60
votes
Accepted
How can I allow 911 first responders to access a locked residence?
Call your local police department and inquire about a "Knox Box Key". They probably have a master already to open one. You will need to buy the one they suggest or have a locksmith get involved to ...
- 3,655
50
votes
Accepted
How to open a door that has the insides of a door handle inside without a door knob
See the lock insides? That's a metal sleeve, with an inside sliding piece. That inside sliding piece is connected to the latch bolt. Push it to the left, and voila!
Some additional details. This is ...
- 6,168
43
votes
Accepted
Bedroom door lock
You should just replace the lock with a keyed lock for the time being.
Since all that's required to open a passage lock is "a little screwdriver" it does not offer much "security" ...
- 132k
30
votes
Unlock door with no knob
I would remove the hinge pins and unmount the door. Once removed, the hardware should be visible to remove the bolt assembly.
- 10.9k
28
votes
Accepted
Do I need this special strike plate on my laundry room to garage entry? It's creating problems with a new lock
That little plunger is called a dead latch. It requires precise and correct alignment between the door latch and the strike plate with no excuses.
The purpose of a dead latch is that if it is held in, ...
27
votes
Is it possible to replace just the antique locks or will I need to get whole new doors?
If you really have your heart set on replacing the lock sets on those, I'd recommend taking the whole door off with the handle and hinge included and taking it to an architectural recycler.
As noted ...
- 28.7k
25
votes
How can I allow 911 first responders to access a locked residence?
The least expensive solution here is to buy a combo lock key box. You place a key to your home inside, put the box somewhere accessible outside and, if you call 911, you simply provide them the ...
- 19.7k
25
votes
Accepted
How to get locks that are keyed alike?
Actually, they do.
Look at the packages for "Key Numbers"
Every lock package will have a prominent 3-5 digit "Key Number" somewhere on the outside of the package, typically the ...
18
votes
How do I unscrew these?
We were all young once. You need a Torx screwdriver of the appropriate size https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torx
Actually due to the pin in the middle it is more technically security Torx. Harbour ...
- 289
18
votes
How can I allow 911 first responders to access a locked residence?
My mother lives alone and is in a wheelchair so she has limited mobility. She has a number code door control and local EMS has the code on file. She also has a "I've fallen and I can't get up!" ...
- 181
18
votes
Is there such a thing as hardwired/powered keyless door locks?
The word you're looking for is "Electric strike".
In this system, the door latch is not powered or operated at all. The door striker plate is. In essence the door frame lets go of the door.
...
16
votes
Accepted
Install lock on electrical panel
Your panel already has the knockout for a lock. It is immediately above the latch.
See graphic.
Read the label, it calls out the Siemens part number for a lock kit.
Or you can bring the deadfront to ...
15
votes
Accepted
Suggestions for gate latch issue
One option would be to drill holes through the post to allow you to use the lock that you have (or perhaps a slightly longer lock).
- 6,064
15
votes
Accepted
What is this kind of door lock called in English?
These are usually called "rim locks" in North America and the UK. Maybe different elsewhere.
- 15.6k
15
votes
Accepted
What is the protective plate on a door lock called?
Some doors have this plate that guards the latch mechanism.
You have one answer in that sentence, Guard and latch, just reverse them to "Latch Guard".
It is called many things,
A "...
- 13.2k
15
votes
"key will unlock the door" vs "key will *open* the door, but not unlock"
Lock functions (as applied to your question)
What you're discussing is called a lockset or latchset's function. There are five functions that are considered "basic" in the world of doors ...
- 71.8k
14
votes
What is this kind of door lock called in English?
I have usually seen these just called "surface-mount locks". I have never seen "rim lock" used in the (Eastern) USA.
- 2,404
14
votes
What kind of window is this? And how to open it?
Yep, looks like you hit it with Preston type, it's a screw drive that pulls the window in like a hopper window. Behind the cross-shaped part with the screw (threaded section) should be a part that ...
- 161
11
votes
Suggestions for gate latch issue
It would be fairly easy to retrofit a proper locking latch.
Product link (for reference only)
Here's one that locks from either side. You'd need to grind off the old one, drill for the new one, ...
- 104k
11
votes
How to “lock” a bathroom door without drilling or spending too much money?
I'd be inclined to replace the locking mechanism with a new similar one. Direct replacement. Always change back at end of lease. Who's to know? Not expensive.
Otherwise a notice outside the door - 'Do ...
- 2,632
10
votes
How to install an electronic door lock?
Installation instructions depend on the exact model of "electronic door lock" you purchase.
Most of the low-cost/self-contained units install into a standard cylindrical-lock bore (ie, in place of ...
- 15.9k
10
votes
How can I allow 911 first responders to access a locked residence?
One option is to buy a 'smart lock' that gives you the ability to unlock the door from device such as smart phone or tablet. If you carry a smartphone around, this might be a viable option.
I feel ...
- 1,761
10
votes
Accepted
How to loosen this strange nut of a cylinder lock?
That is a circlip.
Just use a small flat screwdriver in the gap to prise it off - make sure you keep hold of it because it can ping away.
If you put the screwdriver in the gap at 3 o’clock and twist ...
- 20.6k
10
votes
How to “lock” a bathroom door without drilling or spending too much money?
How about something like this?
It's a door hanger that you could print yourself at home on some cardstock. When the bathroom is in use, you flip it over to indicate so.
I found the one linked above ...
- 4,772
10
votes
Is it possible to replace just the antique locks or will I need to get whole new doors?
That style of door lock is a "rim lock". You can still get them today. If they are old and worn out, go to a good hardware store, and find new replacements.
It's got to be better replacing ...
- 1,445
9
votes
Accepted
How can I remove a lockset latch assembly that's stuck latched?
Remove the pins from the hinges. You should then be able to pivot the door out of the opening. Once the door is removed you can remove the screws that hold in the strike bolt.
- 10.9k
9
votes
Accepted
What type of key profile is this?
According to a german key manufacturer catalog, this is a Drilled, Corrugated bit (Buntbart) with about 14 mm bit length and unknown bit height. It seems to fit a larger variant of Keyway 7 of a "...
- 261
9
votes
"key will unlock the door" vs "key will *open* the door, but not unlock"
Not an answer to the exact question, but a recommendation based on my knowledge of locks and personal experience:
The only reasonably secure locks are deadbolts.
The "doorknob locks" are ...
8
votes
should door locks and deadlocks be keyed the same
The big disadvantage is having to keep two keys with you instead of just one. If you lose your keys (or someone steals them) both keys are compromised so there's not an advantage to having two ...
- 26.6k
8
votes
Suggestions for gate latch issue
There are cable locks that have a plain end to the cable that might fit through.
You might have to file the hole a little bigger in the lock mechanism to allow the end of the cable to angle through.
...
- 33.1k
Only top scored, non community-wiki answers of a minimum length are eligible