How to Open a Door With a Broken Handle
Suppose you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of breaking your door handle while trying to get in of an important meeting or event. Fear not! Some simple steps can help you turn what could be an embarrassing moment into something much less painful.
It may be one of the most common household problems that you’re tired and hungry, and your hands are full, but you can’t find a key to unlock the door. No worries! With a bit of know-how, we’ll show you how to open a door with a broken handle. All it takes is some elbow grease and an old credit card or driver’s license. Read on to know the techniques.
What is a Door Handle?
A door handle is an essential piece of hardware that helps you open and close doors easily. It’s typically located on the side of the door, mounted on a round knob or lever. The handle works by engaging with the locking mechanism inside the door, allowing it to move back and forth when twisted or pushed.
You can differentiate between the front and back door handles by their design. The former is usually more decorative, while the latter tends to be plain and straightforward.
Types of Door Handles
Before we dive into the steps on how to open a door with a broken handle, let’s discuss the different types of door handles that are commonly used.
Round Knobs:
These are the most common types of door handles found in residential homes. They are usually mounted onto the door itself and require twisting to open or close.
Lever Handles:
This type of handle is commonly used in commercial settings. They are easier to operate than round knobs and require a simple push or pull action to open the door.
Handle Latch:
A handle latch operates by moving up and down, usually with a thumbturn mechanism. It’s often found on sliding doors or interior doors that don’t require locking.
Now that we’ve discussed the different types of door handles let’s move on to how you can open a door with a broken handle.
What Causes a Door Handle to Break?
Door handles are an integral part of a door, allowing one to easily open or close the door. Unfortunately, sometimes these essential little pieces can become broken and render the door itself useless. It’s not a very common occurrence for a door handle to break, but it has happened before.
A broken door handle is either caused by extreme force, stress, or just plain old age. Door handles are made of metals that bend, contract, and expand with the changing seasons. Therefore, extreme force or stress that is applied to a door handle can cause them to break apart at the hinge point where the metal connects to the actual door itself. Age also plays a part in broken handles because metal will eventually rust with time.
The Problems Associated With Broken Door Handles
Most of the time, when a door handle breaks off, it’s not that big of an inconvenience. This is because the door can usually still be opened or closed by using the other side of the door handle. However, for certain doors, such as emergency exits at work or on a train, it’s crucial that the door handle still functions as intended.
The solution is quite easy; all you must do is find another way of operating the door, whether it would require pushing instead of pulling or vice versa. For example, if there was no handle on one side of a door, all you would have to do is push the door open. This is because push handles are located inside and outside of most doors, allowing people to pull or make accordingly.
11 Ways on How to Open a Door With a Broken Handle:
1. Push down on the doorknob:
This may seem like a stupid idea, but it works surprisingly well. Since the doorknob isn’t locked in place, you can push down on it with your hand to open the door. It’s not recommended to use too much force, as this could damage the door or break off the knob.
2. Jam something into the top of the door:
A common way to get someone’s attention is to knock on a closed door. If you don’t have anything available to knock with, try using your wallet or car keys instead. This may take several blows, but it should eventually produce a loud enough sound for someone to hear and open the door.
3. Kick the lower portion of the door:
Even if you’re wearing shoes, this is one of the safest ways to open a door without having to touch any broken hardware. Kicking the bottom portion of the door will usually cause it to swing open after just a single or few tries.
4. Use something sharp to prize the door open:
A broken doorknob obviously won’t be able to lock the door in place, so you should be able to pry it open with something sharp like a screwdriver. This is one of the more reliable methods for opening a door without its handle and can usually be accomplished after just a couple of attempts. Simply slide the tip of the screwdriver into the crack between the door and its frame at one of the bottom corners. Give it a twist to pry the door open.
5. Open the lock with an unfolded paper clip:
A broken handle doesn’t mean that you can’t get back inside your home anymore. One option is to try opening the lock with a paper clip if it has a small notch that will fit into the hole for the doorknob. Of course, this won’t work on all locks, but it’s worth a try when you’re in a hurry and have no other alternatives available.
6. Pry opens the door with a screwdriver:
This method only works when there is a small crack between the door and frame. Use a screwdriver to slide into this space to create enough of an opening for you to get your fingers underneath the door. From there, you can use as much force as necessary to pry it open wide enough so that you can squeeze through or pull it completely off its hinges.
7. Drag open the top sash window:
Climb on something sturdy, like a garage workbench, to reach the top of the door. Then, forcefully pull open the window that is directly above the doorknob. This will create enough space for you to fit through or at least grab onto its frame and pull yourself up and over into your home.
8. Tap on someone’s bedroom window:
If anyone is home, chances are they will hear a tapping sound on their window and investigate. Lean the broken doorknob against a window so it faces outward and produce a loud noise by tapping on the glass with something hard like your car keys or wallet. When someone comes to look, tell them you accidentally locked yourself out and need their help opening the door.
9. Slide something thin through the crack in the door:
This one is a little tricky and should only be used as a last resort when no other method works. Find any object with a thin edge or corner that can fit inside the space between your door and frame. Slide it downwards until you reach the latch on the doorknob. Once there, you should be able to apply enough downward pressure to disengage the lock and open the door.
