Sometimes you make a mistake or forget about something, and if that’s your car keys late at night, that can be a problem. While you wait for auto locksmiths in Fairfax, VA to help you out, you’ll want to keep safe during that time. Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can protect yourself and stay out of harm’s way:
- Find a phone: First things first—you’ll want to find a phone to make some calls. For most people, that means using their cellphone. However, if you’ve locked your phone in your car as well, you’ll want to find one as soon as possible. That may mean going back to your place of work or whichever establishment you just left and asking to use the phone. At this point, you’ll want to call a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA, like Artie’s Lock and Key, to come unlock your car. You may also want to call a friend or family member to come pick you up, or just to come by to make sure you’re safe and wait with you.
- When to call 911: Calling 911 should be a last resort, and simply locking your keys in your car doesn’t warrant that call. However, one time to call 911 in a lockout situation is if you lock young children in the car with your keys. In this case, the child’s safety could be at stake, especially on a hot summer day.
- Don’t break anything: One thing not to do is panic. You don’t want to lose your cool in this situation. In most cases, you don’t want to break a window to get into your car. That leads to another set of problems, including having to get the window fixed. There’s also the fact that there will be a broken window on your car, which is an open invitation for vandals to get into your car and for vermin to make your car their home. In most cases you’ll just want to wait in a safe place for a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA to arrive.
- Be aware: Find a safe place to wait for an auto locksmith in Fairfax, VA. It doesn’t have to be in view of your car. You can ask the locksmith to give you a call when they’re about to arrive. This will allow you to wait somewhere you feel safe that may not be near the car. You also don’t want to accept rides from strangers. While most people have good intentions, some people may not. Getting a ride home doesn’t help if you’re supposed to be waiting for a locksmith.
Locking yourself out of your car doesn’t have to be a catastrophe. If you stay calm and cool, everything will be alright. Artie’s Lock and Key is a reliable and fast mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. We’ve been in business for more than 40 years, providing helpful service throughout the region. Our professional locksmiths can handle any job and are more than happy to help out if you lock yourself out of your car. Get in touch as soon as you need us!
Does your list of responsibilities include properly maintaining commercial doors? If you own or manage a commercial property, these access points are likely integral to your operations. Ensuring they are well maintained is an important task. To successfully complete it, hire an expert in commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA.
These professionals offer specific skill sets that make them uniquely qualified to repair your commercial doors. Other technicians simply don’t provide the advantages offered by commercial door experts. These pros provide:
- The right vehicles: Experts in commercial door repairs offer trucks that are outfitted for the job. The technicians are able to bring the right equipment with them to your location. Items such as vises, welders and parts are conveniently brought on-site to get the job done right, and in a timely manner.
- The right experience: Commercial doors are not like other doors. Experience with other types of projects won’t necessarily transfer to these jobs. Commercial door experts have the experience in the types of projects you need to complete for your doors. They know the safest, quickest and most cost-effective ways to repair or replace these types of doors. You’ll save time and money due to their experience.
- The right crew: Due to their knowledge, experience and equipment, most commercial door projects can be handled by one commercial door technician. This will save you further in labor costs and travel expenses for the job.
- The right plan: Commercial door services can provide solid maintenance plans to keep your doors in top shape. Check with your local provider of commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA to learn about what plans are available for your company. They can partner with you to properly maintain your doors to avoid future repairs and keep operations smooth.
- The right parts: Logically, your doors will function best when they include the best parts. A commercial door expert has access to high-quality parts recommended by the manufacturer. They will ensure that only reliable parts are used for your repairs and maintenance.
- The right protection: Before you hire any type of technician to perform work for your company, it is essential to verify that they have the proper coverage. A professional commercial door repair service is fully licensed, bonded and insured. This protects you from liability in the case of any incidents during the project. It also ensures the technicians are qualified for the job.
- The right projects: When should you call for commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA? It is best to leave it to the experts if you need repairs or maintenance for roll-up doors, overhead doors, hollow metal and wood doors, glass and aluminum doors, gates, grilles, high-speed doors, air curtains and other specialty doors.
If you are in need of professional commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA, don’t hesitate to contact the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key. With over four decades of experience, we are your go-to source for commercial doors. Our family-owned company offers full service for your door needs. Contact us today for smoother, safer, more secure commercial door operation tomorrow!
Electronic devices aren’t the only things that are getting smarter. Homes can now be smart, too. How? With home hubs and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, you can upgrade your living space to include the latest in smart technology and convenience. These devices offer multiple benefits to homeowners. Here are a few of the top advantages:
- Integration: Your home hub can be used to control all your devices that are in place to automate your home. From remote access keys in Fairfax, VA to electronic window blinds, you can quickly and conveniently control everything with one communication device.
- Location: A smart lock allows you to connect to your home hub before you even step inside. Get your interior arranged how you want it to welcome you home properly. Program lights, music, the fireplace and more. It will all be at your fingertips as you enter your home.
- Security: Homeowners who have solid security systems in place enjoy greater peace of mind than those who don’t. With top-quality home hubs and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, you can rest assured that your home is protected while you are away—and that you’re protected while at home.
- Remote access: Have you ever slipped into bed, then wondered if you remembered to lock up downstairs? With this technology in place, you can simply grab your smartphone and lock everything up tight for the night. The same is true if you are on the other side of the globe on vacation. Use your device to lock your home or unlock it to provide access to a neighbor who needs to enter your home.
- Remote programming: Since your smart hub and locks can be controlled remotely, you can automate programs or set up new ones at any time. Turn exterior lights on and off. Start and stop music. Your remote programming allows you to make others think someone is home, even if you are a thousand miles away.
