A Problem with Your Lock May Actually Be Caused by Something Else

Homeowners often experience problems when they try to open or lock a door. When a lock is not working properly, it is natural to assume that the problem is with the lock itself, but that is not always the case. Sometimes the problem is caused by an issue with one of the other components involved.

A Problem with the Key Can Prevent Your Lock from Working

If you are having trouble opening a door, it could be due to a problem with the key. The key and the pins in the lock need to line up correctly in order to work. If the key is off by even a tiny fraction of an inch, it may not be able to open the lock. A duplicate key will always be slightly different than the original. The variations will be greater if a copy is made from a copy. If you need to have duplicate keys made, it is best to make them from an original or to have a locksmith make several all at once if you have the locks rekeyed.

A Problem with the Door Hinges Can Affect the Lock

Your lock may not be opening correctly because of a problem with the door hinges. Sometimes the hinges are not completely attached, or they are only attached to the door jamb, but not to the door. This can cause the door to sag and can prevent the lock and strike from lining up correctly. This can cause you to be locked in or out of your house. A locksmith will check to make sure the gap between the door and the jamb is even and can repair a damaged or bent strike.

The Strike May Be Installed Incorrectly

Sometimes the strike has not been installed correctly and is not centered. The strike needs to prevent the deadlatch plunger from falling in the strike opening. If that happens, the door is not secure. The strike should be anchored into the 2×4 framing to prevent it from being forced open. When a home is broken into, it is usually the door jamb or the edge of the door that is broken, not the lock.

Call All American Locksmiths If You Need Help

If you are having trouble opening your door, it could be caused by one of these problems or by an issue with the lock itself. A locksmith can identify the problem and fix it. If you need a locksmith in Connecticut, call All American Locksmiths. We are available 24/7 to serve cities and towns all over the state, including Redding, Westport, and Branford. Call us whenever you need help.

Should You Change the Locks If You Lose Your House Keys?

There is nothing worse than losing your keys and getting locked out of your own home. If that happens and there is no one else who can let you in, you will need to call a locksmith.

A common question people have after losing their house keys is whether or not they should change the locks. People worry that someone who finds their keys could enter their home and steal their belongings when they are not there. Whether or not you should change or rekey the locks will depend on the circumstances and how likely it is that someone who finds your keys could also figure out where you live.

Times When You Don’t Need to Change or Rekey the Locks

If you misplace your keys when you are several miles from your home and there is no identifying information on your key ring, you don’t need to change or rekey the locks. It is very unlikely that someone who found the keys would be able to figure out where you live and break into your home.

When You Should Change or Rekey Your Locks

If you lose your keys close to home, however, that is a different story. For example, if you are walking your dog or going for a jog in your neighborhood and drop your keys, someone who finds them might assume they belong to a house in the neighborhood and try different doors until finding the lock that the key opens. If you misplace your keys near your home, you should have your locks changed or rekeyed.

If you lose your keys along with anything that contains your name or address, you could easily become the victim of a break-in. For example, if your purse is lost or stolen and it contains both your keys and your driver’s license, anyone who finds it will know exactly where you live and will have the means to enter your home. You should have the locks changed or rekeyed immediately.

All American Locksmiths Is Available to Help in an Emergency

All American Locksmiths is here to help whenever you need a locksmith in an emergency. If you lock yourself out of your home, we are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We can let you back into your house and change or rekey the locks if necessary. All American Locksmiths serves cities and towns all over Connecticut and Westchester County, including Easton, Bridgeport, North Haven, Dobbs Ferry, Chappaqua, and Bedford. Call us whenever you are in need of assistance.

Why You Should Hire a Locksmith Instead of Trying to Fix a Problem Yourself

The internet is full of articles and videos explaining how to do things yourself. While many projects are suitable for DIYers, there are some tasks that are far too important to be undertaken by an amateur. Anything related to locks and security should be trusted to a professional locksmith. Even though you might save money by changing or picking a lock yourself, you could make mistakes that could cost you more money down the line and put your family at risk.

A Locksmith Has the Right Tools and Experience

The most obvious reason to hire a locksmith is that they have tools and experience to know what they are doing and to do it right. Trying to do anything related to a lock using the wrong tools or without the right training is bound to lead to more headaches. If you try to change a lock yourself or get locked out and try to break in, you could wind up damaging your lock, door, or frame. That could cost you more money than it would have cost to call a locksmith in the first place. It is better to trust a professional locksmith who is trained and experienced and has the appropriate tools for the job.

A Locksmith Can Offer High-Security Locks

If you need to replace a lock and you go to a hardware store, the locks you will find will most likely be ones that are easy to pick or bump. That could make your home vulnerable to burglars. A locksmith can offer high-security and pick-resistant locks that are of a much better quality than the ones you would find in a hardware store.

A Locksmith Can Offer Helpful Advice

A locksmith can give you advice based on years of experience and may suggest options that you have not considered. If you recently moved into a new home, you may think that you need to change the locks, but a locksmith might suggest rekeying them instead, which could actually save you money.

A Locksmith Can Offer Services You Cannot Do Yourself

A professional locksmith can provide other services that you cannot do yourself. For example, if you replace a lock yourself, you will need to go to a hardware store to have copies of the new keys made. A locksmith can make copies for you, which can save you that trip.

Call All American Locksmiths 24/7

All American Locksmiths is a professional locksmith company that serves towns all over Connecticut, including Fairfield, Danbury, and Bethany. We can change or rekey your locks, copy keys, help you get in if you lock yourself out, and provide a wide range of other services. If you need help with a lock-related issue, trust the professionals at All American Locksmiths. Call us any time, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.