What goes wrong
Commercial door hardware in Swarthmore wears out in predictable ways. Cylinders jam because pins corrode or keys shear off, mortise locks develop broken tailpieces, and exit devices bind when their push bars or mounting plates pull away from the door face. Keypads fail when their batteries or wiring lose power, and access control readers get knocked out by moisture or loose terminals. We see misaligned strikes, split door edges where heavy closers pound, and master key systems with mixed cores that no longer key together cleanly. When that happens, we assess the actual parts that have failed and what must be replaced or adjusted.
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What the job involves
When we come out from Havertown we start with a straight physical diagnosis: remove the trim, look at the lock chassis and boltwork, check the strike and jamb, test the door closer geometry, and put a meter on any powered lock or reader. Typical repairs are core extraction and rekeying, replacing worn cylinders or latch assemblies, fitting a reinforced strike or long-throw deadbolt, truing a door closer, or running new wiring for an electric strike or magnetic lock. For access control we test keypad logic, swap a reader, or add a backup power feed and then confirm every door locks and releases correctly.
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Good to know
While we work you should secure the area and keep staff clear of the door swing. If the door controls a public entry, post a temporary closed sign and, if appropriate, route people to an alternate entrance. Have someone on site who can confirm authorization for changes and who knows which doors need access changes. Gather any keys you have, the door manufacturer’s name from the edge or faceplate, and any existing core or cylinder numbers printed on the hardware. If there is an access control server or power supply, point us to it so we can verify wiring and backup power.
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Worth knowing
Before we start, have ready proof of ownership or written authorization, the set of keys you still use, and a prioritized list of doors to be rekeyed or upgraded. If you maintain a key control log or master key plan bring it out; if not, a simple list of who should have which doors works. We handle cores, padlocks, deadbolts, exit devices, panic bars, door closers, strikes, electric strikes, magnetic locks, keypads, and master key systems across Delaware County and nearby Chester, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Call or text with the door type and who can authorize access so we know what to expect.
