Getting locked out of your garage is never an enjoyable experience. This typically happens when a garage door opener gets jammed due to a signal issue, a power outage, a failure of the garage door remote or a mechanical or electrical problem.
When such a problem arises, what are some steps you can take to get back into the garage and get the door working again?
Here are a few tips.
Use the manual release
Your first step should be to use the manual-release device attached to the garage door opener. Older doors might have exterior handles that trigger the manual-release feature from the outside. Otherwise, you may need to get inside the garage and use the pull cord hanging down from the ceiling to manually lift the door up.
Of course, if you can’t get inside the garage at all this could make things a bit more difficult, but this is a good place to start.
Invest in a wi-fi enabled opener or smart lock
Wi-fi enabled garage door openers are the latest advancement in garage door technology and are extremely convenient because they can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet via an app. This means you don’t have to rely on a garage door opener and radio frequency system, adding one less thing that can go wrong and prevent your door from working.
In addition to this, you’ll be able to use smart lock functionality that allows you to monitor the use of the garage door or even lock or disable the system if you so choose—all from a single digital platform that’s accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Smart locks can work with garage doors in a very functional and convenient manner.
If you’re at work and suddenly remember you forgot to close your door, you can use the app to shut it and maintain your peace of mind.
Get a locksmith out to the property
Any time you have issues with a garage door, it is strongly recommended that you let a professional handle the problem rather than trying to do the job yourself, especially when there’s a mechanical issue to handle.
Professional garage door technicians have the tools and knowledge necessary to complete the job safely. This is crucial because there are some aspects of garage door repairs and maintenance that can be extremely unsafe. Any time you need to work with the springs or tension components, for example, there is a real risk of life-threatening injury if you do not know what you are doing. The tension in the springs can release and cause fatal accidents.
It’s always better to be safe and call a professional instead of trying to save some money and doing the job yourself.
Interested in some more tips about how you can restore the operation of your garage door if you get locked out? Contact our team at Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA today with any questions you have for us, and we will be pleased to work with you.
There are many reasons why you might replace a door. Not as common, however, is a situation in which a person wishes to place a frame but keep the door.
This is something that can be done. You can install a new frame while keeping the same door, but this is harder than you might expect. You’ll need to measure carefully, pick all of the right materials for the job and make sure you cut the frame out with precision to ensure it works properly with your existing door.
The real question is not “Can I replace my doorframe and keep the door?” but should you? This depends on the condition of the door. With the frame, the following are signs that you should probably make the replacement:
Deep scratches in the wood that cannot be sanded out
Warping that has made it difficult for doors to open and close properly
Dents in the wood
Wood rot or other issues with the condition of the wood
The frame may be able to be repaired if the damage is not significant, but there are situations in which the damage will not be reversible. This commonly occurs when there has been significant water damage or warping or if someone has broken into the home by kicking the door in, causing breakage in the frame.
Make sure you carefully inspect your door slab while inspecting your frame. If there are obvious deep scratches and dents, it’s probably a good idea to make the replacement. Doors can be refinished if the scratches are minor, but at a certain point, it’s a good idea to make the replacement. Also check all the hinges and locations where they are attached, and make sure that the wood is not broken near them.
If the door is not hanging in the frame correctly, consider why and the types of adjustments you can make.
It can be hard to know when to replace your door and frame, but, ultimately, it’s likely in your best interest to replace the entire door unit if the frame is having issues—unless you are especially attached to the door you have.
Starting with a new door unit gives you brand-new materials that have been designed to fit together. You don’t have to worry about cutting new holes or making adjustments. The door and frame will look good together, which will increase your curb appeal and will provide greater security. You’ll also benefit from having a warranty that protects your investment in case anything goes wrong.
Interested in learning more about replacing doors or doorframes and what is all involved in making the decision?
We encourage you to contact us at Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA with any questions you have about the services we provide. We’ll be happy to come out to your property, inspect your door system and give you some recommendations about what would be the best solution to your door-related problems, so you can have lasting quality and security.
No matter how well you watch over your motorcycle key, mistakes can happen. Losing your motorcycle key is always frustrating, as it can leave you stranded. That said, there are many motorcycle key replacement options.
Don’t let a missing motorcycle key ruin your entire day. A locksmith can usually provide riders with an emergency motorcycle key as long as they provide the right information.
Read on for tips on what to do when you’ve lost your motorcycle key.
Find the code on the cylinder
If you’re looking for an older motorcycle model, you might notice several of them don’t come with ignition keys. This is fairly common and no cause for emergency, as you’ll just need to have a locksmith make a new motorcycle key.
To do this, you first need to find the cylinder code located on the motorcycle’s ignition cylinder. You can usually find this on the instrument cluster, somewhere between the speedometer and tachometer. The code should be somewhere around four digits.
After finding the code, take a picture with your phone, and head to your local locksmith. They should be able to look up that code and make a replica key.
Bring your ignition cylinder to a locksmith
For whatever reason, you may have trouble finding the cylinder code on your motorcycle. One of the other options for motorcycle key replacement involves bringing your entire ignition cylinder to a local locksmith.
If you’re worried about damaging your ignition cylinder, have a local mechanic remove it for you. After doing so, bring the device to your locksmith, and let them examine it. They will then make an emergency motorcycle key by first creating a mold of the cylinder’s lock.
