Foots Cray Locksmith Service Team
Local locksmith team
23 Sep 2026 4 min read
It is one of those moments that stops you in your tracks — you pull the front door shut behind you, turn the key, and nothing happens. The lock will not engage, the handle flops without resistance, or the key turns but the bolt refuses to move. Whether your home has a uPVC multipoint door or an older timber door with a Yale nightlatch, a lock that stops working is never something to ignore. Foots Cray Locksmith is a 24/7 mobile locksmith serving Sidcup and the surrounding area, and this is one of the most common calls we receive — especially on cold evenings and over bank holidays when stiff mechanisms finally give up.
In most cases the cause is straightforward: a dropped door, a worn gearbox inside a multipoint lock, a tired euro cylinder, or a Yale mechanism that has simply reached the end of its life. What matters is knowing why it has happened, what a proper fix involves, and when to call in a skilled professional rather than forcing the issue and causing more damage. This guide walks you through the real reasons a front door stops locking — and what putting it right actually looks like.
Frequently asked questions
Why will my uPVC door handle go up but the door still will not lock?+
This is almost always a sign that the gearbox inside the multipoint lock has failed. When you lift the handle, it should drive the gearbox and push the locking points — hooks, rollers and hook bolts — into the keeps in the frame. If the gearbox cam has snapped or the internal mechanism has seized, the handle moves freely but nothing engages. The fix is a gearbox replacement, which a skilled locksmith can usually complete on the same visit once the correct matching unit is sourced. It is worth having the cylinder and door alignment checked at the same time, since a dropped door can accelerate gearbox wear.
My front door lock is stiff and the key is hard to turn — is this serious?+
A stiff key or handle is an early warning sign rather than a minor inconvenience. It can mean the euro cylinder is worn or dry and needs lubricating or replacing, the door has dropped slightly so the bolt is under pressure from the frame, or in older locks, the internal levers are corroding. Left untreated, a stiff lock tends to get worse until it fails completely — often at night or over a weekend. If the cylinder is showing signs of wear, it is also a good moment to consider upgrading to an anti-snap, TS007 3-star rated cylinder, which provides significantly better resistance to the cylinder-snapping attack method used by burglars on uPVC doors.
What should I do if I am locked out of my house and it is late at night?+
First, stay calm and check whether you have any other safe means of entry — a trusted neighbour with a spare key, a rear door that is unlocked, or a family member who can bring a key. If none of those options exist, call a 24-hour emergency locksmith. When the locksmith arrives, they will ask you to verify you are the occupant — a utility bill, tenancy agreement or other ID showing the address is helpful. A professional will open the door using non-destructive methods where possible, so your door and frame remain undamaged. If the lock has failed as well as leaving you outside, they can carry out a lock change on the same visit so the property is secure. Never attempt to force the door yourself — bent uPVC frames are expensive to repair and can compromise the security of the door permanently. Foots Cray Locksmith is available around the clock on 020 3757 5665.
How do I know if I need a full door lock replacement or just a cylinder swap?+
A cylinder swap is usually sufficient when the key turns poorly, the cylinder has been damaged, or you simply want to upgrade to a more secure anti-snap option — the gearbox and door furniture can stay in place. A full door lock replacement is needed when the gearbox or lock case itself has failed mechanically, the existing lock is an older model for which replacement parts are no longer available, or the mortice deadlock case inside the door is cracked or corroded. In practice, a qualified locksmith will diagnose this on the doorstep and explain clearly which option applies to your situation and why, before quoting and starting any work. The price will reflect the parts required, the type of lock, and the time of day — and you will always know the full cost before anything is touched.
