Serving Alexandria, Arlington & Fairfax
Many lock problems can be repaired without replacing the whole lock. A key that binds, a loose handle or a bolt that catches often comes down to one worn part or a small misalignment. Replacement makes sense when the hardware is damaged, parts are unavailable, or you want features the old lock cannot offer.
Find the symptom that matches your lockChoose the symptom closest to yours. Each one shows what it usually points to, what a repair often involves, and the details that help on the call.
A lock is a set of parts that work together. Repair focuses on the part that has failed and on the conditions that wore it out, so the same fault does not come back.
A cylinder that binds, grinds or rejects good keys can often be cleaned and adjusted. If it is past servicing, a matching cylinder can sometimes be fitted on its own.
A latch that sticks, springs back slowly or fails to catch. The fault may be in the latch itself or in how it meets the strike on the frame.
Moving or adjusting the strike so the bolt enters cleanly, without lifting, pushing or pulling the door every time you lock it.
Re-securing loose handles, knobs and levers, and checking the spindle and springs behind them before they wear the latch.
When a worn copy is the real cause, a new key cut from a good original may be all the lock needs. See key duplication.
Mechanical problems behind an electronic lock, such as a bolt that drags. Our smart lock installation page covers the hardware itself.
Three different jobs solve three different problems. Knowing which one fits your lock keeps you from paying for work that does not address the fault.
Ask whether parts are available for your lock before work starts.
See lock rekeying.
See lock replacement.
If you need both a repair and new keys, ask whether they can be done on the same visit. Not sure which applies? Our guide to rekeying vs replacing locks walks through the decision one door at a time.
Some locks are harder to repair than a standard deadbolt, so it is worth checking support before booking. Older houses often have mortise locks set into a pocket in the door edge, and many patio doors use lock assemblies made for one brand of door.
Whether a mortise lock can be repaired depends on the condition of the lock body and on finding suitable parts. If you want to keep the original handles and finish, say so before anything is ordered.
Call with photos of the faceplate on the door edge and the handles on each side to check whether your lock can be repaired.
A patio door that slides well but will not lock may have a latch or catch problem, or the door may be sitting too low on its rollers. Roller and track work can be a separate trade, so ask what is included. When you call, ask whether your patio door lock is supported.
Business doors open and close many times a day, so wear shows up sooner. Cylinders loosen, latches stop catching and closers pull doors out of line. Repairing worn commercial hardware early can keep a door secure without replacing the whole lock.
Exit hardware has its own page: see panic bar repair. For rekeying, new hardware and storefront work, our commercial locksmith page covers business doors in more detail.
Tell us who can approve work and whether the door is part of a master key system, so a repair does not affect other keys in the building.
Vehicle locks and ignitions are a different kind of repair. Our car ignition repair page explains ignition cylinder problems, and our automotive page covers car keys and vehicle locks.
Locks rarely fail without warning. Small changes in how a lock feels are easier to deal with than a lock that stops working with the door shut.
Stop forcing a key that binds. If it snaps, you have a second problem on top of the first: see what to do when a key breaks inside a lock.
A clear description helps match the visit to the actual fault, and it shows whether a repair is likely before anyone arrives.
Describe the symptoms so the assessment addresses the real problem, whether that turns out to be a repair, a rekey or new hardware.
Hours: Sunday to Friday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Saturday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
There is no single repair price, because the lock and the fault differ from door to door. Ask what the quote covers before work starts.
If replacement turns out to be the better option, ask for the reason to be explained before any new hardware is fitted.
Navy Locksmith helps with residential and commercial lock repair throughout Alexandria, and in Arlington and Fairfax.
Often, yes. If the lock is sound overall and one part is worn, loose or out of adjustment, a repair may be enough. Forced or badly damaged hardware, or a lock with no available parts, is usually replaced.
Common causes are a worn key, wear inside the cylinder, or a bolt rubbing against the frame. Trying a second key and testing the lock with the door open helps narrow it down.
It can be, especially if you want to keep the original hardware on an older door. It depends on whether the lock body is still serviceable and whether suitable parts can be found.
Mechanical problems, such as a bolt that drags on the frame, can often be corrected. Electronic faults may need the manufacturer. Tell us the brand and what the lock is doing when you call.
Usually, if the cylinder is serviced rather than replaced. If a cylinder has to be replaced, ask whether the new one can be set to your existing keys.
There is no single price. It depends on the type of lock, whether parts are needed, whether the door needs adjusting and how many locks are involved. Describe the lock when you call, and ask which work the quote covers.
Call Navy Locksmith with your address and a description of what the lock is doing. We can talk through whether a repair, a rekey or new hardware suits the problem.
(571) 202-6721Hours: Sunday to Friday, 8:00 am to 11:00 pm. Saturday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm.
