The Importance of Changing Locks When You Move House
Why Replacing Your Locks Should Be a Top Priority After Relocating
Moving House? Don’t Forget to Change Your Locks
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, marked by new beginnings and fresh opportunities. Amidst the flurry of unpacking boxes, decorating rooms, and meeting new neighbours, one crucial task often slips down the to-do list: changing the locks on your new property. While it might seem like a minor detail, replacing the locks is a vital step in ensuring your family’s safety and peace of mind.
Security Starts at the Door
When you receive the keys to your new house, you can’t be certain how many copies exist or who might still have access. Previous owners, tenants, estate agents, cleaners, or even tradespeople could have keys that open your doors. By changing the locks, you take control of your home’s security from the very start, ensuring that only those you trust have access. I have lost count of the times that workers doing long jobs like extensions or renovations, lose keys. If you hand your key over to a tradesperson for an extended period, you simply don’t know if they or one of their employees makes a copy. Always give them a key to a minor use door if possible and change the lock once they have finished the work.
Peace of Mind for Your New Chapter
There’s nothing quite like the reassurance of knowing you’re the only keyholder. Changing the locks eliminates any risk of unwanted visitors and allows you to settle into your new home with confidence. The last thing you want during your first night in a new place is uncertainty over who might be able to let themselves in unannounced. I have actually known this to happen. After six months in their new house, a couple came home to find a neighbour looking around. The neighbour explained she had a key from the previous owner and was concerned because she had been watching the new owners and they had not returned at their normal time.
Insurance and Legal Considerations
Many home insurance policies require evidence of forced entry to cover burglary claims. If a break-in occurs and the thief uses an old key, you may find yourself ineligible for compensation. By replacing the locks, you not only protect your belongings but also ensure your insurance remains valid and effective. There are also an incredible number of older properties that simply do not have insurance rated locks. It is always best to seek professional advice. Many people confuse the locking mechanism on a upvc door for a 5 lever lock as stated in insurance policies.
When Should You Change Locks?
Ideally, locks should be changed as soon as you move in – before you start bringing in valuables or spending the night. If you’re renting, check with your landlord about replacing the locks, and ensure you comply with the tenancy agreement. For homeowners, it’s a straightforward process that can often be done in a single afternoon. As a tenant, it is worth offering to pay for new locks if the landlord won’t do it. Legally, they don’t have to, but morally your landlord should change the locks for you. This is an allowable expense, so no-one loses out. If you are a home buyer and intend to have work done quite quickly, either leave the lock changing until after the work is done or ask your local locksmith if they have some 2nd hand locks that can go in temporarily before the main change further down the line.
Professional Help or DIY?
While some may feel comfortable changing locks themselves, hiring a professional locksmith guarantees the job is done correctly and to a high standard. A reputable locksmith can also advise on upgrading to more secure or modern locking systems, offering an added layer of protection against break-ins. You might want to discuss smart locks or just get some advice.
Don’t Overlook Windows and Outbuildings
It’s easy to focus on doors, but remember to check and, if necessary, change locks on windows, garages, sheds, and side gates. These entry points are just as important for your overall security. A comprehensive approach ensures no weak links in your home’s defenses. When you move in, check all windows have a lock and key and that they operate correctly. Getting everything done in one go will save the cost of repeat visits in the future.
Wndow shuts & mechanism cleaned & serviced
Final Thoughts
In the whirlwind of moving house, changing the locks might seem like a small detail, but it’s one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect your loved ones and your possessions. By making this a priority, you’ll be able to enjoy your new home safe in the knowledge that you’re in control of who comes and goes.
After all, home is where you should always feel secure. Don’t leave it to chance—change your locks and start your new adventure the right way.
(OK, maybe not THE perfect Christmas present – but definitely something to think about!)
Practical, Thoughtful, and Full of Meaning
When it comes to choosing the perfect Christmas present, most of us find ourselves stuck between the latest gadgets, novelty jumpers, or a box of classic chocolates. But sometimes, the most memorable gifts are the ones we least expect. This year, why not consider breaking tradition and giving the gift of security, privacy, and peace of mind? Here’s why a lock could be the perfect Christmas present for your loved ones.
1. A Symbol of Security and Care
Christmas is all about showing the people in your life that you care. Gifting a lock—whether for a home, bicycle, locker, or suitcase—reflects your concern for their safety and well-being. It’s a gesture that quietly says, “I want you and your belongings to be safe,” and that’s a sentiment that will be appreciated long after the festivities are over.
2. A Practical Present They’ll Actually Use
Let’s be honest: how many presents end up collecting dust in a drawer by January? Unlike some novelty gifts, a lock is something people actually need. From safeguarding bikes on the daily commute to securing precious memories in a diary or jewellery box, a good lock is the gift that keeps on giving. With so many styles available—padlocks, smart locks, combination locks—there’s one to suit everyone’s needs.
3. Suitable for All Ages and Lifestyles
Locks are versatile gifts for all generations. Children might need a sturdy padlock for their school locker, while teenagers could use a lock for their gym bag. Adults will appreciate a reliable bike or door lock, and seasoned travellers will love a TSA-approved luggage lock. No matter the age or lifestyle, everyone has something worth protecting.
4. Encourages Good Habits
Giving a lock as a present isn’t just about the item itself—it’s about encouraging responsibility and good habits. For children and teens, it’s a gentle nudge towards looking after their possessions. For adults, it can be a timely reminder to update security, whether at home or on the move.
5. Personalisation Adds That Special Touch
Locks may seem utilitarian, but they can also be deeply personal. Many locks can be engraved with a name, a special date, or a message. Imagine the delight of receiving a padlock with a heartfelt engraving, perhaps to commemorate a special Christmas or a new home. It transforms a simple object into a keepsake.
6. Affordable Yet Meaningful
The festive season is not just about grand gestures; it’s the thought that counts. Locks are typically affordable, making them a brilliant choice for stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts. Yet, their meaning runs deeper than their price tag, offering both practicality and sentiment in one neat package.
7. A Nod to Tradition (With a Modern Twist)
In some cultures, locks are exchanged as tokens of love and longevity—think of couples attaching padlocks to bridges as symbols of enduring affection. Gifting a lock this Christmas gives a nod to those traditions, while also embracing the latest in security technology, from fingerprint padlocks to smart door locks.
Conclusion
So, if you’re on the hunt for a Christmas present that’s practical, meaningful, and sure to be appreciated, look no further than a lock. It’s a gift that says “I care,” and offers peace of mind all year round. After all, isn’t that what Christmas is all about?
Changing Locks When You Move – and why it’s important
Securing Your New Beginning
Moving into a new home is an exciting experience, filled with possibilities and the fresh promise of a new start. Amidst the bustle of packing, unpacking, and redecorating, one critical step is often overlooked: changing the locks on your new property. While it may seem like a minor detail, changing the locks & updating them is an essential measure for protecting your home, belongings, and loved ones.
Why Changing Locks Matters
When you take ownership of a new home—be it a flat, house, or even a let property—you can never be entirely certain how many sets of keys are in circulation. Previous owners, tenants, estate agents, cleaners, builders, and even neighbours might still have a copy. By changing the locks, you establish control and peace of mind, knowing exactly who has access to your property.
Protecting Your Family and Belongings
Your new home is likely filled with personal possessions, treasured items, and, most importantly, the people you care about. Failing to change the locks leaves you vulnerable to uninvited guests. Burglaries and unauthorised entries are often crimes of opportunity; ensuring your locks are unique to you greatly reduces the risk.
Meeting Insurance Requirements
Many insurance policies require evidence that the property has secure locks, and some may void claims if it’s discovered you did not change them after moving in. By updating your locks, you not only strengthen your home’s defences but also ensure you’re meeting the terms and conditions of your insurer—potentially saving you a headache should you ever need to make a claim.
