uPVC door handle problem

MrChris1986

Hello

I've got an issue with my front door handle. I've tried googling for an answer/hint to the problem but there are thousands of pages that come up in response to "broken door handle" and none of them cover my issue ... so apologies in advance if this is a duplicate and has been answered previously

I've got home from work this evening ... let myself in ... pushed the door closed behind me ... all was well up to this point

Normally - you lift the handle on the inside so that the door stays closed ... then you turn the key to lock the door.

Tonight - I lifted the handle ... and nothing. No resistance in the lever and the hook type mechanisms that holds the door closed - don't budge, which then means I can't turn the key.

I've opened the door ... lifted the outside handle up ... and can see that the hooks still come out - and I can then turn the key from both the inside or the outside - which makes the hooks "lock" into position so that the handle won't turn. I assume this means that the door/lock/mechanism isn't totally fubared? The obvious problem being - I can only close/lock the door if I'm stood on the outside of it :mad:

I've tried taking the handle off to see if there was something clearly wrong with it but I didn't really know what I was looking at - so I've just put it back on.

At present - the door is held closed by the mop handle jammed into the letterbox ... there is scaffolding on my block of flats at the moment ... so tonight I can feesably lock the door from the outside ... clamber onto the scaffolding ... walk around the building ... then get back into the flat through the door on the balcony :eek: then tomorrow morning - I can unlock the door from the inside - lock the door from the outside - and go to work. The problem will only start once I get home tomorrow evening.

I'd much rather sort this out myself than have to keep breaching the health and safety regulations :rotfl: nor do I really want to have a locksmith around ... but if it does come to having one over ... how much am I likely looking at paying? I don't suppose it helps that I'll be paying London rates

Thanks in advance everyone
Chris

Locknut

It sounds either like your spindle (the square shaft) is too short and has gone too far into the outside handle or your door has a split spindle system and a part in the door gearbox has failed.

Price wise in London Im not sure but at this time of night expect about £100 to have it looked at plus parts. if its locked now leave it till the morning. But remember if you cant lock it from the inside you can't open it either!!! bit of a fire risk if its your only exit.

MrChris1986

Jplocksmiths wrote: »

It sounds either like your spindle (the square shaft) is too short and has gone too far into the outside handle or your door has a split spindle system and a part in the door gearbox has failed.

Price wise in London Im not sure but at this time of night expect about £100 to have it looked at plus parts. if its locked now leave it till the morning. But remember if you cant lock it from the inside you can't open it either!!! bit of a fire risk if its your only exit.

Ah ... a locksmith :T

The plastic original handle cracked about 12 months ago and we had a replacement metal one fitted. I'm not sure whether the square shaft was replaced at the time - so it is conceivable that it is the wrong size is installed ... I suppose.

However! The spindle is in two pieces (with a spring around each end?) so I guess this is the "split spindle" of which you speak? So lets assume its a part in the door gearbox (who knew doors had gearboxes ) ... I'm guessing it's now definately a job for a pro? What am I looking at best and worst case scenario for parts - and how many hours should I expect it would take someone to sort (assuming they charge by the hour?) Just wondering whether it's even worth the call out and hassle compared with a new door?

Not the only exit - don't worry.

We can't lock it from the inside - because we can't lift the handle up - but can deffo lock and unlock from the inside . Have already donned my black ninja outfit and clambered around the scaffold outside - then come in through the back door. Not sure if any of my neighbors saw/would have known it was me - but hopefully I didn't spook them ... don't suppose you expect to see someone walk past your lounge window at 11pm when you live on the 8th floor :rotfl:

Cheers fella :beer:

Tony_Harrison

While door is open, have you tried taking handles off, inserting the inside sqare pin into lock and then try turning it with adjustable spanner/mole grips? Just to see if it's the internal lock not working or handle related problem?:think:

camelot1001

Have you tried putting a key in both sides of the lock (one inside and one outside)? When you have them in as far as they will go, gently wiggle them until they become level.

Worth a try - this happened to us and the chap in B & Q told us to try this before getting a new lock - it worked!

Locknut

I would say its a job for a pro unless you know what your doing. As for cost it depends on what make the door lock is, whats gone wrong and if the door needs re-aligning?
best case your looking at about £100 normal day job inc parts, if its a obsucure strip with lots of remidial work your looking at £250 ish. If you look for a locksmith go for an MLA or ICL approved one.

Murgatroyd

Bumping this slightly rather than start a new thread.

I have a similar-ish problem with my back door lock. Yesterday evening when I went to lock it, the lock gave a sort of a clunk and the key did an extra half turn. Now I can't unlock it at all.

I suspect it may be a job for a locksmith, but I thought I'd inquire on here first. Thanks in advance for any advice.

latecomer

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