Being locked out of your home can be an exasperating and trying experience. Whether it's due to lost or misplaced keys, or simply leaving them inside, being unable to regain entry to your home can interrupt your day's plans and leave you feeling powerless. However, there are a few steps you can take to regain entry to your home. With a little bit of know-how and preparation, you can be back inside your home and on with your day in no time.
In this article, we will be exploring the various methods you can use to regain entry to your home, including checking for spare keys, inspecting doors and windows, attempting lock picking, calling in a professional locksmith, and as a last resort, breaking a window or forcing your way in which we don’t recommend unless there are no other options.
By following these steps, you will be able to regain entry to your home with ease and confidence, no matter what situation you may find yourself in.
If you are locked out in an emergency situation where your life is in danger, you should call the relevant emergency services.
Check for spare keys:
Check outside your home for any hidden spare keys you may have left there.
If you have trusted a neighbor, family member, or friend with a spare key, reach out to them to see if they still have it.
Try using the spare key to see if it unlocks the door.
Inspect all doors and windows:
Look at all doors and windows to see if any of them are unlocked or ajar.
If you have alternative entrances, such as a basement window or a door leading to your garage, consider trying to use them to gain entry.
Attempt lock picking:
Only attempt lock picking if you have prior experience or are willing to learn from online tutorials and resources.
Be mindful that attempting to pick a lock without the proper knowledge, tools, and skills can cause harm to the lock and make your situation more complicated.
Call in a professional locksmith:
Hiring a professional locksmith is a great option if you don't feel comfortable attempting to pick the lock yourself or if no other options are available.
A locksmith will have the right tools and expertise to unlock your door without causing damage, and often in a timely manner.
Make sure to have something that can be used to verify your home ownership. This could be something like your driver’s license with the proper address, a recent utility bill, or some other proof of ownership.
Use the internet, phonebook, or reach out to local hardware stores, friends, family, or local social media groups for locksmith recommendations.
Compare prices to find the most affordable locksmith option for your situation.
Last resort measures:
Breaking a window or forcing your way in through a door should always be a last resort, WE DO NOT RECOMMEND this option unless it is absolutely necessary. It is easy to hurt yourself attempting to force your way back inside through brute strength, and generally, a locksmith will be more affordable than paying for repairs.
Most locksmith companies have a response time of less than an hour and are typically cheaper than breaking and replacing a window or kicking down a door, however, the pricing of all companies will vary.
If you do have to resort to these measures, exercise caution and be aware of any potential dangers, such as shattered glass or splintered wood, especially if you have pets like dogs or cats.
Before we delve into a more in-depth walkthrough, where we talk about the different methods of regaining entry into the home, let's first assess the current situation and determine what options are available.
First off, is there an accessible spare key around? Maybe one that was left with a friend, neighbor, family member, or hidden outside the house? If so, that may be a good starting point.
In the event that there are no spare keys, the next step might be to check all the doors and windows to see if any of them are unlocked. It's possible that one may be unlocked and provide access, in which case, it should be relatively simple to get back inside.
Assuming that the first two steps were unsuccessful, and everything’s locked up tight with no way of entry, it might be possible to try lock picking. Now, this is a bit advanced and should only be attempted if you have prior experience, the tools, and/or are willing to learn. There are plenty of resources available online that can teach you the ins and outs of lock picking. However, it’s important to keep in mind that trying to pick a lock without the proper knowledge could end up causing more harm to the lock, making the situation worse.
With no way of regaining entry yourself short of causing damage, it might be time to check on a locksmith service. If you don't have a locksmith's phone number readily available, we recommend using the internet to search for locksmiths in your area. Alternatively, you can try reaching out to a local hardware store, family, friends, or local social media groups for locksmith company recommendations. Keep in mind that locksmith services can be costly, so it's best to compare prices and find the most affordable option for your situation. It can also generally be said that a locksmith service is usually more affordable than breaking and repairing a window, but obviously, every situation will be different. If you're lucky enough to have alternative entrances to your home, such as a basement window or a door leading to your garage, you may be able to gain entry through these routes. If you have access to these areas, try using them to get back into your home.
Many locksmith companies have response times of under an hour from the time you call. When you’re locked out and call a locksmith company, they will send someone to your location to open your door. Most of the time a locksmith technician can pick the lock open, or “jimmy it” if the lock in question is a knob or lever, without causing damage. If the lock is picked open, it will still function normally, meaning if the key was left inside it will still work. It’s rare that a good locksmith won’t be able to pick a lock, but a good locksmith will only drill the lock if required, and no damage will be done to the door or the door frame. In the rare event that the lock does need to be drilled open, the locksmith company will be able to replace it with the same one or a better one, and possibly rekey it to match your existing home keys if desired.
We never recommend forcing your way in as it will cause unnecessary damage and most likely end up costing more in repairs than hiring a locksmith service. Forcing your way in through a door or window should always be a last resort that we don’t recommend. It’s very easy to hurt yourself trying to force your way back inside, and it will cause damage to your home that will need to be fixed. If you do decide to break a window or force your way in, exercise caution and be aware of any potential dangers, such as shattered glass or splintered wood, especially if you have pets like cats or dogs.
In conclusion, being locked out of your abode can be a nerve-wracking and annoying experience, but hopefully, this guide has helped point you in the right direction. By following a few simple steps, you can regain entry to your dwelling and be back inside in no time. Whether you opt for searching for a spare key, examining all doors and windows, attempting lock picking, contacting a professional locksmith, or using alternative access points, the most vital thing is to remain composed and take your time so long that you are in a safe environment. With a bit of patience and the proper approach, you can overcome this hindrance and get back to your daily routine. So, don't let panic set in, take a deep breath, and find the solution that suits you best.
If you ever encounter a lockout situation in Longmont, Colorado, or in the surrounding areas of Northern CO, look no further than Locksmith Services Longmont. We can help with home lockout services in Longmont CO and the surrounding areas, and we have an average arrival time of 30 minutes or less from the time we receive a call. The cost for lockout services typically varies as the approach to all lockout situations from a locksmith’s perspective is different, and different tools may be required to handle different situations. The approach to a generic doorknob lockout will be different than the approach to a keyless deadbolt lockout, for example.
All of our technicians from Locksmith Services Longmont have years of experience. Our mobile North Colorado locksmiths are highly skilled, professionally equipped, and properly trained to open all types of home door locks in lockout situations. We recognize that lockouts can be emotionally taxing and require prompt attention, which is why we offer rapid and trustworthy service 24/7, including on holidays. With our affordable prices and a focus on customer satisfaction, we make it our mission to be there for our customers in their time of need. Lockouts don’t wait for a good time, so we are always ready to help, at all times.
