Back door jammed shut!

Gingham_Ribbon

Our back door has hooks that come out up and down the edge of the door and hook into the door frame. One of these has got stuck and we can't get the door open.

Is there anything we can do to avoid paying for a whole new door? At the moment, the key turns, but it doesn't pull that hook back. I want to get it seen to asap as it's one of our main fire exits. It happened last night but it's been a bit sticky for a few days.

Thanks.

Garetha

Just to get it open so you can fix it:
* Try pressure on the point where it's catching (thump with fist?)
* send someone round to the other side and try pressure there

Once open it may be possible to adjust the hook or the plate where it hooks.

Spray WD40 on all the moving bits

MGAstra

Same thing happened to me earlier this year.

I used a crow bar to push the door towards its hinges (ie pri-ing against the wall at the inside of the house). It wasnt enough to sprane the door, but just enough to free the hook for its catch.

Once opened, you should remove the entire locking runner from down the edge of the door and you'll then probably find its just some dirt in that one individual hook mechanism. It all comes apart easily with a few screws and can easily be adjusted to put back togeather.

Ystrad_Lad

Can you get a butter knife in the gap between the door and the frame? If you can you could encourage the bar to move as you turn the key.

Good luck.

Gingham_Ribbon

Thanks everyone. It's going to be a job for my husband so I'll pass on your suggestions.