My UPVc back door is stuck closed and will not open. Handle moves freely, key turns in lock OK but door just will not open. This happened suddenly - no warning and no clue as to why. Door is 8 years old - fitted by Starglaze windows - and still under guarantee or would be if Starglaze hadn't closed down,. and re-opened as Starglaze windows and conservatories, thereby releasing themselves from the guarantee...any help/advicw would be most welcome.

Lyn, August 2004

My street door won't open can't pull handle down tried turning key seems handles stuck pulls up ok

Paul holman, November 2013

Break the window,

use your foot

skinheadburglar, December 2009

Lyn,

Addendum to the above.

Have now fixed my door, it works perfectly, took about an hour.

Before you start, temporarily fit the lock cylinder in the new mechanism so you can see how everything works.

Had to saw a bit off the top part of the new mechanism - presumably they're designed to fit any height of door. Ensure the multi-point catches are in the "up" position when you do this or the sliding bar will hit the top of the frame when you unlock the door! Bottom section perfect - guess all PVCu handles are the same distance from the bottom of the door.

Had to set the latch to suit the side the door opens - just take out 3 star headed screws, remove the main lock, rotate the latch 180 degrees and screw the lock back on. 50% chance you won't have to do this.

Pleasent surprise - it lined up exactly with the existing fixings on the frame, although I did have to drill out two spacers on the main fixing, presumably added by Bodgett & Leggett when they installed the door.

Not rocket science, just take care and be patient.

Regards

Keith, September 2004

Lyn,
Had a similar problem yesterday, except my handle wouldn't move down. Thought about it at work, and found your question on the web at lunch time. Stuck in a jam on the M6 I contemplated driving out the hinge pins with a hammer and metal rod, thereby opening the dor from the wrong edge.

Anyway, this morning I gave the handle a good yank - it moved stiffly, and the door opened. You might be able to force your handle - they do in fact spin right round when removed.

I removed all the screws from the door edge, the handles and the lock cylinder to ease out the 6 foot or so mechanism along the edge - took about 5 minutes - you have to ease the door seal away with a flat screwdriver. I had buckled the lock casing wrenchig the handle, so the problem must have been a pin or something breaking or coming adrift. It needs a new mechanism obviously.

I took the mechanism to a local locksmith - The Lock Shop on Dickson Road in Blackpool. After sifting through catalogues, they found a similar mechanism, which they ordered - I should have it tomorrow. Cost me £86 plus another £6 for a new cylinder (optional) - I like to do jobs properly as the keys feel a bit loose with wear.

My front door is temporarily wedged against the porch wall with a wooden beam to maintain security.

Suggest you:

Find a local supplier that can order you a replacement mechanism

Early morning on a day when he is open try forcing the handle round further - maybe even with a length of pipe over it to get more torque. If this fails, try tapping out the hinge pins.

Then do what I am doing.

Hope this is useful,


Keith

Keith Wood, September 2004