UPVC & Composite Door Repairs

Real Locksmiths. Real People. Real Jobs.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property in Enfield Town EN1 just after midnight following a forced entry that had left the homeowner with two vulnerable doors requiring urgent attention.

One of the doors had suffered significant damage around the door frame, which had come away and left the door unable to lock.

Rather than simply boarding the entire doorway, Shaun and Jayden worked to reinstate and secure the damaged frame, restoring the door to a condition where it could close and lock correctly again.

A London Bar was also installed to provide additional reinforcement to the repaired frame following the damage.

The property's UPVC front door had also had its double glazing smashed, leaving the internal key-and-turn cylinder accessible through the broken glass. The damaged glazed section was therefore securely boarded up to prevent access until the glazing could be replaced.

Both doors were fully tested before completion, and the homeowner also tested them herself to make sure she was comfortable that they were secure.

After clearing up as much of the broken glass as possible, Shaun and Jayden left the property with both affected doors secured and the homeowner feeling safe in her home again.

Emergency door repairs aren't always about replacing parts. Following damage or forced entry, the priority is to assess what can be safely repaired, restore security and make the property secure again.

Another genuine emergency door repair in Enfield EN1 completed by ASJ Locksmiths.

Real Locksmiths. Real People. Real Jobs.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property in Cheshunt EN7 on Saturday after a homeowner experienced problems with his door following an attempt to replace the handles himself.

The original handles had failed, so the homeowner purchased replacements. Unfortunately, the new fixing positions didn't match the existing holes.

After measuring where the new holes needed to be, he drilled through the door, unknowingly drilling straight through the gearbox of the multipoint locking mechanism.

When Shaun and Jayden arrived, the door handle was stuck upside down, and the latch was no longer operating correctly.

After removing the handles and gearbox, the damage became clear.

Unfortunately, the original gearbox was no longer available as a direct replacement.

Rather than fitting unsuitable parts, Shaun and Jayden took the necessary measurements and discussed the available options with the homeowner.

Following the assessment, the homeowner agreed to replace the damaged mechanism.

✅ Damaged multipoint locking mechanism removed
✅ New universal multipoint locking mechanism installed
✅ Compatible replacement door handles fitted
✅ Lock upgraded to a brass-finish 3-star security cylinder

The brass cylinder was selected to better match the existing door furniture while improving the lock's security specification.

Replacing UPVC door handles isn't always as straightforward as it looks.

Older doors can have unusual handle dimensions, and replacement handles may not match the original fixing positions.

If the new handles don't fit, never drill additional holes without first establishing what is behind the proposed fixing positions.

In this case, an attempt to replace faulty handles resulted in damage to the gearbox, turning a relatively straightforward repair into a much more expensive job.

The important lesson? Correct measurements and compatibility checks can prevent unnecessary damage and expense.

Another genuine UPVC door repair and multipoint locking mechanism replacement in Cheshunt EN7, completed by Shaun and Jayden of ASJ Locksmiths.

ASJ Locksmiths – Real Locksmiths. Real People. Real Jobs.

Real Locksmiths. Real People. Real Jobs.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property at Joyce Court, Waltham Abbey EN9 after the homeowner's son contacted ASJ Locksmiths to explain that his mum was experiencing problems with the handle on her UPVC door.

On arrival, Shaun and Jayden carried out a full assessment and found that the handle was extremely loose and was no longer engaging the locking mechanism correctly.

Rather than assuming the gearbox or multipoint locking mechanism had failed, they removed the handle to investigate further. As soon as the handle was removed, the split spindle slipped straight out, confirming it had become disengaged and was no longer connecting the handle to the locking mechanism.

The split spindle was correctly re-engaged before the handle was professionally reassembled. The completed repair was then thoroughly tested to confirm the handle operated correctly and the door opened, closed and locked smoothly once again.

No replacement parts were required.

This repair shows why careful diagnosis matters. A loose UPVC door handle does not always mean the gearbox or mechanism has failed. In this case, the issue was resolved by correctly re-engaging the split spindle, avoiding unnecessary replacement parts and saving the customer money.

Real Locksmiths. Real People. Real Jobs.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property on Hertford Road, Edmonton N9 after the homeowner found she was unable to open her back door, despite having the correct keys.

The homeowner explained that the door had been causing problems for some time before eventually reaching the point where it would no longer open at all.

After removing the handles to investigate, Shaun and Jayden found that the handle cassette had broken following the increased pressure being applied while trying to operate the troublesome door.

With the handles removed and access to the gearbox available, they were able to work with the internal components of the gearbox and successfully open the door.

Once the door was open, the faulty handle cassettes were replaced and the complete door was thoroughly tested.

The homeowner was left with her back door once again opening, closing and locking correctly.

✅ Back door stuck shut
✅ Homeowner had keys but door would not open
✅ Broken handle cassette identified
✅ Door successfully opened
✅ Faulty handle cassettes replaced
✅ Complete door fully tested
✅ Door left opening, closing and locking correctly

If your UPVC door is becoming increasingly difficult to open, close or lock, it's worth having the problem investigated before it fails completely. Continuing to force a troublesome door can put additional strain on its components and potentially cause further damage.

