There are few things more frustrating than losing a set of keys. When your lost keyring includes a car key, your first instinct might be to call up the dealership and see if you can get a replacement key made and sent out to you. However, we’d encourage you to consider choosing a locksmith for these services instead, for a variety of reasons.
Here are a few examples of some of the primary advantages associated with opting for a locksmith over the dealership for car key replacement in Fairfax, VA.
Timeliness
You’re almost certainly going to need to get a replacement key as soon as possible so you can get back on the road and take care of all your everyday priorities and tasks. It can be a significant inconvenience to have to spend an extended period of time without access to your vehicle.
Dealerships help people solve a wide variety of problems with their vehicles, and they’ll likely be doing so in the order in which the car owners arrive. This means you might have several other people ahead of you dealing with any number of issues with their cars when all you need is to have a new key created. It might take hours or even days for you to get the job done.
On the other hand, by working with a locksmith who has experience in creating automotive keys, you’ll be able to have a relatively quick turnaround time, allowing you to minimize the time lost due to missing car keys so you can get back on the road.
Cost
Every dealership is different with regard to how it handles key replacement. In some cases, you might find that the cost of replacing a lost car key can be exorbitant if you go through the dealership. In such a case, you can generally assume a professional locksmith will be able to get the job done at a fraction of the cost, in addition to doing so with a faster turnaround time. You may as well save some money on the job, and support a local business in the process!
Availability
Locksmiths are always available when you need them, and many offer mobile services so they can come out to you and help you out of your situation. In addition, locksmiths frequently offer emergency services so you can get assistance at any time of the day or night.
Consider this: you could lose your keys at literally any time of day, and in any location. Dealerships have much greater limitations than locksmiths with regard to availability. They’re not going to come out to your location, and they aren’t going to offer emergency services to address your needs. If you find yourself in a jam due to lost keys, your trust is much better placed in a professional automotive locksmith than in the dealership.
Interested in learning more about key replacement services in Fairfax, VA in the even that you lose your car keys? We encourage you to contact Artie’s Lock and Key today with any questions about our services.
Whether you’re looking to beef up the security at your home or at a commercial property, one of the first lines of defense available to you is a good-quality lock. When top-level security is a priority, you should carefully analyze the available selection of high-security door lock systems on the market in Fairfax, VA and choose one that makes the most sense for your needs.
Here’s a quick overview of some of the primary advantages associated with going with one of these systems:
- Remote monitoring: Many high-security door lock systems offer remote monitoring capabilities, thanks to the advancements in technology used in the field. These lock systems are often wi-fi enabled, meaning you can use any internet-connected device to watch the locks, control your alarms and set security alerts. In many cases, these locks come with recommended apps you can use on your phone to track your locks wherever you go. These remote monitoring capabilities give you constant peace of mind over the security of your home or business, and give you instant alerts if there’s an attempted break-in or unauthorized access.
- Access control: Another one of the main benefits of high-security locks is that they provide you with much more sophisticated control over who is allowed to access particular areas—a feature that is especially important for business owners. You can set up a master key system that allows you to completely customize access into certain areas, so you can keep parts of your property restricted only to those who absolutely need to have access. If a person attempts to use their key to access an unauthorized area, the door will not open.
- Tamper-proof technology: The sophisticated, high-tech nature of these door locks makes them extremely difficult to tamper with. Mechanisms in some of the heavier-duty locks you’ll find on the market are only capable of being opened with the pins on your keys, making it extremely difficult for someone to break in through the lock on your home or business. It’s just one added level of security that will ensure greater protection of your property and everything inside.
- Difficult to duplicate keys: Standard keys can be easily duplicated at any hardware store, which can be a big security risk if a key gets lost and the person who finds it knows the door(s) it opens. But with high-security door locks, you get keys with a unique design that makes them very difficult to duplicate. Only with the services of a licensed locksmith who has experience in high-security doors will you be able to get the key duplicated, which means it’s a safer option for your property.
These are just a few examples of some of the biggest advantages associated with the use of high-security locks in Fairfax, VA for residential and commercial properties. To learn more about the various options available for your security and the best choices to meet your security goals, we encourage you to contact a trusted locksmith at Artie’s Lock and Key with any questions you have.
Most people rely on their vehicles to transport them around town. Whether you’re driving to work or taking the kids to school, you and your family depend on your car every day. So, when you go out to your car, truck or SUV, and your key doesn’t function properly, you’re frustrated with the situation and unsure how to fix it. In fact, you’re probably reading this because you searched for “car key not working” in Fairfax, VA!
A variety of car keys available
When you call a locksmith about a broken car key in Fairfax, VA, it’s helpful to know what kind of key you use. This information makes it easier for the locksmith to quickly and correctly fix the problem. Cars from 1995 or earlier usually operate with a traditional key. This key starts the vehicle as well as unlocking the doors and trunk. Newer vehicles use keys with transponders or some keyless remote option. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, there’s a few common problems that might occur with a key fob.
Six reasons your car key isn’t working
A damaged car key can ruin your day. From meetings to children’s extracurricular, you have a schedule, and you need to stick to it. When something like car key issues in Fairfax, VA occurs, your whole schedule feels the impact:
- Lock issues: The most common issue with car keys occurs when a regular key breaks in the automobile’s lock. You put the key in the lock and turn it, only to have the stem break off entirely. Usually, keys break in this way when drivers fail to maintain the locks on their vehicles using appropriate lubricants.
