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How to solve Lock problems on your Own

The essence of locks is to keep you and the members of your household safe. When your lock malfunctions, it must be dealt with straight away. There are some locks that require a locksmith’s hand as the damages may be severe, but there are others that you can solve on your own. Below are common lock problems and what you can do to solve them.

  1. Broken key in a lock

This is a sudden lock problem that is frustrating to deal with. When this happens, don’t use the broken piece of the key to lock or unlock the door further. If you do this, the broken key part might go further in and making it difficult to remove. Instead, try to remove the broken key if possible with pliers. Don’t force it or you could make the situation worse. If it fails, contact a locksmith. They have the necessary tools and experience to deal with this situation.

  1. Locks that are difficult to open

Do you notice that your old locks are stiffer when you try to open them? Dirt and dust can sometimes find their way inside the lock and build up over time. It will then clog up the locking mechanism making it difficult to turn. What you can do is

Dirt and dust can sometimes find their way into a lock and build up over time. This can clog up the locking mechanism making it difficult to turn. You should lubricate the lock with graphite spay or silicone lubricant, then replace the key and turn it a few times. Never use oil-based lubricants because, although they can help at first, they also lead to clogging issues later.

  1. Inserting the key is difficult

Firstly, make sure you’re using the proper key in the lock. The problem isn’t triggered by a badly cut key, so you can rule that out. Badly cut keys can often cause issues in locks, which is why it’s important to get new keys cut by a reputable locksmith. If you have a spare key for the lock, use it to determine whether the issue is with the key or the lock. If the lock is damaged, a locksmith may have to examine it

  1. Key doesn’t turn in the lock

A number of factors can contribute to this issue. First and foremost, you should never try to force the key into the lock, as this may cause the key to breaking. As previously mentioned, you can lubricate the lock with graphite spray or silicone-based lubricant. If this doesn’t work, there could be a misalignment of the lock and door or a problem with the lock cylinder. Unfortunately, both of these issues will almost always require the services of a locksmith to identify and fix.

When in these types of situations, the safest thing to do is to contact a professional locksmith. If you’re in Northern Ireland, don’t hesitate to call us. Our locksmiths are well-trained and well-equipped to solve any problems that you may be in. Situations like these call for professional care.

Burglar Proof Your Windows

There are different layers to home security and one layer of it is your windows. People tend to purchase everything possible for their doors but leave their windows, now that is a security breach. There are various measures for a homeowner to secure their windows and keep their household safe.

Window Locks

Investing in a secure window lock is the first step. This simple method only needs you to install locks like deadbolts and window latches. But by far the best lock that you can invest in is a huge lock that a person can see from the outside. The size of it alone can deter most burglars and their strength can stop the few who try.

If you’re not sure what lock to get, call a professional locksmith for advise. They might need to see the window first before advising. Mobile Locksmith Northern Ireland provides this service, catering to all residents of NI.

Glass

If you’re afraid that a burglar would smash your window, there are ways for you to strengthen it. A thing you can do is to opt for tempered instead of traditional glass. This is more difficult to break and the cheapest option you can take. Another is laminated glass, these are more studier than the other two glasses. A burglar needs to strike this several times in order to break it, making much noise in the process. A few strong strikes will deter burglars as it is loud to break one of these. Lastly, having a bulletproof glass is the most expensive option. Normally reserves for cars, you could try to install these.

Window Bars

Installing these is a very effective way to ramp up your home security. The sight of itself will dissuade burglars from entering and even if they tried, they can’t squeeze through the bars. You can purchase window bars that are already styled to be aesthetically pleasing, to match with what your house is going for. However, safety experts warn people from using this as windows are exits points during emergencies.

Bright Lights

Burglars prefer the dark, so putting up bright lights to illuminate your windows is a great way to keep them away. Motion sensor lights can be purchased that will turn on when someone approaches your home. This will not only protect you if you arrive home after dark, but it will also warn you if someone is approaching.

Alarms/Sensors

Another layer of window security. This comes with and without wires. With wired alarms, people tend not to get them as they don’t like the added mess of cords and wires. Wireless alarms are the popular ones, however, you need to routinely check them as they work on batteries.

Alarms and sensors usually emit a loud noise when an unwanted intruder goes through a window. This noise is loud enough to be heard from your neighbors’ house and will scare away most burglars.

In summary, having these for your windows will definitely help you against break-ins. The layers of alarms with strong locks and sturdy glass will make any burglar think twice. Whenever you need to ramp up your window security in Northern Ireland, don’t hesitate to contact us. We provide a number of locksmithing services. For more articles on home security visit our blog section.

Security Measures Against Break-Ins

It is a traumatic experience when a break-in happens. An unknown individual breaking in and entering will make anyone feel unsafe in their house. Changing locks is the normal thing to do after, but what’s next? For you not to experience this, we made a guide that will discourage burglars from entering your home. Do note that there is no way to discourage them completely, this guide will only talk about precautionary measures that you can do.

