Are you wondering how to open a locked screen door? Many homes have at least one screen door. Homeowners love screen doors because they let in natural sunlight, fresh air, and fantastic outdoor views. What’s not to love about this?
The only problem with screen doors is when they lock you out of your home. If you don’t have your keys or the lock on the screen door is broken, it will prevent you from getting back inside your home.
Many homeowners encounter this problem when they step outside for a few moments without realizing the locking mechanism was activated on the screen door. And if no one is inside to unlock the screen door for them, it can cause panic and frustration.
Top 3 Ways to Open a Locked Screen Door
Fortunately, you don’t have to stay locked out of your home for long. There are at least three viable methods for opening a locked screen door to gain reentry into your home. The best part is that you don’t need to break the screen to do these methods.
Let’s explore those three ways below:
Make a Pick Out of a Soda Can
Find an empty aluminum can outside your home or on the nearby street. If you modify it correctly, you can use this aluminum can as a picking tool. However, you’ll need to obtain a pair of scissors and use them to cut off the top and bottom portions of the can.
Then, you must bend and fold the can to form an arm-like shape with the remaining aluminum. Ensure a slight curve is at the end of the arm contraption. Now, you have successfully made a makeshift screen door-picking tool.
Stick the picking tool into the small opening at the bottom of the screen door, between the door jamb and the screen door. Slide the picking tool up from the bottom to the locking mechanism in the door.
Keep the picking tool in the lock area. Shake the screen door with one hand as you slide the picking tool back and forth in the area of the lock area. If done correctly, you can push the locking mechanism down and pull open the door.
Use a Hammer
See if you can access a hammer somewhere on your property. Maybe you have a tool shed in the backyard or access to a detached or attached garage. If you can locate a claw hammer, you can use it to pry open the locked screen door.
For this method, there is no need to damage or remove the screen. Just pull the door as far as it will go, insert the tail end of the claw hammer into the small opening in the door jamb, and pull the hammer in your direction until the door unlocks.
Of course, how many people have claw hammers lying around their property? If you cannot access a claw hammer from outside your home or a neighbor, look for alternative items that could pry open the locked screen door.
These alternative items include a credit card, pliers, screwdriver, or crowbar. You can pry open the locked door as long as one end is thin enough to fit into the gap between the screen door and the door jamb.
Similar Article: The Complete Guide to Opening a Locked Storm Door
Lock and Pick Tension Tool
Professional locksmiths use a lock and pick tension tool to open lock doors, including locked screen doors. If you have a spare lock and pick tension tool in your possession or hidden outside your property, you could use it to open your locked screen door.
First, check to ensure your screen door has a pin-tumbler lock. The lock and pick tension tool will only work with a pin-tumbler locking mechanism. Next, stick the thin end of the pick tool into the keyway of the locked screen door.
Take the tension tool and insert it into the keyway as well. Apply some pressure to the tension tool as you turn it clockwise. The purpose of the tension tool is to secure the pins and prevent them from moving.
Now, use the pick tool to push each pin out of place and release it from the lock. Do this one pin at a time until all the pins are released. Once you have reset all the pins, you should be able to open the door because the pins no longer keep the lock in place.
On the other hand, if the door is still locked, it means you didn’t set one of the pins. Try again until you are sure that you set all the pins. If you cannot succeed, a qualified locksmith can help you pick the lock.
Troubleshooting Tips
Does the lock appear stuck as you attempt to pick it open? Sometimes, a stubborn locking mechanism requires lubrication to release. Apply lubricant to the lock and make gentle taps with the hammer. If you have a stuck lock, the lubricant should help open it.
In all other cases, you can disassemble the lock and replace it with another one. Either that or you can remove the door’s screen to get in that way. But that should be an absolute last resort if you cannot open the locked screen door using the methods above.
Conclusion
You’ll never have to worry about losing your keys again because you can unlock a screen door without a key. If you ever must use one of these methods to unlock your screen door, try not to make it a habit.
These methods are only temporary solutions for unlocking your screen door. Using them too often could damage the locking mechanism or other parts of the screen door. If that happens, you will have to pay a lot of money to replace the components of your door.
Obtaining the tools needed to open a locked screen door is relatively inexpensive in comparison. So, see if you can purchase a hammer, picking tool or locate an aluminum can to force open your locked screen door.