Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why should I use a professional locksmith company?
A: Skilled professional locksmiths bring experience and a wealth of knowledge to bear to overcome your security concerns. Mark's Secure Locks offer high quality products from a range of industry leading manufacturers meaning that, not only will your new lock meet any specified criteria set by your insurer, it will also comply with British Standards.
Q2: What kind of guarantee do you offer?
A: Mark's Secure Locks are pleased to offer the manufacturers guarantee on all supplied parts –the minimum being 12 months. We take great pride in our work, which is always finished to a very high standard.
Q3: What is your average emergency call out response time?
A: We will be able to provide an estimated time of arrival when you call but, on average, we arrive within 30-40 minutes of receiving a call out.
Q4: What type of lock do I have?
A: Please don’t worry if you are unsure as we can usually determine this over the phone by asking a few simple questions. (You might be able to identify your lock using the following image as a guide.)
Q5: Do your supplied locks conform to British Standard?
A: Yes, all of the locks we fit conform to British Standard. We can also make sure that your new lock meets any stipulations made by your insurer –please just make us aware if this is relevant for you.
Q6: How long does it take to gain access to a property?
A: There is no set time as some locks are quicker to breach than others. This isn’t necessarily because of the type of lock, its age and fit may also be factors.
Q7: Will my door be damaged?
A: No. In fact, we pride ourselves on our non-destructive entry skills, meaning that in the majority of cases not even your lock is damaged.
Q8: What is lock re-keying?
A: Lock re-keying restructures the interior tumblers or levers of a lock, rendering any current key sets incapable of entry. Negating the need to replace your entire lock system; lock re-keying is often a more cost effective solution for lost/stolen keys.
It is also a way to establish a universal lock system – meaning all your door locks can be operated from a master key.
Q9: I am moving into a new home, should I change or re-key the locks? They seem to be working properly.
A: The answer is YES! Previous owners are likely to have entrusted someone with a spare key – so it’s unlikely that you are now in possession of every set cut. How many ex-partners, old housemates, neighbours, baby sitters or cleaning people are walking around with a key to your home? Change the locks and then give keys to people you and you alone trust.
Q10: My landlord gave me the keys why should I get new ones?
A: When was the last time the locks were changed? If you don't know the answer then your property and belongings are potentially at risk. Some property management companies in an effort to save money simply swap the locks from one flat to another and cut a new set of keys. A previous tenant with some time to kill could simply try his key in each door in the building until he finds one that works.
Q11: Why do I have to wiggle my keys in the lock to make it work?
A: Over time, the pins in a lock cylinder tend to "wear" down causing your keys to stick and forcing you to "jiggle or wiggle" the key in the lock to make it work. If you’re experiencing this your lock is no longer working as it should and we strongly recommend that you replace it.