Main Types of Lockouts in Stevenage
UPVC Door Locks: one of the main lockouts these days in Stevenage are keys left in upvc doors, because a key cannot open the door from the other side, so even if you have a spare key you are still locked out and in 99% of cases you will need a locksmith.
The worst type of lock out on upvc doors is the multipoint lock failing, this can be awkward and expensive and if you only have one door, like in a flat, very inconvenient.
Doors slamming shut when nipping outside quickly i.e putting rubbish out or hanging washing out. With certain locks on front doors and a draught from an open window you can be locked out in seconds.
Problems with Keys: Lost keys, stolen keys, keys not working ie faulty lock. Using the wrong keys: quite often people use the wrong key and they can jam easily, sometimes keys snap off in the lock.
People even get locked in. Locks do acquire faults at the most inconvenient times and people do get locked in especially in flats or houses with out a rear access. Another common problem is people getting locked in toilets. Quite often locks jam, which can cause frustration and distress especially if young children are involved (see our locksmiths hints and tips).
The majority of Lockouts can be sorted out quite easily and cheaply, with out damage.
I have a good success rate in getting the broken keys out of locks and cylinders.
On occasions locks do have to be drilled or forced but the art is to do it without causing excess damage.
I’ve known people drill through locks into locking mechanisms rendering it useless, when I can get in easily through another door or window saving you a lot of time and money.
We had a door lock replaced over 2 years ago, it stopped working recently. We called back Stuart who turn up ASAP. He told us the part was out of guarantee but replaced it free for us. What a fantastic service. We are glad we found him in the first place.
Mr. O : Knebworth, Herts.
Typical story - Locked out in Letchworth
I attended a lockout in Letchworth one evening. I was called by a helpful neighbour after his elderly neighbour, in her mid eighty’s, had locked her self out. It was a routine lockout - a Yale lock - the door had blown closed behind her and she was crying and apologising.
As I was gaining entry to the locked door she was saying she was a recent widow and her husband would have known what to do to get back in. I was checking with the neighbour, who was making her a cuppa. I asked him if her husband could have helped, he explained they had married over 60 years and her husband was in his nineties and nearly blind when he passed away, so they would have needed to call a locksmith anyway.
