What goes wrong
We work on the locks that keep shops, offices and warehouses secure: heavy-duty mortise locks, exit devices on metal doors, padlocks on gates, and electric strikes on storefronts. We handle broken spindles, sheared keys, jamming cylinders, and exits that refuse to latch. In Chester Heights we often see worn bolts and strikes misaligned from repeated use. When a lock is damaged we assess the cylinder, the bolt geometry and the strike plate, then decide whether to repair, pin the cylinder differently, or replace the hardware with a unit that matches the door’s construction.
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What the job involves
A commercial job can involve cutting keys, rekeying master key systems, replacing exit devices or swapping an old keypad for a newer one. We bring a range of cylinders, cores, replacement cylinders, screws, and a selection of strikes and faceplates so the door can be made secure on site. If electric hardware is present we check power at the unit and the wiring runs before touching the lock mechanism. We drive out from Havertown and bring the parts and tools needed for typical repairs on metal and wood doors.
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Good to know
While we work you should secure the area and, if appropriate, post temporary signage so staff and customers avoid the door being serviced. For interior office locks it helps to clear paperwork and give us access to both sides of the door; for storefronts unlock any secondary deadbolts or chains you control. If an access control system is involved have any programming codes or admin cards ready and tell us which doors are on the same system. If there’s an alarm panel, let the alarm company know a locksmith is on site so alarms aren’t triggered.
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Worth knowing
Prepare a key decision before we arrive: whether you want a like-for-like repair or an upgrade to a different style of hardware, such as swapping a cylindrical lock for a mortise lock or adding a reinforced strike for heavy use. For master key work identify the hierarchy you need and which keys should open which doors; for panic bars tell us which doors require touch release from the inside. We work across Chester Heights and nearby Concord Township and Aston Township, and we explain what we’ll do with the door so building staff understand the next steps after we finish.
