Ask anyone if they are currently carrying a set of house keys, and most will readily jangle their pockets in response. However, keys may become a thing of the past as touchscreen lock technology evolves and becomes more commonplace. If you often forget your keys or just aren’t a fan of keys in general, then read on to find out if investing in a touchscreen lock is for you.
When choosing locks for your home, one of the key deciding factors should be their compliance with your insurer’s requirements. Most insurers require homeowners to have British Standard 3621 deadlocks fitted on all their final exit doors because they are the most resistant to forced entry methods employed by thieves. In fact, having a BS3621 lock is often a prerequisite for your insurance policy to remain valid.
Here we compare Chubb and Ingersoll, both well-respected brands in the locksmith industry, to help you choose which is right for you.
Continue reading “Chubb or Ingersoll Locks – Which One Protects You Better?”
Security is a major buzzword in today’s world – from firewalls and encryption, to password complexity and personal data protection. However, often we are so concerned with virtual security that we overlook the physical measures in place to protect ourselves and our property. In fact, one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve home security is to change your locks regularly.
In a world where we change flatmates more frequently than our email passwords, it is a good idea to follow the tips below to determine if it may be time to have new locks fitted.
Continue reading “How Often and When Should I Change My Locks?”
No matter where you are in London, it’s necessary to update your locks every so often. Locks can become worn down through natural wear and tear. Just imagine how many times you open your day a day – that eventually adds up. This will cause your lock to deteriorate over time and compromise the safety of your home.
In order to keep your home at maximum security for as long as you live there, it’s absolutely necessary to update your locks. That’s exactly what our most recent job was for.
One of our most recent calls was from a family who did not feel safe with their current lock condition. The locks that they had currently were outdated and could’ve easily been compromised. They contacted 24/7 London Locksmith looking for help on how to maximize the security of their household.
We arrived at the house quickly and assessed the situation. We confirmed upon arrival that the current locks were not suited for maximum security. These locks we’re nearly 20 years old and were rusted. It was evident that any burglar could’ve broken in easily. We removed this lock quickly and replaced them with 2 maximum security, high-quality Banham Locks.
Mission: Replace outdated locks with new high-security Banham locks
Emergency: Client did not feel safe with current lock situation. Needed maximum-security lock installation.
Lock: Banham locks
Location: South East London
Phone call date & time: Monday, December 10th, 2018, 2:05 pm
Arrival time: 2:30pm (~25 minutes)
Work time: 50 minutes
Contact us today and we promise we’ll get to you within 30 minutes!
As a certified technician for 24/7 London Locksmith, I respond to our clients’ emergency calls day and night. I often travel to the outskirts of London, where I provide just as many residential and commercial services as in the central areas of our city. The thing I like the most about what I do? My favorite thing about this job is the stories I get to be a part of.
And, of course, the people I meet.
My name is Brian, I typically arrive in less than 30 minutes, and this is a day in my life as a locksmith.
For most people I know, the first association of being a locksmith is usually running around town and getting elderly Londoners out of trouble. Sure, I help people get inside their apartments, homes, and cars every single day, and sure, some of them are indeed older. But it would shock you to know how many of them are busy, running-on-a-tight-schedule, professionals just like you and me.
In our industry, this is just regular stuff. We earn our average salaries (if you work at night or provide emergency services, you usually get paid more), and we make a fair living. Locksmiths rarely have to worry about going out of business, which is great – everyone needs a lock and a key, after all. As for our competition, well, you just keep working, you give your best every day, and you stay committed.
The one thing I’ve learned in my career as a locksmith is that what people believe we do in this industry is often a misconception. No, I don’t spend my time waiting for lockout calls. I don’t get paid more than you do either. I simply go from door to door applying my skills, helping people, and having a blast being a part of their crazy stories.
And some of these stories have stuck with me for years.
As a locksmith, you’re in a unique position to take a sneak peek into somebody’s life. It usually doesn’t last longer than 10 to 15 minutes, but it’s fascinating nevertheless. I’m constantly meeting new people all over London. I’ve definitely heard my fair share of crazy lockout stories. I’ve really seen everything.
