Keeping busy as usual covering the usual tasks expected of a locksmith. With a spate of burglaries and upvc door realignment. More recently I was called to a property in Kidbrooke to a property where there upvc doors were jammed in the lock position. The lady rang informing me her husband had played about with it to resolve the problem but ended up making it worse and jamming it up. Once on site I found the key was stuck in one position and would not turn any further. So the husband was not about so I went to work looking for signs of what the problem was. I had to jack the door up slightly that relieved the pressure being placed on the mechanism. The lock opened, to the relief to the lady. I adjusted everything required and got the door to lock and open using one finger it was that smooth. The lady was over the moon, as she thought that it would mean a new lock or mechanism being fitted.
So as I left the lady asked for some cards as she was so happy with the service. Next it was on to another upvc door. This time to fit some new flag hinges as one had broken and was not supporting the door. The lady only wanted to replace one but as the hinge had been broken for months, I advised that there would of been alot of stress and strain on the others. So I replaced all 3 and the owners tested the door and said it was like a brand new door. It opened and closed with ease, no lifting the door into place.
Once that was completed it was on to our local Ice Cream man. Having known him since I was a spotty teen and built up a long friendship he called on me when his upvc door had jammed shut. Once there it was apparent the handle was not operating anything so the hooks and bolts were in the locked position so we would have to manually move the bolts back into the open position.
After using a few techniques and specialist tools the door was open and it was a Milenco system. There is a common fault with these where the follower needs replacing as it fails but on this occasion it was required to replace the full strip as the gearbox had completely failed and one of the connecting plates had failed and sheared. So I made the door safe for over night purposes and then ordered a newer model of the milenco. The next day we went back and fitted the new system and keep and it went in a treat. Covered all exsisting holes so you would never know it was changed. Not only that we updated the cylinder to a BS kitemarked cylinder to go with the new handles fitted. So it all looked nice and shiny and operated nice and smoothly.
The ice cream man or as I know him Onur was really appreciative and paid for the job as well as giving me and the family a large tub of Cookies and cream Ice cream. Which in it self is ammmmaaazzzing.
Category Archives: Locksmithing
Thamesmead emergency locksmiths
Well it looks as though the summer is fading away now so the dark evenings from 3-4 will be upon us soon. So it’s now time people need to start thinking of their security again. As there is now going to be longer hours of darkness giving longer periods of time to thieves.
Only this week Locks in the City have attended 3 burglaries. Two of these were carried out whilst the occupants were in bed asleep. One the property owners had left a front window ajar and had gone to bed. The thieves obviously chancers had noticed the window open but no lights on. Giving them the invite they wanted. The climbed through the window and ransacked the lower floor of the house. Taking a laptop, tablet computers, iPod and other valuable items often found in living rooms. All the cupboard doors were left open showing where they had been.
We had to await for the police soco team to attend before we could carry out our job to ensure we did not interfere with any possible evidence. It was discovered that the thieves had entered via the front window but had left via the back door as the key was left on the inside in the lock. So they took the items left by the back entrance therefore being more inconspicuous. We were given the go ahead to change the locks, as the thieves had removed the keys also. So we had 3 entry points to the property.Therefore changed all 3 locks. I advised that it was best to not leave keys in back doors or any doors as it was an easy exit for burglars. I advise putting them out of site but close by to the doors. As for the window that was used for the point of entry. So i advised to keep shut the window at night. To add further security in the event of forgetting to lock up i suggested fitting two cable restrictors to either corner of window.
I also suggested fitting an alarm. We supply and fit the Yale wireless alarm and it can be set so if you are in the property the alarm can be set to go off if a window or door is opened. It offers a good visual deterrent as well as a good wake up call should anyone get entry into your property. The home owner agreed to have both the cable restrictors as well as the alarm fitted. Although sadly these measures were put in place after the family lost belongings it will however protect their belongings from now on and allow them to sleep again without worry.