10. Use a credit card:
This is another method that only works with certain types of locks. However, if you have an old-style lock without security pins, this will work. Simply insert the credit card between the door and frame at an angle, then swipe it downwards to push open the lock.
11. Break a window:
This is not recommended unless you have exhausted all other options and are in an emergency situation. Breaking a window should be used as a last resort due to its high risk of injury and damage to your property. If you do decide to break a window, make sure to clear away all shards of glass before attempting to enter your home.
Additional Tips:
- It’s always a good idea to have spare keys hidden or stored in a safe place, just in case you find yourself in a situation where you can’t access your home.
- Regular maintenance and inspection of door handles can help prevent them from breaking in the first place. Replace any worn-out or rusty handles as soon as possible.
- If you live with other people, make sure to communicate and have a plan in place for what to do if anyone gets locked out. This can save you from having to resort to extreme measures or calling a locksmith.
- If none of the above methods work and you are still unable to open the door, it’s best to call a professional locksmith who has specialized tools and experience in opening doors without damaging them. They may also be able to repair or replace your broken handle on the spot. So, it’s always a good idea to have their contact information on hand for emergencies.
- In some cases, the broken handle may be a sign of a bigger issue with your door or lock. It’s best to have it inspected by a professional to ensure the safety and security of your home.
- Remember to always stay calm and assess the situation before trying any methods for opening the door. Panicking can lead to making rash decisions that could result in injury or damage. Take a deep breath and think through your options carefully.
- If the door leads to a room with windows, try opening those instead for an alternate escape route.
- It’s important to prioritize your safety above all else when trying to open a door without its handle. Don’t put yourself in harm’s way or attempt any risky methods that could cause injury. Remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
- Lastly, be mindful of your actions and avoid causing any unnecessary damage to your property or belongings. Always try to find the most efficient and safe solution for opening the door before resorting to extreme measures. In conclusion, a broken handle may seem like a major inconvenience, but with these tips and tricks, you can easily overcome it and regain access to your home.
Do You Need Use Professionals?
In most cases, you can handle a broken door handle on your own using the methods listed above. However, if you are unable to open the door even after multiple attempts or if you feel uncomfortable trying any of these methods, it’s best to seek help from a professional locksmith. They have the necessary tools and expertise to safely open doors without causing any damage.
Moreover, if you suspect that there may be a bigger issue with your door or lock, it’s best to have it inspected by a professional. They can identify the root cause of the problem and provide an appropriate solution to prevent it from happening again in the future.
It’s always better to err on the side of caution and seek professional help when needed. Remember, your safety and security should be the top priority in any situation. So, don’t hesitate to call a professional if you feel unsure or uncomfortable with handling a broken door handle on your own.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: How Can I Prevent My Door Handle From Breaking?
A: Regular maintenance, such as lubricating the lock and hinges, can help prevent your door handle from breaking. Also, avoid using excessive force when opening or closing the door. You can also consider upgrading to a higher-quality door handle for added durability. It’s also important to address any underlying issues, such as alignment problems or loose screws, that may contribute to the handle breaking.
Q: Can I Replace My Door Handle Myself?
A: Yes, you can replace your door handle yourself with the right tools and knowledge. However, if you are not confident in your abilities or don’t have experience in DIY projects, it’s best to hire a professional to ensure proper installation. A poorly installed door handle can lead to further issues and potentially costly repairs in the future.
Q: Can I Use WD-40 to Fix a Broken Door Handle?
A: While WD-40 can help loosen stuck locks, it is not recommended as a long-term fix for a broken door handle. It’s best to address the issue directly by repairing or replacing the handle instead of relying on a temporary solution. WD-40 can also attract dirt and debris, which can cause further damage to your door handle. Overall, it’s best to avoid using WD-40 as a fix for a broken door handle.
Q: How Can I Avoid Getting Locked Out with a Broken Door Handle?
A: One way to avoid getting locked out with a broken door handle is to always have a spare key hidden in a secure location outside of your home. This can come in handy if you accidentally lock yourself out or lose your main set of keys. You can also consider installing a smart lock that allows for keyless entry using a keypad or smartphone app. Regularly maintaining your door handle can also help prevent it from breaking and causing you to get locked out. So, it is always important to take good care of your door handle and address any issues promptly before they turn into bigger problems.
Conclusion:
There are a few different ways how to open a door with a broken handle. One way is by using the power of leverage and force. For example, you can hold one side of the door with no handle and use your other hand on the opposite end as if you were trying to rip it off its hinges. With this method, you will need someone else’s help or an object like furniture for support once you get the door away from its frame enough so that it’s not pressing against anything inside.
Another option is to use your shoulder and push inwards until it gives way, although this may cause damage. The final suggestion would be for people who do not want any physical contact with their hands. Use a flathead screwdriver and slip it into the door’s opening, maneuvering it until it catches under the little metal bar where you once held the handle. Read this full blog for more information about how this technique works so you can take care of your door problem yourself next time!
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