[deleted]

Full disclosure, I am not a plumber.

Do you have a tap below the level of the exterior faucet, such as in the basement?

You can turn off supply to home, open a tap on an upper floor, to vent, open exterior tap, and tap in the basement. Gravity will do what gravity does, but you need to allow it to vent.

Some low pressure compressed air can get the last of it out, from the exterior tap into your home, if there are any traps in the line that may prevent gravity from draining it all. If there are no traps, this would not be needed.

When done draining, turn off the exterior tap, and the interior shut off for the external tap, then close each other tap (upstairs and basement), then turn your supply back on.

Sounds like she hired some meth head

Dude, I was redoing a kitchen for a client. She hired a "locksmith" because she locked her basement door. Of all the easy methods to pop a lock or even just pop the pins out of the door. Mother fucker used tin snips to cut a triangular hole in the door knob to open it, and even just left it like a mangled tuna can for the client. I didn't even know what to say.

I got it. Used a hacksaw to cut off the knob. Pliers to wrestle the innards around & pull the latch out of the jamb. Took awhile but managed not to damage the door too much.

Can we get a picture of the knob to see if there's a way it can be dismantled?

At least look at the hinge pins. If you can pull them, do it. They should be on the other side, but just in case.

I've used screwdrivers against the flat side of the bolt. Use 1 to pull it then hold it with the other. Repeat

I've used screwdrivers on the flat side of the bolt.

Yeah, if you bust our break off they handle in one way or another you should be able to pull the latching mechanism internally manually.

Even if you damage the door they’re about $75. Less than a locksmith

If the hinges are on the other side, then the "door stop" trim piece is on your side. Remove that trim, and you'll have much better access to the latch.

Crush the handle with pliers like vise grips or channel locks. It will destroy the knob but you may get one last turn. Even if it just spins off, it will expose the interior mechanism which you should be able to turn with a screw driver

Can you remove the trim molding, and try that way?

Damn. Worth a try. Sometimes it's one of those things people forget (myself included once upon a time)

I’ve done this hammer technique, it works. Probably not good results on a hollow core door but fine for cheap handles on solid doors.

other side

Which side is the hinge on?

If it's on your side, knock the pins out of the hinge and remove the door, then change the handle

pretty sure i'm on the wrong side, where the catch is flat, not curved. there's also moulding in the way, so the credit card has to turn 90° to get in there

Hit it with a hammer to knock the knob off, or cut it off with a saw

Most interior doorknobs are pretty cheap

Paying a locksmith for this is overkill and expensive. If you don’t have tools to do it yourself get a general purpose handyman to do it for much cheaper than a locksmith

Can you pop the latch with a thin wire, credit card or small screw driver? If it's an interior door the latch could open easily. Try sliding different things in there to see if the latch releases.

Okay got it. Thank you!

Though I didn't see an image of it on the store page, the description stated that it includes a metal plate to connect to an electrical junction box.

I ordered that but that still doesn't solve the issue of screwing in the fitting. If you look at the image, the screw holes doesn't hit the wall.

Your submission has been removed for one or more of the following reason(s):

• Your question does not include the research you've done to find an answer yourself, or why that research didn't answer your question.

This is a basic requirement so others do not spend time repeating your steps. It is not a judgement about your question being "too easy." We're looking for evidence that you've made an attempt yourself.

• Please do not use /r/DIY as your first stop for questions - we are not Google.

• Please search Google and /r/DIY to see if your question has been asked before. Check owners manuals, tech support forums or contact the manufacturer.

• Have you already done some basic research and are still stuck?

• Please include what research you have done in your question so that others do not repeat your steps.

• Consider posting your question in the sticky thread at the top of the subreddit.

• Ask your question in our Discord server in the appropriate channel.

Please read our Full Sub Rules before resubmitting.

If you believe this was a mistake, please message the moderators.

###Do not respond to this comment - you will not receive a response.