Whether it’s your home or business, getting locked out of your property can be highly inconvenient and stressful. Finding a trusted, 24-hour locksmith you can call when you need them, will give you peace of mind when you are in a pinch.
WHAT DOES A LOCKSMITH DO?
Just like the name suggests, locksmiths are professionals who have been trained to work with keys and locks. They can replace locks, duplicate keys, and even break a lock, without damaging the doorway. Here are some reasons why you might need to enlist the services of Mr Keys
LOST KEYS
Right at the top of the lists of reasons: call a locksmith when you’ve lost the keys to your house or business. In these situations, there usually isn’t any other option than to call a professional locksmith to help you gain access and for lock rekeying.
STOLEN KEYS
Whether you’ve lost your keys or someone has stolen them, there is a chance that someone could use them to access your property. In this case, you should contact a professional locksmith right away. A locksmith will re-key or replace your locks and then make new keys.
MOVING INTO A NEW HOME
Some people assume that when they move into a newly built home they don’t have to worry about security issues. But if you’ve just moved in, you have no idea how many people have copies of your keys. There is a high chance that the builder already has a master key, which they used to get access to your home during construction. Apart from the builder, plumbers, electricians, drywall contractors, and flooring specialists also accessed your home at some point during the construction phase, meaning they might also have a copy of your keys.
Once the building phase is completed, and you’ve moved in, it’s a good idea to work with a locksmith to rekey or replace your locks.
BROKEN KEYS
Due to metal fatigue and regular use, your keys will eventually undergo wear and tear. If the key breaks off inside the lock, then it can be very difficult to remove it.
Residential locksmith companies can help you access your premises and then usually rekey the lock. They may also offer key cutting services to provide you with a new key, or even replace the lock, if necessary.
MOVING INTO AN APARTMENT
As with moving into a new home, you don’t know who else has a copy of your keys. For instance, if it’s an old or existing apartment, it’s likely that there are multiple copies of the key out there. Previous tenants might have copies of the key.
Even a new apartment might have similar issues. If you have just moved into a new apartment, talk to the property manager about having a locksmith re-key or replace the locks.
LOCK REPAIRS FOR DAMAGED LOCKS
Just like keys, locks can wear out and fail to work properly. Or someone might damage them while trying to gain access to your home or business premises. If this happens, trying to open the lock will take more time and effort. And in some instances, it might fail to unlock completely, leaving you locked out of your own house, car or business. A locksmith can help repair or replace damaged locks.
INSTALLING SINGLE-KEY ACCESS
Some homes or businesses have different keys for the front door, back door, and other access doors. As you probably know, this can be quite frustrating, since you have to carry the different keys and remember which to use to access different doors. The good news is that you can avoid all those inconveniences by having a locksmith install single-key access in your home.
ACCIDENTALLY GETTING LOCKED OUT
One of the most common reasons why you would need an emergency locksmith is when you’ve been locked out of your home. You might rush out to grab the newspaper or check mail, go outside to garden or mow, or talk with your neighbors. Without bringing your keys, the door closes behind you and a door lock engages. Or your child might lock the door when you step outside, and might not be able to open it. Once you are locked out of your home, you may not have another option but to call a locksmith.
UPGRADING HOME SECURITY
Over the last couple of years, the world has experienced many technological advancements and home security has not been left behind. Currently, you have numerous options when it comes to your home’s entry mechanism. Instead of using traditional locks, you can now opt for keyless entry, which will make your premises even more secure. With keyless entry, it’s almost impossible for someone to gain access to your home, whether your family is around or not.
If you feel that it’s time to upgrade your home security, then your locksmith can help you to explore the available options, and then choose a system that suits your needs and preferences.
FORGOTTEN COMBINATIONS
Electronic access systems eliminate the need for a physical key, but they are prone to human forgetfulness. Code combinations and passwords are easy to forget. In fact, it’s highly likely that forgetting a code combination or password has happened to you at some point in your life. Besides that, most people avoid writing passwords or combinations down, due to security issues.
If you happen to forget a password or code combination to a safe or door, don’t panic. A local locksmith can reset and recode your electronic keypad.
HOW DO YOU FIND THE RIGHT LOCKSMITH?
Whether you’ve been locked out of your home, car or business premises, or you just want to upgrade your home security, you may need to call your local locksmith. But with thousands of locksmiths out there, how do you ensure that you select the right one? Here are some tips to guide you:
- Hire Local: When it comes to hiring a locksmith, it’s highly advisable to get a local one. Hiring a local locksmith comes with numerous benefits. It should be easy and fast to reach them, especially when you encounter an emergency that calls for their services, and hiring a locksmith who is based far away from your location can be costly.
- Choose a Certified One: It’s highly likely that you wouldn’t hire an amateur to fix your home’s plumbing systems – and you should apply the same standards when hiring a locksmith. Locksmith certifications, which are normally offered by Associated Locksmiths of America or ALOA, are only awarded to individuals who are highly proficient and competent in various areas of locksmithing. ALOA offers various types of certifications. Therefore, an individual who has received any of the organization’s certifications has demonstrated a high level of professionalism, technical proficiency, and expertise.
- Consider Liability and Insurance: In some situations, damage can occur to your home, car or business premises, when a locksmith is replacing or repairing a lock. Before hiring a locksmith, you should check whether they have adequate insurance to cover such scenarios. The locksmith should also offer a certain guarantee on their services. For instance, if they install a lock, you should be in a position to activate the manufacturer’s warranty, if it gets damaged within the warranty period.
- Check Online Reviews: Consumers are great sources of information when it comes to determining a locksmith’s reputation. If a locksmith has a high number of negative reviews, you’ll probably want to avoid them. On the other hand, if someone has a high number of positive reviews on different websites, chances are high that their services are great. Ensure you only check for reviews on reputable sites.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Without a doubt, there are many situations where you could need the services of a professional locksmith. Make certain you choose a trustworthy, reliable and reputable locksmith who will always be available, whenever you need them.
