What goes wrong
Locks in homes give up in predictable ways: a key that breaks off in a cylinder, a deadbolt that turns but doesn’t retract the bolt, latches that miss the strike because a door has sagged, or an old pin-tumbler that sticks when temperatures change. We see split keys, corroded cylinders, stripped keyways and sliding glass locks with bent keeps. In Flourtown people also call about keypad units that lose programming or batteries, and about mailbox and garage locks that have worn internal parts. We describe exactly what is wrong before we start work.
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What the job involves
When we arrive we start with a physical inspection of the door and the hardware so we can decide the least invasive fix. That might mean picking and rekeying a cylinder, swapping in a new core, extracting a broken key, replacing a warped strike, or installing a long-throw deadbolt and reinforcing the jamb. We carry cylinders, replacement mortise parts, screws and hardened strikes and we drive out from Havertown with the tools to cut keys on site and program electronic locks when the job calls for it.
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Good to know
While we’re on the way it helps if you clear the area around the door, secure pets and have someone available who can confirm ownership or tenancy. We’ll ask you to show a form of ID and the key you normally use if you have one; having any existing paperwork or the model number from an electronic lock speeds decisions. Please turn on exterior lights if it’s dark and remove storm or screen doors that block access. We’ll explain the options once we see the hardware and then get started with your go-ahead.
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Worth knowing
To make choices easier, have in hand the current keys, the door type (wood, metal, fiberglass), and whether you prefer to rekey the existing lock or replace it entirely. If the lock is an electronic or keypad unit bring any user manuals or the current batteries and any codes you use; if you rent, have landlord permission ready. We can talk through heavier security like reinforced plates and long-throw bolts and about matching new cores to your other house keys. If you’re outside Flourtown but near Springfield or Wyndmoor we still work from Havertown to your address.
