Locksmith in Ardmore, PA

If you need a spare house key for a family member, rekeying or replacing the lock is one way to get a different set of keys. Rekeying changes which keys operate the existing hardware, so the old ones no longer work. Replacement gives you different hardware as well as a different set of keys. We can look at what is installed at your Ardmore home and explain those choices, including what each means for the keys already in use.

A door that does not latch may need attention, while a key left on the wrong side of a door creates a lockout. We work on those problems and handle lost or damaged car keys as well. If a key is bent or part of it has broken off in a lock, leave it alone rather than pushing on it. At an Ardmore business, worn hardware or a key that no longer turns smoothly may need repair or replacement. We can examine the affected hardware and explain what we find, including whether repair is a sensible option or replacement is needed. If you have another working key, set it aside so you can show us which one works.

If you are locked out of your car in Ardmore, we work with you to regain access and address the key problem. A replacement may need more than a matching cut. Some vehicles also require programming before it will start the engine. If yours is bent or cracked, avoid forcing it into the ignition, since it could break and leave a piece stuck inside.

For your home, rekeying changes which key operates the existing hardware. It is an option if you want to keep what is installed but no longer want old copies to work. Replacement gives you different hardware and may be worth considering if the mechanism is worn or you want a different style. We look at its condition and explain the choices for your entry.

At a business, you may want one copy to operate several entrances or different copies for areas with separate access needs. Using one for multiple entrances is convenient, but anyone holding it could enter each of those areas. Separate access gives you more control over who can go where. We assess the existing hardware and explain whether it can support the arrangement you want.

When you contact us about a missing mailbox key in Ardmore, we ask what kind of mailbox you have, whether a spare is available, and whether the box is separate or part of a shared group. We also ask if the lock had been difficult to use before the key went missing. For a shared box, we need to know whether a property manager or the postal service handles its upkeep, since that may affect who handles the work.

Before starting, we explain whether replacing the lock is an option for your mailbox, what the work involves, and what keys would come with the replacement. If the mailbox is handled by someone else or we cannot service it, we explain what we found so you know where to direct your request. If you choose a replacement and we complete the work, we test the new key with you and check that the mailbox closes and secures properly. You can try the key yourself and ask about anything that does not feel right.