Help oh wise ones…I’m cat sitting and…

[Lovemusic33]

I can’t open the back patio door to go check on the cat who likes to hide in the greenhouse. It’s one of those older patio doors where you have to lift the handle and turn the key (I have a similar one at home) but I can’t seem to get it to open 😬😬, anyone have any tips on opening it? Is there a nack to it that I’m missing?

You have to do it in a set order. So handle up then key; or key then handle up.

Have you done it before? Is there a hidden bolt you haven't seen?

I haven’t done it before, they did show me before the left me in charge but I can’t remember, I kind I thought it was the same as my back door where you lift the handle and then turn the key. They did say it can be temperamental. I really don’t want to call them as I have already spoke to them once today about something else 😬. The cats have 2 cat flaps and come and go as they please, I just keep the food topped up but one of them hasn’t been seen for a couple days (likely it’s in the garden as it doesn’t come in much) but I can’t get out there to check 😬

It has a small white bolt thing on it like this…

Have you tried twisting the white thingy knob before/after doing the key/handle. ?

It doesn’t seem to turn or maybe I’m not trying hard enough. I will give another go tomorrow.

It just needs jiggling! Jiggle as you turn the key/ lift the door..

I presume they don't have a back gate??

Yea, but it’s locked from the inside.

To close my door like that I have to lift the handle then lock it.

To open the door, I just put the key in the lock, unlock it and then push the handle down to open it.

Have they confused you?

Mine has to be lifted as well.

Lift it up then let it fall, then turn key?

Or

Lift it up and turn.

Ours needs lifting then leaving to fall back down, THEN we turn the key.

maybe it's like my old back patio door, the lock was put in wrong so had to be turned the completely opposite way.

Do you have anyone else who can try and help you?

If not, if you've got a small stepladder and someone to help, you can get over gate that way and other person can put stepladder over gate for your return. That'll cover tonight.

If can't be sorted, then I'd contact owners and they can come up with a solution. I have two cats and would rather know if there was a problem.

Yes, surely it only goes up to lock it?

I bet it's just a bit stiff, give it a good old wiggle/push tomorrow.

I’m pretty sure the said I had to lift the handle to unlock but I may be wrong. I will message the owner, I just didn’t want to interrupted their holiday as I already spoke to them this morning.

I think they would rather be bothered than come home to a half starved cat!

Absolutely, I wouldn't mind being disturbed for that.