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Sliding Door Lock Stuck, Inaccessible Screws

last year

last modified: last year

Lock is stuck in locked position and I cannot open the door. The screws are inaccessible to remove entire handle/mechanism. I have tried wiggling and jiggling, there is no room to get any kind of lubricant on the actual lock. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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Comments (8)

millworkman
last year
last modified: last year
On the right side of that handle I can see 2 fairly obvious screw heads. They have to be accessible as the pull was put on the door. Slide the door open and take a pic. If these are wood, does that piece come off? What brand and vintage door is this?
HU-669869540
Original Author
last year
last modified: last year
Sir, the door is stuck locked and I cannot slide it to reach the screws. I had the same thought as you, but then thought perhaps the door and handle were assembled at once and then the door installed.
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To add on to what macv mentioned about security, I will also point out that sliding doors can typically be lifted up and out of their tracks, particularly when the existing lock is not engaged, unless they have the 1" space above the door fitted with a couple of screwed-in spacers or bumpers; whether they do varies from manufacturer to manufacturer, and/or how responsible the installer was. The fact that the door can be de-mounted is great if you need to do some maintenance on it, but it's also great for burglars. A sliding door on the outside has the potential to be even more vulnerable to this kind of mischief. Depending on your particular door set-up and on what type of solution you come up with to your original problem, make sure this issue I've described is either not a problem or is taken care of.
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I am so proud of how far I've come in learning how to fix things in my home ever since my husband passed a few years ago. In fact, I would go so far as to say I have surpassed him in some areas lol. But all along my journey, I knew to be humble and grateful for any help I received, simply because I knew how important that advice was for me to know and how valuable an online person's time was as they were sparing it just to answer my newbie questions. However, I would have def ceased interacting with anyone back then who had intentionally disrespected me. But thankfully, that never happened. And guess what, it never happened to you here, either. It's just tools, girl! So why is your ego so tied up with how many tools some rando online thinks you do or do not have, or how much experience you may or may not have with them? You seriously need to go take a chill pill, then go eat some humble pie, because you will never learn zilch from anyone if you continue to be this ridiculous. You're welcome. Junebug
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HU-669869540
Original Author
last year
I cannot find a brand anywhere on the unit.
PRO
PPF.
last year
What happened to your picture?

Have you tried pliers on the lock knob?
HU-669869540
Original Author
last year
I edited the comment for clarity and the pic went missing. Adding it back on now.
HU-669869540
Original Author
last year
No sir, I did not want to risk doing anything that might damage the lock or handle in the event there is something simpler that I am not trying, but I would most certainly try that at this point.
HU-669869540
Original Author
last year
We are in the process of selling our house. We never had a problem with it before. All I can think is that someone put a little too much "English" on it when they closed it.
3onthetree
last year
last modified: last year
The locks are simple mechanisms that sometimes have too much inertia to overcome with the small handle because of the weight or position of the door. Try to push the door into the jamb (or possibly to open slightly), then unlocking. Or lifting the handle (hence the door panel with it slightly), then unlocking. It should not need lubricant.

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