Peace of Mind
There’s no substitute for the peace of mind that comes from knowing your home is secure. Sleeping soundly in your new surroundings is easier when you know you’ve taken proactive steps to protect your household. It’s a simple one-off task that can save you worry and stress down the line.
Don’t Forget Internal and Outbuildings
While the front and back doors are obvious priorities, don’t overlook other access points. Garages, sheds, garden gates, and even internal doors may also require updated locks—particularly if they provide access to valuables or private areas.
How to Change Your Locks
Contact a reputable locksmith who is approved by a recognised trade association.
Consider upgrading to more secure lock types, such as anti-snap cylinders or smart locks.
Retain control of all new keys, and only provide copies to trusted individuals.
Dispose of old keys securely to prevent them falling into the wrong hands.
Conclusion
Changing the locks is a simple, affordable step that makes a world of difference to your home security. As you settle into your new home, make lock replacement a top priority—it’s a small investment in your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. After all, your new chapter deserves to start on the right foot: safe, secure, and truly yours.
This week I have been to three properties to replace mechanisms that have cost the customers a lot of money. In all three cases, the cost could have been avoided with very easy door maintenance. Doors with multipoint locking mechanisms have various bolts, hooks and/or rollers. When they have bolts at the top and bottom going up and down, the one going down is the problem. A bolt going down means a hole in the floor for that bolt to go in to and thanks to Newton and his pesky discovery of gravity, a hole going down gets full of lots of things you don’t want, from small stones to compacted dirt over a long period of time. Taking seconds to hoover any floor holes around doors every time you vacuum your floors can potentially save you a rather large locksmith bill. If you have allowed these holes to fill, digging out any compacted grit with a screwdriver first will be a good start.
Another culprit that can cost money comes in the form of six legs. If you have wood doors with multi-point locks and no top and bottom bolts, insects have a habit of nesting behind the mechanism. Here is an image of one I removed this week.
That nest material sets rock hard and breaks the mechanism. You can usually tell if you have nesting insects by leaving the door wide open (usually outward opening doors) and watching to see if the parent swoops in or out. If they do, get someone like me to clear out the nest before it becomes a problem. If not, then regularly treat the area with (preferably Eco-friendly) repellents.
The last big problem of the summer is the heat. Plastic doors in particular (but wood doors as well), contract and warp in the heat. If your door is difficult in the morning sun, It may be OK again in the cooler evening when the sun is not shining directly on it. The parts to really watch here are hooks. If a plastic door warps, or a wooden door contracts too much, the hooks might separate too much to engage properly into the holes they go into. Trying to force them is likely to break your mechanism, When this happens you will need either a locksmith or door fitter to come along and adjust your hinges.
If you are having any issues with multi-point door mechanisms, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Multipoint locking doors are increasingly popular in homes and commercial properties due to their superior security features. With locks engaging at multiple points along the frame, these doors offer enhanced protection from break-ins and better sealing against external elements. However, like any mechanical system, they require regular maintenance to ensure optimal performance and longevity. Below is a thorough guide on how to maintain these complex yet valuable systems.
Understanding Multipoint Locking Systems
Before delving into maintenance tips, it’s essential to understand what a multipoint locking system entails. These systems typically feature three or more locking points, which simultaneously engage when the door handle is lifted or turned. The locking points often include the main latch, deadbolt, and additional hooks or bolts along the edge of the door.
Why Maintenance Matters
Multipoint locking systems are key to your door’s security and efficiency. Proper maintenance ensures:
Consistent functionality: Prevent stiff mechanisms or misaligned locks that compromise security.
Prolonged lifespan: Reduce wear and tear by addressing minor issues before they escalate.
Enhanced energy efficiency: Maintain proper sealing to prevent drafts and energy loss.
Routine Maintenance Tips
1. Regular Cleaning
Dust and debris can accumulate inside the locking system, hindering smooth operation. To clean:
Use a soft cloth to wipe down the exterior parts of the lock.
For internal components, employ a dry brush or compressed air to remove dust.
