Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Urgent - Can’t lock the backdoor!

22 replies

HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:43

So just let the dog out to the toilet before going to bed and I can’t get the back door locked at all, there is only me and my young child in the house - could I ring the housing association and ask them to do an urgent repair?

I don’t mean to sound OTT but I’ve been a victim of domestic abuse and have restraining orders out against my ex etc and it’s really panicking me the thought of having to sleep where anyone could just walk into my back door and into my house all night!

OP posts:
Itisbetter · 09/12/2022 01:45

Wedge a chair under the door handle.

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:45

Itisbetter · 09/12/2022 01:45

Wedge a chair under the door handle.

I don’t have one…

OP posts:
dolor · 09/12/2022 01:46

Has the lock failed or is there damage to the door?

someonecookmydinnerplease · 09/12/2022 01:47

Is it a upv Yale type lock where you push the handle up to lock?
If so likely just needs hinges adjusting. Bit of a faff at this time of night but I've fixed mine several times by watching YouTube video tutorials

NewBootsAndRanty · 09/12/2022 01:47

Can you lock it from outside and get back in through the front?

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:47

I’m not sure what is causing it but yes it’s that type of lock I’ll have to YouTube it now thank you!

OP posts:
Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:48

NewBootsAndRanty · 09/12/2022 01:47

Can you lock it from outside and get back in through the front?

No I’ve tried it’s completely jammed, the handle goes up but the key won’t turn to lock it once the door is in the frame

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 09/12/2022 01:50

Does the HA have an emergency line for repairs? Security is an emergency.

saltinesandcoffeecups · 09/12/2022 01:51

Try lifting the door as you turn the lock

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:51

if I can’t sort it would it be classed as an urgent/emergency repair?

OP posts:
someonecookmydinnerplease · 09/12/2022 01:51

If it is the hinges you'll need Alan keys to fix it.

If haven't got that, and you have nothing to wedge handle, I'd but a pile of saucepans in front of it so it makes lots of noise to alert you if anyone tries to open it, and I'd sleep down stairs. Make sure your phone is charged.

someonecookmydinnerplease · 09/12/2022 01:52

saltinesandcoffeecups · 09/12/2022 01:51

Try lifting the door as you turn the lock

Yes try this as it may lift the hinge enough to get it locked

Gribbit987 · 09/12/2022 01:52

How cold is it where you are? Could the mechanism be frozen? Try pointing a hairdryer at it for a while.

Nothing will happen to you tonight. You will be ok. No one but you knows the door is unlocked.

RubaiyatOfAnyone · 09/12/2022 01:52

If the key will turn when the door isn’t shut, there’s nothing wrong with the lock, the door has just slipped or expanded in the damp and isn’t aligning with the hole for the “tongue” to go into. Try lifting by the handle as you lock?

JustLyra · 09/12/2022 01:53

If you're a housing association tenant then call them. Being unable to secure a property is very often an emergency call out.

They may not be able to completely fix it right away, but they'll at least make the place secure.

OneTC · 09/12/2022 01:57

Is the lock working at all?

Waiteflower · 09/12/2022 01:58

HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 01:51

if I can’t sort it would it be classed as an urgent/emergency repair?

Yes it's an unsecure property - the operative will come out to make safe they may not fix the door completely but will make sure it locks.

dolor · 09/12/2022 02:01

The lock might be frozen, depending on where you are right now.

I had this happen to me once, I had to oil the key and lock with some WD40.

DimplesToadfoot · 09/12/2022 02:02

I had this with my back door, I couldn't turn the key. The locking mechanism from the outside had got 'out of sync' from the mechanism on the inside and jammed itself. My local housing WDH treated it as an emergency and came out in the middle of the night.

OneTC · 09/12/2022 02:03

Once found I couldn't lock ours and had to remove a reinforcing plate in the frame of the door, on the same side of the frame that the lock is on, either at 1/3 or 2/3 down. It weakens the door so isn't a long term solution but it might let you get it locked until someone can come.

Only needs a screwdriver and takes about 2 minutes

liloandtitch · 09/12/2022 02:04

Gribbit987 · 09/12/2022 01:52

How cold is it where you are? Could the mechanism be frozen? Try pointing a hairdryer at it for a while.

Nothing will happen to you tonight. You will be ok. No one but you knows the door is unlocked.

This.

Totally understand your anxiety, but unless your ex comes round regularly and tries to get into your house in the middle of the night, there is no reason to think he would do so tonight.

You could try the housing association but I imagine it might be hours before somebody gets over to you at this time? If you’re in serious distress is there a relative : hotel nearby you can decamp to?

Original poster
HopingSomeoneIsAwake · 09/12/2022 02:18

thankfully my brother was still awake (no idea why!) and came round and got one of the doors to lock (I have a conservatory and both doors weren’t locking which I’m guessing could be because of the weather) so at least I can sleep semi peacefully tonight! Thank you everyone!

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread