Most lock problems are not lock problems. A key that has to be jiggled, a deadbolt that will not throw, a door that only locks if you pull it hard — those are almost always alignment faults, and replacing the cylinder fixes nothing. Because we are a door repair company first, we diagnose the door and the lock together. Door Repair Near Me provides lock repair, replacement and rekeying across Toronto and the GTA. Call (647) 955-5637.
Lock and Hardware Services
- Lock repair and replacement — deadbolts, knobsets, levers and mortise locks
- Rekeying — new keys without replacing the hardware, ideal after a tenancy change or lost key
- Deadbolt installation and security upgrades on existing doors
- Commercial locks — mortise, deadlatch, hookbolt and storefront cylinders
- Panic and exit hardware
- Patio and sliding door locks — see sliding door repair
- Post-break-in lock and frame repair — see break-in damage repair
- Keyed-alike sets so one key runs multiple doors
Why Locks Stop Working Properly
Before changing hardware it is worth knowing which of these you actually have:
- The bolt no longer lines up with the strike. The house has settled or the door has sagged on its hinges, so the bolt hits the plate instead of entering the hole. Symptom: you must lift or lean on the door to lock it. Fix: realign the door or move the strike, not the lock.
- The latch is binding on a swollen door. Seasonal, and usually a door or frame issue.
- The cylinder is genuinely worn. Symptom: the key feels gritty and inconsistent even with the door open. Fix: replace or rekey the cylinder.
- The key is worn, not the lock. A copy of a copy loses its cut depths. A fresh key cut from the original often solves it.
- The strike plate has torn loose. Usually the frame, and a security problem — see below.
Testing which it is takes seconds: operate the lock with the door standing open. If it works smoothly open and badly closed, it is alignment, and no new lock will fix it.
Security: Where Doors Actually Fail
Forced entries rarely defeat the lock cylinder. They break the frame around it. A standard strike plate is held by two short screws into trim, and a solid kick splits the jamb and takes the strike with it — the deadbolt is still locked, sitting in a piece of broken wood.
The upgrades that make a real difference are unglamorous: a box strike with 3-inch screws reaching the stud behind the jamb, long screws in the top hinge, and solid backing behind the strike area. On a hollow or weak jamb, reinforcement matters more than upgrading the lock brand. We fit these as standard when repairing after a break-in, and can retrofit them to a sound door.
Rekeying vs Replacing
Rekeying changes the pins inside the existing cylinder so old keys no longer work. It is cheaper than new hardware, keeps the existing finish, and is the right answer after a tenant moves out, keys are lost, or a contractor has held a key. It also lets us key several doors alike to one key.
Replacement makes sense when the hardware is worn or damaged, when the grade is too low for the door’s use, or when you want a different function — for example moving from a knobset to a lever for accessibility, or fitting a deadbolt where there is none.
Commercial Locks and Exit Requirements
On commercial doors, security and egress pull against each other. An exit door has to open from inside without a key or special knowledge, so the padlocks and surface bolts sometimes fitted during trading hours are a compliance problem. The right answer is usually a deadlatch or panic device that secures from outside while releasing freely from inside. We work on storefront cylinders, mortise locks, hookbolts and panic hardware — see commercial door repair.
Lock Services Across the GTA
We work in
Toronto,
North York,
Scarborough,
Etobicoke,
Mississauga,
Brampton,
Vaughan,
Markham,
Waterloo,
Halton Hills,
Barrie and
Hamilton.
Frequently Asked Questions
My key sticks in the lock — do I need a new lock?
Try the lock with the door open. If it turns smoothly, the lock is fine and the door or strike is out of alignment. If it is gritty with the door open, the cylinder or key is worn.
What is the difference between rekeying and replacing a lock?
Rekeying changes the pins so old keys stop working, keeping the existing hardware. Replacement fits new hardware, which is needed when the lock is worn, damaged or the wrong type.
Can you make several doors use one key?
Yes, provided the cylinders are compatible. Keying alike is usually done at the same visit as a rekey.
Can you secure a door after a break-in?
Yes — we repair the frame and strike area, reinforce it properly and fit new hardware, rather than only replacing the lock that was never the weak point.
Get Your Locks Sorted
Describe what the lock does with the door open and closed — that usually tells us the cause before we attend. Call (647) 955-5637 or use our contact form.