Locked out of your house again? We've all been there! The door slammed behind you when you went out to catch the postman, you lost your keys on a night out, or you were simply absent minded and never did the Keys, Phone, Wallet check before you went out.
Now you're standing on your doorstep feeling lost and a little bit sheepish, and all you want to do is get back into the warmth of your flat / house to finish off that box set you were watching. Well, before you hit the panic button and call the cops, there are a number of tricks that we're going to show you to help you get back into your house.
If you have a bit of cash to spare and are in a hurry, then I would head straight for Step 8 and Call a locksmith immediately. You can get 24 hour locksmiths to come to your home really quickly and in most occasions they’re going to get you back into your home.
Check all Possible Entry Points
If you're locked out and need to get back into your house, then the first step is to check all the entrance and exit points on the property to make sure that nothing is unlocked, or could give you a potential way to get back into your house.
Look around your property and check all doors are closed. If you can't open them then check it they are double locked or have the deadbolt pushed across. This could come in useful later on
Check all windows in case they are ajar or unlocked. If you're checking entry points off of the ground floor then make sure you borrow a ladder rather than risking life and limb to get in by attempting to climb the building. I tried this once and can guarantee you, it is not a good idea.
Are there any other entry points like via a cellar or the roof?
Find Another Keyholder
So before you go smashing any windows or kicking in your doors have a think if there are any other key holders who could let you back in?
- Have you got any flat mates who could unlock your door?
- Did you give a spare key to any friends, family members or a neighbour even?
- Do you know anyone who lived in the property before?
- Do you have a landlord?
If so, you should give them a call as they will usually have a spare set of keys. They won't be too happy with you, and would probably charge you a small fee, but it's better than breaking your way into your house.
The Credit Card Technique
By this point you've discovered there really is no other way to get back into your house without some kind of action.
Luckily there is a technique that can be used for the majority of spring locks called the credit card techinque.
Spring locks are locks which are usually found on inner doors and require a key to unlock the spring and open the door. These are the locks that usually have a handle on them to open on the inside. The brand for these is usually Yale Locks, although the word 'lock' is a little bit misleading because they are nothing more than a spring loaded catch, which holds the door shut!
If you have a deadbolt lock on your door then this trick won't be of any use, so best try another technique.
You've probably seen this in use in a lot of movies where the criminal or detective comes along, whips out a credit card and gains entry to a property in a matter of seconds. Well, this can be the case, if you do this correctly and have the right card available.
Ok, so here's what you need to do:
Find a Card
The card needs to be:
- Fairly flexible (credit cards are usually too rigid)
- Strong
- Easy to replace (Don't use your drivers license unless you really have to!)
- Laminated
If you're feeling creative, you could cut a piece out of a fizzy drink bottle, which should do the trick
Locate the latch on the door and insert the card between the door frame and the door. You want to make sure that the plastic goes in behind the door frame so it can bend round the end of the door over the lock.
Make sure that the card is perpendicular to the door and once you've placed the card in this spot, you will need to manoeuvre it from side to side. If you can you should try and jiggle the door knob at the same time as this may free the latch from the door. Push your weight into the door as well to help this.
Try doing this for about 15 mins at maximum and if that doesn't work you could try cutting a V-shaped notch into the back of your chosen card and then just try and fit the V around the latch until you pull it down.
If this doesn't work then you're probably not going to get into your flat with this technique and need to move on.
Still Confused? Watch this Video:
Try to Pick the Lock
Well, Colombo and Macgyver could do it pretty easily so why don't you give it a go as well? Unfortunately, picking a lock is an acquired skill that takes a lot of practice and even if you are the handiest locksmith out there, then there is a good chance that you won't be able to pick the lock either.
Some locks are fitted with additional pins or will require specialist picks to unlock them, and usually a trained locksmith will give up trying to pick a traditional lock after about 15 minutes.
The general approach is that you will need 2 tools:
A Tension Wrench
This is usually "L" shaped and you use this to apply tension to the bottom of the lock
A Pick
This is more like a lowercase 'r' shape and you use this to push the lock pins
You'll need to add the tension wrench into the bottom of the keyhole and just add a little bit of pressure so that it is slightly taught. Make sure that you are turning it slightly in the direction that you normally open the lock in, and apply constant pressure to it, or you may be forced to start again.