Locksmith in Thamesmead
Well we are still keeping busy here at Locks in the City. Though we have had a few rarely thrown in jobs that is not always common. Firstly are key cutting service has gone quite mental. We have been travelling locally more so to estate agents. The agents seem to like the way I operate as going to them they can just hand me the keys i’ll go off to the van and cut them, then walk straight back in to their office. People find it hard to believe that I can do this on the van until they see the set up and they become mesmerised.
We received a call late one evening from a family who had been out for the day and upon their arrival home they realised they did not have their keys. They rang me and asked how much I gave them my quote and then they start to barter. Now I don’t mind occasionally dropping a few pound here and their to help out. Though these people wanted me to accept £20 and became quite aggressive about it. Sometimes you just have to say no and tell people to look elsewhere. It is quite insulting when people do this as its taken years to train and become knowledgable and experienced. Plus the tools and stock is a huge investment of many thousands of pounds. it’s never nice to loose local work but sometimes you have to.
After half hour or so I got a call back and its the same people from earlier. This time they are ver calm and collected and polite. They ask if I am local. I inform I am and they ask if I can attend. I inform yes but only at the agreed price. Straight away they agree and no bartering this time. I head over and find the family extremely happy to see me. All very polite. They show me the door, one guy asks please can you open the door without changing the locks as the landlord won’t pay for new ones. I inform that I can open without damage. I set about opening the door non-destructively and within a few minutes it was open to a few cheers. The family pay me and are ever so thankful. They ask for some of my cards and say they will let there friends and family know of me if they ever need a locksmith. It came to light the people they rang after me quoted inflated prices one was 3 times more expensive. He also told them he would be around 40 -60 mins but maybe longer due to traffic.
I asked why they chose to ring back the guy said I was the only one who was polite and gave exact prices. I never said maybe or it could be more. I told them I could open the door with out damage the others couldn’t guarantee this. Plus I was local. In the time they took to get back to me they could of actually been back in their property. Since doing this job i was given another job by this family of changing some locks on their balcony doors.
We were called by another agent new to us. They asked if I could open a property for them that they were selling. They had got a building company to carry out some works but there had been confusion over keys. Either way they were lost. I inform that i can go, so we agree a time and I head over. I find it to be a new upvc door with a relatively new lock fitted already. I meet the agent and it turns out the builders had replaced all doors and windows. Though the keys had vanished. I open the front door relatively quickly, change the cylinder for the right size. As the one fitted was 20mm to long. This is a security issue. I then find a back door that i opened, but it was poorly fitted and needed adjusting. It seemed everything was slap dashed. The agent was happy and since have continued to use me.
I had a neighbour knock at my door one night. They had taken their car in to be serviced and they would be getting the car back the next day. Problem being their keys had been left in the car and the garage was shut. There spares were inside the house. I said I’d come round and open up. I go look at the door and find it has a mul-t-lock garrison cylinder. These are a high end cylinder, the husband was quite worried as it had cost him a fair few quid a couple years ago to have the locks changed. I set to work with my trusty picks specially made for this type of lock. After about 10-15 mins the lock partially rotates. This is a good sign as it means its close to opening. I find the binding pin and pick it and the cylinder is open the couple are in and relieved. They get their spares and try them and as expected all works fine. The gentleman is flabbergasted as he really believed the lock would have to drilled open.
Emergency locksmith Woolwich
As ever, we are still getting about covering a vast array of jobs. We have covered a fair few jobs in Woolwich lately, the main source has been through a couple of long standing agents we have built relationships with over the years. Recently I was contacted by one of the agents and passed a tenants details over. She had locked her self out of her flat. I rang the lady and she was in a a bit of a fluster as she was rushing about and had to collect the kids from school early as they were finishing for the summer. I was already on a job in Woolwich about half a mile away. I had been uprating a nightlatch for a customer to a Yale PBS1 British Standard high security. I was just tidying up and packing away.
