Something has gone wrong with a door or a lock and you want to know what to do right now. This is the page for that. We have put the most common problems we get called to in one place, with honest advice on what you can try yourself and when it is time to stop before you make it worse. The golden rule runs through all of it: forcing things turns a cheap fix into an expensive one.
The van covers the whole Waterside, so Hythe, Holbury and Fawley are usually under half an hour, and we reach Marchwood and Totton without any drama.
The short version:
- If a lock fails, stop forcing it before you make it worse
- Non-destructive entry is quicker and cheaper than fixing a forced door
- No call-out fee, so phoning for advice costs nothing
- Common faults: spinning keys, uPVC doors, snapped keys, stiff locks
- Broken key removal and fresh key cut on the spot
- Lost keys with an address attached, rekey or change the locks
You are locked out
First, breathe, and do not put your shoulder through the door. Check the obvious. Is a window on the latch, is there a spare with a neighbour, is the back door open. If not, do not start levering or drilling. A clean non-destructive entry by us is usually quicker and far cheaper than fixing a forced door, and you keep the lock you already paid for. Our 24 hour emergency locksmith page has the number and what to expect.
Your key turns but nothing happens
If the key spins freely and the door will not unlock, the cylinder or the cam inside has most likely failed. Stop turning it, because forcing it can drop the mechanism and lock you out entirely. This is a common fault, particularly on older uPVC doors, and usually a straightforward fix once we are on site.
Your uPVC door will not lock
If you lift the handle and it will not engage, or you have to lean on the door to lock it, that is almost always the multipoint mechanism or the alignment, not the whole door. Do not keep forcing the handle, because a strained gearbox can fail completely and trap you in or out. We fix this on our uPVC door repair visits, usually in one go because we carry the common gearboxes on the van.
The handle will not lift
A handle that will not lift to lock often means the door has dropped on its hinges or the gearbox is on its way out. A small hinge adjustment can buy time, but if it is the gearbox it is best changed before it strands you. If you feel grinding or have to fight it every time, treat it as urgent rather than living with it.
A key has snapped in the lock
Do not push the broken half in further and do not jam another key in to fish it out. That usually wedges it deeper and can damage the cylinder. We do broken key removal without destroying the lock in most cases, and can cut you a fresh key on the spot so you are not left without one.
You have lost your keys
If keys are genuinely lost rather than just locked inside, think about who might have them. If there is any doubt, the safe move is to change or rekey the locks, because a lost key with an address attached is a real risk. It is usually cheaper than people expect and buys back your peace of mind.
The lock feels stiff or gritty
A lock that is getting harder to turn is warning you. Do not force it and do not squirt cooking oil or WD-40 in, which gums up over time and attracts grit. A proper graphite or PTFE lubricant and, more often, a small repair is the answer. Catching it early avoids a full lockout later. Our door mechanism repair service handles exactly this.
When to call rather than carry on
If a door is your only way in or out, if you are vulnerable or have children with you, or if forcing something risks a costly repair, that is the moment to call. There is no call-out fee, so a quick phone call costs you nothing and often saves a lot. For the bigger picture on keeping your home secure, head to the Home Security Knowledge Centre, and for any term you are unsure of, the Locksmith Glossary explains it.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do first when I am locked out?
Check for an open window, a spare key or another door before forcing anything. If you are stuck, call for non-destructive entry, which is quicker and cheaper than repairing a forced door.
My key spins and the door will not open, what is wrong?
The cylinder or internal cam has most likely failed. Stop turning the key, as forcing it can drop the mechanism, and call a locksmith for a usually straightforward fix.
Why will my uPVC door not lock?
It is nearly always the multipoint mechanism, the handle or the door alignment rather than the whole door. Do not keep forcing the handle, as that can finish off the gearbox.
Can you get a snapped key out of the lock?
Yes, in most cases we remove a broken key without damaging the lock and can cut a replacement on site. Do not try to push the broken piece in further.
I have lost my keys, should I change the locks?
If there is any doubt about who has them, changing or rekeying the locks is the safe move, especially if the keys had an address with them. It is usually cheaper than people expect.
My lock is getting stiff, what should I use on it?
Use a graphite or PTFE lock lubricant, not cooking oil or WD-40, which gums up over time. A stiff lock is usually warning you, so it is worth a small repair before it fails.
Does it cost anything just to call and ask?
No. There is no call-out fee, so phoning for advice costs nothing and often saves you money and a worse problem.
Need a locksmith now? Bugsy answers the phone himself, no call centre. No call-out fee. Call 07453 327708 for a quick honest quote.