"John Chapman" wrote in message
...
Can anyone please advise best course of action when a mortice lock fails
in
the locked position ?
Have a 5 lever ERA mortice lock on front door in addition to standard Yale
rimlock.
Locked the front door behind me this morning and it seemed a bit stiff and
tonight it will not reopen. However hard I turn the key the bolt will not
return and so door is effectively permanently locked. Have gained access
to
house and tried all spare keys including almost brand new spare ones with
no
success.

Any tips on how to retract the bolt ?

As we have another lockable exit door I have the luxury of not having to
panic and cut lock out of door or frame.
Yellow pages is full of Locksmiths with 24 hrs callout. Can any of
these----local or national---be recommended ?
Will my buildings insurance help me if I have to employ someone to reopen
the door ?
All advice gratefully received.

John Chapman


Hi John,

If you can't free the lock, the hinge should be accessible from the inside
of the house, you may be able to drive the pins upwards, using a suitable
drift, out of the hinges and lift the door out of the entrance. You will
then be able to remove the lock.

Bill