The situation
Imagine the owners of a 1930s Tudor-revival house in The Kingsway. Their solid oak front door has its original mortise lock with a brass faceplate. Lately the key only turns if they lift the door handle, and the latch sometimes fails to catch. A hardware store suggested replacing it with a standard deadbolt and handle set, which would mean filling the mortise pocket and drilling new holes in a door they love.
The assessment
The technician removes the cylinder and the case. Inside, a latch spring has weakened and the cylinder pins are worn. The case itself is sound. The need to lift the handle comes from the door having dropped slightly on its hinges, so the bolt no longer meets the strike squarely.
The repair
The top hinge screws are replaced with longer ones into the framing, lifting the door back into line. The worn spring is replaced, the case is cleaned and lubricated, and the cylinder is rekeyed with new pins and fresh keys cut by code. The original faceplate and trim stay in place.
The result
The door locks smoothly without lifting the handle, looks exactly as it did, and the owners have new keys. The cost is a fraction of replacing the lock and restoring the door.
If this is you
See our lock repair page, the Etobicoke page, or call (416) 240-0593.