Add the pick into the top part of the lock and whist applying pressure to the wrench, move the pick in and out of the lock.
The inside of a lock has a series of pins, and what you are trying to do is use the leg of the pick to push each of the pins up so that it becomes locked, and doesn't spring back down. When all of the pins are locked in place, you can then use the tension wrench to turn the cylinder in the direction that you usually unlock your lock, and you should be able to get back into your home.
This approach can work for both spring locks and deadbolts. It's worth a shot as you're unlikely to ruin the lock or the door in the process of doing this.
You can make your tools from a variety of items:
Paper Clips
If you're locked out of your house then the common paper clip can double up as a handy lockpicking tool. This can only really be used on weaker locks
A Professional Lock Pick Tool
If you're an unlucky and forgetful person, who keeps getting locked out your house, then you'd probably be wise to invest in a professional lock picking set, and store these somewhere safe (at work or in your car)
These sets come with a variety of tools that will help you pick different types of locks
A Screwdriver
This method is used for doors that have a privacy handle ie locks where you push a little button on the inside to lock the door. Most of these locks will have a tiny hole in the door handle, so you just need to push the screwdriver or paperclip into this hole as far as you can.
Keep pushing it in and twist it so that eventually it will catch a groove and release your lock.
Hair Pin or Bobby Pin
A hair pin doubles up as a useful tool if you're locked out of home. These are pretty much ready to use and increase your chances of breaking back into your house. You should use a bobby pin and a set of pliers if you're trying to unlock a stronger lock.
Use a Bump Key
A bump key is basically a key that has the grooves filed down and means that you can open up most barrel locks in combination with a few swift blows on the key.
If you own a bump key already, then you’re probably up to no good. If you don’t have one then you probably won’t get one from a locksmith as this is regarded as extremely dodgy, but you might be able to find one online.
This obviously won’t help you if you’re in a hurry to get in but could help you get into external places that you may have been locked out of eg garages or lock ups.
Put the key in the lock up until it hits the last pin
You can tell this because as you push the key in the lock you feel that a pin is being pushed up, before it drops back into the grove below.
Hit and turn the bump key
Try and use the plastic end of a screwdriver or the back of a hairbrush or something like that, then whack the bump key pretty hard, and straight afterwards turn the bump key.
This effectively applies force to the pins and when all the pins are lifted up, you should be able to turn the lock.
Practice makes perfect with this technique, but it’s probably best not to walk around with a bump key in your pocket as the long arms of the law will probably frown on you!
Forget the Lock and Try to Remove its Surroundings
Don't worry you've done well so far and haven't caused any damage yet. The next step that we're going to take is to think a little bit outside of the box, or outside of the lock.
Yes, it sounds like your lock is pretty impenetrable so we need to see if there is any way we can work around this to get you back into your property.
Try Removing the Hinges
This will be more likely to succeed if it's an internal door where you can access the hinges, but you should be able to take the hinge off with the use of a flat headed screwdriver.
Just place it beneath the cap of the hinge and tap the screwdriver to lever the cap off.
Once you've removed all of the hinges you should be able to lift the door out of place and gain entry to your property
Take off the Door Knob
If you can remove the door knob from the door then you should be back inside in no time at all. You'll find that each door knob has a tiny hole, just beneath the doorknob.
You can use your paperclip or bobby pin that you found earlier and insert this into the hole. Put this in as far as it will go, and with the other hand pull back and twist on the door knob. Eventually this should loosen the door knob enough for you to take it off.
Once this is off, you should then just be able to take off the decorative plate and pull the locking mechanism back to let you back into your home.
Destructive Measures
OK, so you’ve tried all the tricks in the book to get in and you’re still stuck outside. Your best bet is probably to call a locksmith but if you’re really stuck there are a few ways you can still get in:
1 - Drill the Lock
Drilling a lock is a destructive method, but probably your lowest cost option at this stage and means that you won’t destroy any doors or window, but will probably just need to get a new lock fitted.
The technique focuses in drilling a hole at a strategic point in the lock and gradually drilling through each of the locking pins.
Here are the key steps that you'll need to go through:
Check the Lock
This technique will work on most cylinder locks but some locks have a pin made of hardened steel or a ball bearing in place to prevent the lock from being drilled.
If this is the case then you’ll need to consult a locksmith or else you’ll ruin your drill bits as well!
