What goes wrong
A broken key, a snapped cylinder, a jammed deadbolt or a lock that won’t turn after a storm are the typical emergencies we see in Kennett Township. We decide on a course of action by looking at the visible hardware and the way the door sits in the frame: whether it’s a cylindrical lock, a mortise, a rim lock or an electronic keypad. Picking and key extraction are common first steps; drilling a core or replacing a cylinder is chosen only when picking and extraction aren’t workable.
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What the job involves
When we drive out from Havertown we bring the tools and spare parts for getting you back in and securing the opening. We start by checking the latch, hinge alignment and strike plate, then attempt non-destructive entry: pick, rake, use a plug spinner or extract the broken key. If the cylinder is damaged we can replace it on the spot and cut new keys, or rekey the existing cylinder. For doors with reinforced hardware we note long-throw bolts and hardened bolts so replacements match the strength of the hardware.
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Good to know
While you wait, the safest thing you can do is assemble proof that you live at or own the property and keep clear of the door so we have room to work. If there’s a security alarm, disarm it or tell us how it’s triggered. Move pets away from the work area and take valuables out of immediate reach. If the situation involves criminal activity or you feel unsafe, contact local police first; otherwise we focus on access and then on securing the lock so the door functions properly.
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Worth knowing
Have ready any existing keys, the name on the mailbox or utility bill, and the make or model of a keypad or smart lock if you know it. Note whether the door edge has a mortise cut or a cylindrical bore and whether the strike is reinforced; that information helps us bring the right replacement hardware. We carry common cylinders, thumbturns, and trim for residential and commercial doors, and we can fit batteries or swap out keypad modules. We cover Kennett Township and nearby communities, including Kennett Square, when emergencies happen.