- Damaged key: Traditional keys may bend or wear down over time. Technical issues cause key fobs to stop working. Either way, a bent key or malfunctioning fob will make it impossible to start your car.
- Bad copy: A key duplicated too many times might yield useless copies that just don’t work. Only make copies of the original key rather than reproducing a key based on a copy, unless you want to spend your time dealing with a car key not working in Fairfax, VA.
- Broken ignition cylinder: When your key works in your car’s locks but won’t start the vehicle, this indicates a problem with the ignition cylinder.
- Broken key fob: Like any electronic mechanism, key fobs won’t work if they’re dropped, exposed to water or crushed. Be careful when handling fobs, as they are more delicate than they appear.
- Lost initial programming: When the battery dies in a key fob, you lose all of the initial programming that pairs the device to your vehicle. Once you’ve installed a new battery in your fob, you have to pair the key to your car to get it to work.
Now that you better understand the causes of a broken car key in Fairfax, VA, it’s time to get in touch with a locksmith that can get you back on the road as soon as possible. Contact the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key now for prompt, reliable service.
As a business owner or commercial property investor, you know the value of reliable security systems. Protecting your building prevents theft and vandalism while providing the protection employees or renters require to feel safe while at work. Many people have found that access control systems in Fairfax, VA provide both the security and flexibility they require.
What is an access control system?
The term “access control” applies to physical and information security in Fairfax, VA, meaning an administrator may restrict users’ access to certain places or data. Regarding the physical security of a building, facility or office, an access control system allows you to set parameters for users and access points. Staff members receive assigned smart cards that grant them access to the parts of your workplace that you want them to use.
Which access control system is right for you?
There are many variables to consider when determining the right access control system for your business or building. Working with an expert locksmith such as Artie’s Lock and Key will help guide you through the decision-making process to select the appropriate access control system for you:
- Discretionary access control (DAC): This type of access control system gives the owner the most discretion, allowing them to program the system for individuals or groups. DAC systems are the easiest to program, usually running on a standard operating system such as Windows. In most cases, administrators add users to access control lists (ACLs) that determine where they can access. However, being that DAC systems are the least restrictive, there’s opportunities for inappropriate users to make administrator-level changes to the ACLs.
- Mandatory access control (MAC): A system administrator programs a MAC system based on pre-determined settings. There’s no wiggle room when it comes to this type of access control system, as it’s the most restrictive. The system owner or administrator can only change system parameters established during installation. If your business requires maximum security, you’ll want to invest in a MAC system.
- Role-based access control: This is another term for non-discretionary access control in Fairfax, VA. During the initial setup, managers work with a system administrator to organize employees into different classifications. The system is then programmed to allow access based on the roles determined with the classification process. For example, managers can access every portion of your facility, while associates can only unlock primary access points.
- Rule-based access control (RBAC): Yes, rule-based access control differs from role-based access control. Not only are users restricted to certain areas, but they’re also only given access to these areas at certain times on certain days. An RBAC system allows for the most customization and holds employees accountable for their time spent at work.
Now that you understand the basics of access control systems in Fairfax, VA, you’ll want to get in touch with an expert to learn more about your options. Since 1975, Fairfax business and property owners have trusted Artie’s Lock and Key. Professionally-trained and equipped with the latest technology, we’re ready to go to work for you. To learn more, get in touch with us today to discuss your commercial facility’s security.
House keys generally work each time, and we likely take them for granted. That is why we may not notice they are damaged until they break off in the lock. Fortunately, broken key removal is possible, and you will be able to get back into your home again. Here are five key removal tips to help you if you find yourself in this situation in Fairfax, VA:
- Do not force the issue: Sometimes, after discovering a key broke in the lock, people panic and try to apply pressure to the half of the key in the lock that is still in there, and twist it in an effort to unlock the door. However, this just causes more problems. Rather than unlock your home, you are more likely to wedge the broken key deeper into the lock and make it more difficult to remove. This is almost never worth a try, so don’t do it!
- Find the right tools: If you have access to tools, find one with a pointed edge, like needle nose pliers, tweezers or nail scissors. These tools offer the potential to grab the broken part of the key and pull it out of the lock. Most people do not have a professional key extractor on hand, but you can make one by using a small jigsaw or hacksaw. As a last resort, use super glue or a drill.
- Try the easy way first: Tools can make the situation worse, so see if the easy way works. Before using the tools, tap the lock and see if the broken key slides out. Use a lubricant to help it if it seems like this may be the case. If this works, then you merely need to replace a key, not also remove pieces from your lock.
- Use tools correctly: As you make this attempt, do not push the key deeper into the lock. This can happen if you feel impatient or frustrated, so do not be in a hurry. If you have needle nose pliers, small scissors or tweezers, carefully place them in the lock along the sides of the key, grab it and slowly pull it out. To use a jigsaw, hacksaw or key extractor, place it into the lock next to the key and twist it to grab the key by the teeth. From there, slowly pull it out. In the most desperate situations, use super glue by applying a small amount to a wire, sticking it into the lock and pulling out the key once it adheres. Do your best not to get glue in the lock.
- Call a locksmith: The best way to remove a broken key in Fairfax, VA and avoid breaking your lock in the process is to call a mobile locksmith. While they are there, they can also cut a new house key for you and make any needed repairs. While there is a cost involved, many customers find it worth it to save time and gain peace of mind.
Artie’s Lock and Key can help you when you face broken key problems in Fairfax, VA. Do not panic—let our broken key removal skills get you inside again. Call us today if you require mobile key and lock repair.
