How do locksmiths open doors?

Locksmiths open doors using specialised techniques, tools, knowledge and experience. A well trained and experienced locksmith will be able to open your door and gain entry.

How locksmiths can open doors

There are several ways a locksmith will open a door, many of which will require working with the door lock itself. Locksmiths are used to opening doors with various lock types, including euro cylinder locks, anti-snap locks, mortice locks, smart locks, code locks and more. Each lock type may require specific tools and approaches to gain entry.

The most methods to open a door include:

1. Lock Picking
   • Locksmiths will use hand picks or electric pick guns to manipulate pins inside a lock, to open it without damaging the door or mechanism.
2. Mortice Lock Decoders
   • Decoders help locksmiths decode mortice locks, allowing them to open the lock.
3. Manually Sliding Open the Lock Latch
   • In some cases, locksmiths can slide a latch back into place to open a door.
4. Bypassing the Lock
   • Locksmiths can bypass some locks using specialist bypass tools, such as the letterbox tool, which can allows access through the letterbox. Bypassing may also include gaining access through another door or access point.
5. Drilling a Door Lock
   • In rare situations when non-destructive opening methods aren't possible, locksmiths may choose to use precision drills and special techniques to carefully drill the lock, ensuring minimal damage.
6. Using Force to Open the Door
   • As a last resort if non-destructive opening methods aren't possible, locksmiths may apply controlled force to open a door.

The techniques used to open a door can be split into two common methods of approach: non-destructive door opening (Non-destructive entry) and destructive door opening (Destructive entry). All of our professional locksmiths are trained to open doors using the latest non-destructive techniques and tools to get you back in without any unnecessary damage to your locks or doors.

Non-destructive entry

Non-destructive entry involves opening doors without damaging the door or lock. This method of door opening will usually be accomplished by utilising one or more of the following opening techniques and tools: lock picking with hand picks or an electric pick gun, using mortice lock decoders, manually sliding open the lock latch, bypassing the lock and using other specialist tools, such as the letterbox tool. These expert techniques allow a trained locksmith to gain access to and manipulate a lock in a variety of different ways depending on the circumstance.

Destructive entry

Destructive door opening is only likely to be attempted when non destructive entry methods fail and the lock is particularly stubborn or resistant to opening. In these scenarios, the locksmith should keep damage to a minimum to reduce cost. These methods tend to include: drilling a lock open using special techniques or using force to open the door.

Common reasons why a locksmith will need to open a door

Locked doors that can't be opened with a key often require the expertise of a trained locksmith to gain access. Various factors, like misplaced keys and faulty lock mechanisms, can make opening a door difficult. Common reasons why locksmiths are called to help open doors include:

1. Lost keys
• Misplacing or losing your keys is one of the most common reasons for needing a locksmith to open a door. Lost keys can leave you locked out of your home, car, or office.
2. Key breakage
• Sometimes keys can wear down over time, especially if used in stiff or old locks. This can lead to breakage. Commonly we see keys that haved snapped inside the lock, leaving a portion of the key stuck inside the lock.
3. Faulty lock mechanisms
• Lock mechanisms can fail due to age, wear, tear and lack of maintenance. A faulty lock mechanism in the door can prevent you from unlocking it even with the correct key.
4. Weather-induced swelling or shrinking
• uPVC Doors, Wooden doors and wooden door frames are susceptible swelling or shrinking due to weather changes. High humidity in the air or heavy rain fall can cause wood to swell, while cold, dry conditions can cause shrinking. This can cause locks and doors to misalign and can make them extremely difficult to open without professional adjustment from a locksmith.
5. Alignment issues
• Sometimes doors can sag or shift due to regular use or moving and settling in a building. This can cause the lock and the strike plate to move out of alignment and can prevent the door from functioning properly. Locksmiths can realign or adjust the door and components to open the door easily.
6. Electronic lock failures
• Some electronic door locks can suffer from battery issues, software glitches, or component failures. At times, these issues can cause locks issues. Locksmiths are able to troubleshoot and repair these locks to open the door or provide alternative access through another door.
7. Accidental locking
• Doors can lock themselves unexpectedly due to wind or a simple oversight. Particularly slam locks, where there is no handle to use on the outside. Locksmiths can open the door without causing damage.

These issues can occur with any door type, including wooden doors, uPVC doors, composite doors, aluminium doors and sliding doors.

Do you need a locksmith to open a locked door? Our locksmiths are professionally trained, DBS checked and provide a 24/7 service. There's no call out fee and we aim to get to you as quickly as possible. Contact a locksmith or call us today on 0800 0612 677.

Locksmith opening a front door using a lock pick