Locksmith Londonderry / Derry

Derry Rim Cylinder Replacement - 25th July 2022

Our Derry/Londonderry office received a call from a customer looking for a new lock and an inspection on other doors. This house belonged to the customers late father who only used the rear door, the front door was never used. So, once we arrived, we checked the front door which indeed hadn't been used for at least 15 years. Once opened we got to changing the rim cylinder (which had lost all colour and was stuck to the collar). We then proceeded to check the rest of the doors for any lock problems, all was fine just a couple of keys required cutting which we promptly sorted. Our customer's house is now secure and ready for the next few years.

Front door jammed shut in Londonderry - 20th July 2022

We received a call to our Derry/Londonderry office to inform us they needed their front door opened. Simple i thought.... nope... on this occasion the door had slammed with the wind into the frame while it was in a half open/closed state. This was a problem as the door was solid wood and slammed with such force it was well and truly wedged in. As this door was wooden, we couldn't manipulate any part of it i.e. use a spreading tool or similar to prise open to move internal mechanism. Coat off! After nearly 2 hours of slowly moving the side bolts and getting it unstuck it finally freed up as i went with the door as it opened. Flat on my face but happy along with the customer (I'm sure it was the door opening that made them happy, not me falling through with it!). Their door is once again working how it should just in time for a house warming party.

Unlocking back door on behalf on landlord in Londonderry - 14th July 2022

We received a call from a frustrated landlord of a property in Derry. Our customer was due to be letting out his property to new tenants and just needed a back door to be unlocked due to lost keys. This would have been a very simple process for our trained staff but during a conversation with his gardener about needing a door unlocked the gardener told our customer he can do this easily. Apparently, an hour later the customer came back to see his handles removed a big hole underneath (and to the sides where the handles don't cover) and the internal mechanism having the bottom part being cut somehow and squeezed together also at the cylinder entry hole. The door was still very much locked and at an even worse state now. Our landlord was fearing having to get a new door fitted now, so as we arrived and assessed the situation we started trying to straighten the internal mechanism (gearbox). After a little wrestle with the gearbox, we won (split decision) as we were able to eventually to release the gearbox from its locked state. Much to the relief of our customer he doesn't have to buy a new door but unfortunately the gearbox is beyond repair. We have now supplied, fitted and tested a new gearbox and Maxus anti-snap cylinder. If a professional had been called in the first place our customer would have saved over half the price he had to pay on this occasion. Everything is now safe and secure ready for his new tenants.

Maxus anti-snap lock fitted for home in Londonderry - 1st July 2022

This call came in to our Londonderry/Derry office midweek with a customer locked out of their house. On this occasion it wasn't due to a lost or broken key but a faulty lock. Our customer informed us that the lock wasn't operating smoothly and it took 2 or 3 attempts to get the door locked or unlocked. We proceeded with the lock to gain entry and after only 5 mins the customer was in and having their faulty lock removed, replaced and thoroughly checked over. They now have a much more secure Maxus anti-snap cylinder with a 12 month no quibble parts and workmanship guarantee. Save time and money, please call in a professional if your locks are not working/feeling as they should.

Professional entry gain to property in Londonderry - 24th June 2022

We had a job arrive at our Derry/Londonderry office this week which is again fairly common, a DIY gain access & change lock. As you can imagine it wasn't a tidy scene with bits of metal handle lying around, screws etc. They had tried to gain access using a hatchet! Challenge accepted, we stripped the door of all locks and mechanisms to test which was working and which wasn't. Fortunately there was no internal damage but the handles and lock needed replacing. We supplied and fitted a new Maxus anti-snap euro cylinder plus some shiny new handles to suit. If you are locked out or think your locks maybe faulty, please call a professional, it does save money.

Late nigh entry gain to home after lock out in Derry - 21st June 2022

Sunday night (approx 11pm) we received an emergency callout from 2 young ladies locked out and dreading a night in their car. With the situation being urgent we swiftly arrived at the house to be greeted by 2 very relieved customers. After approx 25mins we managed to gain entry via non-destructive methods. We checked the lock over to make sure it still operates as it should. Gave it a bit of graphite powder and gave the customers a card... each (no expense spared). :) We advised the ladies to get more keys cut and look after their keys. Safe once again.