So within 15 mins I was at the property and got the required tools and the door was open in minutes. The lady run in and got her keys and was so grateful for how quick I attended. Though she was running late to get the kids, fortunately going to my next job I would be going past the school. So I offered to drop the lady and she would be on time if not a few minutes early. She agreed and could not be thankful enough. The lady tried offering me £5. I politely declined and asked passing my details would be more preferred and to spend the money on buying the kids an ice cream. later that day I received a text through on my phone from the lady thanking me for everything I had done and made her day so much better after locking her self out. Days like that make some of the troubles you do have in a day seem worth it.
Many people are led to believe as a locksmith you have a easy and profitable life. If only that was the case. It can be long hours, lonely and dealing with different scenarios and all weathers.Struggle to find parking and dealing with traffic and keeping to time scales so it can be stressful at times. Though when you open a lock or a door the rush of adrenalin is addictive and is one of the things that keeps it exciting. I have yet to meet a retired millionaire locksmith but i hold out hope.
Locked in or locked out, then give us a shout.
Well as usual we seem to be running ragged. Such a wide range of jobs lately. From a spate of changing letterbox locks, to keys left inside down to a large volume of key cutting.
We work with numerous agents throughout Thamesmead, Abbey Wood, Woolwich and Plumstead, covering normally tenants loosing keys and locks needing to be changed, or adjustments to doors that have swelled or contracted and become difficult to open and close. Though lately we have had a large quantity of letterboxes where we have had to attend site to open them and change them. None recently have been due to vandalism which they normally are subjected too. This week so far we have changed 4, its not a problem they are actually a welcomed job. They are relatively simple and easy to change.
We recently attended a job in Erith, a lady called saying they were having to enter and exit via there back door as they could no longer use the main door. A few questions later and it was diagnosed as a failed mechanism in a upvc door. I arranged to attend with the landlord to the property she had let out to a tenant.
I arrived on site and the tenant came to the window and spoke to me and informed me they had had problems for a while. Another locksmith had attended a few months back but had not fully rectified the problem. Pulling down the handle the mech seemed to work as it should. No notchy or sticking. Once fully down I puled on the door as it was an outward opening door. the top of the door and middle of door came towards me but the bottom was still held in place. So now I now the bottom hook has failed. I identified the mech and went and got the tools needed to open the mech.
Once the hook was manually pushed back into the open position the door was opened. Straight away the fault could be seen. The lower outer case had shattered to pieces. Obviously where it had been forced, something had to give and the case did just that. Meaning the operating arms were not operating the hook. Once door was opened it was found the mech was obsolete. We carry Yale doormaster on the van, with the added fact that we are are accredited Yale Doormaster experts I explained the benefits as opposed to the previous set up. The landlord asked for a quote which I gave and the lady accepted. So there and then I fitted it and a new set of handles as the others were no good. I set the new system up so that it worked on a twin spindle. This means the external side handle operates the the hooks but on a full depression of the handle it will not retract the latch. So no one can just walk in behind you. You have to physically use the key to pull the latch back. The internal handle operated both the hooks and a full depression would then engage and retract the sash bolt opening the door.
Both the landlord and tenant were happy with the new mechanism and the way in which it operated that they are considering having the back door fitted in a similar way.
From there I attended a job where a young guy was trapped in a flat. He rang saying he could not pull the handle down from the inside. He advised it worked when he left an hour ago to go to the shops, though now it was stuck fast. I had a feeling as to what the problem was but sometimes something can just come out of no where and throw a spanner in the works. The guy had doubled locked his door externally by using a revolution on the key unknowingly when he got home. He then would have effectively deadlocked the door. By slamming the door hard it had forced the sash bolt in to the keep/strike. Locking him in. I picked the lock in the open rotation by on revolution. I then asked the guy to try the handle now. With that the door opens to both his and my relief. I explained the operation of the lock as he was unaware of how to operate correctly.
