Great, now you have another problem you have to figure out. 

No one wants to be in this situation. The problem is, doors and locking systems with issues can become increasingly difficult to unlock over time. This happens for a variety of different reasons. Let’s take a look at frequent causes and provide you solutions for each scenario.

Misaligned Key and Lock

One of the more common reasons doors are difficult to unlock is that the key and lock mechanism can become misaligned over time. Whether from frequent use, temperature changes or general wear and tear, slight shifts in the alignment of lock components prevent the key from smoothly entering the keyway or turning properly. Fortunately, recalibrating or realigning the lock and key will solve this issue (though lock replacements are sometimes necessary). 

Dirty or Worn-Down Components

Dirt, dust and debris can accumulate inside the lock cylinder, just like any other small space. This causes friction and hinders the smooth operation of the lock mechanism. Dirty locks can also damage components within the lock, like pins, springs and tumblers. If any of these malfunction, it can cause the lock to work improperly. Cleaning or replacing them is a quick fix that can get your door back to smoothly unlocking.

Key Damage/Deformation

Bent, worn down or damaged keys also make it hard to unlock a door. This is because they no longer fit the way they did initially, making it more difficult to engage with the internal components of the lock. If your key is struggling to turn or gets stuck midway, this is a good sign it’s a key problem. A professional locksmith can inspect the key and create a new one if necessary to ensure proper functionality.

Incorrect Key Usage

You could also just be using the key incorrectly. Using too much force or the wrong turning technique can make it more difficult to function. Make sure you’re inserting the key fully into the keyway and gently and steadily turn it. Avoid forcing the key or you could cause further damage—seek a locksmith instead.

Environmental Factors 

Finally, environmental factors like extreme temperatures, exposure to sunlight or general shifts in the building can affect the operation of door locks over time. Wooden doors are especially susceptible to this, but metal components can also expand and contract. Solutions for this can be simple (e.g., thawing a frozen lock) or more complex (complete lock replacement). Either way, a professional locksmith can assist here as well.

If your door is difficult to unlock and you’re seeking professional advice, a lock repair or a new locking system, consider partnering with A-1 Locksmith. Contact us today, or visit any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations, and we’ll help you out.

We’ve covered instances when it would be wise to rekey your home, but these situations don’t apply to everyone. This begs the question: when should you rekey your home in general? Here’s our take on factors to consider as we answer the question, “how often should you rekey your home?”

What Is Rekeying?

If you’re not familiar, rekeying involves adjusting the lock mechanism so that the existing key will no longer operate it. Instead, a new key is provided, rendering the old one obsolete (and thwarting many burglary attempts in the process). It’s an effective security measure, especially when you move into a new home or certain situations apply that compromise your security.

Factors to Consider

Speaking of these situations, there are certain factors that dictate how often you should rekey your home. While there is a general cadence for residential rekeys, you should also consider rekeying your residence if any of the following factors apply:

• New home: you can’t be certain how many copies of the keys are floating around, so taking this proactive step ensures that only you and your family have access.
• Lost or stolen keys: it’s a security risk to assume keys not in your possession won’t end up in the wrong hands. Rekeying the locks promptly helps mitigate any potential threat.
• Wear and tear: locks can deteriorate over time due to wear and tear, potentially making them easier to compromise. If you notice signs of aging or difficulty in using your locks, it might be time to consider rekeying.

Best Frequency for Rekeying

If your locks or keys aren’t broken down or worn down, you should still consider rekeying your locks periodically as part of your home’s maintenance routine. This practice ensures that your security remains up-to-date and prevents any unauthorized access. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but a good rule of thumb is rekeying them every three to five years. When that happens, a residential locksmith like A-1 Locksmith should be able to take care of you.

If you need to rekey your home—regardless of the reason or how often it’s needed—trust us to handle it. Contact us today or stop by any of our Dallas-Fort Worth locations.

The same goes for home security. You might know when it’s time to rekey your house locks, but do you know how the process works? Let’s go over the steps involved in this service and why it’s often best to turn to a professional locksmith.

Step #1: Measure and Prepare

First, make sure you’ve measured the door and space you’ll be replacing, and that you have the proper tools and equipment (as well as the right lock mode). Some examples of items/tools you’ll need include:

• New lock
• Power drill with hole saws
• Standard screwdrivers
• Tape measure
• Custom plate or door reinforcer, if needed

If you choose a new lock that is similar to your old one, the process will usually be easier and you might not even have to replace certain components like the latch or setback. 

