Broken deadbolt, stuck outside

Fats · November 2006

I was leaving my apartment last night and I went to lock the deadbolt. Turned the key like normal... heard a little *click*, and now the key just spins. Sat there like an idiot for 10 minutes desperately turning the key. It's locked, but I can't unlock it.

Landlord's office is completely empty until next week (veteran's day), and their "24 hour" maintenance line isn't being answered. So, no help there. It's on the 5th floor, so barring a fire truck, I can't crawl in through a window.

My only hope is to dismantle/destroy the lock enough to get in. It's a cheapass Kwikset lock, so I don't think it'll be too hard? The front cover is loose, I was thinking of trying to pry that off, but I'm not sure if that actually reveals the mechanism itself. Other than that, I have a drill, but no idea where to drill. I really don't want to destroy the door in the process.

Help?

Szechuanosaurus · November 2006

Call a locksmith.

Comahawk · November 2006

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Call a locksmith.

Then give the bill to your asshat of a landlord.

Mmmm... Cocks... · November 2006

Comahawk wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Call a locksmith.

Then give the bill to your asshat of a landlord.

That sounds about right - you're locked out of your house and nobody is there to help you out. Especially the supposed 24 hour help line.

Bendit · November 2006

you're locked out of your house and nobody is there to help you out. Especially the supposed 24 hour help line.

Oranged for truth and validity.

Thanatos · November 2006

MateriaMaster wrote:

Comahawk wrote:

Szechuanosaurus wrote:

Call a locksmith.

Then give the bill to your asshat of a landlord.

That sounds about right - you're locked out of your house and nobody is there to help you out. Especially the supposed 24 hour help line.

Yup. This is what I'd do.

Even if you get stuck with the bill (which, really, under the vast, vast majority of landlord/tenant laws, you shouldn't), it'll be more worth it than spending all weekend locked out.

Not to mention that if you break the lock/door in order to get in, they'll probably charge you for it.

Zonkytonkman · November 2006

the locksmith might have to do some damage to the lock to open it, but it's gonna be cleaner than if you did it.

you will need ID for the locksmith to work as well.

Doc · November 2006

Yeah, but the lock is already broken, so damaging it isn't that big of a deal.

Zonkytonkman · November 2006

Doc wrote:

Yeah, but the lock is already broken, so damaging it isn't that big of a deal.

yeah, waht i meant is that the locksmith will do a better job of breaking it, causing less damage and less repair costs, than if he broke it unprofessionally.

Fats · November 2006

Well, shit. I was hoping somebody had some MacGyver-esque shit up their sleeve. Oh well.

I took the chance to drive up and visit some old friends, but when I get back tomorrow I guess I'll call a locksmith. Getting the landlord to pay is gonna be like pulling teeth.

Thanks guys.

you will need ID for the locksmith to work as well.

Driver's license should work, right?

Nozz · November 2006

You can always break the door open. I've had to do it before. It's a last ditch thing but it was cheaper for me to repair my door frame than to replace the lock (my girlfriend locked me out and left for the weekend). Basically, you just kick right where the lock is on the door, on the wood of the door. The piece of wood that is blocking the bolt will give with a good swift kick.

This all depends on how the lock is set up, but it works in an emergency. I am not responsible for any damages, just letting you know what I've done in the past. It takes less force than you might think to bust a door open. Just try not to break the door itself... those are a lot more expensive than fixing a break in the frame.

Thanatos · November 2006

Fats wrote:

Well, shit. I was hoping somebody had some MacGyver-esque shit up their sleeve. Oh well.

I took the chance to drive up and visit some old friends, but when I get back tomorrow I guess I'll call a locksmith. Getting the landlord to pay is gonna be like pulling teeth.

Thanks guys.

In most municipalities, you can simply deduct it from the rent.

This would be considered an "emergency repair."

Everywhereasign · November 2006

Thanatos wrote:

In most municipalities, you can simply deduct it from the rent.

Damn right, send him a letter with the bill right away explaining what happened, end it with a statement that you will deduct this total from your next months rent. If he ended up taking it to small claims court, you'd win in a second.

fightinfilipino · November 2006

just wanted to point out that if it's you trying to break the lock and not a locksmith, you would immediately look like someone breaking and entering rather than someone who has a valid reason to be tampering with a lock (the locksmith).

Fantastication2 · November 2006

If it's a double cylinder deadbolt the lock has a little tailpiece on each side that interlock into the bolt itself. Your tailpiece on the exterior cylinder has broken, not even the locksmith will be able to get through without damaging something.

That said and done, the lock is probably worth less than a what a locksmith would charge. Unfortunately the knowledge of where to drill is not something that should be plastered on a forum. However, cluey people could use various instructions to see what I mean.

Seattle Thread · November 2006

fightinfilipino wrote:

just wanted to point out that if it's you trying to break the lock and not a locksmith, you would immediately look like someone breaking and entering rather than someone who has a valid reason to be tampering with a lock (the locksmith).

Also, your claim for compensation will be a lot less likely to go over well if you try and take matters into your own hand.

And a driver's license will be fine, provided that it's the same address, if course.

Szechuanosaurus · November 2006

Fats wrote:

you will need ID for the locksmith to work as well.

Driver's license should work, right?

That would be fine, so long as it includes your address. Of course, the locksmith will normally be happy to break into your apartment and then wait while you go in and get proof of residency (such as photo ID plus a utilities bill in your name as proof of address). They work on the principal that if your stupid enough to forget your keys, it's highly possible that you won't be carrying multiple forms of ID as well (I know you didn't forget your keys, but that's the normal reason for having to get a locksmith to break into your home).

Fats · November 2006

Welp, it took the locksmith maybe 5 minutes to get in. It's a good thing I asked, since I would have been out there with a crowbar and a drill, probably destroying half the door in the process.

Thanks all.

Penny Arcade

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