WHEN YOU FACE PROBLEMS WITH LOCKS AND KEYS, HERE’S WHAT YOU CAN DO

We may not think about them much, but actually, keys and locks ~ residential, automotive, and commercial ~ play a big role in our personal and business lives, throughout the day and all through the night. We truly don’t give locks and keys a second thought…until that one time…when an emergency arises! A lockout emergency, or any other challenge you encounter with keys and locks, is always exasperating, and certainly never convenient. But there’s no reason to despair. There are many things you can do to avoid most of the hassles that could occur with locks and keys, and to keep yourself secure.

How to Handle Broken & Stuck Keys

Slow down. Don’t hurry with your keys! If you rush, you may find yourself stalled in your tracks, because your key has broken off in the lock! Take a few extra seconds with your key, and you’ll save yourself grief in the future.

If you’re unlucky enough to have your key break inside the lock before you shut the door, you won’t be able to lock it, which will leave your home, place of business, or vehicle vulnerable to burglary. If you break a key off in the lock mechanism after you’ve closed the door, you will probably be unable to open the door again. Obviously, a broken key can also cause damage to the lock itself.

• If you can see part of the key is stuck inside of the lock, it might be possible to get it out. If there’s enough of the key visible, you may be able to pull it out with your fingers, or with a pair of needle-nose pliers. However, if there’s any damage, then it’s time to call a professional locksmith.

• If you cannot see any part of the key sticking out of the lock, it’s risky, because you may cause damage, but it may still be worth it to try pulling out the broken key. Get a flathead screwdriver that’s small enough to fit into the keyhole. Pry the key inside to the point where it slightly comes out of the lock. Then you may just be able to remove it with pliers or your fingers.

Preventive Maintenance for Your Locks

If you keep your locks well maintained, you will rarely need to call a locksmith. Keep an eye out for:

• any difficulty turning the key in the lock
• rust
• wear and tear
• any trouble sticking the key into the lock mechanism

Here’s what you can do to prolong the life of your locks:

• General lubrication. Twice annually, apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the keyholes. Or, lubricate anytime you notice any grinding or excess friction in the lock.

• If your key doesn’t turn, don’t fret. Sometimes the pins get jammed. You may not need a locksmith at all, if you try spraying the lock mechanism with WD-40 or silicone spray. Often this will solve the problem, so it’s worth a shot.

• Replace your keys periodically. Our keys take quite a beating, as we jam them in and out of lock mechanisms many times per day, throw them around a lot, and keep them who knows where. So if you notice that your keys are starting to wear down, it’s time to make a new key. Be sure to toss out old ones.

Take Extra Security Measures

Depending on your location and living circumstances, if you’re feeling vulnerable at your place of residence or at your business, there are many ways to give yourself more peace of mind.

Professional locksmiths recommend you install deadbolts. When you replace your locks with deadbolts, consider the various types, and choose the one that’s right for you. For instance, if you have a window on or near your door, a thumbturn deadbolt isn’t going to do you much good, because a thief can knock out the glass, reach a hand in, and turn. To prevent a break-in, get a double-cylinder deadbolt lock, which requires a key on the inside. Whatever deadbolt you choose, be sure they’re correctly installed. A deadbolt should have at least a 1” throw. On the strike side, there should be a security plate with screws at least 3” long, which goes all the way into the door’s wooden frame. To understand all your options, consult with a locksmith professional who’s glad to answer all your questions.

Here are some more ways to provide additional safety and security:

• use only reputable prime-quality brands, at least a grade 2

• install an alarm system

• keep your valuables and important papers in a safe

• hire only a local, trusty expert locksmith ~ bonded, background-checked, insured,

• certified, and licensed
• use magnetic locks
• install and keypad system or use keyless remotes

When Is It Time to Change the Locks?

• A new home. If you’ve just moved into a new place of residence, then change the locks as soon as possible. You never know who could still have their old keys.

• New roommates or tenants. The same rules that apply to your home apply to rentals. If you rent out space in your home or your apartment, or if you have rental properties of any sort, you must replace locks every single time you change occupants. Even if the last tenants returned their keys, you can’t be totally certain that there aren’t extra copies floating around out there.

• After a break-in. All outdoor locks, which would allow access to an intruder, must be replaced immediately. You may prefer to replace any inside locks too, according to your personal security priorities.

• Lost keys. If you have lost your keys beyond a doubt, then change your locks right away. You simply don’t want the possibility of a stranger gaining access to your home.Despite our best efforts, an occasion may arise when a professional locksmith is required. If you reside anywhere in Wake Forest, North Carolina, and you have any trouble with locks and keys, the good news is, Wake Forest Locksmith is open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week to respond in an instant.

Wake Forest Locksmith: When to Replace Locks

Locks are a great security feature that give us more than just peace of mind – they help to keep us safe. If you own any sort of property, then surely you have locks installed at your different entry ways. Homeowners, commercial property owners and car owners need to pay attention to their locks. Are they in good condition? Are they showing signs of wear and tear? Do you need to jiggle your key around to get it to work with certain locks? There are certain indications that it is time for lock replacement, and Wake Forest Locksmith has a team of experts who have compiled this information so that it is convenient for those not just in Wake Forest, NC but all over the country. So here is how you can know that it is time to have new locks installed. Check it out!

1.  The locks are showing clear signs of wear and tear. This could show up in the form of cracking or corrosion, or you might just be able to feel that something is off any time you insert your key into said lock. Your key should go in with ease and it should smoothly unlock the lock it was created for. When you start to have problems, it could be that old age or excessive use is impacting the lock. Is your lock difficult to open when the temperatures outside drop? Do you notice that it is finicky a lot of the time? If so, it might be time for new locks!
2. The locks are defective or malfunctioning. Maybe your locks freeze when the temperature gets too cold. Sometimes, a bit of lubrication will do the trick. There are special kinds that are made to prevent corrosion and to prevent moisture from condensing inside of the lock. If the key no longer turns, this same solution might work. If your locks are new and shouldn’t be showing any defects, then it could be a manufacturer’s defect. You can find tutorials online that offer advice but you can also contact a professional to take a look at it.
3. You had a break in. If you have a store or home that was broken into, then it is a good idea to consider replacing the locks with brand new ones. They might have been damaged beyond repair, or they might just be showing some signs of problems. The integrity of the mechanics of the lock might have been jeopardized due to too much force. And if your property was broken into and you happen to keep spare keys anywhere on your property, it is safe to assume they were stolen or that a copy might have been made. Change your locks after a break in or robbery to be safe.
4. The keys were stolen or are missing. If you can’t find a key, or if you know that someone stole it, replace your locks. At the very least, have the locks rekeyed. Remember that doors lead right into your home or commercial space, and if a key was stolen that can unlock them, anyone can gain access to your property.
5. You have a new roommate. Maybe you rent out a room in your home, or perhaps you rent your entire condo out and never stay there yourself. Either way, you need to make sure that locks are replaced whenever tenants are changed. This is for your safety but also for the safety of anyone else who uses your property or will be renting it in the future. You have to assume that the person who rented from you could have made a copy of your key. Even if they didn’t make one themselves, someone could have done it without their knowledge at any given point. You might completely trust the person you rented to, but this doesn’t mean that they didn’t forget making a copy of your key and giving it to a former friend, that they now no longer speak to. Rekey your locks or have them replaced entirely between tenants if you rent out your property.
6. You had an employee at work leave. Even if your former employee turned in their key prior to leaving, the same idea holds true for when you rent to a new tenant. You can’t assume that they didn’t make a copy of the key at one point, and you can’t assume that someone else wouldn’t have made a copy, too, even if it was against that employee’s knowledge. This isn’t to even mention that an employee might leave a business and try to go back later to steal from them. It is always better to be safe than sorry.

These are examples of times that warrant lock replacement. If you are in an iffy situation in which you are unsure of whether or not you should have your locks changed out, consider that it is better to be safe than sorry. If you are unsure, then it is best to just replace the locks, or at least to rekey them which is sometimes more affordable depending on what your budget might be. You can’t compromise when it comes to security. You need to take matters into your own hands and make sure you have locks that work – this means they don’t have signs of wear and tear like rust, corrosion, tarnishing or cracking – they shouldn’t be finicky to use no matter what the temperature is outside – and they should look good on the outside without any signs of damage. If you ever find yourself facing problems or questions, call a local locksmith, whether you are in Wake Forest, North Carolina or anywhere else in the world. You surely will have a local lock and security provider that is willing to provide you with the information that you need, often times totally free of charge.