Avoid using water or harsh cleaning agents that could corrode metal components.
2. Lubrication
Proper lubrication is vital for keeping the locking mechanism smooth and functional.
Apply a silicone-based lubricant or specialist lock lubricant to all moving parts, such as latches, hooks, and bolts.
Avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can attract dirt and create a sticky residue.
Conduct lubrication every six months or as needed, depending on use.
3. Inspect Alignment
Misalignment can cause difficulty in locking or closing the door. Check for:
Uneven gaps between the door and frame when closed.
Strain or resistance when engaging the locks.
If misalignment occurs:
Adjust the strike plates on the frame using a screwdriver.
Ensure the door hinges are tightened and properly aligned.
4. Check for Wear and Tear
Over time, components of the locking system may wear out. Inspect for:
Cracks, rust, or deformities in the locking points.
Loose screws or bolts in the assembly.
Handle mechanisms that jiggle or feel unstable.
Replace damaged parts promptly to avoid compromising the entire system.
Advanced Maintenance Practices
1. Professional Inspection
While routine checks are beneficial, a professional locksmith or technician can perform a detailed inspection of your multipoint locking system. Annual inspections can:
Identify hidden issues, such as internal wear or corrosion.
Provide adjustments that require specialised tools or expertise.
2. Replacing Components
If your locking system shows signs of significant damage or is consistently malfunctioning, it may be time to replace individual components. This may include:
Worn-out handles or levers.
Damaged locks or strike plates.
Hooks or bolts that no longer engage correctly.
Ensure replacements are compatible with your existing system to maintain effectiveness.
Best Practices for Long-Term Care
1. Avoid Excessive Force
Never force the door handle or locks if they resist movement. Doing so can cause damage to the internal components. Instead, investigate and resolve the issue.
2. Protect Against Moisture
Multipoint locking systems are susceptible to rust caused by moisture. Protect your locks by:
Installing weatherstripping to minimise exposure to rain or humidity.
Avoiding water-based cleaning methods.
Applying anti-corrosion spray to exposed metal parts.
3. Use the Locks Regularly
Engage the locks frequently to ensure all components remain active and functional. Prolonged inactivity can lead to stiffness or mechanical failure.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Neglecting Routine Checks
Skipping inspections can allow minor issues to worsen over time, leading to expensive repairs.
2. Using Incorrect Lubricants
Oil-based products can cause dirt buildup, reducing the efficiency of the locking mechanism.
3. Ignoring Signs of Damage
Failing to address visible wear or malfunction may compromise security and lead to system failure.
Conclusion
Multipoint locking doors provide unmatched security and efficiency, making them a valuable asset to your property. By implementing regular maintenance practices, such as cleaning, lubrication, alignment checks, and professional inspections, you can ensure the system operates smoothly for years to come. Avoid common mistakes and stay vigilant for signs of wear and tear—your diligence will pay off in improved safety, energy efficiency, and the longevity of your door system. Proper care is not just an investment in your security but also a guarantee of peace of mind.
Should you have any questions regarding the above, please do not hesitate to contact me.
It’s that time of year again when the weather starts to do funny things to our doors. I am already being called out to do jobs that could be avoided with some basic maintenance for your locks.
Here on the Norfolk Coast, locks are not only at risk of rusting, but also damage from sea salt and wasps (more on those later).
So what can you do to avoid having to call me, or at least make the call a bit cheaper?
Firstly, keep your door (and window) locks clean. It’s very easy to forget about the front edge of a door when it is shut while you clean, but I see some shocking sights in my work. The more dirt and dust is allowed to build up, the more it finds its way into the working parts of your lock eventually causing damage.