Another genuine UPVC door repair in Edmonton N9, completed by Shaun and Jayden of ASJ Locksmiths.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property on Little Grove Avenue, Waltham Cross EN7 after the homeowner became locked out, explaining that the key would no longer operate the door from outside.

Once access had been gained, they carried out a full assessment of the door. Testing showed that the inside handle operated correctly, however the outside handle would not retract the latch. This confirmed that the split spindle gearbox had failed.

As the correct replacement gearbox was not available on the van, Shaun and Jayden installed an overnight gearbox together with temporary handles, allowing the homeowner to continue using and securing the property while the correct part was ordered.

Two days later, they returned with the correct replacement gearbox. The temporary repair was removed, the new gearbox professionally installed and the homeowner's original handles were refitted. The completed repair was then thoroughly tested to ensure the door opened, closed and locked smoothly from both sides.

This repair demonstrates why a failed split spindle gearbox should be correctly diagnosed before replacing parts. By installing a temporary solution, Shaun and Jayden ensured the property remained secure and fully usable while waiting for the correct replacement gearbox to arrive.

Shaun and Jayden attended a property on Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey EN9 after the homeowner explained that their UPVC door had been left open throughout the day and would no longer close properly.

Based on the customer's description and the recent hot weather, Shaun's first suspicion was that the door had dropped out of alignment rather than the locking mechanism having failed.

Following a careful inspection, this was confirmed. The door had moved out of alignment, preventing it from closing and locking correctly. Rather than replacing unnecessary parts, Shaun and Jayden professionally realigned the door, restoring it to the correct position.

Once the adjustment had been completed, the door and locking mechanism were thoroughly tested to ensure they opened, closed and locked smoothly once again. No replacement parts were required.

This repair demonstrates why a door that suddenly becomes difficult to close or lock does not always require a new gearbox or lock. In many cases, a professional door realignment can restore normal operation while avoiding unnecessary replacement costs.

Shaun and Jayden attended an outbuilding in Waltham Abbey EN9 after the homeowner reported that a key had broken in the lock, leaving them unable to open the door.

Before ASJ Locksmiths arrived, the homeowner had already gained access through a window and attempted to free the door by removing the handles and snapping the cylinder. Despite this, the door remained securely locked.

Following a full assessment, Shaun and Jayden attempted to operate the locking mechanism directly. This confirmed that the broken key and damaged cylinder were not the cause of the problem. The true fault was a failed UPVC multipoint locking mechanism.

Using specialist locksmith tools, they released the locking hooks and opened the door. An overnight mechanism and new replacement cylinder were installed, allowing the outbuilding to be secured while the correct replacement mechanism was ordered.

Two days later, they returned to install the new multipoint locking mechanism, refitted the homeowner's original handles and thoroughly tested the completed repair to ensure the door opened, closed and locked correctly.

This repair demonstrates why the obvious fault isn't always the real fault. Although the customer believed the broken key was preventing the door from opening, careful diagnosis identified the failed multipoint locking mechanism as the true cause, ensuring only the necessary components were replaced.

Alex attended a property in Waltham Cross EN8 after Shaun had already attended earlier that day following an emergency lockout.

During the original visit, Shaun diagnosed a faulty gearbox and explained his findings to the homeowner. The homeowner's husband wanted the opportunity to attempt the repair himself before authorising a replacement.

Later that evening, the homeowner contacted ASJ Locksmiths again after being unable to resolve the issue. Alex attended and carried out his own inspection, confirming the earlier diagnosis before replacing any components.

The faulty gearbox was professionally removed and replaced with the correct unit. The locking mechanism was then reassembled, adjusted and thoroughly tested to ensure the door opened, closed and locked smoothly once again.

This repair demonstrates the importance of confirming a diagnosis before replacing parts. Even though the fault had already been identified earlier in the day, Alex independently verified the problem before carrying out the repair, ensuring only the failed gearbox was replaced.

Alex attended a property in Barnet Lane, Borehamwood WD6 after the homeowner reported they were unable to lock their UPVC door following a period of hot weather.

Following a careful assessment, Alex confirmed that the locking mechanism was working correctly. The real problem was that the door had dropped out of alignment, preventing the lock from engaging properly.

Rather than recommending a replacement gearbox or lock, Alex professionally realigned the door and carried out the necessary adjustments to restore the correct operation.

Once the repair was complete, the door was thoroughly tested to ensure it opened, closed and locked smoothly. No replacement parts were required.

This case study demonstrates why a UPVC door that becomes difficult to lock does not always have a faulty lock or gearbox. A professional assessment can often identify a simple alignment issue, restoring the door to full working order while avoiding unnecessary replacement costs.

Whether your UPVC or composite door won't lock, won't open, has become difficult to operate or you simply want honest advice before replacing any parts, Alex, Shaun and Jayden are here to help.

Every repair begins with a careful diagnosis before any recommendations are made. Wherever possible, we'll repair existing components rather than replacing them, ensuring you receive the most appropriate solution for your door.

From gearbox replacements and multipoint locking mechanisms to door realignment, split spindle repairs, handle replacements and cylinder changes, ASJ Locksmiths provide professional UPVC and composite door repairs throughout Hertfordshire and North London.

📞 Call ASJ Locksmiths Today
07476 464828

📧 info@asjlocksmiths.co.uk