My shed door lock is stuck

[Kleptronic]

Anyone know what I should do?

The lock is very old. The handle and mechanism turns but something is catching and it won't open.

I have pulled the door upwards in case it had slipped but no joy. No access to hinges

I don't want to break the door because I have bikes chained up in there. And a fridge and freezer and a washer and dryer.

I can't wash my bedding/pjs, people will think I'm a minger!

show us a photo of the key and the lock please.

What sort of tools do you have?

ok, I see the picture of the keyhole and knob now.

What happens when you turn the knob, does it seem to move the latch?

It's possible that the type of lock you have also works when the key in inserted upside down (!) Try that. What happens when you try to insert and turn the key?

As far as you can remember, does the lock look rather like this, and does it have a pressed-steel keep screwed to the inner face of the doorframe?

...and could you, or someone else capable of using a screwdriver, get in through a window or other means?

Thanks Piglet John! Sorry, my terminology is all wrong. The lock isn't locked. The key's in the shed. I have a bolt further up the door with a big round steel padlock that I actually lock the door with.

The mechanism turns and feels like it engages the latch, but it won't come clear.

I can't get into the shed without breaking a window.

OK.

Does the lock look like the one in my link and, most importantly. does it have the pressed steel staple screwed to the "doorframe?"

So.you turn the handle but the door latch won't pull out of the frame?
Can you lift it out with a credit card or slab of plastic from an ice cream tub?

(in my link, the staple, or "keep" is the black metal box-like thing that the latch and the bolt shoot into)

Yes it is just like that lock in your link PigletJohn.

OK

Luckily that type of lock is very cheaply made and flimsy. The keep is usually attached to the frame with two screws, and is the weakest part. When attacked, the keep usually breaks out of the frame quite easily (old-type Yale nightlatches also). In your case I wouldf judge by the photo that the screws will be rusty and the frame rotten.

If you undo the bolts and strike the door sharply at the edge of the lock, as close as possible to the frame, I think it will come off. If you can lay your hands on a piece of wood, or a plank, to hold against the edge of the door to take the blow, it will reduce the risk of damaging the door. If it was me I would kick it or barge it with my shoulder. If you are somewhat frail, you can hit it in the same place with a heavy object such as a fencepost, or the handle of a spade, or a large hammer or axe. It might take two or three blows, in which case the staple will bend open if the screws don't fly out (which I think they will)

(you can take the door knob off first to give yourself more room. It probably has three small screws on the rose. There might be a grubscrew underneath the handle to hold it on to the spindle)

Success! Thanks ever so much @PigletJohn, it worked. Hit it with a half brick right near the frame about 10 times and it sprang open. Yay!

It's not got the box thing on it though, it's some Heath Robinson amalgamation. I think the plate had risen up so I've hit it many times with a hammer. Which I got from my shed.

hooray!

I'd take it off, unless you think you can renew it. It might actually be stronger than the original staple, but a poor fit. Or you could re-fix it with weak little screws so it will be easier to force next time.

Just get another bolt for the lower part of the door to hold it shut

these are very cheap at Screwfix, or you will find something comparable at places like Wilkinsons. You need a drill for pilot holes, then screws (often not included)

You can get a stronger type if you want to padlock it for security

There's a Screwfix on my way to work so I'll do that thanks. I think it was meant to be stronger, because the old owner of the house was a jeweller many moons ago and there was an old lathe in there when I bought the house from his widow. Really it needs a new door, frame and windows and the bricks need pointing, but the roof's good so hurrah! It has a stand pipe, electricity and an outdoor light and is the Best Shed Ever.