Erith Locksmiths Service Team
Local locksmith team
2 Sep 2026 4 min read
You slide the key in, give it the usual turn — and nothing happens. It resists, grinds, or simply refuses to budge. It is one of those moments that can stop your day completely, particularly if you are standing on a wet doorstep in Erith or Belvedere at the end of a long evening. Before frustration sets in, it helps to understand what is actually going on inside the lock — because the cause determines whether a gentle fix is worth trying, or whether pushing harder will make things significantly worse.
A key that will not turn is not always a lockout. Sometimes it is a worn cylinder, a door that has dropped on its hinges, or a small piece of grit that has worked its way into the mechanism. Other times it signals something more serious — a damaged euro cylinder, a failed multipoint lock, or a mortice deadlock that has reached the end of its working life. This guide walks you through the most common causes, what you can safely attempt yourself, when to stop, and when to call in a trained locksmith Belvedere residents and homeowners across the DA8 and DA17 areas rely on around the clock.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if I'm locked out of my house and the key won't turn?+
Stay calm and work through a short checklist before doing anything forceful. First, check whether a spare key is accessible — with a neighbour, a family member, or a letting agent if you are a tenant. If not, try applying a dry graphite lubricant to the keyway and using very gentle rotational pressure. On uPVC doors, lift the handle firmly upward while turning the key, as a dropped door is a common cause of cylinder resistance. If none of these steps work within a minute or two, stop and call a professional locksmith. Forcing the key risks snapping it inside the barrel, which significantly complicates the job. Our team is available around the clock — call 020 3757 5599 and we will get someone to you as quickly as possible, usually within about 30 minutes.
How much does a locksmith cost to open a door or change the lock?+
The final quote depends on a number of factors: the type of lock and door involved (a standard euro cylinder job differs from a failed multipoint mechanism), the time of day (evening, weekend, and bank holiday call-outs are priced differently from standard daytime visits), the travel distance to your property, and whether replacement parts are needed on the day. What we can confirm is that we always give you an exact up-front price over the phone before we set off — there are no surprises on the invoice. Call 020 3757 5599 and describe your situation, and we will give you a clear figure straight away.
Is it safe to try to pick or force my own lock if I'm locked out?+
No — and for two reasons. First, attempting to pick or force a lock without the correct tools and training almost always causes damage to the cylinder, the door furniture, or the frame itself, turning a simple lockout into a more involved and costly job. Second, applying excessive force to a key already under stress is a reliable way to snap it inside the barrel. What you can safely do is try a spare key, apply a dry lubricant, lift the handle on a uPVC door, or check whether another entry point — a back door or window that is legitimately accessible to you — is open. Beyond that, calling a trained locksmith is both the safest and usually the quickest route back into your home.
What is the difference between repairing a lock and changing the cylinder?+
A lock repair means the existing hardware is restored to working condition — for example, cleaning out debris from a stiff cylinder, re-lubricating the mechanism, or adjusting a strike plate that has fallen out of alignment. A cylinder change means the barrel itself is removed and replaced with a new one, which is the right approach when the cylinder has worn beyond repair, when a key has snapped inside it, or when you have moved into a property and want to ensure no old key copies are in circulation. A full lock replacement goes further and replaces the entire lockset — case, mechanism, and all furniture. When you call us, we will listen to what you are experiencing and recommend the most appropriate option, explaining clearly what the job involves before any work starts.
