What’s included
- Casement crank operators and handles replaced
- Sash locks on wood windows freed, cleaned or replaced
- Slider latches, keepers and rollers replaced
- Painted-shut windows cut free so they open again
- Ventilation stops and pin locks added
- Stiff hinges cleaned and adjusted
What we don’t do
- New openings cut into a wall for a door or window.
- Glass cutting and glazing; we send that to a glass shop.
- Garage door openers, springs and cables.
In Alhambra homes
About 77 percent of Alhambra’s homes were built before 1980, according to a city housing report. That means plenty of original steel and wood casements in Spanish Revival houses and wood double-hungs in Craftsman bungalows, as well as aluminum sliders from later updates. Each uses its own hardware, so we match the part to the window type.
Get a quote in one text
Send a photo of the crank, lock or latch and one of the whole window. Our number for photos is (310) 628-9399, and the price comes back before any work is booked.
Casement cranks
When a crank spins freely, the gears in the operator have stripped. Many sizes are still made, so the operator can usually be swapped without touching the frame.
Sash locks
Old sash locks are often buried under paint. Cutting the paint, cleaning the lock and realigning the keeper usually brings them back.
Slider latches
A slider that won’t latch has often dropped on worn rollers. New rollers lift the sash so the latch meets the keeper.
Ventilation with security
A pin lock or a stop lets a window stay open a few inches without opening further from outside.
What goes to others
Broken glass, failed double-pane seals and rusted-through steel frames go to a glass shop or window restorer.
In older Alhambra houses this job often turns up next to sliding window repair, window screen repair, sliding glass door repair and lock and smart lock installation, so mention those when you text and we can price them together.
Sources: City of Alhambra, housing needs report (age of housing stock).
Window lock and crank repair questions from Alhambra homeowners
Why does my window crank turn but the window doesn’t move?
The operator’s gears are stripped. Replacing the operator fixes it.
Can a handyman fix a window that won’t lock?
Yes. We replace or realign the lock, latch or rollers so the window locks again.
How much does window crank repair cost?
It depends on the part. Send a photo for a free estimate before anything is booked.
Repair guides for this job
- Why original wood doors stick, and how we free them upWhy solid wood and arched-top doors in Alhambra's older homes stick or drift open, the simple hinge fixes, and how we adjust them without harming the wood.
- Keeping original built-in cabinets and hutches workingHow we repair original built-in hutches, linen cabinets and cupboards in Alhambra's 1920s homes: sagging doors, sticky drawers, worn catches and glass.
- Getting the house ready for Santa Ana windsHow to get ready for Santa Ana winds in Alhambra: doors and gates, loose screens, outdoor items, power outages and the small repairs that keep dust and drafts out.
Looking for a handyman in Alhambra for more than one job? Send the whole list and we’ll price it together.
We serve Alhambra first, plus Monterey Park, San Gabriel and other nearby cities. Have a question? See the handyman FAQ.