Getting locked out of your garage is never an enjoyable experience. This typically happens when a garage door opener gets jammed due to a signal issue, a power outage, a failure of the garage door remote or a mechanical or electrical problem.
When such a problem arises, what are some steps you can take to get back into the garage and get the door working again?
Here are a few tips.
Use the manual release
Your first step should be to use the manual-release device attached to the garage door opener. Older doors might have exterior handles that trigger the manual-release feature from the outside. Otherwise, you may need to get inside the garage and use the pull cord hanging down from the ceiling to manually lift the door up.
Of course, if you can’t get inside the garage at all this could make things a bit more difficult, but this is a good place to start.
Invest in a wi-fi enabled opener or smart lock
Wi-fi enabled garage door openers are the latest advancement in garage door technology and are extremely convenient because they can be controlled from a smartphone or tablet via an app. This means you don’t have to rely on a garage door opener and radio frequency system, adding one less thing that can go wrong and prevent your door from working.
In addition to this, you’ll be able to use smart lock functionality that allows you to monitor the use of the garage door or even lock or disable the system if you so choose—all from a single digital platform that’s accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Smart locks can work with garage doors in a very functional and convenient manner.
If you’re at work and suddenly remember you forgot to close your door, you can use the app to shut it and maintain your peace of mind.
Get a locksmith out to the property
Any time you have issues with a garage door, it is strongly recommended that you let a professional handle the problem rather than trying to do the job yourself, especially when there’s a mechanical issue to handle.
Professional garage door technicians have the tools and knowledge necessary to complete the job safely. This is crucial because there are some aspects of garage door repairs and maintenance that can be extremely unsafe. Any time you need to work with the springs or tension components, for example, there is a real risk of life-threatening injury if you do not know what you are doing. The tension in the springs can release and cause fatal accidents.
It’s always better to be safe and call a professional instead of trying to save some money and doing the job yourself.
Interested in some more tips about how you can restore the operation of your garage door if you get locked out? Contact our team at Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA today with any questions you have for us, and we will be pleased to work with you.
There are many reasons why you might replace a door. Not as common, however, is a situation in which a person wishes to place a frame but keep the door.
This is something that can be done. You can install a new frame while keeping the same door, but this is harder than you might expect. You’ll need to measure carefully, pick all of the right materials for the job and make sure you cut the frame out with precision to ensure it works properly with your existing door.
The real question is not “Can I replace my doorframe and keep the door?” but should you? This depends on the condition of the door. With the frame, the following are signs that you should probably make the replacement:
Deep scratches in the wood that cannot be sanded out
Warping that has made it difficult for doors to open and close properly
Dents in the wood
Wood rot or other issues with the condition of the wood
The frame may be able to be repaired if the damage is not significant, but there are situations in which the damage will not be reversible. This commonly occurs when there has been significant water damage or warping or if someone has broken into the home by kicking the door in, causing breakage in the frame.
Make sure you carefully inspect your door slab while inspecting your frame. If there are obvious deep scratches and dents, it’s probably a good idea to make the replacement. Doors can be refinished if the scratches are minor, but at a certain point, it’s a good idea to make the replacement. Also check all the hinges and locations where they are attached, and make sure that the wood is not broken near them.
If the door is not hanging in the frame correctly, consider why and the types of adjustments you can make.
It can be hard to know when to replace your door and frame, but, ultimately, it’s likely in your best interest to replace the entire door unit if the frame is having issues—unless you are especially attached to the door you have.
Starting with a new door unit gives you brand-new materials that have been designed to fit together. You don’t have to worry about cutting new holes or making adjustments. The door and frame will look good together, which will increase your curb appeal and will provide greater security. You’ll also benefit from having a warranty that protects your investment in case anything goes wrong.
Interested in learning more about replacing doors or doorframes and what is all involved in making the decision?
We encourage you to contact us at Artie’s Lock and Key in Fairfax, VA with any questions you have about the services we provide. We’ll be happy to come out to your property, inspect your door system and give you some recommendations about what would be the best solution to your door-related problems, so you can have lasting quality and security.
House keys generally work each time, and we likely take them for granted. That is why we may not notice they are damaged until they break off in the lock. Fortunately, broken key removal is possible, and you will be able to get back into your home again. Here are five key removal tips to help you if you find yourself in this situation in Fairfax, VA:
Do not force the issue: Sometimes, after discovering a key broke in the lock, people panic and try to apply pressure to the half of the key in the lock that is still in there, and twist it in an effort to unlock the door. However, this just causes more problems. Rather than unlock your home, you are more likely to wedge the broken key deeper into the lock and make it more difficult to remove. This is almost never worth a try, so don’t do it!
Find the right tools: If you have access to tools, find one with a pointed edge, like needle nose pliers, tweezers or nail scissors. These tools offer the potential to grab the broken part of the key and pull it out of the lock. Most people do not have a professional key extractor on hand, but you can make one by using a small jigsaw or hacksaw. As a last resort, use super glue or a drill.
Try the easy way first: Tools can make the situation worse, so see if the easy way works. Before using the tools, tap the lock and see if the broken key slides out. Use a lubricant to help it if it seems like this may be the case. If this works, then you merely need to replace a key, not also remove pieces from your lock.
