any DIY/handy people here? HELP

aridjis

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ian103

when that happened in our last house (cheap nasty latches!) I removed the handle and bar from the door, jabbed a large screwdriver into the hole and managed to turn the latch. Failing that you need to feed a flexible scrapper or something like that to retract the latch.

southcoastrgi

He could try the scraper/credit card thing from the outside, it won't work from the inside, sorry but I did smile when you said you were stuck in the room.

ValHaller

panagia wrote: »

I've tried the old credit card trick, of sliding the card down between the door and the frame and trying to get the catch to move, but no luck.

The reason it won't work is that the bolt is sloped on the side away from you.

I suggest a piece of stiff wire slipped behind the bolt and pull towards you from top and bottom, while OH pushes the door gently. If he does not push enough, the wire will move the bolt and slip past leaving the bolt to fall back in place. If he pushes too hard, you won't be able to move the bolt.

westiea

can you take the hinges off?

cyclonebri1

westiea wrote: »

can you take the hinges off?

Just passated myself, you think the girls got a toolbox, the proper sort I mean in the bedroom???:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

And to get realistic, the door needs to be open to get at the hinges, unless of course they have removable pins,

cyclonebri1

I think this thread is a wind up.

Why wifi here rather than 999.?

Being serious for a second and it's difficult, you should never be in a trapped situation, escape routes are essential

Mr_Ted

panagia wrote: »

I've been stuck in here for about 3 hours now.

This is why, no matter what, this is a serious risk, as if you cant get out and a fire occurs then it can be assessed as life threatening?
Suppose you had something on the cooker and it was left for 3 hrs

panagia wrote: »

The HA have meanwhile said they'll come out, though who knows when that'll be..

Because of the risk the HA should have treated this as an Emergency whilst you were stuck in the room, I doubt they will now your out!!!

It would not be imprudent in this situation to call the Fire Service

SailorSam

Good job you never needed to go for a wee.

Mankysteve

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I think this thread is a wind up.

Why wifi here rather than 999.?

Being serious for a second and it's difficult, you should never be in a trapped situation, escape routes are essential

I've had this happen to me on more than once. General trick is to removed the handle the bar then fiddle around either trying to turn the latch if its completely gone try and slide the bolt away from the door frame.

Of course thats presuming you have a screw driver.

Myser

panagia wrote: »

The bottom one is the one that came out of my door. The metal bit that grips the door catch has fallen to bits. I had no idea prior to this that there was any problem with the door, it seemed to be working fine. I imagine it's just a cheap make.

Wow, looks like a cheap quality latch to have broken up like that! Try buying a named brand one if you are replacing it yourself - Yale, Chubb or ERA etc.