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.
Dealing with a home break-in can be a difficult and scary experience. Whether you were at home when an intruder came onto your property or you returned home to find that a break-in had occurred, it can be unsettling to find that a thief managed to gain entry to your home. There’s no way to completely prevent break-ins from happening, regardless of how many safety measures you take, but there are certainly steps you can take to protect your home, such as by installing a security lock in Fairfax, VA. In some cases, homeowners may be unknowingly making their homes more attractive to potential thieves. Make sure you know what you might be doing to unwittingly increase your risk of a break-in so that you can best protect your home:
Leaving doors and windows open: You might like getting a breeze in your house from open doors and windows, but thieves will see this as the perfect opportunity to get into your home. You should keep doors and windows closed, especially when you’re not home, and use latches on your windows to keep them secure. Lots of thieves gain entry into homes by climbing through windows or simply walking through an unlocked door. Thieves often target homes where they know windows are typically opened and doors are left unlocked.
Not using your neighbors as a resource: Getting to know your neighbors can really pay off when it comes to keeping your home safe. When you isolate yourself from your neighbors, you won’t be able to rely on them to check up on your home when you’re out of town or call you if something seems suspicious. Do yourself a favor and make a connection with your neighbors so that they can serve as a resource to help protect your home.
Being conspicuous about big purchases: You might be really excited about a new television, appliance or electronic device, but announcing these purchases can also attract thieves to your home. Hide packaging to new devices at the bottom of your waste bins and break down boxes rather than leaving them on the curbside as a form of outdoor advertisement.
Neglecting to switch out old locks: If you have an older home, chances are, your locks could use an upgrade. These old locks tend to be easy for intruders to pick. Replacing old, worn-out locks with an updated security lock in Fairfax, VA can significantly increase the safety of your home and may deter intruders from targeting your property.
When you get service from Artie’s Lock and Key, you can feel confident that you are protecting your home from intruders. We offer a range of services and products to help you with everything from lockouts to security measures. We can help you install a security lock in Fairfax, VA that helps safeguard your home from unauthorized entry. We’ve been serving the community since 1975, and we’re proud of our reputation for quality work and friendly service. Give us a call today to find out more or to request an appointment.
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.
Electronic devices aren’t the only things that are getting smarter. Homes can now be smart, too. How? With home hubs and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, you can upgrade your living space to include the latest in smart technology and convenience. These devices offer multiple benefits to homeowners. Here are a few of the top advantages:
Integration: Your home hub can be used to control all your devices that are in place to automate your home. From remote access keys in Fairfax, VA to electronic window blinds, you can quickly and conveniently control everything with one communication device.
Location: A smart lock allows you to connect to your home hub before you even step inside. Get your interior arranged how you want it to welcome you home properly. Program lights, music, the fireplace and more. It will all be at your fingertips as you enter your home.
Security: Homeowners who have solid security systems in place enjoy greater peace of mind than those who don’t. With top-quality home hubs and remote access keys in Fairfax, VA, you can rest assured that your home is protected while you are away—and that you’re protected while at home.
Remote access: Have you ever slipped into bed, then wondered if you remembered to lock up downstairs? With this technology in place, you can simply grab your smartphone and lock everything up tight for the night. The same is true if you are on the other side of the globe on vacation. Use your device to lock your home or unlock it to provide access to a neighbor who needs to enter your home.
Remote programming: Since your smart hub and locks can be controlled remotely, you can automate programs or set up new ones at any time. Turn exterior lights on and off. Start and stop music. Your remote programming allows you to make others think someone is home, even if you are a thousand miles away.
Guest access: Remote access keys in Fairfax, VA make entertaining guests easy. Assign a user code to anyone who is staying with you, then delete it when their visit is over. Never worry about extra copies of keys again! This method is safer, as it eliminates the possibility of lost or stolen keys.
Records: Smart locks allow you to track who has accessed your home and when. Keep tabs on teenagers, cleaning services, pet sitters and more. The system provides automatic accountability as it records each access.
Aesthetics: Are you worried that a smart hub will add an unattractive piece of security hardware to your home? Fortunately, smart locks are available in a variety of attractive finishes and styles. They offer sleek, smart looks that integrate with your décor.
Are you ready to start taking advantage of remote access keys in Fairfax, VA? Contact the lock professionals at Artie’s Lock and Key. We have been servicing the Greater Fairfax and Washington D.C. area for over 40 years with expertise in residential, commercial and automotive locks. We would love to partner with you to make your home smarter and safer. Reach out to us today with any questions or to schedule an appointment.
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!
