Ahoy hoy folks, I come with another quandary facing me in the dealings of being a new home owner. I have now more or less fully moved into my new condo, but I'm facing a bit of an odd issue with it. My condo unit is essentially a detatched duplex with my half sitting over the parking area. In the parking area there are, for lack of a better phrase, two storage "closets". One belongs to the other owner of the unit and the other belongs to me. They both use traditional "doorknob and key" setups.
The problem I'm facing is that the previous owner of my unit (this was a foreclosure sale) just up and left without leaving any of the unit's keys behind beyond the ones siezed by the Bank. (mailbox, door, etc). While I've taken care of everything else, I'm wondering what my options are to...well..."unlock" this storage unit so I can use it.
I've received the all clear to resolve the situation as I see fit by my co-habitor of my duplex, (she sits on the HOA board), but ideally I'd like to resolve this so I don't damage the door itself or have to call a locksmith to unlock it. I don't mind purchasing a new lock to replace this one, but as obvious, I need to get this old one off first.
So there you have it. Any thoughts? Any help is appreciated.
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I would refrain from punching a screwdriver into the lock with a hammer or drilling it out, as once you do that you'll be making your life more difficult for the locksmith you're inevitably going to have to call.
See what I did there?
Seriously, unless there's an easy way to remove the door as a whole or you can use a small crowbar to get around the lock, you'll probably be better off hiring a locksmith. It's usually not that expensive. Get them to come over and unlock it. If you want to have them key it, they can do that or you can buy a new doorknob with the key.
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Start by applying tension with the screwdriver. Too much and the tumblers won't push down. Too little and they wont stay down. With slight movements of the screw driver and patiently pushing each tumbler down, you can get them all to fall into place and the lock will open.
Alternately, take off your shoelace and tie it around your paperclip. Bend the paperclip into a boomerang shape and loop around the bolt. Work the bolt inward with a sawing motion, and as soon as the shoelace reaches the tip of it, it should pop open. It's called the "easier than a credit card" method.
depending on what state you're in, a bump key is illegal to own unless you're a locksmith
These only work on cylinder locks. If it's a lever lock neither of these methods will work and attempting to pick it stands a reasonable chance of jamming it locked.
Well he didn't exactly post pictures now, did he?
Actually, I just got off the phone with a friend who is a locksmith, and wafer locks are only slightly harder to pick than pin locks, which are pretty easy.
Otherwise, if you want to keep the door intact, try a professional.
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Changing a lock is an easy way to feel like a handyman badass even if you aren't, but I'd still call a locksmith.
ed: especially relevant if you want to make sure the unit is more secure in the future
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I've broken into a lot of stuff for similar reasons.
edit: Especially important is the hinge line and the spot where the lock meets the jam. It may be as easy as using a hacksaw blade without the hacksaw if you can remove the molding.
Wud yoo laek to lern aboot meatz? Look here!
I'd say this is very true, before you try and drill out the lock or jam something in it, just call a locksmith. This is actually why I learned to pick locks, it's come in handy a few times and I know enough to know when to call someone before brute strength.
Whats the door made out of if you don't mind me asking?
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To answer the question earlier, the door is a standard wood door painted over with a terracota paint, as the following pictures show, the door is in pretty bad shape and the doorknob has definitely seen better days...
...also...I'm sort of not sure I want to open the door...
When I was taking pictures, I heard running water splashing behind it....like...lots of it...it wasn't leaking out from under it, but I could definitely hear it splashing down in there...I'm kinda curious and worried as to what I'm going to find behind it...
Anyhow, the pics. (Spoilered for H-Scroll Raep)
Wud yoo laek to lern aboot meatz? Look here!
or
just take the pins out
Since the hinge is on the outside you can easily take the pins out and pull the entire door off.
Wud yoo laek to lern aboot meatz? Look here!
Glad you provided the pics.
Once you get the door off it's like a $10 investment, it's worth it.
Shotgun
C4
Drive a car into it
Reciprocating saw
Winch
Sledgehammer/Axe
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I'm envisioning either Curly's Gold or a dead hooker.
I hope you realize we're all now wondering what's behind the door...
Don't leave us hanging!
HONEY, I'M HOME!
Wud yoo laek to lern aboot meatz? Look here!
I think you mean HERE'S JOHNNIE!
It is likely some pipes though, especially since it's below the living area.
How do these "pins can't be taken out easily, but still outside the door" hinges work?
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