Use tools correctly: As you make this attempt, do not push the key deeper into the lock. This can happen if you feel impatient or frustrated, so do not be in a hurry. If you have needle nose pliers, small scissors or tweezers, carefully place them in the lock along the sides of the key, grab it and slowly pull it out. To use a jigsaw, hacksaw or key extractor, place it into the lock next to the key and twist it to grab the key by the teeth. From there, slowly pull it out. In the most desperate situations, use super glue by applying a small amount to a wire, sticking it into the lock and pulling out the key once it adheres. Do your best not to get glue in the lock.
Call a locksmith: The best way to remove a broken key in Fairfax, VA and avoid breaking your lock in the process is to call a mobile locksmith. While they are there, they can also cut a new house key for you and make any needed repairs. While there is a cost involved, many customers find it worth it to save time and gain peace of mind.
Artie’s Lock and Key can help you when you face broken key problems in Fairfax, VA. Do not panic—let our broken key removal skills get you inside again. Call us today if you require mobile key and lock repair.
Vacation rental properties and Airbnb hosting offer a lot of great benefits for property owners. These kinds of properties bring in a reliable revenue stream with more flexibility and scheduling freedom than traditional leasing, but there are some extra precautions that property owners must take to ensure the security of their own property and the safety of their guests. Vacation rental and Airbnb door locks in Arlington County, VA can significantly improve the security of a property, and there are lots of options for property owners to choose from.
Shopping for locks
When shopping for the best locks for vacation rentals and Airbnbs, there are a few key considerations that should be taken into account. Here are a few essential factors to consider:
Security: The most important factor to consider when shopping for locks is security. Different locks offer different levels of security and durability, so it’s important to compare your options carefully. There are three basic categories of lock security: grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3. Grade 3 locks are the least secure, while grade 1 locks are the most secure. Avoid purchasing a grade 3 lock, since these are typically made with low-quality materials and are usually the easiest to tamper with. Instead, opt for a grade 2 or grade 3 lock for sufficient security.
Smart home integration: Lots of Airbnb and vacation rental owners rely on smart home technology to control energy usage and maintain a comfortable environment for their guests, so it’s important to look for locks that can be integrated into this kind of a smart home system. There are many locks that connect to smart home technology for hands-free locking and unlocking and remote security monitoring. With many locks, it’s possible to provide guests with mobile access through an app to streamline the check-in process, even if you’re not on site. Look for locks with the features you’re interested in and make sure you provide operation instructions for your Airbnb or vacation rental guests.
Ease of installation: Another important factor to consider is ease of installation. A lock that’s very complicated or challenging to install can take a lot of time to install properly. In addition, some locks are challenging to set up, especially those with smart home integration features and electronic components. Read reviews online of different types of locks to determine whether installation is overly complicated. If you’re interested in purchasing a lock that’s difficult to install, reach out to a professional locksmith to request installation services. They will be able to handle installation to ensure your lock is installed properly, without any unnecessary hassle.
Best locks for vacation rentals and Airbnbs
If you’re looking for quality locks that offer the best security and all of the features you need, reach out to Artie’s Lock and Key. Over the past four decades, we have developed a reputation as a reliable local locksmith for commercial and residential customers alike. We offer an extensive selection of smart locks and professional smart lock installation services. Give us a call to find out more about everything we can do for you.
Most lock kits for homes are affordable, but not all come with a deadbolt. This means homeowners have to wade through a plethora of deadbolt options to find the right one for their needs and their budget. Alternatively, you can hire a professional to select and install deadbolts for you. Below is some information to help you choose the best deadbolt for your residential door locks in Fairfax, VA.
Security features for deadbolts
The best feature to look for in residential deadbolts is bumping and picking protection. You want deadbolts with this feature because they are made with the most recent technological updates to protect your home from bumping and picking by criminals. This type of protection keeps criminals out and keeps your property safe, but keep in mind that you’ll have to go with known brands of superior quality instead of cheaper knock-off options.
While many people know about lock picking, not everyone is familiar with lock bumping. Lock bumping is another way for criminals to gain entry into homes undetected. Look for a deadbolt that comes with built-in features that resist lock bumping and picking. These locks are designed differently from standard deadbolt locks, so make sure to read packaging or get clarification from your locksmith.
Material durability is another important feature to look for in a new residential deadbolt. Only purchase deadbolts made of the strongest possible material available for locks. Weaker deadbolts are on shelves everywhere, sporting lower price tags and made of more plastic components than metal. Any reputable locksmith is going to highly recommend a quality metal deadbolt, which is what you’ll get if you hire or buy directly from a locksmith.
High-security deadbolts are worth every penny
Standard deadbolt lock cylinders are controlled by a key that is protected by the pins. The pins raise or drop their shear line when the key is inserted into the lock, while high-security locks use additional shear lines—dimple cuts are made inside the key or down the key’s side for added protection. These types of high-security deadbolts are built to destroy drill bits should a criminal attempt any drilling action.
High-security deadbolts utilize only the strongest, thickest materials on the market. You can test the difference by holding a high-security deadbolt lock in one hand and a standard deadbolt lock of a similar size in the other. The former will be much heavier thanks to it being made out of high-grade metal components.
Key copying resistance is another reason why high-security residential deadbolts are worth the investment, mostly due to the fact that the keys for these deadbolt locks cannot be duplicated by the average person—including criminals. It will take a professional locksmith possessing the skills, knowledge and right tools to duplicate these kinds of keys.
If you need someone to help fix or replace your residential door locks in Fairfax, VA, pick up the phone and call the experts at Artie’s Lock and Key to schedule an appointment. We look forward to assisting you soon!
