property propertyadvice 8380495 ----- # Home improvements: Do I need to replace my locks? ## Trouble with the boiler? Rogue traders? Or a tricky do-it-yourself job? Jeff Howell gives on-the-level advice and answers your home maintenance questions ![Jeff Howell][1] Jeff Howell By [Jeff Howell][2] 4:00PM GMT 14 Mar 2011 [Comments][3] **_Q_**_ I have recently seen an advert for Master Locksmith-approved euro cylinder locks which states: "Every home fitted with PVC-U entrance doors is at risk from an almost silent method of forced entry known as lock bumping, which is the latest, easiest and most preferred form of the modern burglar". _ _Do you know if this is a genuine threat and would fitting these euro cylinder locks actually stop it? **RF, by email**_ **A** Lock bumping is a method of opening cylinder locks ("Yale"-type front- door locks) by using the fact that the spring-loaded pins can be momentarily bounced open by a sharp impact, allowing the cylinder to be turned and leaving no damage to the lock. Locksmiths have always been aware of this and been able to apply a blow to the body of the lock while simultaneously turning it. Lately, however, a DIY technique has been developed of cutting a special bumping key which is inserted onto the lock and struck with a blunt object while being turned. There are instruction videos on how to do this on the internet, which has led to its rapid spread among the worldwide burgling fraternity. ## Related Articles * [Home improvements: Shall I have my sash windows double glazed?][4] 08 Mar 2011 * [Home improvements: What is "kettling"?][5] 01 Mar 2011 * [Home improvements: Don't put off these simple DIY repairs][6] 22 Feb 2011 * [Home improvements: Help with insulation][7] 15 Feb 2011 * [Home improvements: How to insulate a bungalow][8] 07 Feb 2011 * [Home improvements: What is radiator 'balancing'?][9] 24 Jan 2011 Most PVC-U replacement front doors come fitted with very cheap locks that can be bumped open, so it might make sense to upgrade to a higher-quality cylinder lock incorporating some kind of anti-bumping system. Even without bumping the lock, however, cheap plastic front doors can be fairly easy to force open, because their flexibility allows them to be "sprung". In other words, if a burglar inserts a bar and applies enough pressure, the door will distort enough for the latch to spring out of its keep. So a better use of your money might be to have an additional key-operated mortice lock fitted to the door, or preferably two - one at the top and one at the bottom. Mortice locks cannot be bumped open, and having the two locks spaced apart makes it harder to spring the door. I am constantly amazed that so many people have replacement PVC-U doors and windows fitted, and seem to think that these are in some way improving their home's security. The materials are flexible and the locks usually cost about 50p each. Whereas a good solid softwood front door with mortice lock and hinge bolts will be a match for any but the most determined intruder. **_Q_**_ Every 10 days or so I have to bleed the last radiator on the circuit to release air. How does this air get into the system? Does it, perhaps, come from the expansion tank in the loft? _ _I cannot see how this could be as the tank seems to be suitably filled with water. The radiator is upstairs and is the last of 14 radiators in the house. **GB, by email**_ **A **The first thing to check is whether this is indeed air, or hydrogen sulfide gas - a by-product of corrosion in the system. This smells like rotten eggs and will ignite if you hold a flame next to the bleed valve. If it is air, then it will probably be entering through a leak on the return side of the pipe network. A leak on the "flow" side (closer to the outlet of the pump) results in water leaking out - a leak on the "return" side results in air being drawn in. 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