The next step is oiling your locks. There is a lot of argument in the locksmithing world as to whether WD40 or graphite is better. For me, I say WD40 used twice a year (every time you change your locks is an easy way to remember and perfect for changes in weather) works just fine because it coats and flushes at the same time. Oiling does not mean just squirting a bit of oil where you put your key in the lock. If you have a wooden door with a mortice (“Chubb” type) lock, then the part inside stops the oil getting to where is needed and if you have a lock with a “Yale” type key, then oil in the key way is only getting a tiny percentage of what needs to be oiled. If you have any lock with a latch, either pull the handle down or rotate any lever knob to retract that latch. If you look where the latch retracts, you will see that the wedge shape of the latch will create a perfect gap for you to put in the straw provided with cans of WD40. Squirt for about 5 seconds (10 seconds if first time) and then work the handles, etc a few times to get the oil all over the insides.
On doors with multipoint locking systems (eg UPVC doors) you should also look at the front edge and lift the handles up and down a few times. Give another squirt of oil to anything you see moving. When you do this, you might even find the sticker that tells you to oil the door that you never knew was there and the installer never told you about! If you have a wooden door with a single deadlock, unscrew the faceplate at the front and take it off. This will now give you a larger gap around bolt. You might have to hold the WD40 straw in one corner, but squirt what you can, being aware you might get some splash back at you and oil does not clean up from clothes easily, so no maintenance in your wedding dress/designer suits. Don’t forget to put the face plate back on afterwards. In all cases, put some rags on the floor as oil will run down and drip off the bottom of the door and WD40 even stains paving stones.
Once you have done all the above, keep an eye on how difficult your door is to open. Hotter summers are warping even doors that never recognisably warped before. If your door is becoming difficult to operate in any way, there will be undue stress on various parts of your lock which will eventually lead to something breaking. The most common problem last year was French doors shrinking away from each other and the hooks of the multipont mechanisms not being able to get into their slots. Multipoint mechanism doors are usually adjustable, if your door is not as easy to operate when closed as it is open, best get the door adjusted before something breaks and you will have to add a locking product on to the cost of the adjustment.
Finally, those pesky wasps. If you have a wooden door with a multipoint locking system (lift the handles to lock) and it does not have top and bottom bolts, there will be a gap at the top behind the metal faceplate. This gap runs down behind the faceplate as far as the first moving part you can see. It is the perfect size for wasps to make cells in which to grow more baby wasps. Those cells harden a lot and can cause the mechanism to break. My advice is to at least put insect repellent all over the top of the door and then maybe stick a small cotton wool ball just in the top to bar access. I’ve dealt with a few of these cases now, and I really don’t like angry wasps trying to get me while I destroy their hard work!
If you have any questions regarding the above information, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by phone, text or email.
After the Beast from the East has left us, the weather has finally started to warm up again.
And with the warm weather, comes the next round of problems with upvc door locks.
This is especially true for French doors that have been shut through the entire winter and lockingmechanisms on wooden doors as the wood starts to dry out. If you have any type of door where youhave to lift the handles to lock it, and the door has become hard to lock, then call your local locksmith now, before something breaks. Your local locksmith can usually make some dooradjustments to get everything working fine again, thus saving you the extra cost of replacingexpensive broken mechanisms. Check your door locking mechanisms for any sign of rust and oil twice a year- I suggest when you put the clocks forwards and back. When oiling, give a good squirteverywhere you can see a moving part, and if you push the handles down, the retracting latch willreveal a small hole into which you should squirt more oil to make sure everything is well lubricated.
Away from multi-point locking doors, I have been on a few jobs recently where the customers havecomplained of hard to operate mortice (often called ‘Chubb’) type locks. My first action upon arriving, is to try the lock for myself. When discovering that the lock is indeed difficult, I inspect thekey. Locks usually work or seize up. Intermittent problems usually point to something else, and ninetimes out of ten, I see the customer has given me a co
pied key, or one of the prongs is bent. Keys cutin chain key cutting shops are usually done by people who are not trained very well because the staff turnover is high because wages and career prospects are low. Cobblers, engravers, etc who do key cutting have usually been doing it for yearsand have a more practiced eye when comparing their cut to the original. You can also ask your local key cutter to provide genuine copy blanks for you.
