Locked out in Hackensack? Call American Star Locksmith at (201) 613-2700 for professional locksmith service at your home.
David contacted us after a door inside his private home in Hackensack became locked and would not open. He tried to unlock it himself, but the locking mechanism remained engaged.
Rather than applying more force and risking damage to the door, lock or surrounding frame, David called our locksmith in Hackensack, NJ for professional assistance.
Opening the locked door without unnecessary damage
When we arrived, we inspected the door, the position of the locks and the narrow space between the door and frame. The white paneled residential door was fitted with an upper deadbolt and a lower keyed doorknob lock.
Because the door was still in good condition, our goal was to restore access without drilling the lock, breaking the hardware or damaging the frame.
Inspecting the door and locking hardware
Before beginning the work, we checked which locking component was preventing the door from opening. This step is important because a door may remain locked for several different reasons, including an engaged latch, a deadbolt, a misaligned mechanism or pressure between the door and frame.
The correct opening method must be selected according to the specific door and lock. Forcing the handle or inserting household tools into the frame can turn a straightforward lockout into a damaged lock or costly door repair.
Professional inflatable air wedges
The black tools visible in the photographs are called inflatable air wedges, also known as air pump wedges.
These professional locksmith tools are connected to manual squeeze bulbs and allow the technician to create a small, controlled working space between the door and frame. The wedges are made from flexible, non-marring material designed to reduce direct contact with the finished surfaces.
We used the air wedges carefully to maintain controlled access without prying against the frame with a metal tool.
Professional long-reach access tool
After creating the necessary working clearance, we used a professional long-reach access tool, sometimes called a lockout reach tool.
This specialized locksmith tool is designed for controlled access during certain lockout situations. It allowed us to operate the relevant door hardware without drilling the cylinder or removing the existing locks.
The equipment was selected specifically for the construction of this door and the position of its locking hardware. Not every locked door requires the same tools or opening method, which is why the door should always be inspected before work begins.
Access restored and the door remained intact
After carefully operating the locking mechanism, we opened the door successfully. As shown in the final photograph, access to the home was restored while the door, frame, deadbolt and keyed doorknob remained in place.
There was no need to break the door or perform an unnecessary lock replacement.
This is exactly why it is advisable to contact a professional residential lockout service when a door will not open. Stopping before the door is forced can help prevent damage to the frame, trim, lock cylinder and handle.
Locked out of a room or home in Hackensack?
We provide professional residential lockout assistance and additional door lock services throughout Hackensack and the surrounding area.
If your door is locked, jammed or no longer opening normally, avoid forcing the handle or prying against the frame.
Call American Star Locksmith at (201) 613-2700 for professional locksmith service in Hackensack, New Jersey.