Secure Your Home & Garage

When homeowners are busy trying to access the security of their home, one of the places that often get overlooked is the garage. Since your garage may be full of valuable things, such as, gym equipment, automotive tools, household appliances, gardening tools and more. Anything that you may not be able to store in your home, might be stored in your garage, including, your car. This is likely the most valuable asset you store in your car, unless you have a boat. In any case, if you have valuables in your garage, do yourself a favor by considering ways to secure your garage and protect our valuables. Thieves know that homeowners store lots of valuables in their garage. They are hoping that you neglect securing your garage, as many people often do. In many cases, homeowners will have a home security system but it doesn’t affect the garage. Since a thief is aware of this, they may attempt to break into your garage instead of your house. However, what poses an even bigger problem is if you are able to access your home through your garage. This is the case with many garages today.

Ways to Secure Your Garage

Although it can be a challenge to keep your garage safe, it isn’t impossible. There are locks and steel buildings that can be installed to keep your valuables safe. Even if you do not have a manual garage door, there are still locks that can even be applied to your automatic garage door that can actually serve as an extra layer of security. Having a lock on your garage door also serves as s deterrent for a would-be burglar. However, you if you are serious about keeping out intruders, you cannot use a standard door lock. The lock you use must be a heavy-duty, sturdy deadbolt lock. Your Wake Forest, North Carolina locksmith, such as, Wake Forest Locksmith, can advise you of the locks that are used to help secure garage doors.

Door Locks to Consider for Your Garage

While you may know that you should have high-security locks installed on your garage door, you may not know which ones are actually considered, high-security. Here are a few of the high-security locks that are installed most often.

Padlocks

This serves as a sturdy way to secure the exterior of your door and serves to deter potential intruders. The padlock should be constructed of a durable metal that can withstand the toughest pressure applied to it.

Anchors

Drill concrete anchors into interior of your garage so that the doors cannot be opened. Since they are installed on the inside of your garage, an intruder cannot remove them. A sturdy security bolt lock should be used.

Deadbolt lock

This is one of the most well-known locks used for added security in various areas of your home or business. It adds the same level of protection for your garage. Have a deadbolt lock installed and you’ll be able to protect your valuables and still get in as out as needed.

Another practical way to protect the valuables inside your garage and hopefully deter intruders is to tint the windows of your garage if you have them. If intruders are not able to see what is inside, they may feel as though it isn’t worth the risk. They are generally looking to break into a garage where they feel they can get the most expensive things possible. If they do not know what is inside your garage, they will likely go to the next garage, that doesn’t have tinted windows.

Alarms are also a possibility. You can arm your garage with an alarm just like you can your house. This isn’t as complicated as you might think. When you consult with your local locksmith, they may be able to add a feature onto your home alarm that also offers protect against a break-in of your garage. Even you have you have to have a different security system installed for your garage door, it will be well-worth the investment to protect your belongings.

Securing Your Home

Even if you already have a homes security system, you may still want to make sure your home is as secure as it can possibly be. If you do not have a lock on the door from your garage to your home, you should definitely consider having one installed. In addition to adding a lock, here are some other things you can do to better secure your home.

Enhance Security

* Have a quality steel door installed

* Install a camera

* Install window grills

* Install alarm

Keep an Eye on Your Remote

Make sure you always know where your garage door remote is. Sometimes, it might fall out of your car and someone might find it. Someone might return it but not after copying the code. Be safe by always keeping an eye on remote control.

Change the Garage Door Opener Code

Most garage door openers come with a rolling code. The rolling code changes whenever you open and close your garage door. This serves to further protect you because it prevents an intruder from using the code to program another remote.

Side Doors

If you have a side door that you are able to exit from your garage, we cannot stress how important it is to make sure that door is always locked. Simply because the door isn’t used that frequently, there is the possibility of your overlooking it. It could be the one time you use the door and forget to lock it that an intruder could break-in and rob you blind. Be cautious and always double check the side door.

These are not only cost effective ways to secure your garage and access into your home from your garage; they are also practical. Protect the things that are important to you by using a little forethought before someone breaks-in and help themselves to your valuables. The last precaution to take is to make sure you watch your garage door close completely, before driving off or going in the house.