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.
With hackers and scammers getting craftier each year, those who travel and stay in hotels throughout the country might understandably be concerned about what kinds of personal information may be stored on their room key cards. Your local locksmith in Fairfax, VA is here to help take a closer look at these key cards and provide insight on what types of dangers, if any, might be associated with each hotel stay.
Busting the personal data key card myth
In 2003, a California detective came across a key card and believed that, in addition to the hotel room number and duration of the stay, the home address and credit card number of the associated guest was also stored on the card. Through word of mouth, the idea that the standard key cards that you use when on vacation can contain all sorts of sensitive personal information quickly spread, even though it was never actually confirmed after the investigation.
In reality, the card that he found was a blank card that was being used by scammers to store information that they had already stolen, and was completely unrelated to any actual hotel stay. Still, since then, many tests have been run on hotel key cards to see if there was actually any truth to this theory. These tests have concluded that there is indeed no information that ties back to individual guests stored on these cards. Although the facts from these tests have been presented over and over again, the myth still lives on today.
What information is actually stored on key cards?
Hotels use a least privilege, high security principle when programming their cards. This means that in order to protect the privacy of their guests and subsequently themselves from any potential litigation, they fill the cards with only the information that is absolutely necessary. At most, a key card will have four pieces of data on it: a check-in and checkout date, the room number and a guest identification number, if the card can also be used to purchase items in the hotel during the stay.
With that being said though, you would still want to keep track of your plastic key card in the same way that you would a metal key. Despite the fact that there isn’t any personal information on the key, if you leave your key laying around, someone with ill intentions could potentially clone the key and make an unauthorized copy to have access to your room, which could present a different set of dangers.
Losing a hotel key card is one thing, but if you should ever lose the key to your home, you will need to talk to a locksmith in Fairfax, VA right away. If the locks on your home are ever compromised, give us a call at Artie’s Lock & Key. We offer reliable services such as rekeying, key replacement and the installation of brand new locks so that you can keep your family protected if you ever find yourself in this situation. Make sure to contact us as soon as possible so we can help to keep your home safe.
Making sure that their family is safe is something that all homeowners strive to do, and one of the most important lines of defense for a home are the locks on its exterior doors. To update the security of your home, you might find that it is necessary to rekey the already existing locks on your doors and have key replacements made. In other scenarios, purchasing a brand new set of locks and making a key copy in Fairfax, VA might be the best choice. Your local key making service is here to help with some tips on how to determine which option is best for your home.
What is lock rekeying, and why is it beneficial?
If you have your current locks rekeyed, it allows you to keep these existing locks in place, while changing the mechanisms slightly so that new keys can be used. To accomplish this, a locksmith will replace the pins inside of the lock cylinder that match your current set of keys with new ones, while also providing you with the new keys to match the updated lock.
Because new locks don’t have to be purchased, a lock rekeying is typically the least expensive way to reinforce the security of your home. This method is particularly common for new homeowners, as there is no real way to know how many of the old keys were distributed by the previous owners. There will be some instances, though, in which a full lock replacement is needed.
Could your home benefit from a brand new set of locks?
The process of replacing the locks on your exterior doors involves purchasing an entirely different lockset, which can be beneficial if you’re previous lock is old or damaged. Since a brand new lock will be used, the cost of the project will be comparatively more than a simple rekeying, but the process does come with added benefits. A brand new lock offers customization options that wouldn’t be available if you were doing a rekey, and you can even take the opportunity to upgrade to a different lock style, grade or brand to make sure your home is more secure.
Your particular circumstances will determine which decision is best for your home. If you have been completely satisfied with your locks thus far and just want to add an extra layer of security, rekeying your locks is a suitable solution. On the other hand, if your home was recently broken into and your locks are damaged, new locksets might be the best option to strengthen your home’s security.
No matter which way you decide to go, our team at Artie’s Lock and Key is here to help. Whether you are looking for a key copy or a key replacement in Fairfax, VA, our experienced locksmiths can assist you with whatever is needed so that your home remains safe and secure. Make sure you contact the experts at our key making service in Fairfax, VA today to ensure that your home is protected.
Before you decide to change an old security lock on your Fairfax, VA home’s front door or any other exterior door, it’s best to get familiar with your lock options. So, let’s take a look at some of the most common types of security locks you may have in your home:
Padlocks: Padlocks are a type of security lock that are typically not permanently attached to a door, window or something else. These types of locks are portable and available in a range of sizes, and very recognizable in one of two forms—keyed and combination. Combination padlocks have one or more number dials that only open with a number code, while padlocks with U-shaped security bars require a key to open. The keyed options are either rekeyable or non-rekeyable.
Deadbolts: Most homes are fitted with deadbolts at each external door. There are three popular varieties of deadbolts—single, double and lockable thumb turn—with single cylinder deadbolts with a thumb turn on the inside being common on most homes in America. This type of lock is great for security, and most are rekeyable.
Knob locks: Knob locks are installed in residential homes on exterior doors and usually in addition to deadbolts. This type of lock typically has a keyhole on the outside and a thumb/finger turn switch on the inside. For security efficiency, it’s advised that you always pair knob locks with deadbolts on exterior doors, because on knob locks the locking mechanism/lock cylinder is actually inside the knob, and not the door. Criminals can easily knock the knob off the door using a hammer or another hefty object to gain entry into your home.
Lever handle locks: Lever handle locks are regularly installed on the inner doors in commercial building settings, but can be added to residential doors too. They are easy to open thanks to their large handle and push down style—no knob turning required—which makes them an excellent choice when handicap accessibility is important.
Furniture locks: It’s not uncommon for some pieces of furniture to have small, strong locks on them, including display cabinets, desks and sliding doors on furniture. There are two main styles of furniture locks—bolt style and push button style. The bolt style has a piece of flat metal that extends to the side of the lock to secure the lock in place. It’s often found on drawers, cabinets and desks. The push button style has a rod that comes out the back of the lock that’s used to secure things in place, such as with filing cabinets and sliding doors.
Euro profile cylinders: Although Euro profile cylinder locks are mostly used in Europe, they are also used in North America in some sliding glass doors and room dividing doors. If you need a new sliding door lock on your Fairfax, VA patio door, consider this type of lock.
When you need locksmith services or want to replace an old security lock on Fairfax, VA home, look no further than Artie’s Lock and Key. Let us know how we can help you!
