3 Security Essentials New Homeowners Can’t Ignore

a glowing orb with a picture of a house in it, being held in a person's hands

Buying a new home is usually one of the most exciting milestones in life. Not only does it mean you finally have a place that’s your own, but more importantly, it’s somewhere to start a future for yourself and your family.

You may think once the closing is done and all paperwork and money has exchanged hands that the fun stuff begins—but not so fast.

There are a few things you’ll want to do as soon as you are handed the keys to your new home to safeguard your property and your belongings right away.

Here are the 3 security essentials new homeowners cannot ignore. Read more “3 Security Essentials New Homeowners Can’t Ignore”

Why You Should Have Your Key Copied by a Locksmith

When you are living in your home, you may want to give extra keys to other people. Perhaps you have a family member, friend, or neighbor who comes to take care of your pet or water your plants while you are away. Maybe a guest will be staying with you for a while and needs to be able to get in and out when you are working. Perhaps you have a new roommate or your family member lost a key.

In any of these circumstances, you will need to have copies of your house key made. Many people go to a hardware or home improvement store to have the job done because it is inexpensive and convenient. The problem is that sometimes keys made at these places don’t work. If that happens, you will need to drive back to the store to get a refund and then go to a locksmith to have the job done right.

Why Keys Made by Hardware and Home Improvement Stores Sometimes Don’t Work

There are a couple of reasons why a key made at a hardware or home improvement store might not work when you try it in a lock. The first is that those types of stores are not in the business of making keys, so the machines they use are not of the same quality as ones used by locksmiths and are probably not calibrated as often. That means that the keys they make may have small but important differences that can cause them not to work.

The other reason why your key might not work if you have it copied at a hardware or home improvement store is that their employees typically have much less training and experience with copying keys than a locksmith does. They most likely work in other departments and only spend a small amount of their time copying keys. They do not have the training and experience to notice potential problems and to know how to correct them.

Call All American Locksmiths If You Need to Have a Key Copied

If you need to have a key copied, it is better to have it done by a locksmith. Someone who has a better machine and calibrates it more often will give you a key that will work so you won’t have to go through the hassle of having to drive back to the store to return a key. A locksmith can also provide other services, such as changing or rekeying locks and helping if you lock yourself out.

All American Locksmiths serves homeowners all over Connecticut. We can copy a key and provide many other services so you and anyone else who needs access to your home can get in when necessary. We serve cities and towns all over Connecticut, including Bethel, Norwalk, and New Haven. Call us whenever you need to have a key copied or need any other type of assistance.

What to Do If Your House Key Won’t Turn in the Lock

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.