If you have a uPVC or aluminium front door, then you like most of people in Exeter have a cylinder lock, like the one in the picture. Unlike Yale type locks or mortice locks, the turning of the key pulling a bolt out of the way so you can open the door, the cylinder lock engages the multi-point locking mechanism built into the door. This is far more secure than an older lock with a single locking point.
There are some complications that arise using these multi-point locks. The multiple bolts that shift around the frame can be knocked out of alignment (especially if the door is slammed or forced), making it much more difficult to open and close. The symptoms are that the door handle feels much stiffer than before, that turning the handle to open the door (or lifting the handle to lock the door) is more difficult and requires more force. It can also be next to impossible to actually shut the door and have it stay closed, which leads to people slamming the door to try to get it to close, making the problem worse. This can be repaired without replacing the whole door.
Exeter Locksmiths LockFix can replace and repair damaged uPVC cylinder locks on the spot. |
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The other problem is the uPVC door lock cylinder itself. In older models there is a fatal weakness which could allow a thief to break into your home in a few seconds using nothing but a simple screwdriver. If your lock is more than a couple of years old, you may want to have it inspected to make sure that you are not going to be at risk of this.
Modern locks that have been made resistant to this 'snapping' attack can still be damaged, but they don't let the would-be burglar actually get in to your home. Modern locks are not impervious to all of the attacks that a burglar could throw at it, but they are far more resistant to them than their predescessors. This is something that you may have noticed your home insurance provider taking an interest in recently. It doesn't take long to replace your old cylinder lock for new snap resistant lock, and this could offer you a saving on your home contents insurance premiums, contact LockFix for replacement uPVC cylinder locks across Exeter, Devon and West Somerset. |
