| Avoiding problems If a lock starts to behave differently, in a negative kind of way, you should probably get it seen to before it locks you out (or in) and before it makes it easier for burglars. If it is taking more and more jiggling to get it to open, for example then it's highly likely that there will come a time when no amount of jiggling will persuade it to open; and you can bet that it will be on a cold and wet night, and that there won't be any reasonably-priced, non-destructive locksmiths not already out on a job. [read more] |
Reasonable paranoia None of the email you send or receive is likely to be encrypted; it's probably plain text. Does email go straight from sender to recipient? No it doesn't. Email works by forwarding. There will be several computers that handle your email on its way to and from you. Really though; is anyone going to read little-old-me's emails? Probably not; don't have nightmares tonight; but there are computers operated by the dark side that scan for passwords and user ids. And there are definitely government computers reading vast amounts of our emails. You might consider encryption. [read more] |
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Improving your security It's definitely worth having a good lock, but is it worth going over the top? By all means replace or augment your rimlock night-latches with mortice deadlocks. Certainly upgrade any two- or three-lever lever locks to BS3621 five-lever locks, which will cost around £30 to £40 each. (And don't forget the back door is even more important than the nicely-lit and more-visible front door. And don't forget the accessible windows and the garden shed, either.) |
Locks, locksmiths and non-destructive entry If you're looking for a locksmith because you have locked yourself out (or you think you might), be careful who you choose. There are two approaches: there is NDE (non-destructive entry) which is the use of techniques that open the lock without damaging it, like picking for example; and then there are the people armed with very few tools other than a drill. |
Local locksmith and safe technician
If you are looking for an efficient, friendly and local 24-hour locksmith or safe technician, I cover the Clapham, Battersea, Balham, Stockwell, Wandsworth, Chelsea, Fulham, Pimlico, Southfields, Putney, Earlsfield, Tooting, Streatham and Brixton areas of South London (SW1, SW3, SW4, SW5, SW6, SW7, SW8, SW9, SW10, SW11, SW12, SW15, SW16, SW18, WC2 and SE11).
(For safe and vault work, I cover a larger area. Please give us a call.)
There is no call out charge; there is though, a minimum charge of one hour.
For domestic and commercial lock work during regular working hours (weekdays 0800 to 1800) the charge is £50 per hour. During evenings (1800 to 2300) and at weekends (0800 to 2300) the charge is £60 per hour. Nighttimes (2300 to 0800) are charged at £80 per hour. Please telephone (or email) us for an estimate, which I can usually do over the phone.
For safe work, please call to get an estimate or to set up a quotation.
I am normally on call (emergency service), 24 hours a day. Telephone 07706 533488. (Don't forget to put that number into your mobile phone or you won't have it when you most need it.) So, if you live in Clapham, Battersea, Balham, Stockwell or Wandsworth, why go through a call centre and pay more than you need. Call us and we're ten minutes away. And if you live in Southfields, Earlsfield, Tooting, Streatham, Putney, Chelsea, Pimlico, Vauxhall or Brixton, we are only fifteen minutes away.
I am a member of the Institute of Certified Locksmiths and carry an identity card. We are the only ICL locksmith in the Clapham / Battersea / Balham / Stockwell area. Services include:
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Make a note of the telephone number above, though (unless you have an internet cafe, open all hours, and just around the corner). You could also give your friends and neighbours a note of the number; then there's someone to ring or pop round to if you lock yourself out.
