Door latches are usually built around a square rod that’s fastened into the knobs by little bitty screws that mostly keep the knobs from sliding off the rod. If you loosen the screw and get the knob off, you only need to push the rod back through the door to get all the latch stuff (and maybe the lock as well) out of the way so you can use a screwdriver to turn what’s left inside the door to release the latch.
If there are no screws or you can’t get ‘em to turn, that’s time for the pipe wrench....and yeah that will break off a door knob. (Particularly interior door “locks” and especially anything produced less than thirty years ago.)
In fact, if the house is less than 10-15 years old, the wrench very well may tear up the knob, wipe out the lock and open the door in one shot.
(That is also why EXTERIOR doors should have deadbolts. Those exterior door latch/lock mechanisms aren’t really much more substantial than the stuff sold for interior doors.)
HOWEVER...If that is a really old door latch where the knob is on the top of the door plate and the key operates its own separate deal down below, I’d call in a locksmith. Probably take a good one less time to pick the lock than you’d think (if he doesn’t have the keys that fit on hand), the cost shouldn’t be terrible and I just don’t like to see that good old stuff junked.
....my pipewrench recommendation notwithstanding.
HOWEVER...If that is a really old door latch where the knob is on the top of the door plate and the key operates its own separate deal down below, I’d call in a locksmith. Probably take a good one less time to pick the lock than you’d think (if he doesn’t have the keys that fit on hand), the cost shouldn’t be terrible and I just don’t like to see that good old stuff junked.
....my pipewrench recommendation notwithstanding....
It is what you described above :(
Not even a screw on the doorknob! Can’t budge the hinges though I’ve been given advice and still can’t budge them.
My wife’s not even sure what’s in there but it can’t stay closed forever.
Thanks man. Any last tips before I go at it, please let me know :)