Step #2: Make Sure the Key Matches

It’s important to ensure the new lock matches your other locks, if you’re not replacing them all. You can do this by selecting a lock that is compatible with your existing key, or order keys from the lock manufacturer that matches your existing keys. You can also have a professional locksmith take care of it, whether key duplication is needed or not.

Step #4: Remove Old Lock

Starting with the door knob and latch, replace the old hardware by removing the screws from the front, back and side of the door. There are usually two screws on the latch plate and two each on the front and back knobs. You may also have to cut or play around with hardware components to ensure they’re removed properly. The deadbolt should be one of the last pieces you remove. 

Step #4: Install New Lock

In the same order you removed your old lock, install your new one. You might be able to keep the existing latch if you have the same model; otherwise you’ll replace everything. The knob spindle should align with the bolt in the door for an easy install and you simply reinstall all of the screws you removed earlier. Open and close the door several times to ensure everything is placed properly and the door works normally. 

Whether you need your locks rekeyed or another residential locksmith service, A-1 Locksmith is here for you. Contact us or visit any of our DFW-area locations today!

If you haven’t audited your business’ security in a while, here are some reasons why a commercial rekeying service might be in order.

Signs You Need Commercial Rekeying

If you haven’t rekeyed your business in a while, that’s a good sign it’s time to do so! Regular rekeying services should be part of your business operations for security reasons alone. But let’s get into some other specific signs and symptoms that a commercial rekeying is needed:

• You’ve lost the key to one of your access points (door, safe, etc.).
• You’re not sure where all copies of your keys are located (and who has them).
• A former disgruntled employee might still have a key.
• You’ve had one or more break-ins recently; or, you’re in an area with higher crime.
• You don’t have peace of mind about your business security.

Benefits of Commercial Rekeying

With a commercial rekeying service, a professional locksmith will replace all of the keys and locks in your business (or the ones you want them to, anyway). It’s recommended to do this every six months to a year, but no more than every three years. Here are some of the benefits that come with these commercial rekeying services:

• More advanced security due to better technology and production methods.
• Convenience (especially if you upgrade to a smart, combination or video lock). 
• Better control over who has access to different rooms.
• More peace of mind about working locks with limited key access.

Finding the Best Commercial Rekeying Service

The only question is, how do you find the best company to handle the commercial rekeying? For starters, they need to offer the service—many locksmith companies will only specialize in residential or auto locksmith services. Next, they need to be reputable, with many customer reviews, a professional website and professional uniforms and vehicles. Anything that proves they were there before your business and will be there after. Finally, just talking to your prospects will give you a sense of their dedication to customer service and professionalism. Do your research and talk to several potential companies.

If you’re thinking about a commercial rekeying service, you can trust the team at A-1 Locksmith. Contact us today or visit any of our DFW-area locations for advice, products and more.

Take rekeying locks for your car. You might know when it’s time to rekey your car locks, but do you know how the process works? Let’s go over some scenarios when you might need to rekey your locks, what tools are involved and what the process looks like. 

Car Rekeying Scenarios

First, when would you even need to have the locks for your car rekeyed? An upgrade is always an option for those looking to enhance their vehicular security, but there are certain scenarios when car rekeying is necessary (or at least a wise decision):

• Accident: If the locks in your car have been damaged due to an accident, you’ll need to have them rekeyed to ensure proper function and security. This is one of the most common reasons for auto rekeying and can be done by a dealer or locksmith.
• Vandalism: Break-ins and vandalism are other instances when a car rekeying might be in order. Both can damage the locks beyond repair. Even if the locks aren’t damaged, if someone was able to bypass them to access your vehicle, it’s time for an upgrade.
• Theft: If your car has been stolen and you were able to recover it, it’s a smart choice to have the locks rekeyed. You might not have the existing keys, or even if you do, there might be other copies floating around out there. 
• Used car purchase: If you’re buying a used car, the same logic above applies.

