Are your doors, locks & windows ready for Autumn?
Why you should you check locks, Windows & Doors early
After a warm summer, uPVC and composite doors can move slightly, drop out of alignment or become harder to lock.
Window hinges, handles and locking mechanisms can also start to show signs of wear.
Ensure your home is ready in advance
As the evenings begin to draw in, September is a good time to check that your locks, doors and windows are working properly before the colder and wetter weather arrives.
Problems that seem relatively minor now can become much more noticeable once temperatures fall.
Is your door becoming difficult to lock?
One of the most common problems we see is a uPVC or composite door that has gradually become harder to lock.
You may notice that:
- The handle needs lifting harder than usual
- The key is becoming difficult to turn
- You need to pull or push the door before it will lock
- The door catches on the frame
- The locking mechanism feels stiff
- The door does not seal properly when closed
These symptoms can often indicate that the door has dropped or moved out of alignment.
Continuing to force the handle or key can place unnecessary pressure on the multipoint locking mechanism and gearbox, potentially turning a relatively straightforward adjustment into a more expensive repair.
Check your locks before winter
Locks are another area worth checking before the colder months.
A lock that occasionally sticks or feels stiff shouldn’t be ignored.
Problems can be caused by wear, poor alignment, lack of suitable lubrication or a failing component inside the lock.
September and early autumn are a good opportunity to deal with these issues before you find yourself unable to lock (or unlock) the door.
We can inspect, repair or replace a wide range of residential locks, including:
- Euro cylinders
- Multipoint door locks
- Mortice locks
- Nightlatches
- uPVC door locks
- Composite door locks
- Patio door locks
- French door locks
- Door handles & hardware
Draughty windows & doors
As temperatures start to fall, homeowners often notice draughts that were much less obvious during the summer.
A draught doesn’t necessarily mean that the whole window or door needs replacing.
Being proactive can save money down the line
In many cases the problem can be caused by worn or damaged hinges, poor alignment, failed locking mechanisms or a door or window that is no longer pulling tightly against the seals.
Repairing or adjusting the existing window or door can often restore a much better seal.
Don’t ignore stiff handles
A stiff door handle is often an early warning sign.
If a multipoint locking mechanism is becoming difficult to operate, repeatedly forcing the handle can eventually damage the gearbox or other components.
The same applies to windows
A window that is becoming difficult to open or close may have worn hinges, a faulty espagnolette mechanism or another hardware problem.
Getting it checked early can often prevent a complete failure.
Thinking about home security?
Autumn is also traditionally the time when homeowners start thinking more about security.
With darker mornings and evenings approaching, it’s worth checking whether your external door locks still provide the level of security you want.
We can advise on:
- Replacement and upgraded locks
- High-security cylinders
- British Standard locks
- Additional door security
- Lock changes following a house move
- Keyed-alike lock systems
- Replacement locks following lost or stolen keys
The right solution will depend on the type of door, the existing hardware and how the property is used.
A small problem now can become a bigger problem later
Many lock and door failures don’t happen without warning.
A door that needs an extra push, a handle that feels slightly stiff or a key that occasionally struggles to turn can all be early signs of a problem.
September is therefore a particularly good time to have these issues looked at.
Sorting them before the colder weather arrives can reduce the likelihood of suddenly being unable to secure your home later in the year.
Lock, door & window repairs across West Sussex
Owen the Locksmith provides lock, uPVC door, composite door and window-related repairs across West Sussex and surrounding areas, including Littlehampton, Worthing, Bognor Regis and Chichester.
If you’ve noticed a lock, door or window becoming difficult to operate, it is often better to have it checked before it fails completely.
For planned repairs, adjustments and security upgrades, get in touch with Owen the Locksmith to arrange a convenient appointment.