Locksmiths are one of those professions that most people only think about when they need one. When you lock yourself out of your house or lose your car keys, that’s when you realize how important a locksmith can be. But what do locksmiths do? And who should you call if you need one? Read on to find out!
What are locksmiths
Locksmiths are professionals who specialize in the installation, maintenance, and repair of locks and security systems. They can also provide advice on how to improve the security of your home or business. If you need a locksmith, it’s best to call a locksmith company rather than an individual locksmith. This is because locksmith companies have access to a wider range of products and services, and they can usually provide a faster response time.
What can locksmiths do?
If you are locked out of your home, car, or office, a locksmith will be able to open any door for you, 24/7! Not only that but locksmiths provide a wide variety of other services:
Vehicle Unlocking and Rekeying
If you lock yourself out of your car or if you lose your keys, a locksmith will be able to break into your vehicle and either rekey the locks or replace them. This is usually an extremely quick service. Locksmiths use tools such as slim jims, wire clips, and pick guns to open car doors. If they do need to replace the cylinder of your car’s door lock, it will typically take around half an hour.
Residential Lock Repairs & Replacement
If your lock becomes damaged, whether because of wear and tear or because someone has broken into your home, a locksmith can repair it for you. They can also install locks on new doors or windows that weren’t there when your home was built. If the lock is damaged beyond repair, they may need to replace the whole door handle and all of its associated components. This typically takes less than an hour.
Door Closer Repair & Adjustment
If part of your door mechanism jams and won’t open or close properly anymore, a locksmith can fix this for you. Depending on how long it’s been since you last had the problem looked at, fixing the problem could take as little as just a few minutes, or as long as an hour if many parts of your door need replacing.
New Key Duplication
If you’ve just moved into a new place and you’ve lost your keys or you need a duplicate, a locksmith can cut a new key for you. Locksmiths typically charge an extra fee for this service.
Emergency Lockouts
If you’ve locked yourself out of your home, car, or office at the weekend or after hours, a locksmith will be able to come and open any door for you – 24/7! If they need to remove a broken key from a lock to open it, they may have to use replacement cylinders if the original is too badly damaged for them to work with.
Home Security Consultations
If security is your biggest concern, then you might also want to ask about what else could be done to improve the security of your home. A locksmith can advise you on the best ways to improve the security of your home and give you some tips for keeping yourself safe.
Tips for avoiding scams by illegitimate locksmiths
Unfortunately, there are also a lot of scams involving locksmiths. So how can you tell if the locksmith you’re talking to is legitimate? Here are a few tips:
- Always ask for identification from the locksmith before allowing them into your home or vehicle.
- If the locksmith asks for payment in advance, this is a red flag – legitimate locksmiths will never ask for payment until the work is completed.
- Get a quote in writing before agreeing to any work. This will protect you from being overcharged for services.
- If the locksmith tries to force their way into your home or vehicle or tries to drill through your lock, end the call and find a different locksmith.
- It’s a good idea to avoid using a locksmith who uses unmarked vehicles.
- You could also try calling the police if you suspect that the locksmith is not legitimate. These tips should help you to avoid any unwanted problems with your next locksmithing experience!
Locksmiths are an important part of our community and play a vital role in keeping us safe. If you ever find yourself locked out of your house or car, or if you’re looking for a locksmith to help with a more complicated security issue just call USA Lock & Key. Our team of highly trained professional locksmiths located in Las Vegas would gladly be of service. For inquiries or to request a locksmith, call us now at (702)857-4453.