Car Rekeying Tools

Next, let’s cover the tools involved in car rekeying. Whether it’s a dealership or locksmith, here’s what is usually involved:

• Screwdriver, pliers and/or tweezers
• Lock pins
• Ring remover
• Cylinder follower
• Plug follower

Car Rekeying Process

Finally, let’s cover the actual process. Here’s a general breakdown of the steps involved in rekeying locks for your car, based on the service you’d receive from a professional auto locksmith:

1. The cylinder and doorknob are removed.
2. The cylinder ring retainer and plug are removed.
3. The lower lock pins are removed.
4. New lock pins and the lock key are installed.
5. The new key is tested to ensure it works.
6. All other components are reinstalled.
7. The old lock is destroyed and/or thrown away.

If you’re interested in rekeying locks for your car, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at (972) 284-7500 for a consultation.

Either way, commercial rekeying sounds like the best option at this time. But you have questions. Should you use existing or new hardware? Is brand important? What about a master key? We cover several commercial rekeying best practices in this post.

Assess Your Needs

First and foremost, it’s wise to identify your needs and where your business needs rekeying. It could be for the entire facility, of course, or you might have certain areas of the business that require more security than others. Perform a security audit to evaluate your current security situations and where you are most vulnerable. Consider consulting with a professional locksmith if you’re not sure where to start and they’ll help you determine whether rekeying existing hardware or replacing it with new locks is the best option.

Replace Hardware

When it comes to hardware for commercial rekeying, you generally have two options: rekeying existing hardware or replacing hardware. The former can be more cost-effective but is a best practice only for locks that are working correctly. If you’re just worried about someone having a key to your property or you want a master key that opens all locks on your property, rekeying existing hardware might be your best option.

Replacing existing locks might be a better option for business owners looking to improve security. While a little more expensive than rekeying existing hardware, commercially rekeying your business with new locks is a great way to upgrade your security or ensure the hardware for all of your doors matches. New locks can offer enhanced features such as better durability, resistance to tampering, and integration with modern security systems.

Lock Branding

Branding isn’t important for everything. After all, the store brand of certain food items is often indistinguishable from top brands of the same items. When it comes to the security of your business, however, brand is crucial. You don’t want to trust the safety of your business (and your customers) to an inferior brand. At A-1 Locksmith Security & Safes, for example, we work with only the top commercial rekeying brands, such as American Lock, Yale, ABUS, Schlage, Stanley, Winchester, Fusion, SARGENT, Mul-T-Lock, Paxton, Liberty and Master Lock.

Using high-quality brands ensures that your locks are reliable, durable, and resistant to common break-in techniques. These brands have a reputation for excellence in security, which can provide you with added peace of mind. Investing in top-tier brands for your locks is a long-term investment in the safety and security of your business.

Master Key Systems

Another area to consider when it comes to commercial rekeying is whether you’ll want a master key system or not. This is only an option if all of your existing locks are the same or if you choose to replace hardware during your commercial rekeying. With a master key system, you can access every lock in your business with the same key. You can also create lock-specific keys, of course, but as the business owner, you can have peace of mind knowing you’re the only one with unlimited access. Even the word “key” here can be used loosely as there are no traditional keys in many modern applications.

Master key systems offer convenience and enhanced security. They allow you to control access to different areas of your business, ensuring that only authorized personnel can enter sensitive locations. Modern master key systems can also integrate with electronic access controls, eliminating the need for traditional keys and enhancing security even further.

Add-On Services

There are always other ways to improve the security of your commercial business. Why not consider them while you’re getting your business rekeyed? You may be able to save when you bundle services and you’ll save time that would be wasted scheduling multiple appointments. Here are some other commercial locksmithing services you can add on:

• Access Controls and Digital Locks: Upgrade to digital locks that offer keyless entry, time-based access and remote management.
• Video and Voice Intercom Systems: Enhance communication and security with intercom systems that allow you to see and speak to visitors before granting access.
• Security Systems and Cameras: Monitor your property in real-time with advanced security cameras and systems that can deter and document unauthorized activity.
• Deposits and Cash Safes: Protect your financial assets with high-security safes designed for business use.

Combining these services can provide a comprehensive security solution for your business, addressing various aspects of security and access control.

If you’re interested in commercial rekeying services, you can trust the team at A-1 Locksmith. We offer expert advice, high-quality products and a range of additional services to meet all your security needs. Give us a call at (972) 284-7500 today for an appointment or estimate. Your security and peace of mind are our top priorities.

Updated 7/22/24