LockFort Security

29/05/2026

Are your patio doors tough to close, open or lock?

Big uPVC patio doors have big heavy glazing units in them, but also spend a lot of time open, hanging on their hinges.

Overtime, this means they tend to shift position or fall out of shape.

The early symptoms of poor alignment are having to slam them shut and pull really hard on the handle to get them locked.

But left to get worse it can cause more costly repairs like broken gearboxes, handles and snapped keys.

The customer hadn't opened these doors since before Christmas because they had become difficult to close.

But a good servicing from me and they are bang on again, pulling back into their weather seal with hardly any effort and no pressure on the gearbox.

Very happy to help a genuinely lovely customer ❤️

27/05/2026

🥵 What a scorcher!

🚪Have you noticed any of your doors or windows becoming harder to lock or unlock in this heat? Maybe the door is completely stuck shut when the weather demands you have it open?

You're not alone - I've had a big influx of calls about stuck UPVC doors in particular in and around St Helens this week.

Mostly, those doors with issues are the ones in full sun for most of the day. With this unusual May weather, they are expanding and contracting more than usual, causing some to warp and get stuck.

What you need to do:

Firstly, if your door is lever action (you pull the lever up to engage the lock) and you are finding it harder than usual with more resistance, DON'T FORCE IT.

The chances are that the door was already a little misaligned, which means the hooks, bolts and rollers were already under strain when the handle was operated. This may have been made worse by the weather.

Forcing the handles or lock now may be the thing that:
❌ Breaks the key in the lock
❌ Snaps the cam inside the lock
❌ Breaks the gearbox or mechanism itself (more expensive)

If your door is stuck shut, you may wish to wait for the sun to come off it and try it again tonight if its not an essential door.

Otherwise, give me a call - I will get the door open using non-destructive techniques and then service the door so its sitting right in its frame again.

📞You can reach me all this week on 07891823443 or DM here.

25/05/2026

Before I was a locksmith I rented a little flat in Liverpool with my partner who was already living there before I moved in with her.

For the entire 5 years she lived there she never had a key for the letterbox, and almost broke her wrist everyday fishing her post out 🤣

But letterbox lock changes are no issue for me these days, so if you have lost the key for your letterbox just call or DM me here on Instagram and I'll get you sorted in no time!

24/05/2026

The same goes for St Helens... Are your locks protected from lock snapping?

Sadly, as a locksmith, most locks in composite and UPVC doors that I see around town aren't high security, or even decent security - they are basic eurocylinders. The majority of these cylinders can potentially be snapped out surprisingly easily, especially if fitted incorrectly (stick out too much).

If your lock doesn't have at least sacrificial cuts, and doesn't have 3 stars on it, changes are it is more vulnerable to lock snapping from a criminal trying to enter.

I don't post this to scare people but to educate as many as I can so they can make their homes a harder target.

Give me a shout on 07891823443 if you have questions about your home security locks.

We’re asking everyone in our community to take a few moments to check their home security and review some simple crime prevention advice to help keep our neighbourhoods safe. 🤝

Our Team 5 Target Car officers have shared the following guidance to help residents protect their homes and support one another within the community 🏡

💭 Lock snapping is a technique used to target certain euro cylinder locks, often fitted to uPVC and composite doors. Some older-style locks can be vulnerable, but upgrading them is usually quick, affordable, and can greatly improve security.

You can check your lock by looking at the front of it and comparing it to the example shown below. Locks displaying the TS007 3-star marking are designed to provide extra protection against this method. 🔐

Here are a few simple ways we can all help strengthen community safety:

🔒 Consider upgrading to anti-snap or TS007 3-star rated locks
💡 Use sensor lighting around entrances and driveways where possible
📹 Use CCTV, video doorbells, or visible security devices if available
🚗 Always remove valuables from vehicles and ensure they are locked
🪟 Keep valuables, keys, and handbags out of sight from windows and doors
🚪 Double-check doors and windows are locked before leaving home
👀📱Keep an eye out for neighbours and report suspicious behaviour to police
🤝 Share crime prevention advice with friends, family, and local residents

Even small security improvements can make a big difference. By staying aware, supporting one another, and working together, we can help keep our neighbourhoods safe, welcoming, and secure for everyone 🚨🚔

18/05/2026

I went to my first SWARM meeting the other day in and could tell it was different. It was all about nurturing each others businesses and perspectives on how to grow, not just a grab for leads.

So much so that I thought I better join while the going is good.

First meeting is free so come on down to take a look
Https://swarm.business

18/05/2026

Sometimes speed counts. ⏭️

As locksmiths most of us pride ourselves on non-destructive entry (getting into the property without breaking anything). However sometimes it's not always the best option.🔑

Some locks are tougher to crack than others and even the most experienced locksmiths have to know when to crack it open another way to get inside. 💥

In this case, this family had a 9 month old baby with them and desperately needed to get inside. When it became evident that picking was going to take time and patience on this lock, I elected to destroy the lock and replace it at no extra charge: it was the right thing to do for the customer in the moment and led to a 5* review they were so happy. 😍

18/05/2026

🫣 One day I'll learn how to take a nice picture of myself, with or without hair!

On the upside, I'm now officially a Personal Member of the Master Locksmiths Association 🥳

Over the next year or so I will be working hard to attain the prestigious rank of Qualified Master Locksmith.

17/05/2026

Can dimple locks still be picked? Absolutely, but most are harder than standard vertical keyways and require a different kind of pick.

This one was great practice on a slow Sunday afternoon.

15/05/2026

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