Lock Repair in Augusta, GA

Humidity does more than ice

NOAA's state climate summary describes long, hot and humid summers and short, usually mild winters in Georgia, so moisture and door movement trouble most locks more than cold does. A wooden door absorbs moisture through the summer and swells, and even a slight change pushes the bolt against the edge of the strike plate. The sign is a deadbolt that needs a shove in August but turns easily by December. That usually points to the strike plate or the hinges, not the lock.

Heavy rain is the other stressor. NOAA notes that tropical storm remnants can bring heavy rain and strong winds to Georgia. A cylinder that took on water should be flushed, dried, lubricated and checked for corrosion before grit and rust bind the pins.

Older mechanisms in Harrisburg–West End

Harrisburg–West End, a National Register district between 15th Street, Walton Way, Heard Avenue, Milledge Road and the Augusta Canal, has older housing. Original mortise locks can wear out one part at a time: a tired spring that lets the lever droop, a latch that no longer springs out, a cylinder worked loose in its housing. Such parts can often be repaired or swapped inside the existing lock body, so the original stays on the door.

In a local historic district, ordinary maintenance or repair that changes no design, materials or outer appearance needs no Certificate of Appropriateness. Section 7-4-51 of the Historic Preservation Ordinance adds that the owner must first confirm with the commission's staff that the work qualifies. This is general information, not legal advice.

Upkeep, and what to describe

• Put a little dry lubricant, such as graphite or PTFE, in the keyway now and then; oil and grease hold grit.
• Keep hinge screws tight so the door does not sag onto the strike.
• If a key starts to stick, stop forcing it; a key twisted hard enough can break in the lock.

When requesting a repair, say which door, what it does wrong, since when and whether it changes with the weather, and include photos of the lock face and door edge. See lock repair and Augusta.