How Lock Picking Works Home & Garden | Most deadbolts use a cylinder lock. In the cylinder lock, the key turns a cylinder, or plug, which turns an attached cam. When the plug is turned one way, the cam pulls in on the bolt and the door can open. When the plug turns the other way, the cam releases the bolt and the spring snaps it into place so the door cannot open. In a deadbolt lock, there is no spring mechanism -- the turning cylinder slides the bolt forward and backward. A deadbolt is more secure than a spring-driven latch since it's much harder to push the bolt in from the side of the door. A cylinder deadbolt lock, in the open position (top) and the locked position (bottom) Inside a cylinder lock, there is a sort of puzzle, which only the correct key can solve. The main variation in lock designs is the nature of this puzzle. One of the most common puzzles -- and one of the easiest to pick -- is the pin-and-tumbler design, shown below. The main components in the pin-and-tumbler design are a series of small pins of varying length.
The pins are divided up into pairs. Each pair rests in a shaft running through the central cylinder plug and into the housing around the plug. Springs at the top of the shafts keep the pin pairs in position in the plug. When no key is inserted, the bottom pin in each pair is completely inside the plug, while the upper pin is halfway in the plug and halfway in the housing. The position of these upper pins keeps the plug from turning -- the pins bind the plug to the housing. Here's how it works: When you insert a key, the series of notches in the key push the pin pairs up to different levels. The incorrect key will push the pins so that most of the top pins are still partly in the plug and partly in the housing, like this. This content is not compatible on this device. Click on the button to see what happens when you insert the wrong key in the lock. The correct key will push each pin pair up just enough so that the point where the two pins come together lines up perfectly with the space where the cylinder and the housing come together (this point is called the shear line).
To put it another way, the key will push the pins up so that all of the upper pins are inserted completely in the housing, while all of the lower pins rest completely in the plug. Without any pins binding it to the housing, the plug moves freely, and you can push the bolt in and out. Click on the button to see what happens when you insert the correct key in the lock. This simple puzzle design is very effective. Since the pins are hidden inside the lock, it's fairly difficult for most people to move the plug without the correct key. But, with a lot of practice, it is possible to solve the puzzle by other means. In the next section, we'll see how a locksmith goes about picking this sort of lock. To find a locksmith near to you specialising in repairing door & window locks Please enter your postcode or location in the search box below. There are number of reasons why a UPVC Door or Window lock will need repairing if it is broken or damaged, you will either be able to fix the problem or you might need a lock replacement.
Our advice is to contact your nearest local locksmith who will be able to advise you on the best solution. USE THE SEARCH BOX ABOVE or Click here to Find your Local Locksmith UPVC door and window locks are commonly found on your common domestic homes front & back doors, and also can be found on french and patio doors. A MLA approved locksmith will deal with the below problems on a daily basis and will be able to help you: This problem is usually indicative of one of two things usually but can be a combination of both, the two main mechanical parts to a upvc/composite door are the euro profile cylinder lock and the multi point locking mechanism. If the key does not go into the lock cylinder (sometimes called euro lock) all the way in, or the key will go in and not turn usually this is a euro cylinder failure. So this part needs to be replaced once the door has been opened. Common reasons this happens are usually because the euro lock worn, a cheap lock has been fitted, the key has been left on the inside and lock operated from other side and the lock is now out of sync, or general wear and tear.
If the key goes into the euro lock and turns anti clockwise (unlock) one complete turn and the door won’t open this is usually a sign that the multi point lock has failed or a security bolt or hook has jammed. Common reasons this usually happens are: door and frame not fitting correctly or are out of alignment and the handles have been forced up to lock and the delicate mechanism has broken, general wear and tear, or possibly that the door is slammed constantly. Find a Local Locksmith now to help repair the lock This is commonly caused by either the strike receiver for latch part of lock not being adjusted correctly or having worked loose and now not being set correctly, or the door trim rubber has moved and is not sitting properly on door stopping the door from shutting correctly. Upvc door/window lock is very notchy when lifting the upvc door or window handle is usually due to a worn or faulty locking mechanism. When a key goes into euro profile cylinder but you have to jiggle or pull key up or down is usually a sign of badly cut keys or a faulty or worn euro cylinder lock.
One of the multi point hooks or bolts won’t retract in or out properly when the window handle or upvc door handle is operated is usually a sign of a broken mechanism or locking security device. The reason a key is usually needed to change a euro profile cylinder lock is the cam on the lock (the part that locks the handle which in turn operates the upvc mechanism when the key is turned) needs to be in line with the euro lock body to remove from the door. If you have no keys and the euro cylinder retaining screw is removed in the usual way the euro lock will NOT slide out as the cam is in the wrong position stopping the euro lock from being removed. MLA approved locksmiths will be able to attend site and change the euro lock even if no key is available by using an array of specialist tools and knowledge to align the cam in the correct position to remove the euro profile cylinder lock without damaging the door. Locksmiths can repair or replace many different types of upvc locking mechanisms usually on site.
Upvc locking mechanisms have evolved over time with the security levels offered originating with the latch and roller style mechanism’s and now usually latch, deadbolt and hook variants on offer from most high security upvc/composite door sets. MLA locksmiths can also usually upgrade any out of date upvc multi point locking mechanisms for the higher security, hook and bolt style higher security locking units. Helping also usually as well with high security door furniture (e.g. security handles and the latest offerings of euro profile locking technology with anti snap, bump, pick, drill locks available today. Popular makes of multipoint lock consist of ERA, GU, YALE, FULLEX, CEGO, MACO, MILA, AVOCET, WINKHAUS, LOCKMASTER, FUHR to name a few. Common types of security on upvc/composite locking units consist of: 1. Window or door strikes are not in the correct position to allow the mechanism to reach the fully locked correct position or handle to reach maximum lift position to allow the key to turn on upvc/composite doors.