- Guest access: Remote access keys in Fairfax, VA make entertaining guests easy. Assign a user code to anyone who is staying with you, then delete it when their visit is over. Never worry about extra copies of keys again! This method is safer, as it eliminates the possibility of lost or stolen keys.
- Records: Smart locks allow you to track who has accessed your home and when. Keep tabs on teenagers, cleaning services, pet sitters and more. The system provides automatic accountability as it records each access.
- Aesthetics: Are you worried that a smart hub will add an unattractive piece of security hardware to your home? Fortunately, smart locks are available in a variety of attractive finishes and styles. They offer sleek, smart looks that integrate with your décor.
Are you ready to start taking advantage of remote access keys in Fairfax, VA? Contact the lock professionals at Artie’s Lock and Key. We have been servicing the Greater Fairfax and Washington D.C. area for over 40 years with expertise in residential, commercial and automotive locks. We would love to partner with you to make your home smarter and safer. Reach out to us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
As a property owner, it can be tempting to see every project as an opportunity to test your DIY skills. Locks and keys are certainly no exception, but there are some circumstances in which you may be better off trusting the pros to handle the job.
Looking for some good lock maintenance tips to get you started? Here are five tips from professional locksmiths in Fairfax, VA:
Inspect the doorframe
Your door lock cannot function properly if there is a problem with the door, if the door has sustained damage or if the door is not properly hung. For instance, a door that sags in places and doesn’t align evenly with the frame places a lot of pressure on the locking hardware, including the deadbolt. Start your door inspection by looking at the top of the door, making sure it’s level across its full length.
Check the deadbolt
Even though the weather can have an effect on how your doors operate, for the most part, doors should not be difficult to deadbolt shut. When your door is closed, you should be able to secure the deadbolt with ease and without needing to pull back or push forward on the doorknob. You shouldn’t end up in a wrestling match with the door to get it closed and locked! If this is the case, there may be an issue with the doorframe, or the deadbolt may have been installed incorrectly.
Additionally, the deadbolt must extend completely to lock the door, as well as retract all the way back into the lock housing when unlocked.
Adjust the door hinges
A door’s hinges move every time it is opened or closed. Although door hinges are bound to give out in time, you can help them last longer and stay in good condition by practicing good door, hinge and lock maintenance. Start by tightening the screws holding each hinge, making sure to tighten both the hinges on the doors as well as the frames. Adjusting door hinges helps to align the door to the lock latch or bolt strike, which ensures it’s falling into the correct place. This also stops the door from rubbing against the frame, which is often the reason a door is difficult to open or close.
Lubricate the door locks
Many people are unaware that their door locks need occasional lubrication. For your locks to function smoothly, they require lubrication at least once a year. Use graphite or easy-to-apply dry lubricants. First, spray lubricant on the inside of the lock, and then insert your key, moving it in and out a handful of times. Wipe off debris every time you take the key out.
Make duplicate keys
While quality keys are designed to last a long time, they will wear out eventually, and typically before the lock on your door gives out. Make enough duplicates of the original key for each adult living in the house, as well as a few spares. Spare or extra keys can be stored in safe places or given to a trustworthy family member or friend for lockout situations. Having duplicates also ensures you have at least one backup key in the event that the original wears out, gets damaged or no longer works.
When you hire Artie’s Lock and Key, you are guaranteed to work with the best locksmiths in Fairfax, VA. Call us today to schedule a service appointment for lock installation or repair, re-keying services, lockout services and more!
There’s a chance you have run into an odd dilemma: you want to make a copy of a certain key, only to find out that it’s a “do not duplicate” key. What does this mean? Is it illegal to make a key copy in Fairfax, VA, or is it merely requested that you not? Can the owner of the key take legal action against you if you do? The answer depends on which type of “do not duplicate” key you are wanting to copy, as one is easier to safely copy than the other. Additionally, it depends on the locksmith or key duplicator and their level of comfort about taking on the job.
The fact of the matter is that “do not duplicate” keys can be easily reproduced. Because this can lead to unauthorized entry, businesses have concerns about the security of their building and products and the safety of employees.
Do you need key replacement in Fairfax, VA for your home, business or other building? Before heading out to get duplicate or replacement keys made, you need to know the difference between restricted keys and common keys.
Common keys
Common keys are also called unrestricted keys and standard keys. These keys do not require any special equipment or permissions to be copied—in fact, anyone can copy a common key at any time. If you’ve ever walked your house key into an establishment that offers key copying and asked for a few extra keys to be made, it’s likely you did not have to present identification or proof of being the owner of the house key. How can you prove you own that particular standard key anyway?
In addition, keys can be created in just a few minutes at a self-serve key copying kiosk. When it comes to “do not duplicate” keys, an employee may not want to confront the customer, and instead may go ahead and copy it for them like they would a common key.
Restricted keys
Restricted keys are high security keys, which makes them difficult to duplicate. If you have a restricted key and you want a copy, it’s best that you get permission before duplicating it. These keys are harder to duplicate, as a key expert is typically needed to ensure the key is correctly duplicated. Also, the locksmith will want to adhere to the rules of the particular restricted key you have in hand—restricted keys often have patents that require approval from the manufacturer in order to be reproduced, or there are limits placed upon them when it comes to duplication.
Protection against copied keys
Some key copying businesses, like legit locksmiths, have very strict rules on their key copying protocol. But ultimately, there’s not much protection for homeowners or business owners when someone walks in to a local hardware shop with your standard key or restricted key wanting duplicates. Many new keys get cut with no questions asked.
Contact Artie’s Lock and Key to learn more about what goes into your request for a key copy in Fairfax, VA.
