We all know someone with an old vintage steamer trunk in their house that’s locked up tight just because the keys have disappeared—maybe that person is you! Luckily, depending on the type of lock on your antique trunk, you might be able to open it yourself. Read on for an overview of the two most common types of vintage trunk locks from a locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
Warded locks
Take a look at the history of padlock security and you will come across the warded lock design. This is the kind of antique lock you can picture a stereotypical old key unlocking, but the warded lock keyway and key are often confused for components of a lever lock. It was often much easier to make warded locks for steamer trunks, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll see a lever lock design on an antique trunk.
Warded locks may look complicated, but they’re not. This type of lock’s locking mechanism is not very complex—you might try unlocking it yourself before calling a professional for help. Here are some tips:
- Identify a warded lock: Keys for warded locks have very defined rectangular grooves and a rounded shaft, and are usually flat. The keyways (keyholes) on warded locks have a lot of open space inside. Take a look inside the keyhole and you will not see wafers, pins or any mechanisms.
- Open a warded lock: Special warded lock picks are designed to pick open the locking mechanism on your antique steamer trunk’s warded lock (note that warded padlocks will need a skeleton key). The good news is that the notches on warded keys only exist to keep the key from slipping past the interior wards, so there’s room to maneuver inside the keyway. All it should take are a few twists here and there to pop open the lock.
Pin tumbler locks
The majority of antique trunks will not have a pin tumbler design, but that’s not to say yours doesn’t. There are a couple reasons why your trunk might have this type of lock. First, you might actually own a more modern steamer trunk that’s simply meant to resemble an antique trunk. Another possibility is that the chest itself is old, but the original hardware has been replaced. Even though the pin tumbler lock design is going to be more difficult to open than a warded lock, the unlocking process is not too complicated for a professional locksmith:
- Identify a pin tumbler lock: This type of trunk lock is most likely a padlock. Keys for pin tumbler locks have dips and grooves down the blade all the way to the shoulder of the key. This design keeps the key from being inserted too far inside the keyhole. If you want to see the pins inside, shine a light directly into the keyway and take a look.
- Open a pin tumbler lock: Unless you know the basics of lock picking, opening this lock may be impossible. Your best chance at unlocking an antique trunk with a pin tumbler lock and not causing damage is to hire a locksmith in Fairfax, VA to do the job.
Have you run into trouble with your antique lock? No lock is too much for Artie’s Lock and Key. Call us today for the help you need!
In most modern vehicles, keyless entry is both a convenience feature and a security feature. You can simply click a button on your car key remote when walking up to your car to unlock or lock the doors! Unfortunately, there may come a time when the clicker fails. Below our auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA discuss five reasons why your car remote may not be working:
- Dead remote batteries: A car key remote or key fob is a contact-free way of unlocking and locking your vehicle. In some cases, the remote can even start the engine. Batteries (typically lithium coins) are the source of power for car remotes, giving juice to the transmitter in the car key clicker. Lithium coin batteries are small and have a long shelf life, but don’t let that fool you—if the battery in your remote dies, there’s no power to wake up the transmitter. Replace the battery in a non-functional car key remote and see if that solves the problem.
- Remote is not programmed: The car key remotes for newer vehicles and many older vehicles are paired devices. They have to sync up with your car so that the transmitter and receiver become dependent on one another. This means the transmitter in the remote needs to be programmed and paired to the receiver inside the car; otherwise, the key remote will not work. It’s important to note that you will have to reprogram the key remote to your vehicle after replacing the battery.
- Damaged remote receiver or transmitter: A car key remote can only work if the transmitter and receiver are able to communicate. Remotes operate by exchanging signals with the receiver they are paired to. Should your key remote transmitter be damaged, it’s going to have a hard time communicating with the receiver in the car. You’ll likely need to rely on local auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA to fix remote transmitter damage, or ask them to find out if the receiver in your vehicle is damaged.
- Remote broken: So, replacing the key remote battery didn’t fix the issue, and neither did your attempt to program it to your vehicle. It sounds like your car remote stopped working because it’s just broken. Even if it seems as though your transmitter and receiver are functioning properly, the key remote won’t work if its internal mechanics have shifted or are damaged. In the situation, you will need to visit an automotive locksmith for key FOB replacement in Fairfax, VA.
- Key remote is not the problem: There is also the possibility that the problem is with your car, not the key remote. You could have a dead car battery or a mechanical issue under the hood. Ultimately, if there’s no power in your vehicle, your keyless entry remote may not work.
Prompt locksmith services can get you back on the road fast. If you ever find yourself locked out of your vehicle or in need of key fob replacement in Fairfax, VA, call Artie’s Lock and Key right away!
Bluetooth technology is all the rage in a wide variety of applications these days, and one of the ways you can implement it in your home is in the form of Bluetooth locks. These locks are, as you might expect, capable of being controlled remotely with Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as phones or tablets.
So why exactly are these locks so beneficial, and why should you consider using them instead of your standard lock and key system? Here’s some information about the biggest advantages of remote access keys in Fairfax, VA and the technology behind them:
- You can give access to other people more easily: Rather than having to go to the hardware store to make physical copies of your keys for your family and loved ones, you can send e-keys to them through a mobile app so they can let themselves in. In fact, you can even send temporary e-keys to people so you don’t have to get up from the couch to let them in when you’re having people over to visit. It’s a simple, convenient way of giving more people access to your property, if you wish to do so.