Security upgrade for appartment in Derry - 15th June 2022

Our office at Derry/Londonderry had a booking for a customer currently living in an apartment and wishing to add to their security. The doors in these apartments were a nice solid wood build (not so nice for drilling) so to accompany the current thumb-turn lock we decided that a rim lock with night latch would be the best addition. After explaining to the customer the installation process, we proceeded. Starting with measuring, drilling and finishing with a nice new shiny rim lock and night latch to suit. Keeping you safe and safer with additional security.

Restoring secuirty to property in Derry - 6th June 2022

At our Derry/Londonderry office we had a call from one of our very first customers as a company, which was a lockout. This time they were looking for both their front and back door locks replacing due to a 'friend' having taken a key from there back door lock. This type of job very frequently comes up and it normally turns out to be a friend or relative. Needless to say, we changed both locks to Maxus anti-snap (as standard) euro profile cylinders, had a lovely cup of tea and a catch up. Our customers are able to sleep better once again.

Extracting snapped key in lock in Derry - 30th May 2022

Our offices were contacted by a resident in Derry/Londonderry who had accidently snapped their key in their front door lock. As we hear often to make it worse for the customer there was no spare key either. Upon arrival we could see the key snapped inside the cylinder and would be fairly simple to retrieve but as the customer had no spare, we decided to snap the lock as it was no longer of any use. Inspecting the cylinder, it was also clear some pins in the chamber were loose which is most probably the reason for the key to become stuck and then eventually break. After snapping the lock, we also have a check on the MPL & gearbox which was working fine. Our customer now has a brand new standard anti-snap cylinder lock, 5 spare keys and 12 month no quibble parts and labour guarantee.

Lock installed for new Air BnB room in Derry - 20th May 2022

These types of calls are getting more common. We received a call regarding having a lock on one of their bedrooms as it is due to be rented out as an Air BnB room. Naturally everything has to be very secure so we at our Derry offices decided to install a 3-lever mortice sashlock. Now they have a nice shiny brand-new lock for maximum protection to guests.

Fitting anti-snap locks for added security after safety concerns in Derry - 10th May 2022

Here we have another unfortunate case of a key being stolen and it being a relative to make things worse. Our office in Derry/londonderry was contacted by a lady worrying that as her key was stolen her relative could break in at anytime (as it had happened before), also the relative in question had been 'Taught' how to snap locks which made things even more frightening for her. Upon arrival we reassured her that no one would be able to break in via snapping the lock as we fitted her with STANDARD anti-snap locks. We all at lockforce hope she has some peace now. Remember to take note of who has what keys and how many you have.

Keys damaged so new locks required for family home in Derry - 4th May 2022

Lockforce Locksmith Derry/Londonderry was contacted by a customer to report her keys were broken to her front door but fortunatley had access to her rear doors. We arrived within 15 mins as this is still considered an emergency because there are children there and the property only has one access and exit door which is potentially dangerous given an emergency situation. As there no other keys available we drilled the lock out of the mechanism (gearbox) for quick access. The cylinder replacement was simple enough but also they have anti-snap as standard on there cylinders. After chatting with the customer she revealed that her husband had left there house keys on top of there car and proceeded to drive away with them. They were found down the road smashed by a few lorries and cars. We provide 5 keys with our Versa cylinders along with a 12 month parts and workmanship guarentee.

Back door not locking properly in Derry - April 2022

On Saturday morning, Lockforce Locksmith Derry recieved a call from a customer telling us that his back door won't lock when shut but works fully when open. Upon inspection this was indeed the case, the door was actually scraping the floor. Often when a door is used with regular traffic it will start to move out of alignment because of the constant weight being applied to it. Once a door is not aligned the mechanical locks cannot engage into there keeps fully therefore the cylinder struggles to turn and most times eventually breaks. We aligned the door correctly so now it slots in the frame smoothly and locks fully and correctly.

