Broken Bifold - locked shut

Mumstheword

Hi,
My external bifold doors wont open. I can turn the key and lift the handle. If I then push the doors (at the central pivot point of 2 panels, they open outwards), the top of the doors will move, but the bottom is stuck fast as if the locking bolt is still down into the locking channel on the ground.

My first question is - is this just a case of levering it up over the channel with a spade from outside, as a burglar would
(and if so, I'm fairly competent and could take off and replace the whole locking mechanism)
Or is there and easier way of getting it open involving perhaps taking off the handle from the inside?

My 2nd question is how long would you say this mechanism should reasonably last without failing? They're 4 years old. I've googled the company who appear to have gone into liquidation. But I paid by credit card. Have I reasonable grounds under anything like the sale of goods act to expect them to work for longer than 4 years?

Thanks for any help you might be able to give!

ytfcmad

What make are they?

macman

Drill out the lock barrel, release the locking pins, replace the barrel. Levering it will probably wreck both the door and the frame.

Mumstheword

Thanks for your replies, sorry to be so late back!
I don't know the make but they were bought from Malbern windows (payment to systems glass ltd, maybe then trading as Malbern?)

A local locksmith had a look at it. He tried to get a thin plate under the door but couldn't get in far enough to use an inflatable to lift the door gently. He's passed my details to someone else to come and look at it, possibly with a view to dismantling the door maybe?