Locksmithing in South East London
Well its been a little while since we got on here to leave an updated blog. We have been extremely busy in all areas of the South East. The main job’s we seem to have been attending is upvc doors not opening or closing properly. Normally the handle is stiff to lift up or down.
We attended a job in Blackheath SE3 for the very reason as stated above. The lady called us complaining that she couldn’t open her french doors to the garden. She was due to have people attended in two hours for a BBQ. She was panicking as she needed to get in the garden and tidy it and get the BBQ ready. I told her I would leave straight away. Withing 20 mins I was there and the lady was relieved if not stressed and really hot and bothered.
The key was turning 270 degrees but not turning the further 90 degrees needed to open it. Armed with experience and knowledge from over the years I used a few techniques and got the door open. The lady cheered and danced around the living room. She even offered me a cold beer but I had to refuse. I adjusted and done all the necessary things to make the door open smoothly again. It turned out the lady was a nurse and was having a few friends around for a very rare get together. So I gave the lady a discount as she her self sadly is not in a well paid profession for the fantastic work they carry out as a public sector servant. She was over the moon. I went off and wished her well and to enjoy her BBQ.
We then attended another recently in Eltham SE9, the landlord rang me as I was driving through Charlton SE7. He said he had spotted my van as it caught his eye and he was now behind me. He asked if I could have a look at a door on a property he let out in Eltham SE9. He informed that the tenants had rang complaining the door was stiff. I told the landlord I would pull over and we could discuss it. I have handsfree but its just easier to talk without all other distractions. I informed him I could attend in a couple hours and I wouldn’t charge to go out and have a look. I would then give an accurate quote and if agreed would carry out the works there and then.
He was more then happy. He gave a price and said if it’s less then that then to carry out the works and the tenants would pay and he would knock it off their rent. He then asked for some cards and said he would have other jobs in the pipeline. I attended the job and carried out the required works. All worked fine and smooth. The tenants paid and were happy. I rang the Landlord told him the job was complete and payment was done and I would send him an invoice. He was really grateful and appreciative and even happy the works didn’t come to what he thought they would.
Due to that fact, since then we have carried out 2 further jobs for this landlord, so looking after the customer. Providing a professional and proficient service has gained us another confident and returning customer.
Charlton Locksmith
Well hello again,
today started off relatively quiet, so I thought it would be an ideal time to catch up with paperwork and invoices. So I fired up the computer opened up my accounting software. I made my way through about 5 minutes worth of work when my phone rang. It was a lady who had her keys but the key wouldn’t work in her top lock. I diagnosed what I believed to be the problem over the phone. I told the lady the price, though she said she wanted to ring around.
I told her thats fine. How ever I told her to question who she rang if they could open the door non destructively. I also told her to query the worst case scenario she would have to pay ift hey they damaged her locks getting in.
The lady rang me back about 30 minutes later asking if I could attend because the others she rang quoted much higher then me and two said it sounded like the lock was faulty so would need a new lock fitted. So I travelled to Charlton to meet the lady. The lady gave me the key to try. it rotated in the direction to double lock but wouldn’t work in the open direction. So this told be my initial thoughts were correct. I got my tool from the van and was able to open the door. No damage was caused, the lady was in within minutes and was relieved.
I informed the lady of a few changes to avoid it happening again. I gave her my card and told her to think about it. It was up to her and no pressure to do it. I then left site.
Next job was to attend a property that was also in Charlton to change two cylinders. These cylinders however were not your standard cylinders but were removable core best cylinders. These are not that common. The customer had lost her keys. So I had attended before to open the property. I picked the locks open so there was no damage. I then fitted alternative locks and took these cylinders away to make new keys to the cylinders. So this was a return visit to re-fit. So once on site the job took about 20 minutes to complete and the lady was extremely happy.
Whilst at that job I received a call from a shop that was complaining about there door not locking properly. Basically the door had dropped so the top lock would not engage properly. I adjusted the door as well as greasing the moving parts and filled the keep slightly and the door was back to operating as it should be.
