Is it time to change your front door lock? Perhaps you’ve recently purchased a new home. Maybe the lock is no longer working properly. You might be wondering if you should increase the security level of your front door. Whatever the reason, it’s important to get input from a residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
As your trusted mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA, we offer the following tips for front door lock replacement. For more information, feel free to contact our team.
Don’t Skip the Deadbolt
As you weigh your options for front door locks, be sure to maintain basic security. While many options are available, a dead bolt is a staple that should not be skipped. Every front door should have at least one deadbolt. This is the most important lock to include on your front door.
Determine Desired Security
What level of security do you want to achieve with your front door lock? A residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA can provide a wide variety of solutions. You must determine what type of security you want and need for your environment. Perhaps a simple deadbolt and doorknob lock will be enough. Or, you may want a high-tech solution with smart capabilities to be able to secure your home from anywhere in the world.
Consider Daily Use
How will you be using the front door lock? This should guide your lock selection. Do you need something that multiple people can easily access? How often will you need to lock and unlock the door? How simple does the mechanism need to be for those who will be using it? All of these factors of daily use must be considered in order to choose the best lock for your setting.
Choose Quality
You may be tempted to simply choose a lock for its brand, but don’t do this. Even if the brand offers quality locks, a particular lock might not be right for your needs. Look for high-quality options that will provide the level of security you desire. A knowledgeable mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA can be very helpful in determining which solution is best for your front door.
Review Repairs
Do you need to replace the lock on your front door, or are repairs a viable option? You might be surprised what a residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA can do with an old lock. You may be able to make repairs rather than replace the entire lock. Rekeying is another option that you shouldn’t overlook. If the goal is to change the lock to prevent those with keys from accessing it, you can simply rekey the current lock rather than buy a new one.
Unlock More Secrets
If you need a new front door lock, contact the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key. We are a premier residential locksmith in Fairfax, VA, offering a full range of locksmith services. Contact our team to purchase a new lock, schedule a repair or arrange for rekeying or installation. We are ready to handle any job, big or small.
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.
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!
Whether you misplaced the key to your home or you locked your car keys in your vehicle, there may come a time when you need to call on the help of a mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA. While there are many reputable locksmiths out there, there are an unfortunate number of people who use locksmithing as a front for a scam. These people will often ask for hundreds of dollars in exchange for picking your lock or replacing your lock entirely. Scammers make money by over-charging and being deceptive about their practices. It’s important that you are aware of these scams so that you can find a reputable locksmith in your area.
What a scam looks like
So, how does a locksmith scam usually play out? First, you’ll find the phone number for a mobile locksmith online. When you call, you will usually be greeted with a generic phrase like “locksmithing services” rather than an actual business name. Next, they will dispatch a locksmith to you, who will arrive in an unmarked van or vehicle. They will try to pick your lock but insist, falsely, that it’s impossible, and claim that you have to replace the lock entirely. They will charge you upwards of $1,000 for the installation of your new lock and require that you pay in cash. In many cases, you will have to replace the lock again because of the poor quality of the installation work.
Here are some major red flags to watch out for:
800 numbers: In most cases, you can rule out locksmiths with 800 numbers right off the bat. Most of these locksmiths are not legitimate and could be trying to scam you.
Unmarked vans: Businesses that are proud of their reputation and want to generate buzz in the community will drive vehicles that clearly display their logo and contact information. Unmarked vehicles and vans are a clear red flag and indicate that the locksmith has something to hide or is trying to fly under the radar.
Vague estimates: A trusted locksmith will give you a quote for services up front. If a locksmith seems to be avoiding quoting an exact price, or even giving you a ballpark estimate, move on to a different mobile locksmith in Fairfax, VA.
Insistence on replacement: If your locksmith tells you that they can’t pick your lock and they have to replace it, they are likely being dishonest with you. A good locksmith usually has the skills and equipment necessary to crack even the most challenging locks. In many cases, a locksmith who claims that a lock can’t be picked is simply trying to get you to pay for a costly lock replacement and installation.
At Artie’s Lock and Key, we want to make sure that our customers don’t fall prey to a locksmithing scam. That’s why we are dedicated to offering reputable service that our clients can rely on, regardless of what they need. We’ve been developing a reputation within the community for over 40 years, and we continue to be committed to delivering consistent service at fair rates that won’t break the bank.
