- We do
- New deadbolts, replacements, repairs
- Hardware
- Yours or supplied by us, priced on the phone first
- Includes
- Strike alignment and long strike screws
- Estimate
- Free on the phone: the price for your job before we drive out
When a deadbolt needs work
Call us when a deadbolt is:
- Missing: an exterior door with only a knob lock
- Damaged: after a break-in attempt, or a bent bolt or cracked housing
- Worn out: sticky, loose, or it only works if you jiggle the key
- Not locking: the bolt stops short, rubs, or the key turns hard
- Compromised: a key was lost or stolen and you want it to stop working
Installed right, not just installed
Most deadbolt problems are installation problems. A few things we do on every one:
- Align the strike so the bolt slides in fully without rubbing. A bolt that only goes in halfway can be pushed back.
- Use long strike screws that reach the wall framing, not just the door jamb. Short screws are why doors give way to a kick.
- Check the door itself. Doors that sag or swell in humid Minnesota summers and shrink in winter can bind a deadbolt. We set the strike so it works in every season.
- Test from both sides, with the door open and closed.
Deadbolt hardware
Single cylinder deadbolts (key outside, thumb turn inside) and double cylinder deadbolts (key on both sides) from the common residential brands like Schlage and Kwikset. Not sure what fits your door? Text a photo to 763-600-3529 and we will tell you, with the price.
How a deadbolt job goes
Tell us the door
New deadbolt, replacement or a repair? Tell us what you have. A photo by text helps.
Fit and drill
For a new deadbolt we bore the door and the edge, and cut the latch plate in clean.
Align the strike
The strike lines up with the bolt and is anchored with long screws into the frame.
Test both sides
The bolt throws all the way and turns smoothly from inside and out, with the door closed.
Deadbolt service questions
Can you install a deadbolt on a door that does not have one?
Yes. We drill the door for a standard deadbolt, fit the bolt and strike, and anchor the strike with long screws into the frame.
Will you install a deadbolt I bought myself?
Yes. We install hardware you supply, and we will tell you before we start if it does not fit the door.
What is a good deadbolt grade?
Locks are graded by ANSI/BHMA standards: Grade 1 is the highest, Grade 3 the basic residential level. For exterior doors, Grade 2 or Grade 1 is a good target.
My deadbolt sticks or will not lock. Is it broken?
Usually the strike is out of line with the bolt, or the hole in the frame is too shallow, not the lock itself. Doors also shift between Minnesota summers and winters. We adjust the strike so the bolt slides in fully.
Should I replace my deadbolt after losing a key?
If the lost key could be with someone else, or it was on a ring with your address, replacing the deadbolt means the lost key no longer fits. You get new keys with the new lock.