Top 5 General Door Lock Services You Should Know About

What Can a Locksmith Actually Do For You?

Many people only think of calling a locksmith when they are locked out. But a professional locksmith offers a much wider range of services that help keep your home, office, and vehicle secure on an ongoing basis. Here are the five most important services to know about.

1. Lock Installation

Choosing the Right Lock

Lock installation begins with selecting the appropriate hardware for your door and security requirements. The right choice depends on:

• Door type - solid timber, uPVC, composite, and hollow-core doors each suit different lock types
• Security level - exterior doors need BS 3621-rated or Sold Secure-certified locks; internal doors have less demanding requirements
• Personal preference - from traditional deadbolts to keyless smart locks, the range of options is wider than ever

A professional locksmith can assess your specific situation and recommend the most suitable product rather than simply selling you what is in stock.

Professional Fitting

Correct installation is as important as the quality of the lock itself. A poorly fitted lock - one where the bolt does not align cleanly with the strike plate, or where the cylinder protrudes from the door face - offers significantly less protection than the same lock properly installed. A professional fitting ensures the lock operates smoothly and works to its full security rating.

Visit our lock change and installation page for more information.

2. Lock Repair

Common Problems

Over time, even quality locks develop issues:

• Stiffness or resistance when turning the key - usually caused by worn internal components or dirt accumulation
• Key getting stuck - typically a worn key, debris in the keyway, or a damaged cylinder
• Misalignment with the strike plate - often caused by door movement due to settlement, temperature change, or hinge wear
• Broken key in the lock - requires careful extraction to avoid further damage

What Repair Involves

A locksmith will diagnose the specific cause before recommending a solution. In many cases, thorough cleaning, lubrication, and minor adjustment resolve the issue without requiring replacement. Where internal components are worn or damaged, replacing the cylinder alone is often sufficient rather than fitting an entirely new lock body.

3. Lock Replacement

When Replacement Is Necessary

Repair is not always the right answer. Lock replacement is the appropriate choice when:

• Security has been compromised - after a break-in, an attempted forced entry, or loss of keys where copies may exist
• The lock is outdated - older locks frequently lack modern protections such as anti-snap cylinders, anti-drill pins, and anti-pick mechanisms
• Wear is beyond repair - a cylinder that has been forced, corroded, or worn heavily needs replacing rather than maintaining
• You are moving property - changing all exterior locks when moving into a new home is a fundamental security step

Choosing a Replacement

When selecting a new lock, look for British Standard BS 3621 certification as a minimum standard. For Euro cylinders (used in most uPVC and composite doors), choose a TS007 3-star rated anti-snap cylinder. See our locksmith services page for guidance on which locks suit which door types.

4. Emergency Lockout Services

Fast Response When You Need It Most

Emergency lockout assistance is one of the most frequently requested locksmith services. Whether you have locked yourself out of your home, office, or vehicle, a professional emergency locksmith can attend quickly and open the door without causing damage to the lock or frame.

Key points about emergency locksmith services:

• Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including bank holidays
• Professional tools allow non-destructive entry in most cases
• Locksmith can identify any underlying issue (e.g. damaged lock, broken key) and address it on the same visit
• Always ask for a price estimate before work begins

Preventing Future Lockouts

After resolving an emergency lockout, a good locksmith will discuss prevention: where to keep a spare key, whether a key safe is appropriate, or whether upgrading to a smart lock with keypad backup would reduce the risk of recurrence.

5. Key Cutting and Duplication

Spare Keys

A spare key is one of the simplest and most effective ways to avoid the cost and inconvenience of an emergency lockout callout. Locksmiths can cut duplicates on-site for most standard key types.

For security-sensitive properties, consider keeping spares with a trusted family member rather than under a doormat or in a key box accessible from outside.

Rekeying

Rekeying is an alternative to full lock replacement that provides a new key without changing the lock hardware. The locksmith removes the lock cylinder and reconfigures the internal pin arrangement to match a new key, rendering all previous keys useless. This is a cost-effective solution when:

• You have lost a key and are concerned about who might find it
• You are moving into a new property and want to ensure no old keys are in circulation
• A previous tenant, employee, or contractor needs their access revoked

Ready to Book?

City Locksmith London provides all five of these services for homes and businesses across London. Whether you need an urgent lockout response or a planned security upgrade, our experienced team is here to help.

Check our locksmith price list for transparent pricing, or contact us to discuss your requirements.