Officially speaking, I am a part of a team of professional locksmiths who cover all types of locks around all areas of London, regardless of what needs to be done. Emergency door opening is one tiny fragment of my job. I also repair, replace and install locks, deadbolt and other locks. I work with cylinders and levers, I know my way around uPVC, and I do my fair share of auto locks too.
What I actually do as a locksmith is solving unusual problems.
I combine function with aesthetics to deliver the best possible solutions for my clients, and I do that on a daily basis. It makes me happy because of the way I choose to approach it. In my opinion, a good locksmith is an artist of a special kind.
If you’re in need of any emergency locksmith services or lock replacements of any kind, reach out to us today!
Locksmith services are expensive, but only if you think of them as one-off security solutions. To those who understand why installing top-notch locks and deadbolts pays off, the industry pricing makes perfect sense. As in any other industry, the price tag here is a guarantee of quality and endurance, but also a warranty for your peace of mind.
The next time you ask yourself whether you should go with a cheap locksmith, consider this:
Having a cheap lock on an expensive house is a burglary waiting to happen. It is as simple as that. Even so, most house owners opt for hardware store locks or go for inexpensive and unlicensed locksmiths. Their thought process is usually the same – “They just don’t make them as they used too, so why spend anything more than necessary?”
Modern-day locks and deadbolts are actually far more reliable than in the good old days, but only when they are bought from a trusted locksmith shop. Unlike hardware store products, they are made of materials that are certain to withstand the test of time. Go for a cheaper solution, and you’ll end up risking the safety of your precious belongings.
Having a cheap lock on an expensive house is a burglary waiting to happen. It is as simple as that. Even so, most house owners opt for hardware store locks or go for inexpensive and unlicensed locksmiths. Their thought process is usually the same – “They just don’t make them as they used too, so why spend anything more than necessary?”
Modern-day locks and deadbolts are actually far more reliable than in the good old days, but only when they are bought from a trusted locksmith shop. Unlike hardware store products, they are made of materials that are certain to withstand the test of time. Go for a cheaper solution, and you’ll end up risking the safety of your precious belongings.
No, not everyone can do what a licensed locksmith does. After all, it takes a certain skill set and a fair amount of experience to master this delicate craft. Don’t you think that this kind of expertise should amount to something too? It costs real money to run a reputable business, which is why quality, commitment, and continuous improvement all come at a price.
Attention to detail comes at a price too. It’s one of the main requirements for being a trustworthy locksmith – not only are we as service providers aiming to help our clients choose the highest-quality security systems for their households, but we’re also responsible for installing them without leaving any scratches or making any damages to their expensive doors.
Finally, higher-priced locksmith services most of the time guarantee longevity. Being made from plastic and die-cast, cheap locks and deadbolts are doomed to quickly deteriorate even if nobody tries to break them first. And need we mention how easy it is to manipulate and pick these low-quality locking systems? Most of them can be opened in under a minute or two.
When you take product sturdiness into account, the math is really simple – the more you pay your locksmith, the longer you’ll stay protected. Try not to underestimate the importance of having a foolproof locking system – it serves not only to safeguard your valuable assets but also to protect your family. And you can hardly put a price on that.
Locksmith services are expensive, but only if you belittle the true value of having an unbreakable locking system that’s certain to last you for years to come. Once you start thinking about your locksmith in these terms, everything they do and charge for will start to make sense. At the end of the day, using a cheap locksmith just beats the whole purpose.
If you’re looking for a reliable lock installation that’s built to last, reach out to the trusted locksmiths at 24/7 London Locksmith today!
Ingersoll is a London-based brand that boasts almost seven decades of experience in producing high-quality locks. When we speak of Ingersoll, we usually do so in the context of its time-honored Ingersoll SC71 lock, a product that’s become synonymous with the company and everything it represents. Ingersoll Classic SC71 has been around since ‘69, spurring thousands of faithful copycats.
To say that it’s still as relevant as ever would be an understatement.
Here’s why Ingersoll has been at the cutting edge of lock design for more than half a century.
Out of many products that this reputable brand has designed and produced throughout the years, Ingersoll SC71 has remained the most notable and trustworthy. Boasting no less than 10 levers, the unique design of this lock is now world-famous, often imitated, and trusted by hundreds of households and businesses in the United Kingdom and beyond. And all this is for a very good reason.