You also want to check that there are no other locks on the door that you’re trying to get through or else you’ll still be stuck outside in the cold.
Find a Drill
To get through the lock you’ll need to find power drill with a variety of drill bit sizes, to match the size of the lock. You’ll find it a bit of a trial and error process and may snap some drill bits so its better to have some spares available.
Punch a Starting Hole
Use a screwdriver or punch if you have one and key a hole into the lock where the inner and outer cylinder of the lock meets at about 12 o clock on the cylinder. This position is important so that you are drilling right through the pin tumblers.
Drill a Small Hole in the Lock
Start by choosing a relatively small drill bit so that you can drill through the lock mechanism – A 3 mm 1/8-inch drill bit should be good to start with.
Start slowly and drill through the locking pins one by one. You’ll feel more tension as you hit each pin, so continue to drill through all 5 pins (although in some cases this could be 6). The best approach is to drill slowly and apply consistent pressure.
Remember to keep the drill level and not to start drilling at an angle as you may cause extra damage.
I’d recommend putting the drill in reverse occasionally to remove the excess material that you have drilled out.
Drill a larger Hole in the Lock
If your smaller drill bit doesn’t do the job then ramp it up a notch and add a slightly larger drill bit eg 6.5 mm (1/4 inch) and this should help you get through the remaining pins and open the lock up.
Open the Lock Head
The final step is to put a flat headed screw driver or knife into the lock mechanism and turn the lock in the direction of the key, which should click the lock open an you should now be able to get back into your house.
If this doesn’t work then you can try drilling the entire lock cylinder with a larger drill bit.
2 - Kick the Door In
We’ve all seen it in the movies so now it’s your time to kick down that door. You’ve probably wanted to do this since the first moment that you realised you were locked out of your home, but this really should be used as a last resort.
WARNING: If you try to break down your door you will:
- Ruin the door frame
- Ruin the lock
- Probably damage the door
- Potentially injure yourself
So overall, it’s not a great option and you’d be better off calling a locksmith.
DOOR BREAKING TECHNIQUE:
- Face the door square on
- Brace yourself on a surrounding wall or support
- Lift your strongest leg up to the knee
- Kick the door with the base of your foot snapping your leg out in front of you onto the door
- Make sure your kicks are hitting the target area around the lock
- Continue kicking in short bursts until the door breaks from the frame
If this doesn’t work then you may have a re-enforced door and you’re going to need to find some kind of battering ram.
Good luck with that one!!!
3 - Break a Window
Again, this is one that you don’t really want to be doing unless it’s a last resort as replacing windows are expensive, you may well injure yourself on the broken glass, and you may well draw unnecessary attention as it looks like you are breaking in!
If you must to this then you should choose a large rock, stone, piece of wood and hit the upper corner of the window.
If you want to do this really safely then the best technique is to put tape over the window and strike the window with a hammer, so the glass doesn’t spray everywhere.
4 - Smash the Lock
This won’t work on all locks but in some cases (mainly internal doors) you could get all of your anger out by smashing the door handle off.
Once the handle is removed the screw mechanism on the inside will be broken and you should be able to get back into your house.
Call a Locksmith!!!
You can save yourself a lot of hassle and depending on what option you choose, money too if you call up a local locksmith. You’ll find locksmiths near you in most locations in the world, and a lot of them are going to be available for 24 hour call outs (at a fee of course).
Good locksmiths are professionally trained in a variety of locks and will look at the best, least destructive way to get you back into your home. They’ll use a variety of techniques (even using some of those listed above) but they’ll be able to get you back in to watch your favourite box set in no time at all.
There are loads of great locksmiths out there, but there are also a lot of rogues as well, so spend some time looking into their credentials.
I’ve written another guide that can help you find a good locksmith.
Locksmith’s prices can vary wildly so always check the price before they start on the job.
A lot of the time it will depend on the type of lock that you have and where you are located but I’ve put together a guide to locksmith prices as well.
I’m really glad that you recommend checking all your entrance points! I got locked out of my house a few years ago and was in the middle of calling a locksmith when I remembered my window was unlocked. I got into my house and saved myself a lot of money doing so!
Ha, yes it sounds obvious but it’s worth checking as it could save you a few quid from calling a locksmith out. Happened to me once before as well when I’d left a window open!