02
What the job involves
When we work on an emergency, we focus on getting you back through the door without causing avoidable damage. That can mean picking and decoding a cylinder, extracting a broken key, or removing a core to replace it. For doors with a warped or damaged frame we may need to relieve the strike or fit a reinforced strike plate so the bolt can seat squarely. We carry common cylinder types, tubular and pin-tumbler tools, spindle adapters, and replacement cores suited to residential and light-commercial hardware.
03
Good to know
While you wait please stand in a safe spot off to the side of the door and keep children and pets clear of the swing path. If the problem is a stuck key do not try to pry the key out with pliers; that can shear the key and push fragments deeper into the lock. If a door won’t latch because the bolt is extended, leave it alone until we get there; trying forceful shoves can bend the bolt or damage the faceplate. Have photo ID and proof of residency or tenancy ready so we can confirm ownership before we work on the lock.
04
Worth knowing
We drive out from our base in Havertown and will tell you how soon we can come when you call, honestly and plainly. If you can, note the lock type (single-cylinder deadbolt, keypad, rim cylinder, mortise) and whether the key is broken in the lock, missing, or turning without retracting the bolt. If the door has visible frame damage, a warped edge, or a replaced strike plate, mention that too. In Queen Village and nearby areas like Bella Vista we carry replacement cylinders, latch assemblies, reinforced strikes, and common exterior knobs so we can repair or replace on the spot when the job calls for it.
