What goes wrong
Locks fail in a few predictable ways. A key snaps in a cylinder, a deadbolt binds and won’t turn, a spring in a knob gives out, a keyed knob spins on a stripped tailpiece, an electronic keypad loses power, or a vehicle key fails to turn in the ignition. In Lansdowne we get calls for stuck doors and broken keys as often as for lost keys. We handle residential and auto lock problems and the occasional commercial panic bar fault. We describe what’s wrong plainly and start from the actual hardware in front of us.
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What the job involves
On an emergency job we first check how the lock is installed and how the door or vehicle responds to gentle manipulation. We try non-destructive entry methods first: pick or manipulate the cylinder, or work the latch free. If the cylinder is mangled we extract it and fit a replacement or rekey the mechanism. For broken keys we extract fragments and cut a new key on site. For electronic locks we test the power and the control unit and replace batteries or the module when it’s failed.
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Good to know
While you wait for us, secure any secondary doors and windows and keep clear of the work area. Have identification or proof of ownership ready for the door or vehicle, and move pets out of the workspace. If the lock is on an alarmed door tell us about the system and any codes; if it’s a vehicle, have the registration or title available and know the vehicle make, model and year. Staying nearby and reachable by phone lets us confirm details before we start.
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Worth knowing
When you call we tell you honestly how soon we can come and then we drive out from Havertown to the job in Lansdowne or surrounding towns like Clifton Heights or Aldan when requested. To speed the process, have any spare keys, photos of the door or lock, and the handing of the door noted. We explain the work we recommend in plain terms, show you the parts we use, and leave the lock operating correctly before we pack up and go.
