Lock Smith in the House??

[SlowlySinking]

Here's what happened, The keys were mailed with a signature release required and they never arrived, after 4 weeks the Post Office still has no idea what happened, no surprise there. <br /><br />So, I will have to either try to pick the locks or maybe someone has drilled one out and can offer some suggestions on the proper method. They are standard door locks, one dead bolt and one door knob type. <br /><br />BTW, is Lock Smith one or two words?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

Call a locksmith and ck the price of a house call most are not to expencive and will pick them, then make keys or change the tumbler

 

[timfromfc]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

If you can get to the side of the lock with the screws, you can always remove the lock and take it to a locksmith (one word BTW), or it might be cheaper to buy a new set at a hardware store like Home Depot. If you can't remove the lock then you are stuck with a house call. Be prepared to have proof of ownership. Sometimes the locksmith will ask for it. My Father in-law is a locksmith and he can pick a lock and re-key it pretty easily.

 

[Barlow]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

hmmm... how old is the lock SlowlySinking?<br />and what brand name?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

Just in the interest of security, I would have the locks changed or re-keyed after you get it open. Remember you have a set with your address floating in the postal system.<br /><br />Bob

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

Most door knob locks can be easily opened with a pair of large jaw pliers or a pipe wrench. It destroys the knob and lock, but they can be replaced cheap. Most locksmiths will charge 2 or 3 times what a new knob and lock would cost at ACE or Wal Mart.<br />Also most of the knob type locks have a short bolt. They do not set very far into the door frame. These are easy to get a thin metal strip in and either puch the deadbolt back into the door, or pry and separate the jamb and the door about 1/4" allowing the door to open.<br />If you replace the lock, get the one with the longest deadbolt you can find.

 

[SlowlySinking]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

Thank you to all for the good ideas and advice, In the 60's I worked with an "X" burglar who taught me how to pick locks, these won't be too hard since they are old and worn, but it seems the lock brands are unknown, the locks are in Florida and I'm in NY until September. At this point I'm checking for ideas in case my picking skills are rusty. I'm practicing. I will change the locks for security purposes. No way of knowing who has them and what information was included. The day the realtor mailed them to us the Post Office scanner wasn't working, so there's no way to trace even with a tracking number since it wasn't entered in the system. To make it worse the electric and water are turned on. I had planned to send the keys and have a friend keep an eye on the place but the realtor wouldn't give the keys to anyone but me. I have no idea what electric items are on, and a water leak will be a big problem. Guess I'll know when the utility bill arrives, ha, ha. Murphy's Law at work. Oh, well, at least it's insured. Thanks again, Ken

 

[Formula1974]

Re: Lock Smith in the House??

If its in florida you dont have to worry about freezing you could have the water turned off till you go back down. Also does the house have a back door? Maybe another door wont have a deadbolt on it? maybe the deadbolt isnt locked? I can get into my house faster with my drivers license then it would take me to find the right key on my ring. Also you could check for an unlocked window. Realtors make mistakes too.....I know I married one...lol