How to Open a Door Lock
People forget their keys all the time, and being locked out can be a huge pain. If you slip up just once, you could find yourself sitting on your front steps waiting for someone else to come home. If you live by yourself, you may consider calling a locksmith. Before you do, however, there are a couple of simple methods that could end your dilemma faster and for free. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Insert the credit card into the slim space between the door frame and the door, next to the locking mechanism. Slide it in as far as it will go.
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Tilt the part of the credit card that you can see toward the the knob. This will get the card past the lip of the frame that may be blocking access to the latch bolt.
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Bend the card in the opposite direction (toward the frame), causing the part of the card that is between the door and the frame to press the latch bolt out of the strike plate and back into the locking mechanism. Now that there are no bolts holding the door to the frame, push the door open.
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If this doesn't work, try using two paper clips. Bend out one end of one paper clip into an L shape. Leave the other paper clip intact.
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Push the pointed end of the L into the bottom of the keyhole. Place the intact paper clip into the portion of the keyhole above where the L is resting. This will push up the pins inside the lock that match up to the appropriate key.
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As you pull out the top paper clip, use the L to turn the lock in the direction you would when using the correct key. When the right amount of pressure is applied at just the right time, you will be able to turn the knob and open the door.
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Tips & Warnings
Either method to open a lock, particularly the paper clip method, can be quite tricky and may take multiple tries before it is effective. Success is much more limited when attempting to unlock a deadbolt. When attempting to open a lock without a key, it is important to keep your hands steady, try to feel out the lock with your tools and be patient.
You should only attempt to pick a lock if you are trying to access an area to which you are legally allowed to enter. Using these methods to trespass on someone else's property is illegal.