  1. Improving your Locks

Check your locks around your house, do they look broken, rusted, or old? When you have these locks, change them immediately. But when you do, don’t settle for the same model of locks. Try to find better versions to ramp up your home security. So when the time comes for you to replace a lock, contact a locksmith to make sure you have the recent and the best type of locks. It might be expensive, but it will be worth it in the long run.

It’s also better to check with your insurer about your locks. It is possible you might have the wrong locks when a break-in happens, so you may not be able to claim.

  1. Assess your Door’s Strength

Having a good strong door is a must-have to prevent break-ins. It must be strong enough to withstand a kick from a burglar. Even having good locks, if a person can kick through your door, we have a problem. One way to strengthen your door is to reinforce it with metal plates. This can be attached with screws that are drilled in. It is better for a professional locksmith to do this process but if you want to save money, you can purchase these plates online or in DIY shops.

While reinforcing your door, try to improve the frame as well. Make sure that the frame is firmly attached to the walls. If it isn’t, you can secure it by using special bars and fitting them on the hinges and locking points. Another is using hinge bolts to prevent doors from being forcefully removed from their hinges.

  1. Doors with Windows

Having doors with windows may look good, but it poses as an entry path for burglars. They can take advantage of the windows, smashing them and unlocking your door from the inside. Especially if the window is placed near the lock. This is a very scary thought and it is advised to change doors. But if you don’t want to change it, reinforcing the glass is another choice. Installing bars on the inside will prevent burglars from unlocking the door. You can also have these bars stylized to be more decorative.

  1. Other Stuff that you can Do

If your door has everything that we listed, you can do more to improve your home security. Getting a door chain will definitely provide more protection. If your lock fails the chain can be its other layer of protection. Also, if your door has a letterbox installed in it, burglars can use a tactic called ‘fishing’. This is where the burglar uses a long wire and inserting it through the letterbox. You can prevent this by installing a letterbox guard.

Having a security light will also be an improvement for your security. Most of the time, this will deter burglars from targeting your house. They usually love to hide in darkness, masking their figures and faces. Having a bright light that shines from your door will definitely scare them away. Lastly, a security camera is another layer of home security. This is actually a scare tactic as they will not going to risk breaking in while they know a camera is pointed to them

All in all, improving your security is a must to deter break-ins. It is not guaranteed that these security measures will totally dissuade burglars, but having them will give you a good chance of not having to deal with an unwanted intruder. Mobile Locksmith Northern Ireland has all of these and more, when you need someone to ramp up your home security, give us a call.

How much does a Locksmith Cost?

The prices of locksmiths vary greatly from company to company. It depends on their brand, the skills they have, and the tools they are equipped with. Do take note that the conditions of your locks and keys will also determine the price. This article will be your guide on the prices of locksmith services.

  1. Prices
  • To Gain Entry

Before calling a locksmith, use your spare key if you have one with you. You don’t need a locksmith if you’re locked out of your house unless you lost both keys. That means you will need to call a reputable locksmith. The estimated price for a locksmith to access a house in the United Kingdom is about £ 80.00.

That price isn’t fixed, it depends on whether you have a key trapped in a lock, a broken key or you just lost your keys. The price also varies on the structure where the key is located. If you choose to replace the missing keys to a building, and rates will start from £ 90.00.

  • To Change Locks

One reason to change locks is when you lost your keys, there is a chance that it may have fallen into the wrong hands. Changing locks will ultimately be your defense when this situation happens to you. If you moved into a new house or apartment, changing locks is also advised. The former owner or tenant might have the keys to the old locks, which means that there is a good chance that if they want to get in, they can do it whenever they want.

  1. Location

Locksmith Prices aren’t the same for every area. Cities are generally more expensive than rural locations and supply and demand for this skilled job also comes into effect. As an example, a locksmith in Belfast Northern Ireland would be considerably cheaper than a locksmith in London.

  1. The Standard and Brands of Locks

There are different brands of locks and keys, the price of some varies. This will also affect the price if you need a locksmith. There are locks that are safer than others, this usually means that it is more expensive. However, the type of lock you need will depend on your situation. To find out which lock is best for you, talk with your locksmith.

  1. Locksmith Company

As stated above, the price differs from one locksmith company to another. Comparing the rates of different companies will make the difference in paying an economical locksmith versus a pricey one. The reputation and location of the company will greatly affect the price as well, many national firms will double or even triple the price of a typical local locksmith in certain cases.

In summary, it’s important to do your due diligence if you’re looking for locksmith rates or want to know how to get a cheap locksmith. We would recommend attempting to employ someone with a decent reputation that you know is nearby since this would ensure that the work is done properly, and at a reasonable price.

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