Honestly, I’ve seen some wild stuff behind strike plates—coins, bits of cardboard, even a folded-up business card once. Gotta love the creativity, but yeah, there’s definitely a point where “quirky fix” turns into “please break into my house.” Longer screws are a must, and those lock boxes are way smarter than trying to squeeze through a bathroom window (ask my bruised ribs). Patchwork repairs are fine for a quick fix, but I’d rather not risk it with exterior doors.
I get the concern about patchwork fixes, but honestly, sometimes you just need something to hold you over until you can do it right. I had to wedge a piece of plastic behind my strike plate once—looked sketchy, but it kept the door from rattling for a week. I agree longer screws are better, but not everyone has those on hand in the moment. I guess it depends on how desperate you are and how soon you can get proper hardware.
- Quick fixes definitely have their place—sometimes you just need the door to close and move on with your day.
- I’ve jammed cardboard in a hinge before just to stop a squeak, so I get it.
- Curious though, has anyone ever tried those temporary lockout kits? Wondering if they’re worth keeping around or just another thing to clutter the toolbox.
- Also, what’s the weirdest thing you’ve used in a pinch? I once used a butter knife as a makeshift latch... not my proudest moment, but it worked.
Locked Out Drama—What Would You Do?
Cardboard in the hinge—been there, done that. Sometimes you just need to get through the day without a squeak driving you nuts. I’ve actually used a folded business card to shim a loose strike plate once, just so the latch would catch and I could stop worrying about it for a while. Not exactly code-approved, but hey, it held up until I had time to fix it properly.
About those temporary lockout kits—mixed feelings. I tried one of those “universal” kits after locking myself out of my workshop last winter. It worked, but honestly, it felt kind of flimsy and awkward to use. Maybe it’s better than nothing if you’re in a real bind, but I wouldn’t rely on it as my main backup plan. Plus, half the stuff in the kit seemed like things you could improvise with what’s already lying around the house anyway.
Weirdest thing I’ve used? Once had to wedge an old paint stir stick into a busted window latch to keep it closed overnight during a storm. Not my finest hour, but it did the trick until I could get a replacement part. There’s something oddly satisfying about making do with whatever’s on hand, even if it’s not pretty.
Curious if anyone else has found those lockout kits genuinely useful long-term, or if they just end up buried at the bottom of the toolbox like mine did. Sometimes I wonder if we overthink these quick fixes when half the time a little creativity (or desperation) gets us through...
Curious if anyone else has found those lockout kits genuinely useful long-term, or if they just end up buried at the bottom of the toolbox like mine did.
Honestly, I’ve never found a lockout kit that felt sturdy enough for repeated use. Most of the time, they seem to be a collection of “just in case” gadgets that end up scattered in a drawer. If you’re looking for a more reliable backup, here’s what’s worked for me:
1. Hide-a-key box, but not the obvious fake rock—think magnetic box tucked under a gutter bracket or deep in the shed. Just don’t forget where you stashed it.
2. If you’ve got a neighbor you trust, leaving a spare with them beats fiddling with flimsy tools in the rain.
3. For interior doors, a sturdy plastic loyalty card can sometimes pop a spring latch. Not elegant, but it works in a pinch.
I get the appeal of making do with what’s on hand—like your paint stir stick fix. Half the time, a little ingenuity beats any kit you can buy. Sometimes I think the best “kit” is just knowing your doors and keeping calm when you’re stuck outside.
