Picture this: you’re running late to an important meeting, you hop in your car and get ready to speed off to your destination. You put your key in the ignition and try to start your car, but your key won’t turn! What’s going on? Your car was working fine yesterday, and you haven’t had any other problems with it in the past.
As with any sticky situation, your best bet is to call a professional for inspection and subsequent repair. However, calling an automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA to make a new key isn’t always fast, and if you’re in a hurry, waiting around just won’t do. Here are a few DIY tricks you can try the next time you’re in this jam:
Turn your steering wheel: Before you start panicking, simply try turning your steering wheel to the right or left and see which side is blocked. Turn the wheel to the side that does move, and then try turning your key. If that doesn’t do the trick, try turning your wheel and jiggling your key while it’s in the ignition. Let’s hope that does the trick and you can get on your way quickly! However, if you find yourself doing this every time you start your car, you might want to consider having your ignition inspected, as something clearly isn’t right with your vehicle.
Lubricate the lock: This issue may have to do with your key and ignition slot’s lubrication. If you have lubricant (preferably graphite or silicone-based) in your vehicle, spray the key down and try jiggling it in the ignition slot. Don’t get discouraged if this trick doesn’t work on the first attempt—you might have to try spraying and jiggling it a few times to get it to work.
Repair or replace your key: When you’re running late for a very important date, and none of the options above do the trick, you’ll have to call a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. If your key is bent or twisted, or if the teeth are worn down, a professional locksmith can either repair your key or create a new one from scratch. Our licensed locksmiths can give you a new, working key in a flash.
Repair or replace your ignition cylinder: If it’s not your key that’s causing your problem, it must be your ignition cylinder. Obviously, this is the worst-case scenario, but the good news is that we can handle the situation for you. Our professionals have years of experience repairing or replacing ignitions for all makes and models. The best part is that we can perform the job quickly, so you can get on with your day.
Don’t trust any other automotive locksmith in Fairfax, VA to make a new key the next time you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. The technicians at Artie’s Lock and Key arrive on the scene quickly and can get you back on the road in no time at all. Call us today to learn all about our services!
It’s estimated that 1.03 million home invasions occur each year in the United States and, on average, about $2,000 worth of goods are lost during each burglary. Let’s hope your home doesn’t become one of those statistics in 2019. But if it is, here are a few things you need to know about recovering from a robbery, courtesy of your mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA:
Leave your house: Your first step after you’ve been robbed is to get out of your house! You never know if the robber is still inside and whether or not he has a weapon.
Call the police: After you’ve left your property, call 911. Tell the police that you’ve been robbed and need assistance as soon as possible. The cops should arrive on the scene quickly and clear the premises before you go back inside.
Take an inventory of stolen items: Next, go through each room in your home and take note of what was stolen and how much those items are worth. It doesn’t matter if it’s electronics, jewelry, cash or credit cards—write it all down This information will be vital in the next few days or weeks while you work to get your life back to normal.
Make any necessary repairs: Assuming the robber broke into your home through the door or windows, you’ll want to have those professionally repaired or replaced. Until those repairs are made, your home is vulnerable to another robbery.
Have your locks changed: After you’ve fixed your doors and windows, call a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA to change your locks. Changing out your locks (and possibly upgrading them, as well) gives you peace of mind and will help you rest easy at night knowing your home is secure.
Call your insurance company: You need to let your insurance provider know that you’ve been robbed so that they can reimburse you for all of the goods and money you’ve lost. They obviously can’t replace family heirlooms or personal items, but at least you can get money back for what you’ve lost.
Call your bank: Much like your insurance company, you need to let your bank know that your home was burglarized. Your bank can put a hold on all of your accounts, so that the burglar can’t use your hard-earned money to buy things for himself.
Inform your neighbors: Your neighbors probably already know that you’ve been robbed at this point, since they’ve seen the cops at your home, but just to be sure, you should go door to door and inform them that your house was broken into and they should be aware that the robber may be at large.
If you’re unfortunate enough to ever be the victim of a robbery, be sure to follow the steps above, and then call Artie’s Lock and Key to replace your locks. We’re among the top locksmiths in Fairfax, VA because we offer speedy service and top-notch work at competitive rates. Reach out to us today to learn more.
The rise of technology has impacted the way we interact with almost everything in our lives… including our locks. Many people hate fumbling for keys or forget them at home, leaving them without access to their homes or businesses. Thanks to technology, there are now numerous ways to enter a building without a key.
Keyless locks and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA (or “smart locks”) are becoming increasingly popular in both homes and businesses because of their added convenience. But these two types of locks are quite different. When deciding to upgrade your lock system, make sure you understand the difference between keyless and smart locks and which is right for you.
Keyless locks
Simply put, keyless locks are locks that do not require a key for entry. Instead of a key, they may utilize a keypad and code or pin, a card or key fob reader, a touch screen, fingerprint scanner or other form of keyless access.
Many keyless locks still have a keyhole incorporated as a backup in case there is a technological issue and you cannot use the keyless entry system to get in.
These systems are great options for commercial buildings. They are relatively simple devices and can control the way people enter the building. These systems minimize the possibility of key copying and illegal entry. Additionally, changing the passcode for keyless locks can often be easier and less expensive than rekeying traditional locks.
Smart locks
Smart locks are a type of remote access key in Fairfax, VA, but they go above and beyond simply allowing access without a key. Smart locks connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, allowing you to lock or unlock doors remotely using your phone, be notified whenever your door has been unlocked and much more. A common feature of smart locks is to automatically unlock your door when your phone is near the lock, letting you get inside without fumbling for a key.
