UPVC/Patio Door Lock Cylinder Repair

There have been a number of reports in the press and on television recently about a weakness in the locks on UPVC doors. In some areas of the UK, notably West Yorkshire, Police are reporting that this weakness is clearly being exploited by thieves.

This is really a growing problem throughout the country. No special tools are required along with a burglar can break these Euro Profile Cylinders in a matter of seconds and although we know the methods utilized, we won’t disclose them in any detail, as a precaution against “copy-cat” burglaries.

This type of lock is commonly recognized as a Euro Profile Cylinder and is employed worldwide on uPVC, PVCu, aluminium and some wooden doors. Nonetheless secure or elaborate the multi-point locking mechanism is, it really is the cylinder that is the vulnerable area. The cylinder is the part which allows key operation. If the cylinder is broken, the multi-point lock can be quickly opened in no time at all.

All significant Lock Manufacturers are working hard to find solutions to the dilemma.

At the moment, only two of the main lock manufacturers have come up with a viable a solution. Both Squire and Mul-T-Lock have created a cylinder that still snaps, but it does so at a predetermined position which leaves the door secure. Mul-T-Lock have referred to as their cylinders ‘Break Secure’ and Squire’s range is referred to as ‘Snapsafe’

Despite the fact that these new cylinders are not guaranteed against all techniques of attack on uPVC doors, they act as a deterrent by making it a lot a lot more hard for burglars to gain access.

Some lock manufacturers, including Squire and ERA, are approaching the issue by offering cylinder security devices or cylinder enhancers. These metal surrounds are secured to the existing cylinder underneath the door deal with. ERA’s remedy is particularly beneficial as it sandwiches the door and the cylinder in place, making it almost impossible to remove the broken cylinder.

Using these cylinder enhancers together with a Break Secure or SnapSafe cylinder almost certainly is the most effective answer currently readily available.

To further reduce the possibility of forced entry, it really is also of the utmost significance to make sure that a cylinder will be the correct size and correctly fitted.

A Euro Profile Cylinder really should only protrude 2-3mm beyond the door. Often, when cylinders have been replaced, the wrong size replacement has been employed and this makes the door even more vulnerable.

It’s a well known fact that burglars will often choose the easiest alternative!

To stay away from becoming a victim of this type of forced entry, check all door cylinders and, if needed, upgrade to ‘Break Secure’ or ‘SnapSafe’ ranges.

Generally deadlock doors whenever a home is empty, and fit a door chain to the key door to make use of whenever you are at property. As an alternative to replacing the cylinders, look at fitting secondary bolts to uPVC doors in other parts of the house.

Probably the most frequent approach of vehicle theft is when burglars break into houses and steal the keys, so make sure that any keys (particularly car keys) are hidden. It doesn’t matter that you have insurance. Other effortlessly removed valuables, including jewellery, should not be left in exposed areas.

A safe can be a useful addition to other techniques of security and an perfect place to keep spare keys, passports, jewellery, cameras etc. These items are typically not just financially valuable but have an excellent sentimental value which is irreplaceable.

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