Emergency Locksmith Edinburgh

Need A Locksmith?

Emergency Locksmith Edinburgh

Not sure if it is a locksmith you need? Here is a guide of the more common reasons people might call on the services of a locksmith.

 

Locking Yourself Out Of Your Home

Managing to lock yourself out of your house is the most common mistake people can make. It can be a distressing experience being locked out of your home because you lost the key, locked them inside the property, mislaid the keys or because your key has been stolen. A locksmith can soon have you back into your home without having to resort to smashing windows or breaking down the door.

 

Lost Or Stolen Keys

We have all been there and lost our keys at some point. They are easy to mislay or can accidentally fall out of your pocket when you pull out your money or phone.

Maybe your keys to your home were stolen and now you feel insecure and would prefer a new lock and set of keys. In this situation it is best to contact your emergency locksmith to replace the locks and prevent the thief from using your keys to burgle your home

 

Damaged Key

Sometimes after years and years of use, a key can be weakened. A weakened key can snap whilst inside the lock leaving bits of key missing. In this case a locksmith can be of assistance in extracting broken bits of key from the lock and replacing your key. It is not advisable to try and extract your broken key from the lock as this could cause damage to the locking mechanism.

 

Lock Repair

As a result of wear and tear a lock can fail us. A locksmith may be able to repair the broken lock rather than you having to replace the whole lock.

 

Lock Changes and Lock Upgrade

Locksmiths are frequently called to upgrade or change substandard locks that might not comply with your insurance regulations. If you have a non insured approved lock and you have a break in at your property, your insurance will not cover your possessions. A locksmith can change your locks and ensure that they snap-safe and insurance approved locks that will give you added security and protection.

 

Burglary Protective Locks

A locksmith can check your security locks to ensure you are protected with anti-snap locks. None anti-snap locks can leave your open to crime by means of burglary. Many uPVC doors were fitted with locks that could be snapped by criminals with a tool. Many of these locks are being replaced with more secure locks. It is important to make sure your locks are not snap locking locks and your locksmith can advise. Your locksmith can examine your locks and make sure they meet the standard of protection for insurance purposes.

 

Moved To A New Property

If you have recently changed house, office or any other property it is recommended that you get the locks replaced. A locksmith can change the locks and give you a new set of keys. This will take away any worries about some stranger out there who might still have a key and access to your property. Changing the locks will give you added peace of mind.

 

 

When to Change Wooden Door Locks

wooden door locks

There are a number of different wooden door locks available but if you have a wooden door then it is likely that you have a mortice lock fitted as this is what the manufacturers tend to use. They come in a range of different sizes and brands so the lock you have will much depend on the manufacturer’s preference. Unfortunately, not all locks that come supplied with wooden doors, particularly older doors, will meet the current British Standard BS3621. To find out if the lock you have on your wooden door meets BS3621 then you need to check the lock for the kite mark that should be displayed on the face plate of the lock.     If your lock does not display the kite mark then it would be worth calling out your local locksmith to come and upgrades the locks as soon as possible, this is not only to ensure that your home is better secured but also you may find that having substandard locks can mean your current insurance policy is invalid and you may not be entitled to make any claims!

When To Change A Mortice Lock?

Below we have listed just a few of the reasons why your mortice lock might need changing:

  • Current Locks Don’t Meet BS3621.
  • Faulty locks due to wear and tear or tampering, in some cases a faulty lock can be simply repaired however it is best to have a locksmith come and diagnose the problem and advise you on the best course of action.
  • Recently moved into a new property and need the locks changing to ensure that only yourself and those you trust have a copy of the key.

Rim Cylinders

Rim cylinders are often installed to work alongside a mortice lock, they are often referred to as a Yale lock. This type of lock will automatically lock behind you when you close the door. This is a great measure for extra security however if you have left your keys inside it can be quite frustrating! Luckily, a good locksmith will be able to help you gain entry into your property in no time without causing any damage to the existing lock or door.

If your wooden door only has a rim cylinder, then it is strongly advised that you have a mortice lock installed to work along side it, this will vastly improve the overall security of your door.

When it comes to needing a rim cylinder lock changing the reasons are much the same as those for the mortice lock, your current lock does not meet BS3621, it is damaged, or you have just moved home.

Further Security Measures

Below are a few tips on how to improve the overall security of your wooden door:

  • Have a rim cylinder lock installed if you don’t already have one.
  • Have another BS3621 deadlock installed at the bottom of your door.
  • Have either a bolt or chain installed. These can only be used whilst you are in the property but are great for extra protection at night!

If you need to improve the security of your wooden door locks, or just need your locks repairing, replacing or upgrading then contact Budget Locksmiths – Edinburgh today – 0131 235 2069