- The system will detect your presence: This is beneficial from a convenience standpoint in that your smart locking system will sense if you’re outside the home and be able to open back up for you. But it’s also beneficial in that it will prevent you from locking yourself out of your home, as it will sense whether you’re inside or outside. Now you don’t have to worry about trying to break into your home, or waiting for a relative with a key to come and let you in.
- Convenient for elderly and disabled people: This technology is especially beneficial for elderly people and people with disabilities. They will no longer have to struggle with keys to let themselves in, or even have to be near the door to open it, depending on the type of Bluetooth door locking system they have. This can help make their home much more accessible for them to accommodate their lifestyles.
- It provides you with greater security: Burglary is a threat for any homeowner, even in safe areas. But smart locking systems are much more difficult to crack than standard lock-and-key systems. Their mechanism isn’t opened with keys, but uses security protocols that the average burglar wouldn’t be familiar with. The digital encryption mode can’t be broken or duplicated, which means burglars can’t pick or bump the locking system. This provides you with an elevated level of security.
These are just a few of the many examples of benefits associated with Bluetooth door locking systems. For more information about the various benefits of Bluetooth locks, we encourage you to contact the team of skilled locksmiths at Artie’s Lock and Key today, and we’ll be happy to teach you more about them and about the use of remote access keys in Fairfax, VA. We look forward to answering any questions you have for us!
We’re right in the middle of the coldest time of the year. As locksmiths in Fairfax, VA, one of the most common issues we have to deal with during the winter months is people who have locks around their home that have frozen up during cold weather. This is a problem that can happen to locks both old and new.
Sometimes the cold weather causes locks to start sticking. This problem can actually become worse if you try to lubricate them with WD-40. While WD-40 is a useful product to have on hand for most of the rest of the year, it can actually make matters worse during especially cold weather, because the cold can cause the oil to separate, which can make it easier for the locks to gum up even more.
Therefore, if you’re having issues with your locks during the winter months, be sure to reach out to a professional locksmith in Fairfax, VA. We’ll be able to come out, check your locks and perform the necessary repairs and maintenance to make sure you won’t have to deal with the issue for the rest of the winter.
There are also some steps you can take yourself to make sure your locks will work as needed all winter long. Here are a few examples:
- Check your keys: The problem with your lock might actually have been caused by your key if you’re using a key that is worn or damaged. The teeth of the key should be sharp, not rounded. Rounded edges will not open the lock well enough and will likely result in sticky locks and potential interior damage to the locking mechanisms.
- Look at the lock: Check to see if the lock hangs up or catches the key when the key is inserted and removed. If it does, you can lubricate. Otherwise you might need to reset the lock or door jamb.
- Check the deadbolt: The deadbolt shouldn’t be difficult to turn—it should work smoothly. There are some circumstances in which the deadbolt does turn, but then gets harder to turn as it moves progressively one way or the other. That’s not how it should work. Also keep in mind that you should never have a thumb-turn deadbolt if you’re close to a window. This is a big safety issue, as a potential burglar could easily smash the window and turn the deadbolt to let themselves in.
- Tighten knobs: Knobs in your door should not wiggle a lot, either up and down or side to side. You should make sure you check all screws and tighten them if loose. A loose doorknob could be one of the reasons why your lock isn’t working as desired.
If you’re having any issues with your locks freezing up or not operating properly this winter, be sure to call the locksmiths in Fairfax, VA at Artie’s Lock and Key. We have over 40 years of experience assisting local residents, and we’ll be happy to come out and make the necessary adjustments for you!
Safes are more common in homes than most people realize. Residential safes are used to protect things that are in some way important and valuable, but choosing one is not so simple. What is it you need to protect? Do you need a heavy, yet compact safe because space is a factor? Which worries you more: the possibility of the contents of your safe being destroyed in a fire, or the possibility of their being stolen?
Before running out and purchasing just any safe, you should have an idea of what you are looking for—and who better to talk to than a licensed locksmith and safe cracker in Fairfax, VA? Below is some information about the main types of safes, including shapes, sizes and colors, as well as tips for picking the right one for your needs.
Fire safe
A fire safe is designed to protect the things locked securely inside it from fire. These types of safes are often used to protect important papers and documents from going up in flames should a fire break out in your home. A thing to note about fire safes is that they are tested based on their performance in a fire situation, rather than on their security. The criteria for fire safe testing include the temperature of the fire, length of time in minutes and how well it maintains a certain internal temperature.
Burglary safe
This type of safe is constructed to protect your valuables and precious belongings from theft. Like other types of residential safes, burglary safes are typically available in a variety of sizes, but the goal is always the same: to store important items and documents in the event of a home break-in. The right burglary safe can be effective at protecting the contents against criminals. However, they cannot guarantee protection against fire or other types of damage.
Fire and burglary safe in one
As its name implies, fire and burglary safes offer a combination of the best of both types of home safes. They are considered multi-purpose, a blend of fire safety and burglary safety to protect your possessions from thieves or fire damage. You should seriously consider this particular type of residential safe if you want to ensure all-around safety for your belongings. Or, if you need to store and protect a variety of different things, get a fire and burglary safe instead of purchasing two different safes.
Data safe
Many people have never heard of this data safe option. This type of safe is similar to fire safes, except that the qualifications for data safes are much more specific. Also, the criteria are stricter, and ratings are more difficult to achieve. When going through testing, data safes must maintain a lower internal and external temperature in a fire situation. They must also be able to protect belongings and information from a variety of other things, like electromagnetic contamination and humidity.
Need a qualified safe cracker in Fairfax, VA? Contact the reliable and trustworthy team at Artie’s Lock and Key. Call us when you need us!