You might have to pay a bit more and you might have to wait while they order some in (some don’t stock because too many people want the cheap option when it is not properly explained), but your key will be better quality, last longer and protect the life of your lock. It all works out better value in the long
run. My main point on this topic however, is this; if you are having intermittent problems with yourlock, gather all your keys and try each one with the door open about ten times. Keep the keys that work. Get more copies from the originals that will have the lock bran
d on them, and ask your key cutter for original brand blanks from which to cut your new keys. Doing this yourself, will save the cost of calling me out to fix a non-existent problem. If all keys experience problems with the door open, or the problem persists when the door is closed, then by all means, call your local locksmith.
In other news, smart locks for wooden doors that are insurance standard are coming soon. If you want more information on this brilliant new product, please call or email using the in
formation on my contacts page.
A reminder that many elderly people do not have access to relevant information. If you know
someone without internet access, please check their locks for the British standard kite marks. If theydon’t have these marks, there is a strong likelihood that these people are not covered by the insurance they are paying for. Please give them the number of a local locksmith who will do a free security check (if he is worth anything) and give a no hassle, no obligation quote. And while UPVCdoors do not currently need a kite mark, cylinder snapping is on the rise and entirely preventable with the correct kite marked, anti-snap cylinders. I have tested ones you can buy in DIY shops and they are not as good as ones your local locksmith can provide.
If you require any more information about the topics raised in this or any of my other blogs, then please contact through any of the ways shown on my contacts page.
In previous blogs I have mentioned the importance of regular lock maintenance. This has been highlighted recently, as I seem to be going through a series of cases where doors with multi-point locking systems seem to be causing problems. This is especially true when the doors have shoot bolts at the top and bottom of the doors.
The bolts themselves are never particularly strong, so if the system is engaged without the door being properly closed first, it is very easy to push these bolts out of shape, which then causes them to wear as they do not fit properly into the holes in the frame. I do see this happening a lot with French doors. UPVC doors are usually easier to correct as there are often adjustments that can be made, but wooden doors that warp, expand and contract with the weather, can be very tricky.
If your door handles are hard to raise, or you need to hold them up to turn the key, then there is likely to be a problem. Stand back and look to see if the doors are straight and even. Check they fit into the frame properly. Look for signs of wear caused by bolts scraping woodwork. If there are signs of damage, call your local locksmith while there is a chance the problem can be rectified.
Should you have any questions regarding this or any other issues mentioned in my blogs, please get in touch via any of the methods on my contacts page.
Having looked at the locking barrels for double glazed doors in my previous blog, this blog is dedicated to the actual locking mechanisms themselves. There are several different ways in which they work.
The first and most basic is called a roller;
When the door closes and you lift the handles, it simply rolls into position behind a keep that sits on your door frame and looks like this.
Very few doors only have rollers on their own nowadays as they are incredibly easy to bypass. Their main purpose is to hold the door a bit tighter when closed to stop draughts and they might be the only option on small doors. They are harder to bypass on smaller doors. Without giving the reader tips on how to break into a home, I can only suggest that if you have a double glazed door and it only has these rollers holding it in place, you might want to seek advice from your local locksmith to see if alternatives are available.
Over time, these rollers can shift a little in position, making the door difficult to lock and unlock. You can see from this next image that the correct sized allen key (hex key) can be inserted to rotate the roller. A quarter turn should be tried before attempting to lock the door again and if that does not work, then a further quarter turn and so on until you have established the problem is not with the roller or the problem is fixed. If this does not rectify the problem, it might mean the door has dropped a little and simply moving the keep up or down a few millimetres might do the job, but at this point, I would suggest calling your local locksmith as there could be more serious problems to contend with. ……………………………………………………………………………………………………
A step up from the roller is the mushroom;
It is more secure than the roller because it slides into a slotted keep where it holds tight. There is nothing to adjust on these mushrooms, so if it causes trouble, and the door cannot be adjusted, the only option is to move the keep accordingly. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Next we have hooks and bolts that come out of the mechanism like this:
The hooks and bolts themselves do not adjust, but again if the door is out of position, there are adjustments that can be made, this time to the keeps, that look something like this. You can see from the picture that an allen key will allow you to adjust this keep. Some only allow backwards and forwards movement, so again, if you are unsure, please call your local locksmith.
