestions.
posted by gatorbiddy at 12:59 PM on November 26, 2021

(Just re-read after posting and you say the cog turns but won't open the latch. In which case I don't have another suggestion beyond what's already been offered. Apologies.)
posted by myotahapea at 1:00 PM on November 26, 2021

Can you take a picture with the front plate removed?
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 1:02 PM on November 26, 2021

The front plate looks like it is just held on by the paint, so use a knife around the edges and then you should be able to lever it off.
posted by Lanark at 1:04 PM on November 26, 2021

That style of lock is a mortise lock where the mechanisim of the lock is motised intot he wood of the door. The plate is likely just adhered with paint. If you run a sharp knife around it and then give it a little pry it should pop off. That won't help you much though because the plate is decorative and generally doesn't conceal the mechanism of the lock.
posted by Mitheral at 1:08 PM on November 26, 2021

Just a guess, but if the door frame is blocking access to the latch, try using a piece of flexible plastic -- like, say, from a dissected soda bottle -- to manoeuvre between the frame and the door to push the latch back?
posted by myotahapea at 1:09 PM on November 26, 2021

This seems more a case of the door handle mechanism failing than the door locking. That keyhole implies some sort of deadbolt and I don’t see any way it could lock itself. This supposition is supported by the fact that turning the door handle mechanism doesn’t seem to move the latch. The good news here is that it’s a lot easier to pop the latch. You’ve just got to figure out a way to slide something in there.
posted by slkinsey at 1:30 PM on November 26, 2021

Make sure that everything in there is lubricated. WD-40 may perform wonders.
posted by SLC Mom at 1:53 PM on November 26, 2021

I'd try the flexible plastic shim myhotahapea suggests to try to push the latch back out, but failing that, a locksmith would probably be my next call.
posted by Aleyn at 6:27 PM on November 26, 2021

Try all your screwdrivers; I had similar locks and a screwdriver blade was strong enough to catch and turn it. Locksmiths can do this, but they charge fees after hours. also, there are dodgy locksmiths with listings, so if you can get a referral, do.
posted by theora55 at 8:11 PM on November 26, 2021

You need to fashion some sort of a "hook", maybe an Allen key with the 90 degree bend, and reach in there and see if there's something you can push or pull. The knob turns that gear thing which has two "wings" that is supposed to push on a lever that pushes on the "bolt" which is spring loaded to retract it and open the door. Either the wings broke or the lever broke. So you have to use a hook of some sort to reach in and force the bolt to retract. If you have a 90 degree plier it may help.
posted by kschang at 1:38 AM on November 27, 2021

Thanks all. Was able to access the bathroom eventually. There was a window but it was many floors up. Got in there after procuring a large enough ladder and took the door off the hinges from the inside.
posted by gatorbiddy at 4:22 PM on November 27, 2021