After a long day at work, the last thing you want is to come home, put your key in the lock, and find that it won’t turn. A key that doesn’t turn in the lock could have several causes. You may be able to take care of the problem yourself, or you may need to call a locksmith for help.

Spray the Lock with Lubricant to Remove Dirt and Dust

Outdoor locks can collect a lot of dirt and dust inside the lock cylinder. That can cause the pins to get stuck in a partially raised position and prevent the plug from turning. If that is the problem, it is easy to fix. You can spray a little dry lubricant in the lock to free up the plug so you can open the door. Spray lubricant in the keyway and insert the key a few times so the lubricant can get worked into the mechanism. If a dry lubricant doesn’t do the trick, you can try WD-40.

When to Call a Locksmith

If your key will only go into the lock partway, there may be an obstruction blocking it. If lubricating the lock did not work and you suspect there is an obstruction, you should call a locksmith. Trying to remove it yourself without the right tools when you can’t see what you are doing could damage the lock.

It is also possible that there is a more serious problem, such as a worn-out pin chamber or a corroded pin. A locksmith will need to fix these problems. You may also need to have the cylinder replaced.

Call All American Locksmiths for Help If Your Key Will Not Turn in the Lock

All American Locksmiths is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help if your key will not turn in a lock. We can diagnose the problem and fix it so you can regain access to your home quickly. We serve cities and towns all over Connecticut and Westchester County, including Madison, Derby, Fairfield, Crugers, Ardsley, and Bronxville. Call us whenever you need assistance.

Renting an apartment can provide tenants with a place to live without the expense of buying a house and can provide landlords with a source of investment income. Apartments frequently pass from one tenant to another when the lease is up.

When new tenants move in, they may be thinking about security. Many tenants are concerned about the possibility that the previous tenants or someone else might still have a key to their apartment. Even though the previous tenants were required to return their keys to the landlord when they moved out, it is possible that they kept a copy or gave one to a family member or friend who did not return it. That could put the new tenants at risk because it would be easy for someone to get in.

Why Tenants and Landlords Sometimes Disagree on Whether to Change the Locks

New tenants often want their landlord to change the locks when they move in to prevent someone who has a key from entering without permission. A landlord may be reluctant to do this, however. In some states, a landlord is not legally required to change the locks when a new tenant moves in. Changing the locks costs money, and if the apartment changes hands frequently or if the landlord owns a property with hundreds of apartments and tenants come and go often, changing the locks every time someone new moves in can become too expensive.

Why Landlords Should Rekey the Locks

The solution is to rekey the locks when a new tenant moves into the property. That means a locksmith will change the pins so the old keys no longer work. This can give the new tenant peace of mind knowing that no one will be able to use a key to get in without permission. This solution is beneficial to the landlord because it costs less to rekey locks than to change them.

If you are a landlord, you should rekey the locks in your rental property when a new tenant moves in. This can prevent the previous tenant or someone else who still has a key from gaining access and can give the new tenant peace of mind. It can also save you money since you will not need to pay to change the locks.

Call All American Locksmiths to Have the Locks Rekeyed When a New Tenant Moves in

All American Locksmiths can rekey the locks in your rental property. We serve cities and towns all over Connecticut, including Beacon Falls, Guilford, and Stamford. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to have the locks rekeyed at your apartment building.

If you recently moved into a house that was just built in a new development, you are probably excited. You have a lot on your mind while you are getting settled in. With so much going on, you may not be thinking about security, but you should. Your home and family could be at risk.

What Are Builder’s Keys?

When builders are constructing several houses in the same development at the same time, they generally use a “builder’s key” that can open all of the locks in all of the houses involved in the project. This is done because it is much more convenient than needing to manage dozens of keys for different houses. Builder’s keys may be given to construction workers, carpenters, electricians, plumbers, and any other contractors who are working on the project.

Problems with Builder’s Keys

While being able to open all doors with one key during construction is convenient, it can put the new homeowners at risk after they move in. Builder’s keys are designed so that they no longer work after the homeowners use their keys for the first time. However, if a new homeowner’s key was not used in a back or side door, the builder’s key would still work.

Someone who was involved in construction might have kept a master key or made a copy. The construction company keeps records of the locks used and their combinations, which means copies can easily be made. A builder’s key or copy could be used if the homeowner had not used a new key in every lock in the house.

The locks in new houses still have master pins and are easy to pick or bump. The more master pins are still present, the more keys can be used to open a lock. It is fairly easy for someone to create a master key that can open the locks on several houses in a subdivision.

Have Your Locks Rekeyed

If you moved into a house that was built recently, it is likely that a builder’s key was used during construction. Your home could be broken into by someone who has a key or a little knowledge about lock picking or bumping.

The only way to prevent someone from picking or bumping a lock, creating a master key, or using a builder’s key to enter your home is to have the locks rekeyed. If you recently moved into a house in a newly-constructed subdivision, you should have your locks rekeyed as soon as possible.

All American Locksmiths can rekey the locks in your new home. We serve cities and towns all over Connecticut, including Bethel, Fairfield, and Guilford. Contact us today to have your locks rekeyed and make your new home secure.