We also had a local call in Thamesmead to attend a family who had just moved into a new property and wanted their locks changed. So I offered them a new homeowners package that consists of 3 locks and labour in a deal. The gentleman was really happy as he felt he would be paying much more. They also required further keys so I was able to carry this out whilst there. Again the guy was amazed that I could do this in my van.
So in all quite a productive day today
DIY Locksmith
Hi all,
With people still be careful with their money in the current climate, it seems many people are now trying to find solutions to problems themselves. Saving themselves money. Which is what we all want, but sometimes you have to know where your abilities lay. You need to be able actually I’m not going to attempt this I will do the right thing and call a professional.
Thankfully I had a customer just like that. Although he called in a professional only after he had attempted the job himself. Then discovered he still could not open the door. Rather then give up he continued to try and open eventually causing more and more damage.
The gentleman rang and informed me that he had attempted to open the lock to change the barrel for a new one, as he had lost the keys to the old lock. He had decided to drill this particular lock open. When I arrived on site the gentleman took me through to a set of French doors into the garden and it was apparent the damage that was caused. The damage to the cylinder was extremely high. Sadly they had damaged the handles as well as the gear box to the multi-point locking point system.
I got the door open with a struggle and then removed the system from the door and fund the case to be distorted and out of shape. There was some obvious internal damage therefore it was inevitable it would need a new central gearbox, new handles and cylinder as the one they had sourced was wrong.
The guy was really annoyed not with me but his self it seemed. What would of been a relatively cheaper option would of been to rang me and got a quote to come out open the lock, and supply and fit a new cylinder for them. As now they had the extra labour cost because of the length of time, on site putting right what was wrong. Then the cost of a new cylinder, new handles and now the cost of new mech. As this particular make you can not buy in parts you have to buy the whole unit.
Then I was called by my accountants the very same day. They reported that there front door lock had fallen to bits. I arrived on site and found the internals of this lock were literally in bits as described on the floor.
Now it’s ok to think if I took it apart, that I would remember how to put it back. That is very true. Though when someone else has attempted to repair it and then start taking bits out. That’s no good to me. One of the workers informed me that part of it had failed and be of their guys had attempted to fix it but I think they got a bit lost.
Now this is where you have to play detective. You some times have to become an engineer and designer to in visage how it would work. There was screws, plates, grub screws, springs, spacers s well as the main body of the lock. Now there is so many variations to these locks and each one can be adapted for different solutions and scenarios. I had no plans or instructions to work to.
This is where my problem solving skills as well as my manual dexterity came in handy. Don’t get me wrong sometimes I had to take parts apart again as something needed to be put in before a certain other part. How ever after an hour of persistence I rebuilt the lock. I had it working as good as new. Though I do like jobs like this. As its a good test to prove your knowledge and experience and the working something out. I think I learn better from it. I physically put it back together so if I came across another then I know I’m capable of doing it again.
So this is one of the reasons why I like being a locksmith, as you have such a varied customer base. The same with their properties you come up against a whole host of different locks. Your forever learning and adapting.
Snapped keys and swollen doors
Well we are called out to people that have snapped keys in their locks fairly often. The most common cause for this does tend to be that people pull their does shut with keys in the lock. Communal doors are most common we attend, they are normally big heavy doors that open outwards.
People put the key in and pull on the key especially if they have their hands full. This puts immense pressure and strain on the key and the key will each time get weaker and weaker until unfortunately it snaps. I’ve always managed to get the broken part out. Though I have seen and heard of horror stories where sadly other so called locksmiths have attended site. Some won’t try to extract the key but go for a destructive method, leaving no option but to change the lock. This if it’s high occupancy block of flats can also ensure extra keys will be needed and obviously additional keys will be an expense that has to be covered. Then most flats would require at least two keys.
In cases where we have attended we have removed the key and been able to cut a new key on site, using the two pieces of the broken key. No damage was caused, and no one would have to obtain new keys Though if the key is on a restricted section, we can not copy these. You would need to have to contact the managing agent.
