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!
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.
In our increasingly technological age, it’s hard to imagine going anywhere without your phone. These hubs of data and internet access come with us almost everywhere, unlike other physical items, including keys. This can lead to a tricky situation if you leave home in a rush, phone in hand, only to realize your keys are locked inside the house.
Fortunately, all this new technology has provided us with a way to utilize our smartphones in a new, innovative way. New locking mechanisms transform our smartphones into digital keys for the locks on our homes or commercial businesses. Remote access keys in Fairfax, VA provide tenants the opportunity to lock and unlock their doors using their phones instead of a physical key.
This technology certainly sounds interesting, but you may be thinking, “Do I really need this?” While it may seem a little over the top, remote access keys are actually a great solution to problems that physical locks and keys have caused over many decades.
Understanding remote access key systems
Also referred to as “smart lock” systems, remote access locks are hi-tech ways to lock and unlock doors using the internet. Users can use their cell phones, tablets and other internet-connected devices to control the locks on their homes or businesses remotely.
This allows you to access locking information from just about anywhere. If you’re not sure if you actually locked the door before you left, you don’t need to go home anymore—you can simply pull out your smartphone and lock the door from wherever you are. When you return home, your phone can connect to the Wi-Fi system and unlock your door automatically as you approach it.
These types of locking systems utilize Wi-Fi enabled locks and mobile apps to control remote access. There’s no need for keys, but users can also set up a code to enter on a physical keypad as a backup security measure if their phone is dead or lost.
Many remote access keys also have other great features that make life easier for you. You can schedule a code to work during specific times of the day, so if a maintenance person needs to visit for repairs, they’ll only have access when they’re expected to be there. The code can be changed remotely, too, in case you’ve had a security breach.
The mobile app that works with your remote access lock can also notify you every time someone enters your home, so you know if there’s been an intrusion. With access and notifications from anywhere, you can feel much more safe and know your home is truly secure.
Who needs remote access keys in Fairfax, VA?
Remote access keys may not be the right choice for everyone, but their simple design and useful features can help in a variety of applications.
This kind of system is great for people who tend to forget their keys a lot. Rather than chase down a locksmith in Fairfax, VA or wait for someone with a key, you can use the keypad to let yourself into your home or let your phone’s wireless connection unlock the door for you when you get close.
They’re also ideal for people who have guests visiting their house often. If you rent rooms of your home to AirBnB patrons, for example, you can set a code for them to use when they arrive, so you can stick to your existing schedule without fuss.
Contact a locksmith in Fairfax, VA to learn more about remote locking systems
If you’re interested in installing remote access locks in your home, contact a local locksmith like Artie’s Lock and Key. Our team offers full-service residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. Visit us for rekeying, lockouts, lock installation and repair and access control systems. We’d be happy to help you promptly and provide our services with the ultimate level of customer care.
If you’ve ever been given a key for a housing property or a business, you’ve probably seen a key stamped with the words “Do Not Duplicate.” These keys imply that duplicating them is illegal, which helps to deter some people from duplicating the key when they are not supposed to.
However, a large majority of those keys are actually capable of being copied legally. This is because most of the Do Not Duplicate (DND) keys are considered “unrestricted” keys, meaning they are just like all other keys. While you may find a locksmith in Fairfax, VA who will not duplicate a DND key, many will without asking questions, making them a less secure option.
There is another type of DND key that is actually illegal to duplicate. These keys are called “restricted” keys and provide a much higher level of security for your home or business. Unfortunately, this also means that getting copies of your restricted keys is more difficult, even if you are the owner of the key.
What is a restricted key?
Restricted keys are often patent-protected and created by a specific manufacturer using specialized equipment. This makes duplicating the restricted key very difficult, if not completely impossible, if you are not working with the original locksmith in Fairfax, VA. If you attempt to have a locksmith duplicate your restricted key, but they are not the original manufacturer of the key, they will likely turn you away.
The reason for this is twofold. First, without the required equipment, a new locksmith who is unfamiliar with the process will simply not be able to produce a working key. Second, it is illegal to infringe on patent-protected keys, so locksmiths won’t copy them for fear of potential legal and financial repercussions.
How to duplicate a restricted key
If you need to duplicate a restricted key, you’ll need to receive permission from the owner or provide proper documentation that you are the owner of the keys. You’ll need to take this permission to the original locksmith, or to a dealer that has been authorized to duplicate this key type by the original locksmith. There, your locksmith will require specific sets of information, including your formal permission for duplication, the number of requested copies and more, before producing copies and making a record of the duplication.
This may seem like a hassle, but the extended duplication process is necessary in order to preserve the high level of security restricted keys provide. If the keys were easy to reproduce, your home or business would not remain very secure.
Work with a reliable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA for your lock and key needs
Are you in need of locksmith services for your home or business? Artie’s Lock and Key is your go-to locksmith in Fairfax, VA for full-service residential, commercial and automotive locksmith services. Visit us for rekeying, lockouts, lock installation and repair and access control systems. We’d be happy to help you promptly and provide our services with the ultimate level of care. Reach out today to learn more!
Thieves’ favorite thing to see when they are looking to get into a house is sliding doors. An experienced burglar can break into a home in around a minute. Sliding doors can be a weakness in home security, usually because they are often left unsecured and aren’t easily reinforced to begin with. Here are some of the reasons sliding glass doors are so weak:
Simple latches: Some people don’t bother to lock or securely close their sliding doors. This makes them very attractive to burglars. And even if you do remember to lock them, most sliding doors have simple latches. Some burglars can easily get in, just by jiggling and jostling the lock. One way to fix this issue is to install a heavy-duty lock. Businesses like Artie’s Lock and Key can install a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA. This will stop a burglar from simply opening the door by jiggling it.
Not in view: Most sliding glass doors are concealed from prying eyes. This can be a problem if a burglar hopes to use it to get in. Their location means less of a chance for you or someone else to spot the suspicious person and call the police. Having an alarm on the door can quickly alert you if someone is trying to get in. It won’t replace a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA, but it can scare away the burglar or give you enough time to call the cops.
Window into the home: While the sliding glass door can be a nice window to the outside, it’s also a window to the inside of your home. Any burglars can see what’s in your home, giving them an idea of what to quickly grab and get out with. Blinds, drapes or shades can block burglars’ view, stopping them from easily surveying your home for valuables. You can also use a privacy film that will obscure specific details. It will still let in light without requiring you to fiddle with blinds, while preventing anyone from the outside getting a good look inside your home.
Easily broken: Design-wise, sliding doors can be wonderful. They add a nice view and can brighten a room up. They also come with some weaknesses. They’re not nearly as sturdy or secure as a normal door. Anyone who really wants to get in can break the glass panels or push the door off the tracks. It can be something easy to pull off, especially compared to a wooden or steel door. Placing a wooden dowel in the track of a sliding door can provide a much-needed sense of security.
Protecting your home is an important part of being a homeowner. If you have a sliding glass door, that may mean calling Artie’s Lock and Key to install a sliding door lock. Our professional locksmiths in Fairfax, VA are up for any job and are more than happy to help you secure your home. We are fully equipped to make you feel safe inside your house. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for repair or installation.
