Locked Out of Your House with No Spare? Here’s How to Get In Damage-Free

It’s 95 degrees in Houston. You stepped out to grab the mail, the door clicked shut behind you, and you realized your keys are on the kitchen counter.

Panic sets in. You look at the window. You look for a rock.

Don't break the window.

Replacing a double-pane window costs way more than a locksmith visit. And please, forget what you saw in the movies about credit cards. Modern deadbolts have anti-shim latches that will just shred your Visa card.

Here is the realistic guide to getting back in without causing hundreds of dollars in damage.

1. Check Every Perimeter Door

I can't tell you how many times I've arrived at a "lockout" in River Oaks or Bellaire, walked around the back, and opened the sliding glass door.

We get tunnel vision when we're stressed. We stare at the front door like it's the only way in.

• Check the back door.
• Check the garage side door.
• Check the windows (often one is left unlocked for ventilation).

2. The "Hidden Key" Memory Jog

Did you give a key to a neighbor three years ago for when you went on vacation? Do you have a magnetic box under the wheel well of your truck?

Call your spouse or roommate before you call me. It’s embarrassing to pay a service call fee just to have your wife pull up 5 minutes later with her set of keys.

3. Assessing the Lock Type (Can You DIY?)

If you have a simple knob lock (the handle itself locks), you might be able to shim it if it's installed poorly.

• Use a stiff piece of plastic (like a cut-up soda bottle, not a credit card).
• Slide it between the door and the frame, right at the latch.
• Wiggle and push.

However: If the door has a Deadbolt (the heavy lock above the handle), you cannot shim it. Deadbolts are designed to resist physical pressure. You are not getting past that without picking it or drilling it.

When to Call the Pro

If you're truly stuck, calling a locksmith is the cheapest "damage" you can pay for.

At Houston Key Rescue, we specialize in Non-Destructive Entry.

• We pick the lock. We don't drill it unless absolutely necessary (which is rare).
• Your key will still work afterwards.
• We don't damage the door frame.

Warning: Watch out for scammers who quote "$15" on Google. They show up, say "this lock is high security," drill it out immediately, and charge you $300 for a cheap replacement.

If they reach for the drill before reaching for the picks, tell them to leave.

Locked out? We can be there in 20-30 minutes. Call +1(281-845-4011).