Hopefully, you will never have to see behind the scenes of one of these mechanisms, so here is what goes on in the hook case itself. You can see this one has a hook and bolt. These parts do not often go wrong by themselves, but when they do, the door is extremely difficult to open without damage to either the door itself or the door frame. Therefore basic maintenance is vital and any signs of stiffness when lifting the handles should be dealt with by a professional.
We can now take a look at the gearbox, or centre case, where all main action takes place. There are many brands of these each with differing sizes and shapes within the brand, so this picture is just one example;
This example is called a double spindle and can be set up in two ways. The standard way is to have both handles operating through this hole.
In this case, the door will only be secure when the handles are lifted and the key is turned. However you can have handles where the inside handle operates through the top hole, but the outer handle is slightly lower and goes through this hole
In this case, everything operates exactly the same, but the lower hole does not allow the latch to pull back, meaning that you need the key to get back in. of course, if you are going further than the end of the garden, you should engage the locking mechanism completely as normal, but with this configuration, the door is at least technically secure.
These next two pictures show the hole that the locking barrel slides through and the barrel in place.
This is the simplest part of the lock. Everything inside above that, however is a minefield of cogs, levers and other moving parts. Please don’t expect your locksmith to be able to open these up and replace inner parts as with so many products around, knowledge of every one would be amazing and the locksmith would need an extra trailer to carry the spares, which would only be second hand as our suppliers do not provide anything other than complete products.
The centre keep for this part, looks something like this. And again, we can adjust certain parts like the latch keep on this one. Loosening these screws, allows the keep to move forwards and backwards. I have come across many problems where simply adjusting this part, which may have moved when someone slammed the door, has rectified the situation. Quite often, the locking mechanism will not operate if the latch is still being pushed in, which it can if this part is in the wrong position. …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Now, in this blog, I have mentioned doors dropping, which they often do. A sudden gust of wind, stroppy teens slamming, or even direct sunlight warping can all affect how the door sits in the frame. Most modern upvc doors have hinges that are adjustable. If you have a door with hinges like this; Then there is a good chance the door can be adjusted. The picture shows the one type of hinge that can be a little awkward because you have to prize it apart gently but firmly to get at the adjuster inside. Most actually have a plastic plug easily visible, which when removed, allow access to another allen key adjuster inside. If you are in any doubt, call your local locksmith. But if you feel like taking the job on yourself, half a turn of the adjuster should be all you move before trying to lock the door again. That should be enough to tell you if the door is easier or harder to lock. If harder, then you need to turn the opposite way. Remember, there are anything from two to four hinges that may be adjusted, so this is not an easy job.
Should you have any questions regarding the above information, please do not hesitate to contact me through any of the methods on my contacts page. Thanks for reading
There have been some very hot days recently, and the direct sunlight on many UPVC doors is keeping me busy. I have already mentioned in previous blogs that the sun has an effect on these doors, warping them and causing problems. If this sounds like a problem you are having, do not force the door handles up or down as this could break the internal mechanism.
If you can use another door, do so for the rest of the day. One customer of mine thought his door was completely stuck in the morning when the sun was shining straight on it. I was busy all day and could not get to him until the evening, at which point the door had cooled and was working fine again. So if you can, wait until the door has had some shade, or evening has come around, and then try the door again – it may save you a locksmith fee.
If your door is still causing problems when it cools down, call your local locksmith before putting too much pressure on the handles. Usually your locksmith can rectify the problem by adjusting the door hinges, or other parts of the door to make it all operational again.
Please remember that this problem can re-occur, though and you may need to call your locksmith out again, especially if it gets really hot.
If you have any questions regarding the information above, please use any of the methods on my contacts page.
