Capitol Hill sits in Southeast Washington, in ZIP 20003 and 20002, around Eastern Market, Lincoln Park, Barracks Row on 8th Street SE. This guide covers the locks you are likely to have here, what to check, and what to do when a key goes missing.
The locks on Capitol Hill doors
Rowhouse doors in Capitol Hill usually carry two locks: an older mortise lock built into the edge of the door and a deadbolt added above it. The mortise lock is worth keeping. It can be cleaned, re-pinned and fitted with a new cylinder, and it suits the thick wood door better than a modern replacement.
A security checklist for Capitol Hill
- Make sure the deadbolt throws fully into the frame; if you have to lift or push the door, the strike needs adjusting
- Replace short strike-plate screws with 3-inch screws that reach the framing
- Key the English-basement unit separately if it is rented
- Check the rear alley door and any basement door, which are the usual weak points
For the work itself see lock rekeying in Capitol Hill, lock change and installation and smart lock installation.
If you are locked out in Capitol Hill
Check every door and window you can reach safely, then call. Have ID ready that shows you live there. If you are stuck outside, the area around the Eastern Market Metro is a safe, lit place to wait. Details: house lockout in Capitol Hill and apartment lockout in Capitol Hill.
Car keys and parking in Capitol Hill
Cars here live on the street, often a block or two from the house, so a lost key is normally dealt with at the curb. See car lockout in Capitol Hill, car key replacement, key programming and ignition repair.
Shops and offices in Capitol Hill
Businesses near Eastern Market call us for business lockouts and commercial rekeys and lock changes, usually after a staff change or a lost key.
Nearby neighborhood guides
- Navy Yard lock and key guide
- H Street Corridor lock and key guide
- NoMa lock and key guide
- Eckington lock and key guide
- Ivy City lock and key guide
- Trinidad lock and key guide
- ZIP 20003 locksmith guide
- ZIP 20002 locksmith guide
- Locksmith in Capitol Hill
Need a locksmith now? Mobile Locksmith DC is open 24/7 with a 15–25 minute response. Call (240) 202-2249.