Locksmith Services North Brisbane
Deadlocks. North Brisbane.
A deadlock is the key-operated lock fitted to a hinged entry door to add a locking point beyond the handle or knob set. It is worked by a key from outside and a turn piece inside, so the door can be secured from the street and opened normally from within. Deadlocks are fitted, replaced and repaired as their own piece of hardware.
Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm · Mobile service
Start with the outcome
Fitting, fixing or keying a deadlock
Most deadlock work falls into three jobs, and they call for different things: a door that has no deadlock at all, a deadlock that no longer works as it should, and a working deadlock that needs to fit into the keys you already carry.
What this service helps you decide
You want an entry door that locks properly, a deadlock that has become stiff or unreliable dealt with, or the deadlock keyed so one key works the whole property. You may also be checking what is actually fitted before deciding what the door needs.
Tell us what you need →What should I mention first?
Tell us the suburb, the door or access point involved, what has changed and the result you need. That gives us a useful starting point without asking you to diagnose the hardware.
Choose the right path
Fitting, fixing or keying a deadlock
Most deadlock work falls into three jobs, and they call for different things: a door that has no deadlock at all, a deadlock that no longer works as it should, and a working deadlock that needs to fit into the keys you already carry.
New deadlock
Adding a locking point to an entry door
Suits a hinged door secured only by a handle or knob set, or a door where an older deadlock was never fitted. The door is checked for stile width, solidity and clearance before a deadlock is chosen, since the lock body has to sit in sound timber or framing. A partly glazed door, a door with a wide gap, or a thin panel door all change what will work.
The outcomeA deadlock that suits the door and locks with a single key turn.
Not working
Repairing or replacing a failing deadlock
Suits a deadlock that has become stiff, will not throw fully, has a loose mounting plate, a turn piece that spins, or a key that no longer operates it. Door movement, a strike that has shifted or a worn bolt are the common causes, and the lock and door are checked together before deciding whether repair or replacement is the sensible route.
The outcomeA deadlock that throws smoothly and holds the door as intended.
Match my keys
Keying the deadlock in with the rest of the property
Suits a property where the entry door already has locks that work on one key and the deadlock is the odd one out. Keying compatibility depends on the lock families involved, which is why the existing locks are identified first. Where matching is not possible, that is explained before a replacement is fitted.
The outcomeFewer keys on the ring, or a clear reason why one more is needed.
Locksmith Services North Brisbane
A local person to talk to
Talk through the doors, keys and access.
Tell us the door type, what the deadlock does now and whether you want it keyed with your other locks. If you are unsure what is fitted, describe the shape of the mounting plate and whether the lock is operated by a key or a turn knob. Locksmith Services North Brisbane is based in Chermside West QLD 4032 and provides mobile residential and commercial locksmith services across North Brisbane, Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm. The business is rated 5.0 on Google from 105 reviews at the time of writing.
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What happens next
How deadlock work is done
- 01 / Step
Assess the door
The door's construction, thickness, stile width, glazing and clearance are checked, along with the frame and the strike position. This decides which deadlocks are suitable and where the lock can sit without weakening the door.
- 02 / Step
Choose the fitting
Deadlocks differ in bolt throw, backset fixed by the existing handle position, mounting style and keying options. The choice follows the door and how the property is used, including whether the deadlock must operate on the same key as the front door.
- 03 / Step
Fit and align
The lock is set into the door, the bolt is aligned with the strike and the door is tested with the handle set to make sure both locks work independently. Any adjustment needed to the strike or the door is made before the fixings are finally tightened.
- 04 / Step
Test from both sides
The deadlock is operated once with the door standing open and once with the door shut, from outside with the key and inside with the turn piece. Ask what maintenance suits the lock and which parts are likely to need attention first.
Useful guidance
Getting the most from a deadlock
Where it is worth fitting
A deadlock does most good on the door most likely to be tried, which is normally the front entry, with a second lock on a side or rear door that is out of sight. It works best alongside sound existing hardware rather than instead of it: a deadlock on a door with a loose handle set or a broken frame is only part of the picture. Doors with large glass panels, thin panels or a significant gap under the door may suit a different arrangement. Ask what suits your particular door rather than assuming one fitting covers every case.
Everyday use and simple upkeep
A deadlock lasts longer when the door is closed gently and the bolt is not forced against a misaligned strike. If the door has to be pushed or lifted before the bolt will throw, that is a door alignment or strike issue rather than a lock fault, and it is better dealt with early than by turning the key harder. Keep the keyway clear, avoid hanging a heavy bunch of keys from the deadlock while the door is open, and mention any stiffness or grinding when it first appears. Where a key is lost, treat the door as needing attention rather than assuming it cannot happen twice.
Useful answers
Deadlocks questions.
If your situation is different, describe the property, door and outcome in the enquiry form.
What is the difference between a deadlock and a deadbolt?
The terms overlap in everyday use. Generally, the deadlock is the key-operated lock unit fitted to a hinged door, while the deadbolt describes the solid bolt that shoots into the frame. The useful question is what a particular lock does on your door, not what it is called.
Can a deadlock be fitted to any door?
Most hinged timber or solid-core doors can take one, but the door's construction decides how. Thin panels, extensive glazing and narrow stiles can limit the options, and some doors need a different locking arrangement. The door is assessed before a fitting is chosen.
Can my deadlock be keyed to match my front door?
Often it can, if the locks belong to compatible keying families. Where the existing lock cannot be matched, a replacement that can be matched may be an option. Tell us at the start if one key for the whole property is the goal, because it affects what is ordered.
Do I need a deadlock on a security screen door?
A security screen door has its own lock, and a deadlock is not fitted to the screen door itself. The two work together: the screen door protects the opening and the deadlock secures the main door behind it. If a screen door lock is the problem, that is a separate repair.
Why has my deadlock become stiff?
Common reasons include a door that has moved or dropped, a strike out of alignment, grit or dried lubricant inside the mechanism, or a worn bolt. Forcing the key makes it worse. If the door needs lifting before the bolt throws, the door or strike is usually the cause.
Related locksmith services
Explore the right service.
Not sure which service fits? Start with what the key, handle or door is doing. We can discuss the next step before work is agreed.
Other contact details →Your next step
Tell us about
your doors.
Include your suburb, the doors or access points involved, what has changed and the result you need.
(07) 3469 5101 ↗Call Monday–Friday, 7am–4pm
Please leave out access codes, alarm details and photographs of key cuts. Confirm who can authorise the work.
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