Oh noes, I'm trapped and I can't get out. Oh, wait, is that what that little knob is for?

[auntiemeesh]

I've accidentally locked myself out of my apartment before, but I've never accidentally locked myself in. Until today.

It's so friggin' hot and I don't have air conditioning, so I opened the front door to get a bit of a breeze. But because I don't want random people feeling free to enter of their own cognizance, I flipped the little lock on the screen door. Wouldn't keep out anyone really determined to get in, but then, neither would the locks on the real door, if someone were that determined.

Only thing is, the screen door latch mechanism is old. Old and rusty and stubborn, and once it locks, it doesn't unlock. Not for all the tea leaves in China. Okay, well, I do have a back door, so I'm not trapped, but I don't actually have a key for that door, so I can't lock it behind me if I ever want to get back in. Which means, I have to fix the front door.

Now, I have very, very limited fixit skills, but luckily, this didn't require anything more than a screwdriver. After disassembling the latch mechanism, the lock relaxed all by itself. Screwed everything back together and voila! the door is once more a functional portal. Thank goodness for easily solved problems.

Comments

[wishkey.livejournal.com]

WD-40? good stuff for situations like this. though screwdrivers work, sonic or not.

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I need to get myself a good sonic screwdriver. Then I wouldn't have had to physically take everything apart.

I've been thinking about trying WD-40 on the shower switch in my bathroom (it no longer switches from shower to tub) but I hadn't thought of it for the door. Good suggestion. :)

[ani-no-mouse.livejournal.com]

Oh my! Life is full of adventures! I'm glad you were able to free yourself from your accidental imprisonment!

[auntiemeesh.livejournal.com]

I was feeling a little bit like Rudy and Sandy in your icon, I must admit, lol.