NEED HELP!!!

[Leaf]

So this weekend, my in-laws go out of town. I have no extra set of keys (lost 'em.) So, when I leave, I keep the laundry room door unlocked because you can only get access via the garage. And I lock the front door. Open the garage door with the security code and walk in. No problem for the first few days. Then, my significant other decides she wants to lock the laundry room door in the middle of the night. Eventhough, the garage door is down and you can't gain access to it. The next morning she fails to tell me she did this as well as forgets to unlock it. So, I leave, come home and can't get in the house!

I call my father in law. I say "Tom, I can't get in. Everything is locked up." His solution: Bust the door knob with a hammer and get yourself in. No problem. BTW, I'm not really mechanical or "handy." Anyway, I bust it off and am able to get in the house. But, b/c the "inside piece" of the door is still in the hole I make sure not to close the door and I put a baby gate up so the dogs don't bang against it and accidently shut it. Well, this morning I wake up and find that one of the dogs must have gotten over the gate b/c that door is shut! And, I don't know how to open it back up. I am in desperate need of help. Like I said, I'm not real handy so I apologize for the elementary verbage and descriptions offered. But, I will explain it the best I can.

Both the inside and outside knobs, along with screws are off. The only thing left is a rectangular piece of metal inside the hole cut for the door knobs. Connected to that rectangular metal piece is the actual tip that goes into the side frame to keep the door shut. Hopefully this is clear...if not I will do my best to keep explaining. Anyway, I need to know how to open the door with those things in there b/c as of right now I have failed in everything I tried.

[Octillion]

I think I know what you are talking about. That rectangular thing in the middle which connects to the bolt (the metal bit that falls into the door jam) will have a piece in the middle with a squarish looking hole. The axle for the door knobs fits through there, and when rotated, will retract the bolt. Just try turning it in either direction with a screwdriver, and that should retract the bolt.

[unbreakable]

You know, you could've just called a lockie....


Octillions advice is correct, Although I don't know if we should tell you that on the open forum. Although I see no harm in it, the thread might be locked/deleted anyway. Just a fair warning!!

Unbrekable

[Octillion]

I was going to mention to him how it would have been a lot cheaper and less aggravating if he did just that. But I figured he suffered enough, and would save him from the lecture.

[digital_blue]

Yes, do what Octillion said, and this time, once you get the door open, take the bolt out so it doesn't happen again. Even better, buy a new door knob and replace it so your father-in-law doesn't have to.

db