Another cause for keys snapping is if the lock is stiff. There tends to be many causes for this. Weather in particular. The constant hot and cold or a sudden change and we will start receiving calls. Doors whether upvc or wooden will expand and contract and not all the components will change at the same rate. So people will notice that there door is stiff to open or close. They may have to put a bit of weight behind the door or will kick the bottom. Obviously this is not ideal, as something somewhere is being forced into position. Then at some point something has to give. 9 out of 10 times its always going to be the lock, mechanism or handles that fail or snap. Again this tends to happen once the door is in the locked position which can make things even more awkward.
One example of this recently, was a flat on a first floor that had a upvc door onto a small balcony. The lady rang and informed me of her situation. I arrived on site and the door was unlocked as thekey could be turned 360 degrees in the opening position. Though the handle would not push down to retract the bolts and pull the latch back so effectively we had a door that was open but locked shut. The lady informed the door had been stiff recently, but they kept forcing it shut. Then yanking up on the handle until finally something gave way. Now I removed the handles and identified the make of the multipoint mechanism. I’ve opened these before. The easiest way I have found was to remove the beading and panels/glass. this gives a lot more movement in the door. Though this can not be done if I did not have access to the internal side of door. So this was an advantage this time round. Eventually door was open and no damaged caused. Though attempting this should only ever be done by a competent and experienced person. As everything has to be put back to keep the door square or you will make the problem even worse. We replaced the central gearbox and greased up all the moving parts then made the adjustments to the strikes and keeps. Everything worked smoothly and no effort was required to open or close.
Now with hindsight the lady recognised that if she had of called me earlier, all that would of been required would of been about 15 mins of adjustment. People don’t seem to keep things maintained. Window handles being snapped off, again down to poor or lack of maintenance.
Erith Locksmith
So with it being summer or so I was led to believe, we seem to be busier then normal for this time of year. Normally people are away on holiday or on breaks away. So we have been kept on our toes.
I was contacted by a gentleman in Erith recently, he had seen me in my van and taken my details down. He had purchased a new home so was looking to have the locks changed and the security inspected to make sure it was safe, as well complying with his insurance requirements. I offered to come to his new home and give a free no-obligation quote.
The guy accepted so we arranged a time. We both met at the property. This is where the guy informed me he had seen me in a local petrol station and was impressed with the smart appearance and professional look we have. He said you don’t look like your typical jeans and trainer wearing tradesman with a bashed up van with a windscreen full of papers and rubbish.
I always make a point of asking people how they find us. So we know how and what means they used. Any how we came to the front door which was a nice heavy looking wooden door. This was fitted with a rim cylinder and a deadlock. Once inside it was apparent that a poorly fitted night latch, of poor quality. There was also a 3 lever deadlock. These are not insurance approved and neither do they offer great security. My advice was to fit a Yale bs night latch. This is a nice heavy and quality looking lock. To go with this I suggested at least one Bs deadlock or two if your budget allows and key them alike so that one key operates both.
We checked the back door and that again was a wooden door, with a sash lock fitted. I advised fitting a Bs sashlock and also adding rack bolts to the top and bottom of door. These normally if fitted correctly can only be opened from inside with a star type key. I checked the windows and these were all upvc but the handles were a bit mix and matched. Some windows had no keys and couldn’t be opened. I advised maybe replacing all the handles. That way one key would operate them all and would also lift the look of the windows.
I left my quote with the guy and said this will be the price you pay. Nothing more would be added unless they required anything else further. The guy said he would get back in touch.
Two days later I was called and told to proceed with the job. He had obtained a further 2 quotes. One of which was £115 more then mine the other was £60 cheaper. The reason I was chosen I was informed was purely the fact I was more professional. I wasn’t pushy, and I was clear and broke the quote down so they knew exactly what they was paying for. I also gave them options so they had the choice.