If you’ve ever been locked out of your home, car, or office, you probably know what a lifesaver a good quality professional locksmith service can be. Many of us only ever think about or interact with a locksmith when we’re in a desperate situation. But locksmiths offer a lot more than just helping you get into your home or car in an emergency.
From both a lock and key store perspective, as well as from a locksmith service perspective, there are many preventative and restorative security and convenience products and services available.
This is true for home consumers and business consumers alike, as residential locksmith services and commercial locksmith services both exist (and often, are two areas covered by the same locksmith company).
In this quick guide, we’ll offer up 10 different ways that locksmiths can help you – separate and apart from helping you get into your home, office, or car when you’re locked out. Of course, the exact services that any particular local locksmith may offer can vary, so be sure to check with your chosen professional locksmith service to learn more about what they can do for you.
Ways that a locksmith can help make your life a little easier
In general, however, these are some of the most common – and often overlooked and more secure.
#1 – Changing Your Locks When You Move Into a New Home
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to improve security for you, your loved ones, and your belongings is by changing your locks when you move into a new home. A professional locksmith service can advise which types of locks will work best to provide you the security and convenience you desire.
They may be able to rekey locks or make other changes to existing locks without the need for any physical cutting, screwing, or installing of new hardware in your door or door frame.
#2 – Adding Layers of Security at Your Office
In a commercial setting, security can be a serious matter. A breach of security, and the loss or exposure of sensitive trade secret information, valuable assets, research and development work, and similar can result in the loss of millions or billions of dollars.
Providing multiple layers of controlled access with high security locks is a great place to start when you want to prevent industrial espionage. Commercial locksmith services can provide a number of different high security lock and access control options for businesses of all types, sizes, and budgets.
#3 – Opening an Inherited Safe or Installing a New Safe
Maybe you’ve inherited a safe from your deceased relative, but have no idea of the combination. Or perhaps you’re installing a new safe in your home or office to keep confidential information, important papers, or valuable family heirlooms safe and secure.
Whatever the case may be, most full-service locksmith companies will provide residential and commercial safe opening and safe installation services. Our pro tip, however, is not to try to claim the safe at a bank is “yours” and that the bank is “your house” – that doesn’t go over so well.
#4 – Duplicating Your Keys
Whether you have a growing family, lots of friends or roommates, or are adding personnel to your business, it can often be necessary to make additional copies of keys for your locks. Professional locksmith services generally are able to provide a duplication of keys for most any kind of lock – even if the only current key is in less-than-perfect condition.
Don’t waste time trying to find a trustworthy lock and key shop – call a local locksmith, and they’ll come to your home or office – where the lock is – and make an assessment.
They can get you the duplicates made that you need, and, if the key is beyond salvaging, most locksmiths can replace or rekey the lock while they are there. So one way or another your problem will be solved, quickly and affordably.
#5 – Replacing Automotive Key Fobs
We’ve come a long way since car keys were just standard metal keys like any other. These days, most car keys some embedded in car key fobs. Others have key fobs as separate devices on the key ring with your car key. Whatever the case may be, these often can need replacement.
Faulty electronics, wear and tear, damage, or even drained batteries on the key fobs can mean they need to be repaired or replaced. Car dealers will try to get you to do it there, but often it’s cheaper if you turn to a professional locksmith service – one that offers automotive locksmith services that include key fob replacement.
#6 – Upgrading Your Front Door Security at Home
One of the best defensive ways to use a locksmith is to upgrade or improve your front door security at home. If all you have is a traditional spring bolt lock, you may want to consider adding a deadbolt, reinforced deadbolt, or other more robust security option. You can also have less secure locks removed and replaced with more secure options.
Residential locksmith services can provide consultation and assessment, along with recommendations and information on pricing, benefits, and so on. Upgrading your front door security can be some of the best money you spend towards protecting your home and the things and people that live in it.
#7 – Rekeying Your Home or Office Locks
Often, if we lose keys or have keys compromised, we naturally assume we need to change our locks. And while this is good advice, fully changing out the entire lock mechanism often isn’t required. With many types of common home or office locks, the locks can actually be rekeyed. All the hardware and mechanisms stay in place, but the key cylinder is removed, and a new one installed.
The associated keys are then provided, and the lock works like new – the bolt, door jamb, and other elements, that aren’t compromised by a key loss, remain in place, saving you money and the hassle of having more intensive, construction-type work done to install new locking hardware.
A local locksmith will be able to tell you if your lock can be rekeyed or needs to be replaced, and the advantages and costs associated with either option.
#8 – Extracting a Key Stuck in a Lock
Most keys are metal, and unfortunately, metal can become brittle, warped, and break over time. This can (and often does) happen when you’re using the key in a lock. But don’t panic, it doesn’t mean the whole lock needs to be replaced. Often, professional locksmiths can extract the remains of the stuck key, leaving the lock intact.
Then, they can duplicate or replace the key for you quite easily. Whether it’s a door lock, cabinet lock, or even a car ignition lock, don’t make things worse by trying to pry the key out yourself, potentially damaging the lock. Call a local locksmith and leave it to the pros!
#9 – Installing Upgraded Door Lock Hardware, Push Bars, Bolts, and Jambs
Sometimes, you can increase the security of your home or office, even if you already have a good quality lock that works well. This can be accomplished by using upgraded lock hardware. Reinforced door jambs, made of heavier and more force-resistant material, are an excellent example of this kind of upgrade.
You can also add convenience, ADA compliance, and more, with things like push bars, upgraded handles or doorknobs, stronger deadbolts…the list is nearly endless. Consult your local locksmith to learn more!
#10 – Repairing or Replacing Damaged or Faulty Locks
Like keys, key fobs, and everything else, locks themselves can break down or turn out to be faulty. Even the simple, common spring bolt lock that many of us have in our homes and offices have several moving parts inside that can wear out over time.
Aggressive keying or opening and closing of the door, warping of the door frame, building settling, and even earthquake activity can all mean adjustments, repairs, or replacement of door or other locks may be required.
It’s far easier to call a professional locksmith service to determine the problem and most cost-effective solution than to go all DIY on the problem (and potentially make it worse).
t’s far easier to call a professional locksmith service to determine the problem and most cost-effective solution than to go all DIY on the problem (and potentially make it worse).