The locksmith industry is beginning to look a bit different than it did in the past. More homeowners are replacing the traditional lock and key with smart lock installations in Fairfax, VA. Meanwhile, in commercial buildings, digital door locks grant access with just a couple of buttons. All industries benefit from technological advancements, and locksmiths are no exception.
Smart locks
The locksmith industry has made smartphones the new house key. Homeowners can hire their locksmith in Fairfax, VA to complete a smart lock installation. Then, your phone uses Bluetooth to remotely unlock the front door. Smartphones are a reliable way of securing homes because, just like a traditional key, your phone is generally on your person at all times.
Keyless entry
Digital door locks can do more than secure a house. The newest car models have replaced the traditional locking mechanism with wireless remotes and push-to-start ignitions. That’s why locksmiths in Fairfax, VA are continually educating themselves about security systems beyond a simple lock and key.
Keyless entry is also great for commercial spaces that require heightened security, like hospitals and medical labs. With the push of a button, qualified personnel can gain entry to a restricted area. Technology has advanced beyond manual locks, and keyless entry is now the preferred solution for buildings that need it the most.
Card access
Card access is another popular form of digital door locks. Just like keyless entry, this type of security system is used all the time in commercial spaces. If you look closely, you’ll notice card access is everywhere. For instance, hotel guests may be given a card to access their suite. Government officials use card access to enter rooms that are closed off to the public.
In addition to keyless entry and smart lock installation, locksmiths are learning how card access works so they’re equipped to open doors that require something other than a manual key. After all, their job is to help stranded customers no matter which type of locking system is standing in their way. As technology evolves, so do the capabilities of a locksmith.
Digital passcodes
Digital passcodes have been around for decades, and can be found in both commercial and residential spaces. Homeowners who live in gated communities may use a passcode to enter their neighborhood. They might even have a gate located at their driveway entrance so only friends and family members can set foot on the property.
These digital locks are great for office buildings that have restricted access but still require many employees to come and go. Instead of handing physical keys to dozens of workers, everyone can get inside by memorizing a simple passcode. Digital door locks in Fairfax, VA also heighten security at the main entrances to apartment buildings. This cuts back on theft by allowing access only to tenants.
Technology continues to evolve, which is why you need a locksmith that leans toward the future. If you’re looking to update a security system, consult the innovative locksmiths at Artie’s Lock And Key. We install and repair locks that feature the latest technological advancements. Whenever you need help, we’re just a phone call away.
Many homeowners in Fairfax, VA don’t think to create a spare house key until it’s too late. No one likes to assume they’ll lose a key one day, but unfortunately it can happen to anyone. If you’re on the fence about getting a spare key for your home, below are some reasons why you shouldn’t wait any longer.
You’ll have a backup plan for lockouts
There’s no moment more defeating than when you reach for the house key and realize it’s gone. Where you left it is a mystery, and now you’re stuck on the front porch with no way to get inside. If your only copy becomes lost or damaged, you’ll have to wait who knows how long for a locksmith to show up.
A spare house key makes all those inconveniences go away. It doesn’t cost much to create a spare, and it’s less expensive than hiring a locksmith to open your front door. Hand over the key to a neighbor you trust or hide it in a safe location on your property.
You’ll be able to copy the spare to create a new key
Let’s say the original house key is either broken or lost forever. If you didn’t have a spare, your locksmith in Fairfax, VA would have to create a new house key. A spare key for your home saves money because it costs less to copy a key than to make one from scratch. If you have a spare, get it copied right away so you’re not tempted to use it as your primary key.
Help your day run more smoothly
There are a number of reasons why you’d entrust a spare house key to another person. Some homeowners in Fairfax, VA hire cleaning services to take care of the house while they’re at work. Maybe your HVAC system needs fixing, but you can’t afford to wait for hours until the workers arrive. A spare key for your home allows you be on the go while granting access to people who need it.
Allow a friend to house sit
Someone has to watch the house while you’re on vacation. You might trust a friend to enter your home, but that doesn’t mean you’re willing to hand over your only house key. That’s when having a spare comes in handy. You can rest easy knowing your property is being taken care of, and you’ll still have a way to get inside if your friend loses the spare.
If you don’t want to relinquish the only copy of your house key, a spare lets someone you trust keep the house as you left it. They’ll water the plants, walk the dog and collect the mail so there’s no stress when you come home from a relaxing vacation.
Keys go missing when you least expect them to. Be prepared for any situation with a spare house key from Artie’s Lock And Key in Fairfax, VA. Whether you need a copy or want to rekey the lock, one of our locksmiths is always ready to help. Send a quick message to let us know what we can do for you!
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.
