I'm in a bit of a pickle here. My bathroom door is blocked because a drawer from my vanity, which is installed right next to the door, popped open on its own and now I can't get in. The door has a tiny crack at the bottom, and the doorknob can detach from the inside, so no luck there. I've tried using a string with an attachment to pull it but haven't had any success after a couple of hours. I also thought about using a metal piece to push it shut, but that drawer isn't exactly light. I'm considering destructive options like removing the doorknob or even drilling a hole in the door, but I'd prefer a solution that I could use again if this happens in the future. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
6 Answers
You could try getting into the ceiling, removing the bathroom fan, and using a telescopic rod to push the drawer shut. Alternatively, you could remove a downlight for easier access. Just a thought!
For option 4, you could cut a rectangular hole lower down the door and cover it with plastic vent covers to make it look intentional. This way, if it happens again, you have easy access to lift the drawer out.
In Australia, many bathroom doors can be lifted off their hinges. If yours has that option, it could be a quick fix!
I had a similar situation where a toddler got trapped. We had to cut into the wall behind the vanity to pull the drawer back and open the door. If you share a wall with a utility room, that could be a lifesaver!
Does your bathroom have a window? If it does, you might be able to climb through it to resolve the issue without any drastic measures.
If worst comes to worst, just cut through the door. A basic hollow-core door is only about $50 to replace, so it's not a huge loss. Just get a new one and be done with it! ?
I heard a cool trick for similar situations: Grab two long dowel rods that are just under 1/4" wide, glue them into an 'L' shape, slide it under the door, and use it to leverage the drawer closed. Might just do the trick!