Ingersoll’s signature product is a 10-lever lock with automatic deadlocking action and a domed shaped cylinder. In 1969, when it has been introduced to the market, SC71 was a revolutionary locking system. Withstanding the test of time, Ingersoll’s famous lock still guarantees the same level of security. It’s been said that SC71 is not so much a tried locking system as it is a personal statement.
All elements of this Ingersoll’s classic work in unison to provide the highest-security system:
In case that by some luck a burglar manages to circumvent this foolproof lock, SC71 will trap them inside. This is achieved by rotating the key 360 degrees, which automatically double-locks the system and deadlocks its handle. The front door is therefore rendered inaccessible as an exit to any burglar.
This reliable Ingersoll design has remained in continuous production since the early 1970s when it was first introduced to the market. Throughout the years, SC71 has continued to safeguard thousands of households all over the globe. It has earned the title of a timeless product and an extremely high-security lock, which is why it is one of the most imitated locking systems in the world.
Nearly five decades later, Ingersoll SC71 is still considered a synonym for security and quality. The expired patent on SC71 means that these locks can now be found just about anywhere. Considering that not all copycats can ensure the same degree of quality, however, you should be very careful who you’re purchasing your SC71 from.
If you’re interested in Ingersoll locks, you can rely on your trusted 24/7 London Locksmith to produce and install the original SC71 design. Ingersoll SC71 is the only locking system on the market that combines a 10-lever mechanism with an automatic deadlocking action is such a durable, resistant, and infallible way.
Contact 24/7 London Locksmith today to find out more about installing the reliable Ingersoll SC71!
As London’s leading source for emergency lock replacements, we run into a lot of violent store break-ins. Many of these break-ins result in broken locks and therefore an immediate need for our lock replacement services. In these types of situations, we understand how important it is to provide our quality services to you as fast as possible. Everyone has a right to feel secure in their own space and that’s what we will reinstate for you.
London Locksmith received a call on an early November morning. A local flower shop owner in West London came into an unfortunate morning surprise. A burglar had broken in violently and stolen valuables. The shop owners immediately contacted their trusted locksmith, 24/7 London Locksmith, and within minutes we were at the scene to replace the lock.
Upon arrival, we noticed that the lock had been completely destroyed. No signs of the previous lock were left on the scene, only shattered wood from the door. We assessed the damage and quickly decided on the new lock to be put in place.
We wanted to install a lock that would reinstate the owner’s peace of mind and also provide top-notch security for the shop. We chose a classic high-security lock. This lock is popular amongst shop owners because while it instilled maximum security, it’s also easy to use. This two lock mechanism is the best way to assure your shop is secure 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Mission: Emergency Break-In Repair – Replace broken flower shop’s lock in West London
Lock: Maximum security lock
Phone Call Date & Time: Friday, November 9th 5:42 am
Arrival Time: 6:12am
Work Time: 47 minutes
24/7 London Locksmith is your source for any emergency locksmith services. Our overall goal is to reinstate your business as a secure establishment, and that’s exactly what we’ve done for countless clients. If you’re in need of any emergency locksmith services, please reach out to us today! We’ll be at the scene within minutes!
Do enjoy the sight of snow falling down from the comfort of your home, dressed in your favorite winter sweater as the fireplace gently crackles in the background? A jazz record and a bowl of freshly baked ginger cookies in hand, and what you have is a proper Christmas postcard.
Oh, and try not to think about this month’s energy bill.
But let’s venture back to reality just for a second, we could help you lower those numbers without ever lowering your heat. At least 30% of warmth escapes through doors if they are not properly sealed. To have yourself a comfortable winter that won’t break your bank, it’s necessary to winterize your doors and locks.
If you’ve ever been locked out of your car or home in the freezing cold you understand the pain of a frozen lock. Freezing weather can often cause your locks to freeze up and your faced with the decision of whether or not you should take measures to thaw the lock yourself or call a professional.
Sometimes, all it needs is a small amount of water. Your car may be exposed to low temperatures for a bit too long, or maybe your home lock fell victim to the freezing temperatures. But the question of how to thaw a frozen lock is complex. You don’t want to damage it further, but you need to get to warmth soon.
These are the do’s and don’ts of thawing a frozen lock.