Smart locks are a great option for residential homeowners who want greater control over their homes. The added benefit of smart locks is that they work using an app on your phone, meaning you can control your locks from anywhere in the world as long as you have access to the internet.
The systems are also especially useful if you are letting guests into your home. Another common feature is to set one-time-use passcodes or passcodes that have time limits to allow guests to enter the home without giving them a key or a permanent passcode.
Smart locks do have drawbacks, though. Despite adding greater control over your locks, the systems do rely on internet access, meaning a failure in Wi-Fi or power can render you without access. They are also more complicated and may not be ideal for people who are less tech-savvy.
Choosing between lock types
The type of lock you choose will ultimately depend on your needs and comfort level with technology. Smart locks will usually be more expensive, but provide greater control, while keyless locks are typically easier to use.
If you’re interested in purchasing keyless locks or remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock And Key. We offer locksmith, rekeying and lock installation and repair services for residential, commercial and automotive clients.
Large glass sliding doors are a great addition to your home to let in more natural light, provide picturesque views of your yard and allow easy access to a porch or patio. As great as sliding doors are, though, they are also potential hazards in your home because they tend to attract thieves. The large glass panes and flimsy locks can easily be broken into.
If you have sliding doors, it’s best to invest in a high-quality sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA to keep your home safe. And no matter what kind of lock you have, there are a few ways you can make your doors even more secure.
The importance of having locks on your sliding doors
You might be thinking, “Why is it so important to lock my sliding doors?” Usually, these doors are on a balcony or porch in the backyard and hidden from view. This doesn’t mean a burglar won’t try to enter through them, though.
Locking your sliding door can protect you against theft, as long as the lock is strong. Sliding doors are very easy to open and are also extremely quiet, making them the perfect target for burglars or other wrongdoers.
Adding locks to sliding doors also helps protect children. These doors are easy for children to push open, even if they are too short to open a standard door. Locks can help prevent kids from getting outside and hurt on accident.
How sliding door locks work
Sliding doors open sideways along a wood or metal track at the top and bottom of the door. There are a few different types of sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA, but most are pretty flimsy when compared to standard door locks.
Most sliding doors have simple latches or clasps that lock the door in place by lightly latching it to the door frame. Unfortunately, these can often be jiggled open in no time.
Adding an extra lock, like a loop lock or cylinder lock, to the sliding door can help add strength to the security of your sliding glass door. These types of locks use a bolt that actually enters the door frame.
How to secure your sliding door locks
Here’s a closer look at some of the steps you can to take to secure your sliding doors:
Add security bars: These metal bars are placed in between the wall and one half of your sliding door to keep the door firmly locked in place. They are usually easy to put in and remove and don’t require permanent installation.
Upgrade the glass: Often, the glass on sliding doors is thin and easily shattered, making it an easy doorway for someone to quickly break and enter through. Upgrading your glass to shatter-resistant panes or adding a protective shatterproof film can help strengthen the glass against break-ins.
Replace broken tracks: If your sliding door’s tracks are warped, broken or old and flimsy, it’s time to replace them. Broken tracks can easily be manipulated to pop the door out and let someone into your home.
Is the lock on your sliding door flimsy or non-existent? Call Artie’s Lock And Key! We provide a variety of locksmith and lock installation services, including sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA.
Have you ever suddenly forgotten the entry code to your safe? If so, you know that it’s not a good feeling! During this discomforting time, you may be tempted to Google “how to crack a locked safe” to try to find a quick way to open a safe by yourself. However, that’s not a good idea—trying to crack a safe on your own will lead to problems 10 times out of 10. Continue reading to learn more about the dangers of trying to unlock a safe without help from a professional safe cracker in Fairfax, VA:
Don’t override your security system: These days, safes have all sorts of backup security systems to ensure that nobody gets in without the proper code—not even the owner! That said, anyone with an internet connection can look up possible ways to try to override those systems. That’s not a good idea—one wrong move and your safe can go into a penalty lockout mode that prevents you from opening the safe unless you break it.
Don’t mess with the wiring: Your next thought might be to disassemble the safe’s wiring. Again, steps on how to do this can likely be found with a quick Google search. However, just like trying to override the security system, this is a bad idea. There are two possible outcomes when you mess with the wiring: your safe will go into a manual lockout mode, or you’ll damage the electrical components of your safe, and it’ll be useless altogether.
Don’t drill into a locked safe: The bad guys in heist movies always seem to try to drill into a safe to get to the goods inside. While that might work on the big screen, it’s bound to lead to a disaster in real life. Regardless of the type of safe you have, trying to drill into it will most likely break the unit, which will necessitate expensive repairs.
Things you can try
Now that you know what not to do when you’re locked out of your safe, it might be helpful to go over a few things that you can do to try to regain access:
Call the manufacturer: First, you can try to call the manufacturer to see if they can help unlock your safe. As long as you have your safe’s serial number or can prove that the safe is actually yours, the manufacturer might be able to recommend some tips to reset your entry code.
Call a safe cracker: Have no fear if your manufacturer can’t help—that’s why we’re here! As an experienced safe cracker in Fairfax, VA, you can trust that we can open your safe and help you reset your combination if you can’t remember it.
The next time you need someone to open your safe, be sure to call our pros at Artie’s Lock And Key. We’ll send someone out to your home or business right away to professionally, quickly and safely unlock your safe without causing any damage.
