Home Lock Repair
Most sticking, loose or stubborn locks can be fixed, often for less than a new one. When a lock is past saving, we say so plainly and price the replacement.
Mon–Sat 8 AM–8 PMInsured15 years of experience
Most sticky locks can be fixed.
Often it’s the door, not the lock
Houses settle, frames shift with the seasons, and hinge screws work loose. When a door sags even a little, the bolt rubs the strike plate and the lock feels broken.
Moving the strike or tightening the hinges often solves it in a single visit, with no new parts at all.
Worn parts
Latch springs tire, cylinders wear, and handles work loose after years of daily use. Many of those parts can be adjusted, cleaned or swapped without changing the whole lock. A cylinder that feels gritty can often be serviced rather than thrown away.
When we say replace
Some locks are simply worn out, or were damaged when someone forced the door. Then we tell you and price the replacement, next to a repair whenever one is still possible. For the hardware side, see new locks and deadbolts.
What a repair visit looks like
Describe the trouble
Tell us what the lock does: sticks, spins, won’t latch, or only locks with a shove.
Door and lock, together
We check the door, frame and hinges along with the lock itself, because the cause often sits outside the lock.
Adjust or repair
Strike plate, hinges, latch or cylinder: we fix what’s wrong, using proper lock lubricant where it helps.
Test it open and shut
We work the lock with the door open, then closed, until it runs smoothly both ways.
Home lock problems we fix
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Sticking deadbolt
The bolt drags or stops short of locking, usually because the strike has drifted out of line.
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Loose handle or lever
Screws back out over time. We tighten or replace whatever has let go.
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Latch won’t catch
The door swings shut but won’t stay closed. We realign the latch and the strike.
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Key hard to turn
Worn pins or grime inside the cylinder. Cleaning or a cylinder repair usually sorts it out.
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Sliding patio door lock
Patio latches wear and slip out of line. We adjust, repair or replace them.
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Winter stiffness
Idaho cold can stiffen a lock that already has wear inside. Have it serviced before it leaves you stuck outside on a frosty morning.
Lock acting up? Get it looked at before it fails.
A lock that’s getting harder to use rarely fixes itself. Call or book online.
Lock repair questions
Why does my deadbolt only lock when I push on the door?
The bolt and the hole in the frame have drifted apart, usually because the door or frame has shifted. Moving the strike plate or tightening the hinges brings them back in line.
Can a loose door handle be tightened, or does it need replacing?
Most can be tightened. If the parts inside are cracked or worn smooth, the handle may need replacing, and we tell you which it is before doing anything.
Should I use oil on a sticky lock?
Skip household oil: it gathers dust and turns into gunk inside the cylinder. A lubricant made for locks is the right choice, and if the lock still sticks after that, the cause is mechanical.
Can you fix a sliding door that won’t latch?
Usually. Sliding doors drift on their rollers, so the latch misses its catch. We adjust the latch and keeper, or replace a latch that’s worn out.
Is a repair cheaper than a new lock?
Usually, yes, when the lock is sound. If it’s old, damaged or a poor match for the door, a new one may be better value, and we’ll say so. We quote both whenever a repair is possible, so you can compare before we start.
More residential locksmith services
Stubborn lock? We’ll fix what can be fixed.
Tell us what the lock is doing, and we’ll explain the likely repair and its price before we set out whenever possible.