Probably all of us have experienced some lock problems, missing keys, slammed doors that just won’t open. Frustrating, isn't it?
The good news is that it doesn't have to be so.
Our emergency locksmith service is there for you 24/7 and we cover all of Greater London.

Just dial 020 7828 8888 or 020 8503 8888, if calling from a mobile phone, and the help will be on its way. Our office staff will diagnose your lock problems over the phone, give you an estimate of the cost and dispatch a service locksmith right away. So phone, if you are in rush. However, if you're not in a hurry, book a locksmith online - when you put your requirements in writing, they will be crystal clear.

According to the old locksmith adage, in London, one is never more than three yards away from the nearest lock. But plenty of locks can cause plenty of lock problems for their owners and users. So, what are the most common lock problems that our locksmith service can solve for you?

• Break-in repairs

  If you have unfortunately been the victim of a burglary, you should know the exact sequence of steps you must take, before you call us for assistance.

  1. You need to call the police, because they should be the first ones to arrive at the crime scene and gather some forensic evidence.
  2. You should also call your insurance company, because they’ll be asked to foot the bill in the end.
  3. And last but not least, you should call us.
     A Metro-locksmith will be able to:
     • attend swiftly,
     • make the premises secure,
     • repair or replace the door frame,
     • replace or upgrade the locks
     • and replace the door if required.

   

• The standard “slammed-shut door”

  The “slammed-shut door” situation, by some estimates, occurs 300 times/ day in Greater London alone. In most cases our locksmith will open the door without damaging the lock. You can try to open the door yourself, using a piece of plastic can to push the latch bolt back into the body of a lock, or to reach through the letterbox to open the door. But this can be trickier than it appears.

• Missing keys (they are stolen, lost or simply not available)

  Unlike the “slammed-shut door” situation, no self-help proposal will work here if the door were properly locked by turning the key in one or several deadlocks. And you don’t have the key. Call us and give our locksmith proper information on what was locked when the last user left through that door. The locksmith may have to pick or drill the deadlocks on that door open. If he drills them open, they may have to be replaced.

• The key won’t turn in the lock

  Sometimes the key just won’t turn in the lock. There are several possible reasons:

  1. It is the wrong key;
  2. The lock needs lubrication;
  3. The door is binding, thus preventing the key from turning;
  4. In the case of a Yale style lock, the button (snib) on the inside could be in the wrong position, thus locking the lock completely;
  5. In the case of a uPVC door, there could be a key stuck on the other side of the lock. That will prevent the key on the outside from going in fully. You could try and remove the key from the inside via the letterbox;
  6. The lock could be broken due to wear and tear, misuse, or just plain bad luck.

  Our tradesman will be able to solve any of these lock problem situations.

• uPVC and double-glazing door lock problems

  Problems with uPVC doors tend to be more disruptive than problems with locks on wooden doors. A uPVC door has just one lock on it, so if that doesn’t work, then there is no way to lock the door. The older the door, the nastier problems can become. Typical lock problems with uPVC doors include:

  1. The handle works correctly on one side, but just spins round on the other side. The solution is to reposition the spindle and fix it in place.
  2. The locking system in the door works fine when the door is open, but the various bolts do not engage correctly when you try to lock the door. The solution is to re-align the locking strip with the various bolt-receptacles on the door frame. A fiddly job alright, but a daily fare for our locksmith.
  3. The handles just spin round on both sides. That may (but need not) mean you need a new locking strip. The locking strip sits in the edge of the door and operates all the bolts which shoot out. This may not be cheap, and sometimes not even a same-day job. Many of the locking strips are special-ordered items and can take a day or two to come in. But once when we do the job, you may rest assured that it’s done correctly.

• Need a new lock

  Whether your keys were stolen, or you experienced a break-in, or a break-up, or you are moving into new commercial or residential premises, you will need a new lock. Locks can be changed without the intervention of a locksmith – most locks are sold with fitting instructions. However, it is important to get the correct lock for the purpose. When replacing locks, the new lock should be identical to the old one. Otherwise a simple DIY job can turn into a very time-consuming nightmare. In other words, if it needs to be done properly, our locksmith will normally win hands down.