Half of the locks that do not turn are doors that do not close. The locksmith fixes the door hardware that the lock depends on: hinges, strikes, closers, and the lock body itself.
What gets repaired or replaced
- Sagging doors: hinge replacement and re-hanging so the bolt lines up with the strike
- Strike plates and reinforcement after a break-in or a kicked door
- Door closers that slam, or do not close at all
- Knobs and levers that spin, stick, or fell off
- Mortise lock bodies in prewar doors, repaired or replaced with a matching case
- Sliding and patio door locks, and gate latches
Mortise locks in older Brooklyn buildings
Many Williamsburg and Greenpoint buildings still use mortise locks cut into the door edge. They are heavy, long-lived, and fixable. The locksmith opens the case, replaces the worn part, or fits a new body in the existing pocket so the door does not need to be re-cut.
After a break-in
The first job is getting the door to close and lock again. A split jamb, bent strike, or cracked door edge is reinforced so the new lock has something solid to throw into.
Common questions
Do you replace whole doors?
No. Door hardware, locks, hinges, and closers are the scope. For a new door slab or frame, a door installer is the right call, and the locksmith can fit the hardware after.
My door only locks if I lift it. Can that be fixed?
Usually yes. That is a hinge or strike alignment problem and it is a common repair.
Can you match old brass hardware?
Often. Replacement mortise cases and trim come in common finishes, and the locksmith brings photos of options when the call describes the door.