New handles for home in Derry - April 2022

Lockforce Locksmith Derry took a call from a local resident who was asking about getting new handles for his back door. The back door had a 4 point MPL fitted into an old oak door with worn brass handles. After consulting we agreed with the client to fit rose coloured handles and an escutcheon for his cylinder. The client now has a new modern look chrome handle and escutcheon combination.

Locksmith called to Nandos - March 2022

Lockforce Locksmith Derry was contacted by the local Nandos resturant in town centre. They had explained that upon unlocking and opening their slide window/door for the first time in 6 months that it wouldn't lock again. When i looked at the problem indeed the bolt would not throw out into it's keep. This had the potential to be a big job because getting to the locking mechanism meant lifting the 15 foot door/window out of it's track. Fortunatly i could see the fault by unscrewing the Adams Rite cylinder and freeing the bolt up. With plenty of lubrication to the lock and mechanism it was once again throwing out the bolt and making the business premises secure again. This and a lot of other jobs can prevent these costly situations by regulary maintaining there locks.

Lost keys to french doors in Derry - March 2022

Lockforce Locksmith Derry was contacted by a local resident who was enquiring whether we could possibly unlock her wooden French doors as she lost the key. The first job to do upon arrival is to see what kind of lock we're dealing with by checking the keyway. It was determined that this was a 3 lever deadbolt and going by the colour and shape of the keyway it was probably a Union make. I obviously won't bore you with the techniques and tools a used but we got the lock open and installed a like for like Union deadbolt with rebate. The customer can now confidently open and lock her doors once again.

Gearbox fault in Derry - 10/03/22

Lockforce Locksmith Derry took a call from a client from from the Cityside in Derry who reported that her internal door was not unlocking or unlatching. We attemded as soon as we could and checked the lock over. We tried to throw the bolt and latch but with no joy. We then identified it was gearbox issue. We have now fitted a temporay lock as we await a replacememt gearbox and Versa anti-snap euro cylinder to be delivered which we will go back and fit.

New lock installed for home in Derry/Londonderry - 15/01/22

Lockforce Locksmith Londonderry were contacted by a customer following an advert on the local 'neighbour app' looking for a door lock to stop her children sneaking into the downstairs games room when they wasn't supposed too i.e. bedtime. On inspection myself and the customer discussed the best position she would like her lock we agreed a position and booked the best time to install her new lock. Installation day staring with going through what work i am carrying out and showing what type of lock is going in. The lock is a 5 lever B.S. mortice deadbolt which is one of the toughest we install. Once the lock was fitted,tested and cleaned (surrounding areas) i showed the customer their new lock, they were that pleased with it they asked me to fit a more concealed lock on there office for pretty much the same reason as above. Due to the complexity of there office door we couldn't fit a normal deadbolt or latch lock so we decided to fit a rack mortice bolt from the top of there door to be then bolted into the top of the door frame. This job once again came out well enough for me to be asked to come back and install an over head door closer so on that note.. tbc...

Locked out of home in Derry, BT78 – 22/10/21

Lockforce Locksmith Londonderry received a call from a panicked couple who found themselves locked out of their home in Derry. They had a habit of leaving keys inside the door and on this occasion had done so on both the front and back door. On this occasion we were unable to use our letterbox tool to extract the keys as the letterbox was too narrow. We had to enter through a bathroom window and then once inside unlocked the main door. The customers were so relieved to be back inside their property. Before leaving we advised the customers not to leave their keys inside their locks and also recommended some lock upgrades to ensure their property is fully secured. 

Emergency late night call out, couple locked out in Waterside, Derry, 15th October 2021

Lockforce Locksmith Londonderry were called out by a retired couple in Waterside, Derry who had found themselves locked out of their home at 10pm. We attended within 15 mins of the call to help. They had installed a new door lock themselves earlier in the day and when they went to put the key in the door, it became stuck. We gained non-destructive entry and made some minor door adjustments. The key was free and they could now lock their door safely. We have left them with the recommendation to purchase a new lock as the one they had purchased was not the best on the market. Either way they were happy to be back in their home safe and secure.