Since this method is a bit more complicated than simply bringing in a cylinder code, it usually costs more. That’s why it’s good to call your locksmith ahead of time for an estimate.
Contact the dealership
This is usually the last option for motorcycle riders because it’s more expensive than working with a locksmith. When working with the dealership, you’ll have to first find the vehicle’s VIN, or Vehicle Identification Number. This number, which is distinct to every vehicle, is usually located somewhere on the steering neck.
Next you’ll need to gather proof of ownership to show the dealership, as they won’t provide you an emergency motorcycle key otherwise. Be sure to contact the dealership first and see what specific documents they require, which may include the vehicle’s title, registration and receipt.
After bringing all the right documentation to the dealership, they should be able to make you a new key without much problem.
Work with a good locksmith
Working with a good locksmith will ensure you get a fair price on your new emergency motorcycle key. At Artie’s Lock and Key, we provide our services to drivers all over Fairfax, VA. As long as you have all the right information, we can offer you a variety of motorcycle key replacement options to meet your needs. Reach out today to learn more!
It’s something most drivers have done at some point. Locking your keys in your car is not only annoying but dangerous in many situations. That’s why it’s important to know what to do when locking your keys in the car.
There are professional locksmiths who specialize in emergency car door lockouts. You should contact one of them right away or use one of the methods mentioned below.
Will roadside assistance unlock my car?
When wondering what to do when locking your keys in the car, many people ask if roadside assistance will help. While this can depend on your exact policy, roadside assistance will help unlock a car door in most situations. That said, it could take a while for a roadside assistance professional to reach your location.
It’s important to check your roadside assistance policy carefully before signing any documents. If you’re worried about the potential of locking your keys in your car, be sure the policy covers emergency car door lockouts.
Unlocking a car door with a clothes hanger
Using a clothes hanger is a tried-and-true method of unlocking a car, though it only works with older vehicles. All you need is a wire coat hanger and a pair of pliers. Use the pliers to untwist and straighten the clothes hanger. Just make sure to leave the hook alone.
After unraveling the clothes hanger, slide it into the window, hook first. This part takes some finesse, as you’ll need to hook the control arm. Pull on the control arm once you’ve hooked it, and the door should open.
Unlocking a car door with your phone
These days, technology can help open your car door. For many newer vehicles, you can download an app that allows control of several vehicle components. With these apps, drivers can unlock and lock their doors as well as start their cars. Check with your manufacturer to see if there’s an app available for your vehicle.
When to contact the police
There are some situations in which it’s best to contact the authorities if you’ve locked your keys in your car. For example, if you’ve accidentally locked a child or pet in the car, contact the police right away. The police or fire department will likely get there much more quickly than a locksmith would.
Get in touch with a local locksmith
In most cases, the quickest and easiest way to open a locked car door is by working with a professional locksmith. A professional locksmith has all the right tools to open a locked car door without breaking windows or other components. Be sure to only hire locksmiths with many years of experience and good reviews.
At Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA, we have a team of experienced locksmiths who can come to your location as quickly as possible to get you out of a sticky situation. Our services include emergency car door lockouts, ignition repair, key duplications and replacements and key fob replacement. Contact us today for all your locksmithing needs.
Choosing the right access system for your Fairfax, VA business depends on a number of factors. Whether you’re protecting a business, school, hospital, parking garage or other facility, you need to make sure that your system can handle multiple users, intrusion attempts, access control technology updates and more. Working with an experienced locksmith can ensure that you get the appropriate system for your specific needs.
Here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing your access system.
Why choose an electronic access system?
Physical locks and keys are a time-honored access control system, but they have their flaws. First, keys can be lost, copied or stolen, which means it’s harder to verify exactly who has access to your building.
There’s also no way to put a time limit on when a person can enter the facility, unless you plan to rekey each lock every time someone gets fired or otherwise has their access revoked. For large-scale operations, this is not only impractical but expensive.
Additionally, someone has to be in charge of keyholder management, and if there are multiple access points, each employee or manager will need to carry around multiple physical keys.
Electronic access systems solve all of these problems, whether you use key cards, keypads or biometrics. It’s much easier to control who has access to your building—and for how long.
Types of access control systems
There are three broad categories of access systems:
Autonomous systems: These systems have internal memory and do not need external software or intelligence to operate. They may not offer remote management, and their capacity to handle large numbers of users may vary.
Online systems: Online systems use a remote server to handle access control operations. When someone enters a code, swipes a key or uses biometrics, the information is sent back to the server. If the access is approved, the server sends a signal to unlock the barrier.
Distributed intelligence systems: These types of systems use a controller to grant access. When access is granted, the information is sent to the server and controller to record and report the event. When the communication is down, the server records the event.
Other things to consider
In addition to the type of access control system you choose, there are other things to consider. For example, you may want your access control to integrate with CCTV and other surveillance equipment, including intruder and fire alarms. This will create a robust security system that ensures only authorized personnel get into the protected areas—and it also makes it much easier to revoke their access when necessary.
To choose the right access system for your business, you want to work with an experienced system designer and installer. They’ll have the latest access control technology updates in Fairfax, VA, so you can rest assured that you’re getting a top-of-the-line access control system.
