Many people think a locksmith can only unlock doors, but locksmiths have many more responsibilities — and they give you peace of mind when the unexpected happens. Ultimately, locksmiths help to maintain our safety and security. Locksmiths keep all of our valuables secure, and they provide specific services.
Why Should I Hire a Local Locksmith?
Key cutting: Keys would always have to be replaced if you did not have the service of a locksmith.
Putting secure locks on windows: Many intruders look to break into homes and businesses through windows. Locksmiths help make all possible entries safe and secure.
Opening locked doors: It’s inconvenient and possibly an emergency. Locksmiths can help you get into any locked door.
Installing safes: You likely have valuables in your home or office, such as jewelry and money. You’ll be able to speak with a local locksmith about the best locations for your safe.
How Can I Benefit From Hiring a Local Locksmith?
There’s no doubt that hiring a local locksmith is the best choice. Some benefits include:
Fast response. Local locksmiths can get out to you quickly should you get locked out. These trained professionals can save you time and headaches.
Experience. Local locksmiths often have years of training and experience serving the area. You’ll have confidence that your job will be completed at a reasonable price and done professionally.
Availability. Many local locksmiths offer round-the-clock services. Whether it’s the middle of the night or during the day, local locksmiths are there to help.
Safety. Local locksmiths have the trust of and partnership with the community. Trusted local locksmiths have a positive reputation and reviews from others in the area.
Specialty services. Some brands of locks require special services. Various types of local locksmiths specialize in different areas.
Mobile Locksmiths
Another option to consider is hiring a mobile locksmith. They can respond to your problem quickly, often within minutes. Mobile locksmiths also specialize in changing locks. They can change your locks and provide you with new keys so that you can get on with your day.
Mobile locksmiths can also cut keys on the spot. You can have the keys cut for you on-site instead of waiting at a shop. Many local and mobile locksmiths have the equipment to complete the job immediately.
Many locksmiths are also trained to install security systems. They are an added layer of security to keep your family and belongings safe.
There are few things more disheartening than losing a key. The same goes for getting locked out of your home. Keys might offer security, but if lost, they can keep you, the rightful owner of your home, out as well.
That’s the bad news. The good news is that locksmiths can help you get back into your home relatively quickly. At times you may have wondered, “If I lost my key, can a locksmith use my lock to make one?” The answer is yes.
Can locksmiths make keys from a lock without a key? Also, yes. Read on to find out how.
Using a key code to cut a new key
One way that locksmiths can create a new key using just the lock is by cutting the key using its key code. This process is made tougher if you don’t have the original key, as the key code is usually stamped on the key itself. For high-security locks, a special card is provided that contains the lock’s key code, and the locksmith can use that.
A licensed locksmith can contact the manufacturer to obtain the lock’s key code. Once the locksmith obtains the lock’s key code, they can use that information to cut a new key using a code cutter. A code cutter is a machine that cuts the key according to the lock’s key code and fashions the key into a usable form. This process isn’t that difficult, but it’s not foolproof, and it can take some time to complete.
Making an impression of the lock
Have you ever wondered, “If I lost my key, can a locksmith use my lock to make one?” The answer is a resounding yes. We covered key codes above, but another nonintrusive way to craft a key is by making an impression of the lock. This is a preferred method because it’s less invasive than using key codes and doesn’t require the acquisition of the codes themselves.
The process is fairly simple if a bit imprecise. The locksmith takes a blank key and inserts it into the lock. He or she then turns the key inside the lock. This process creates impressions on the blank key as the lock’s pins press against it. This indicates where certain cuts to the key will allow it to fit into the lock and turn. The only downside is that this process is inexact and it may take several attempts to get a key that will consistently work.
Deconstructing the lock
Can locksmiths make keys from a lock without a key? Yes, they can, by taking apart the lock. This is a laborious and involved process, as the locksmith must carefully deconstruct the lock without damaging it and reverse-engineer the key by using the positioning and alignment of the lock’s pins and tumblers. If you don’t have the original key, the locksmith must pick the lock before disassembling and measuring it. Once finished, he or she must then reassemble the lock. This method is often a last resort and should be avoided if possible.
Call for your key today
If you’ve lost your key and need a new one, call us at Artie’s Lock and Key. We have more than four decades of experience in the locksmith industry, and we offer a wide variety of locksmith services, so call us today.
With the weather getting colder, it’s important to understand the effect lower temperatures have on your locks. For example, people often wonder, “Can weather prevent my lock from opening?”
In fact, extremely cold temperatures could cause your locks to freeze, making them almost impossible to open.
Read on to learn about more common weather effects on locks.
Freezing
One of the most common cold weather effects people experience with their locks in winter is freezing. When exposed to cold air, the key slit in locks can fill with a layer of ice, making it difficult to insert a key.
You don’t want to get home on a cold day only to find out you can’t go inside because of a frozen lock. Freezing can occur on almost any lock, including your car door locks and window locks.
Contraction
Another common lock problem in winter is contraction. If your locks contract due to cold temperatures, you may not be able to get your key inside the slit. Contraction can even permanently damage your locks.
Maintaining your locks
The best way to keep your locks from getting damaged during winter is by providing them with proper maintenance. Proper lock maintenance should always include regularly oiling all your locks, including your door locks, car locks and window locks. Regular oiling will help prevent rusting and other issues. Just be sure to use a top-quality oil.
