Locked out of room with old key still in lock inside

ss2020jd

My bedroom door has somehow locked itself with an old long type skeleton key still in the lock. I am still trying to find a locksmith to come out but in the meantime any advice about trying anything without causing damage gratefully received! 

The key only seemed to work on the inside so I’m not sure if putting paper underneath to knock the key onto would work. I took off the finger plate covering the hole above in case I could somehow get access that way but it’s quite a small diameter and long distance to key from there. 

Thanks in advance!

 

Section62

ss2020jd said:

My bedroom door has somehow locked itself with an old long type skeleton key still in the lock. I am still trying to find a locksmith to come out but in the meantime any advice about trying anything without causing damage gratefully received! 

The key only seemed to work on the inside so I’m not sure if putting paper underneath to knock the key onto would work. I took off the finger plate covering the hole above in case I could somehow get access that way but it’s quite a small diameter and long distance to key from there. 

Is it your house?

If the lock locked itself then it is knackered anyway (it should only lock if you physically turn the key).

Assuming it is your house and you don't mind a small amount of damage (and assuming the lock isn't a high security one) then I'd probably first try using a hacksaw blade to cut through the lock bolt (it looks like there's enough of a gap to get a blade through).

Failing that (if you think a repair is within your skillset) I would consider sawing a hole through the door panel (looks like thin plywood) to be able to access the key on the inside.

I doubt a locksmith will be able to achieve a damage-free opening of the door - you might want to clarify that before incurring a call-out charge - in which case you'll be paying them a fair bit to do roughly the same damage you could do yourself.

ThisIsWeird

You clearly know about the best first step, so it's surely worth a go?

Get something like a pen with a blunt end, stick a blob of blutak or similar on the end, press it straight against the end of the key, and see if you can turn it to the point it can be pushed through - with paper on the floor (is there a large enough gap under the door for this?). Or, do you have a spare key for the door if you can remove the in-situ one?

If you do get the key, then fair chance you will get it to work from this side by jiggling everything about, and gently pulling or pushing the door to release pressure from the bolt.

The door opens towards you? In which case you can always cut the pins from the hinges - or if you are really lucky, they are removable already. Could we have a photo of the door hinges?

ss2020jd

Section62 said:

ss2020jd said:

My bedroom door has somehow locked itself with an old long type skeleton key still in the lock. I am still trying to find a locksmith to come out but in the meantime any advice about trying anything without causing damage gratefully received! 

The key only seemed to work on the inside so I’m not sure if putting paper underneath to knock the key onto would work. I took off the finger plate covering the hole above in case I could somehow get access that way but it’s quite a small diameter and long distance to key from there. 

Is it your house?

If the lock locked itself then it is knackered anyway (it should only lock if you physically turn the key).

Assuming it is your house and you don't mind a small amount of damage (and assuming the lock isn't a high security one) then I'd probably first try using a hacksaw blade to cut through the lock bolt (it looks like there's enough of a gap to get a blade through).

Failing that (if you think a repair is within your skillset) I would consider sawing a hole through the door panel (looks like thin plywood) to be able to access the key on the inside.

I doubt a locksmith will be able to achieve a damage-free opening of the door - you might want to clarify that before incurring a call-out charge - in which case you'll be paying them a fair bit to do roughly the same damage you could do yourself.

Yes it is my house. Thanks I will keep that in reserve in case none of the non destructive ways work! There is a gap so could be a possibility.

ss2020jd

ThisIsWeird said:

You clearly know about the best first step, so it's surely worth a go?

Get something like a pen with a blunt end, stick a blob of blutak or similar on the end, press it straight against the end of the key, and see if you can turn it to the point it can be pushed through - with paper on the floor (is there a large enough gap under the door for this?). Or, do you have a spare key for the door if you can remove the in-situ one?

If you do get the key, then fair chance you will get it to work from this side by jiggling everything about, and gently pulling or pushing the door to release pressure from the bolt.

The door opens towards you? In which case you can always cut the pins from the hinges - or if you are really lucky, they are removable already. Could we have a photo of the door hinges?

Thanks @ThisIsWeird for the blutac tip, I suppose that is definitely worth a go. There is a large enough gap. No spare key. I wasn’t sure if leaving the key in it could be turned from this side with some clever tool I don’t have. 

The door opens inwards from outside and towards you when inside so no hinges outside the door. 

theoretica

You want to turn the key from the outside - Glue as suggested above , or gripping it in tweezers/very needle nose pliers is one method, but I am not sure there is space.  I would be tempted to bend some wire and try to push (or even pull) the flag round.

theoretica

If the key is only partially turned you may be able to pull the bolt back - if it isn't out far enough to have latched into position - poke a strong pin into it at the frame side and drag it back towards the door.

prettyandfluffy

theoretica said:

You want to turn the key from the outside - Glue as suggested above , or gripping it in tweezers/very needle nose pliers is one method, but I am not sure there is space.  I would be tempted to bend some wire and try to push (or even pull) the flag round.

Try some long tweezers or forceps - it can be done with patience.  Have a look on Amazon and be prepared to improvise a bit.

ss2020jd

theoretica said:

If the key is only partially turned you may be able to pull the bolt back - if it isn't out far enough to have latched into position - poke a strong pin into it at the frame side and drag it back towards the door.

Thanks I do have some tweezers that may fit but my pliers are too thick I think. I will have a go and hopefully a combination of things might work! 

FreeBear

ThisIsWeird said: you can always cut the pins from the hinges

Or climb through a window...

ss2020jd

Still trying… I can see the key on the other side is at a slight angle.

@FreeBear too high and unfortunately not open. not that desperate yet!