uPVC Specialists

Did you know that the majority of local locksmiths are also uPVC specialists?

Whatever situation you are in it can be extremely stressful to find that your uPVC door or window is not functioning correctly. This can not only be stressful but can be a high risk to the security of your home, especially if the uPVC door is jammed in the locked or unlocked position. This can be due to various factors, including the sudden change in the weather or basic wear and tear.

Any issues with a uPVC door should be rectified as quickly as possible as you may be subsequently vulnerable to a break in and failure to get the uPVC door repaired could result in invalidating your home insurance policy.

Here at Keytek™ all our Locksmiths are fully trained and skilled in uPVC doors and windows. A quick call to Keytek™ on 0800 035 0451 and we will have an engineer on site and nine times out of ten are able to resolve this issue on the first visit. 

Here are some of the terms a local locksmith may use:

uPVC Doors:

British Standard/BS3621 - The BS3621 signifies that a lock has been tested by the British Standards Institute and has met all of the relevant standards. It is widely recognised by the public and the majority of UK insurers as a sign of quality.

Cylinder - The key operated part of most locking systems. Available in many formats such as Euro profile, Rim type and Oval.

Anti Snap Cylinder - A cylinder specifically designed to help prevent cylinder or lock snapping. The ABS High Security Euro Cylinder is the only security cylinder currently on the market which has a TS007 3 star rating, SS312 Sold Secure Diamond Accredited and Secured by Design Accreditation combined.

Deadbolt - A solid bolt that protrudes from the Forend of the lock into the ‘Keep’ fitted on the door frame.

Double Locking - A function that offers an extra locking facility on top of the standard operation.

Furniture - Any hardware fitted to a door other than the lock itself. Handles, door knocker etc.

Hook Bolts - Similar in principal to dead bolts, although for added security hook bolts pivot out of the case and swing up or down into the frame.

Latch - Usually found used in conjunction with a number of other locking points (such as deadbolts).

Spindle - A square bar that runs between two handles, passing through the lock body itself to allow the latch to be retracted when a handle is operated.

Thumb Turn - A euro profile cylinder in place of the internal Key way to allow easy or quick egress.

Hinge Bolts - Small round lugs that are drill into the spine of a door and engage into keeps in the frame when the door is closed. Designed to prevent a door being lifted from its hinges and removed unless open.

Suite (Locks) - More than one lock manufactured in sequence or to a specific non-random pattern.

Master Key - A key that is designed to be able to open more than one lock.

Cylinder Snapping

Did you know that there are approximately 22 million doors across the UK that could be at risk to lock snapping?

So what is lock snapping?

“Lock snapping involves snapping the lock cylinder in two, by applying force, and removing the outside part to expose the lock mechanism. Doing so provides access to the mechanism, allowing the door to be unlocked.” (Yale)

In order to snap a lock an intruder will often use makeshift tools that can be easily found around the house. Worryingly this technique doesn’t require experience or skill, just brute force.  

Euro profile locks (better known as Euro Cylinders) are found in the majority of uPVC doors and are the most likely targets for this type of forced entry. 

What can I do to prevent being a victim of lock snapping?

In order to combat lock snapping simply call a local locksmith to upgrade your cylinder to one that is specifically designed to prevent this method of attack, ideally a cylinder that meets the TS007 3 star standard. If possible when having your lock upgraded have your new cylinder fitted in conjunction with a high security mechanism and handle set. 

Keeping you secure with ABS High Security Euro Cylinders...

All of our local locksmiths are able to supply and fit an ABS High Security Euro Cylinder, to ensure your uPVC or double glazed doors are not only meeting your home insurance requirements but are also ultimately secured for your peace of mind when it comes to your home security. The ABS High Security Euro Cylinder is the only security cylinder currently on the market which has a TS007 3 star rating, SS312 Sold Secure Diamond Accredited and Secured by Design Accreditation combined.

Speak to one of the Keytek™ Team today on 0800 035 0451 to find out more about having your cylinder upgraded to the 3 star versions.

Advice on the uPVC security risks that were highlighted on Sue Hills Crime File on This Morning

As you may have already seen on ITV’s ‘This Morning’ today ex–burglar Michael Fraser who you may remember from BBC television programme ‘Beat the Burglar’ demonstrated that he was able to snap a Euro Profile cylinder in just four seconds!

(Please view the above video at 03:30)

In this blog post Craig, the Technical Manager at Keytek™ gives his own advice, tips and information in regards to what security risks this video has highlighted...

This week’s ‘Sue Hill’s Crime File’ on ‘This Morning’ highlights a design flaw in Euro Profile cylinders. It basically shows how a Euro Profile cylinder can be removed from the door and how the lock case can be manipulated therefore allowing an intruder to gain entry to a property. In fact it is not a new problem and it doesn’t just apply to uPVC doors only.

Any style of door that has a Euro Profile cylinder fitted to it could be at risk. The information contained in the video is accurate to a degree and having a BS Kitemarked cylinder will offer more resistance to this type of attack, but as with any product, they are manufactured to different price points and vary in levels of quality.

When choosing a Euro cylinder please bear in mind that having the Kitemark is the MINIMUM standard you should have but there are other higher security alternatives such as the TS007 3 star rating accreditation.

When having a new Euro cylinder or any other type of lock replaced we always recommend that you contact a locksmith who can carry out a full home security and insurance compliance check as part of the service and recommend a quality product that conforms to all of the relevant standards for your insurance and your peace of mind.

Craig 
(Technical Manager at Keytek™) 
 

Feeling hot hot hot...

We’ve all been enjoying the return of the British heat wave today and we’re sure the hot weather will continue this month. According to The Independent we could see the hottest day in August for ten years and in some areas the temperature is set to rise to a scorching 32C and possibly higher!

(Image source at Washingborough Hall)

Whilst we enjoy the sunshine, unfortunately the exceptionally high temperatures are not great for uPVC or wooden doors as changes in heat can often cause doors to swell or shrink. Potentially, these changes can unfortunately leave your property unsecure, as you may be unable to unlock or worse lock your door, leaving your home vulnerable to break-in.  When a door swells or shrinks it’s often a simple case of calling an accredited 24 hour emergency locksmith to fix the problem for you, making ongoing accessibility much easier during those hot summer days, leaving you far less likely to find yourself locked out when you return from a day on the beach!

Problems with your door can be caused by a variety of other factors during the summer; a common cause being simple wear and tear especially when everyone is more partial to popping in and out of the back garden to top up the tan. This can also cause security issues for your home, especially if you’re unable to lock up due to the lock being damaged by continuous use. This problem can also be solved by calling a locksmith to your home who will be more than willing to fix or replace any locks that have been damaged by wear and tear.  

Also, don’t forget to secure your home even when just popping out to the garden, this includes the window you have left open to catch the rare breeze. Leaving any doors or windows open during a sunbathing session in the garden could leave your home unsecure and pretty much a burglar’s dream of entering your property undetected whilst you’re in the garden.  According to statistics provided in this fantastic UK Burglary report provided by Tesco Compare 73% of burglars use a door to gain entry and in 3% of cases the door was open.