It’s also important to prevent moisture from getting into your locks. Moisture will not only lead to rust, but it can also cause your locks to freeze in cold temperatures. Keep your locks away from rain and snow as much as possible. If your locks do get wet, be sure to warm and dry them right away.
Get help when you need it
So, can weather prevent your lock from opening? Absolutely. Common weather effects on locks include freezing and contracting. These issues may not seem like a big deal, but they could cause a major disruption in your day and make it difficult to properly secure your home. That’s why it’s important to take care of problems with your locks as soon as you notice them.
Sometimes you can fix issues with your lock by simply spraying them with a top-quality lubricant. You could also try warming the key a bit in your hand before inserting it into the lock. If these solutions don’t work, you’ll want to get in touch with a professional locksmith.
You don’t want the problem to get worse, and trying to repair a lock on your own could lead to disaster. Instead, let a professional quickly and efficiently repair your lock, so you won’t have to worry about it.
Speak with the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key
At Artie’s Lock and Key, our expert locksmiths will ensure your locks work properly all winter long. Contact us today, and we’ll be at your location in no time to help you get into your home, car or place of business. Some of our great services include door repairs, key replacements and lock replacements.
Many homeowners in Fairfax, VA don’t think to create a spare house key until it’s too late. No one likes to assume they’ll lose a key one day, but unfortunately it can happen to anyone. If you’re on the fence about getting a spare key for your home, below are some reasons why you shouldn’t wait any longer.
You’ll have a backup plan for lockouts
There’s no moment more defeating than when you reach for the house key and realize it’s gone. Where you left it is a mystery, and now you’re stuck on the front porch with no way to get inside. If your only copy becomes lost or damaged, you’ll have to wait who knows how long for a locksmith to show up.
A spare house key makes all those inconveniences go away. It doesn’t cost much to create a spare, and it’s less expensive than hiring a locksmith to open your front door. Hand over the key to a neighbor you trust or hide it in a safe location on your property.
You’ll be able to copy the spare to create a new key
Let’s say the original house key is either broken or lost forever. If you didn’t have a spare, your locksmith in Fairfax, VA would have to create a new house key. A spare key for your home saves money because it costs less to copy a key than to make one from scratch. If you have a spare, get it copied right away so you’re not tempted to use it as your primary key.
Help your day run more smoothly
There are a number of reasons why you’d entrust a spare house key to another person. Some homeowners in Fairfax, VA hire cleaning services to take care of the house while they’re at work. Maybe your HVAC system needs fixing, but you can’t afford to wait for hours until the workers arrive. A spare key for your home allows you be on the go while granting access to people who need it.
Allow a friend to house sit
Someone has to watch the house while you’re on vacation. You might trust a friend to enter your home, but that doesn’t mean you’re willing to hand over your only house key. That’s when having a spare comes in handy. You can rest easy knowing your property is being taken care of, and you’ll still have a way to get inside if your friend loses the spare.
If you don’t want to relinquish the only copy of your house key, a spare lets someone you trust keep the house as you left it. They’ll water the plants, walk the dog and collect the mail so there’s no stress when you come home from a relaxing vacation.
Keys go missing when you least expect them to. Be prepared for any situation with a spare house key from Artie’s Lock And Key in Fairfax, VA. Whether you need a copy or want to rekey the lock, one of our locksmiths is always ready to help. Send a quick message to let us know what we can do for you!
A key is a precious item. It gives the holder access to your home, vehicle or commercial property. That is why many people assume they should have as few copies of a key as possible. While this is true, having a spare key in Fairfax, VA is an absolute necessity for a number of reasons.
The many ways a spare copy of your key is a lifesaver
Having a few spare keys in Fairfax, VA will make your life so much easier, especially when you are in a pinch. If it sounds risky, you’ll want to read on to discover the many benefits of key copies:
Locked out: It’s happened to all of us. We think we’ve grabbed our keys, but they wind up lost or misplaced. Key duplication in Fairfax, VA is a cheap, effective way to ensure you can always get into your house or vehicle, whether your original key is at the office, on your kitchen counter or simply lost to the ages.
Everyday use: You should actually be using a copy of your key instead of the original. The original key should be stored somewhere safe in case of emergency. Keys break with enough time and usage. It’s better to make a spare key in Fairfax, VA with the original version instead of a copy.
Diagnose lock issues: If you’ve noticed that your lock and key aren’t operating as well as they did in the past, it’s time to test out the mechanism. If the original key works without issue in the lock, but the spare doesn’t, you need to get a new spare. If no version of the key, original or otherwise, operates correctly, you will want to contact a locksmith about replacing the lock itself.
Save yourself the stress: If you’ve lost or broken the original and only key to your apartment, home, car or business, it can take multiple days to get a replacement. That could equate to you having no access to this space until a landlord or dealership has the time to get you a new key. Instead of waiting around helplessly, just have a few spare keys in Fairfax, VA available so you can go about your life.
Access to trusted individuals: There are so many occasions when a friend or family member needs access to your home, vehicle or business. You trust these individuals, so it’s safe to give them a spare copy of your keys just in case. Maybe there will come a time when that spare key that they’ve held onto for years comes in handy.
If you’re convinced that having a few copies of your keys is a good thing (and trust us, it really is), give Artie’s Lock and Key a call about key duplication in Fairfax, VA. As a full-service, locally-owned and family-operated business offering the full range of locksmith services, we are fully licensed, bonded and insured. Additionally, we have the ability to duplicate almost any key, including transponder chip keys and proximity keys for push-start vehicles. Get in touch with us today to learn more!
