Some doors lock automatically after you pass. This is an excellent solution to avoid forgetting to lock your home. However, this can quickly become problematic if you forget the keys inside your home. The professionals of the IZI by EDF network guide you step by step to help you open a slammed door.What is a slammed door?
The different techniques for opening a slammed door
The special case of armored doorsThe problem of the slammed door mainly concerns landing doors which are equipped with a very specific type of lock. The latter is distinguished by its bolt, that is to say the mobile part of the lock which intervenes on the striker following the movement of the handle or the key in the lock.
This type of lock is distinguished by the difference between the interior bolt and the exterior bolt:
On the inside of the door, there is a latch bolt. Its shape is beveled. The door opens without a key on this side. Just turn the handle. So you don’t need the key to unlock the door and get out of your house.
On the exterior side of the door, the locksmith installed a deadbolt. Unlike the one inside, its shape is straight. The outer bolt is not connected to a movable handle. The handle remaining immobile, a key must be inserted to be able to activate the opening of the door.
With this type of lock, all you have to do is slam the door to close it. However, without a key, it is not possible to open it again. This type of locking and closing solution is particularly appreciated for securing homes. Indeed, no need to think about locking the door when leaving. No one but you can enter your apartment.
Unfortunately, without your keys, you won’t be able to enter your home either.
The different techniques for opening a slammed door
Whether it’s a draft or a thoughtlessness, it is possible to find yourself stuck on your landing facing a slammed door. However, when the keys have remained inside your home, there are, fortunately, solutions to open it.
Among these, the locksmiths of the IZI by EDF network would like to share with you the technique of bypass and radio. The latter works with 90% of lock models. Be careful, this technique will not work if the door has been locked with a key. If this is the case, we invite you to contact one of the professionals in our network directly.This technique is the most common for opening a slammed door. The bypass consists of inserting a thin element between the bolt and the strike. This solution makes it possible to activate the bolt. By withdrawing, he allows the opening of the slammed door .
Be careful, the element chosen must be thin enough to be introduced into the device, but also of adequate rigidity to successfully put pressure on the bolt. A certain flexibility is also necessary so that the element does not break.A plastic sheet, both hard and thin, will be perfect for opening your slammed door. A flexible card like a loyalty card, for example, will also work very well. You will be able to open the door by inserting the loyalty card between the door and the doorframe.
Remember to shake the door by tapping it to facilitate insertion. Be careful, this technique can work for a slammed door but will fail against a locked door.We strongly advise against using your credit card to open a slammed door. You risk breaking it and having to contact your bank to change your bank card, in addition to calling a locksmith to open your slammed door…
Also avoid using a hammer. You will break the handle, the lock or even the door. The costs for changing these different pieces of equipment will be much higher than bringing in a locksmith who can use a radio to open your door without damage.
The technique of opening with a radio
To succeed with the bypass technique, the best solution is to use a radio, if you have one. You can store it in your car, for example, so that you can easily access it in the event of a slammed door.
The smooth running of the operation will be made possible through inward horizontal movements. If you move up and down, you will not be able to open the door.
With your second hand, pull the handle slightly, this creates vibrations at the level of the door. This movement helps the radio slide more easily between the bolt and the strike.
If you are not used to this kind of manipulation, this operation may take you a little time. Know that it is possible to open a slammed door with this solution in 90% of cases.If after trying for about 30 minutes you still haven’t been able to open the slammed door, contact a locksmith. The latter will begin by testing the same technique. As a second resort, he will make a small hole of less than 1 cm in diameter in the door to be able to operate the handle from the inside using a wire.Be aware that it is better to drill into the door than into the cylinder. Indeed, when a locksmith drills the cylinder to open your slammed door, he also bills you for the replacement of the cylinder. However, except in an emergency, this solution is not necessary.
Moreover, in case of emergency, if your baby is locked alone inside, do not hesitate to call the firefighters rather than a locksmith.As its name suggests, the armored door has enhanced security. It is therefore much more complicated to open it than a conventional door if you are faced with a slammed door.When a slammed door is not locked, it is sometimes possible to open an armored door. If it is locked, it will be impossible for you to get there yourself.
If your armored door is equipped with a security angle, it will be necessary to drill the door to open it. Indeed, this additional protection has the role of preventing the insertion of a radio.
The tools needed to drill a reinforced door depends on its thickness. In most cases, professional tools are required. It is better to seek the advice of a locksmith from the IZI by EDF network before attempting any drilling. They know the different mechanisms of armored doors and will be better able to open the door with the least possible damage.
When to call on a locksmith from the IZI by EDF network?
If you can’t get your slammed door open yourself, don’t get stuck outside your home. Contact IZI by EDF to be put in touch with a professional who can help you out as soon as possible.
In the particular case of the armored door, do not waste time trying to open it from the outside and contact IZI by EDF directly. Do the same if you don’t have a radio and your neighbors can’t help you out. Also call a professional if you are unable to open the slammed door with your radio or if a security angle prevents you from passing it.
