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!
Saving money is at the top of many business owners’ to-do lists, but you should not have to choose between cost-efficiency, storefront appearance and effective security. To get what you want, you need to consider all three factors—invest in a secure and proper function storefront door. Make sure the deadbolt locks work and that the door is always in good condition. If you have concerns whether your business’s locks and doors are secure enough, hire a professional for an assessment.
Here’s some helpful advice from a commercial locksmith in Fairfax, VA regarding business storefront security ideas.
Perform regular maintenance
Locks will need to be replaced at some point, but there’s an easy way to save money over the years: keep up with maintenance. The fact of the matter is that performing regular maintenance helps to keep locks in good working order and prime condition.
But while maintenance and care can extend the lifespan of storefront locks, you must also consider how much the lock gets used. Let’s look at deadbolt locks and keys. Having to fight the key into the keyhole or needing to wiggle the key in the keyhole to unlock a door are not good signs—in fact, they are not typical issues. The pressure put on the deadbolt can stress out the locking mechanisms and reduce the lifespan of the lock.
The benefits of performing routine lock maintenance include cleaning and lubricating the latches, bolts and keyholes. This decreases the friction placed on the metallic components that grind against each other. You can perform some types of maintenance yourself, but hiring a professional locksmith company ensures the job is done thoroughly and correctly.
Re-key instead of replacing locks
One of the best things business owners can do to protect their business is to ensure storefront security by installing quality deadbolt locks. Over time and after frequent use, locks can weaken, or a business owner might decide it’s time to improve the security of the building. This could lead to unnecessarily replacing the entire locking system. If the locks are still functional but you have security on your mind, save your money and consider re-keying the lock instead. A pro will come to you and alter the pins in the lock until the new key works with it.
Install commercial business locks
Did you know there are door locks and locking systems that are made specifically for commercial business spaces? While there are plenty of quality residential locks on the market that are enticing to business owners, it’s important to understand the factors that differentiate private home locks from commercial grade locks. A major difference is that locks made for storefronts are technologically advanced to withstand much lot more daily use than home locks. They can hold up against wear and tear and take more damage than typical residential locks.
Whether you’re a business owner in need of key duplication, access control installation or commercial door repair in Fairfax, VA, you can trust the team at Artie’s Lock and Key to get the job done right. Call us anytime to schedule a commercial service!
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.
