Each week, I’ll share practical, trustworthy insights to help Cornwall homeowners keep their properties safe, compliant, and fully insured.
No fear-mongering. No jargon. Just clear guidance based on real patterns we see in homes across the county.
Why UPVC Door Mechanisms Fail — And Why It Matters for Your Insurance
Most homeowners don’t think about their locks until something goes wrong.
Psychologically, we tend to ignore slow-building problems — especially when a door “mostly works.”
But UPVC door mechanisms rarely fail suddenly. They give subtle warnings weeks or even months in advance.
Ignoring these signs can mean more than inconvenience; it can affect your home insurance.
What We’re Seeing in Cornwall Right Now
Across Cornwall this season, we’re attending more callouts for:
- Handles that won’t lift fully
- Doors that only lock after multiple attempts
- Keys that turn but don’t engage the mechanism
- Dropped doors rubbing on the frame
- Gearboxes failing inside the door
- Mechanisms “crunching” or sticking when locking
These issues aren’t random. They’re early indicators of a mechanism under strain.
A Real Example (St Austell)
Last week, a homeowner in St Austell mentioned her front door had been “a bit stiff” for months. The mechanism finally failed on a cold morning when she was already late for work. She assumed it was just bad luck — but the truth is, the door had been warning her for a long time.
When we inspected it, the gearbox had fractured, and the misalignment had been gradually worsening. A simple £20 realignment months earlier could have avoided a full mechanism failure.
Why These Issues Matter to Your Insurance
Many policies require:
- A fully functioning multi-point lock
- Key-operated locks on accessible doors and windows
- No known security faults
- Entry points “maintained in a secure condition”
A dropped door that doesn’t fully engage the hooks…
A stiff mechanism you need to force…
A lock that works “only if you hold it a certain way”…
Insurers can interpret these as insecure entry points.
If a break-in occurs and the mechanism wasn’t fully engaging, the insurer may argue the home wasn’t properly secured — even if the homeowner believed it was locked.
This is why fixing small issues early is not just sensible — it’s protective.
What You Can Check Today (60-Second Self-Assessment)
Ask yourself:
- Does the handle lift smoothly without force?
- Does the key turn cleanly from start to finish?
- Does the door fully engage the locking points each time?
- Does the door sit straight, without catching?
- Does the lock feel different in the cold?
If any of these feel “off,” your mechanism may be straining — and your insurance compliance may be affected.
How We Can Help
Kernow Locksmiths offers:
- UPVC mechanism repairs
- Dropped-door realignments
- Insurance-approved lock upgrades (BS3621, TS007)
- Free security & insurance compliance checks
