Locks are vital to your home or business security, and regular maintenance is critical to ensuring they remain functional and reliable throughout the year. Different seasons bring various challenges that can affect the performance of your locks.

A seasonal lock maintenance checklist can help you stay on top of these challenges and keep your locks in top condition.

Here’s a guide to how to maintain your locks effectively during each season.

Spring

As the weather starts to warm up, spring is the perfect time to Inspect Your Locks thoroughly and address any issues that may have developed over the winter.

• Inspect for Rust and Corrosion: Winter can be tough on locks, especially if they’ve been exposed to snow, ice, and road salt. Check all your locks for signs of rust or corrosion and address any issues promptly. Use a rust remover if necessary and consider applying a rust-preventive treatment.
• Clean the Locks: Dirt and grime can accumulate over time, particularly during winter. Clean your locks using a mild detergent and water, then dry them thoroughly. For the internal mechanisms, use a lock lubricant to ensure smooth operation.
• Check for Alignment: The shifting temperatures and moisture levels of winter can cause doors and frames to warp, which might misalign your locks. Check that all locks align properly with their corresponding strike plates and adjust if necessary.

Summer

Hot weather can cause locks to expand and doors to warp, leading to potential issues. Summer maintenance focuses on ensuring locks continue to operate smoothly despite the heat.

• Lubricate the Locks: High temperatures can cause locks to become stiff. Apply a silicone-based or graphite-based lubricant to prevent the internal mechanisms from sticking. Avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can attract dust.
• Inspect Door Frames: Heat can cause door frames, particularly wooden ones, to expand or warp. This can affect how your locks align with the door. Check for any misalignment and make necessary adjustments to ensure your locks function properly.
• Check Outdoor Locks: If you have outdoor locks on gates, sheds, or garages, ensure they are protected from the elements. Apply weatherproofing treatments if needed, and consider installing protective covers to shield them from direct sunlight and rain.

Fall

Fall is the perfect time to prepare your locks for the colder months ahead. As temperatures drop, taking preventive measures can help avoid problems during winter.

• Inspect and Clean: Perform a thorough inspection of all locks, checking for wear and tear. Clean them again to remove any dirt or grime that may have built up over the summer.
• Test Lock Operation: Ensure that all locks operate smoothly. If you notice any difficulty turning the key or latching the lock, it’s important to address these issues before winter sets in.
• Apply Weather Stripping: Check the weather stripping around your doors to ensure it’s in good condition. Proper weather stripping helps keep out drafts and moisture, which can prevent locks from freezing or rusting during winter.

Winter

Winter poses unique challenges to locks, particularly due to freezing temperatures and moisture. Winter maintenance focuses on Preventing Locks From Freezing and ensuring they remain functional in cold conditions.

• Use Lock Lubricant: Cold weather can cause locks to freeze. Applying a lock-specific lubricant before the coldest months can help keep your locks operating smoothly.
• Prevent Freezing: If you live in an area with extremely cold winters, consider using a lock cover to protect outdoor locks from moisture and snow. For locks that are prone to freezing, keep a lock de-icer handy.
• Regularly Check Locks: Throughout the winter, check your locks regularly to ensure they aren’t freezing or becoming stiff. Address any issues immediately to avoid being locked out.

Conclusion

By following this seasonal lock maintenance checklist, you can help ensure your locks remain in optimal condition throughout the year. Regular maintenance not only prolongs the life of your locks but also enhances the security of your property.

Consult a professional locksmith for expert assistance if you encounter any persistent issues.

In an era where technology permeates every aspect of our lives, it’s no surprise that the realm of security has undergone a profound transformation. Traditional locks, while reliable, are no longer the sole guardians of our homes and businesses. Enter a new generation of security solutions that leverage cutting-edge technologies to provide unprecedented levels of protection.

From Smart Locks to biometric access systems, these innovative solutions redefine the meaning of security. Join us on a journey as we explore these advancements, their features, benefits, and potential drawbacks, and discover how they are reshaping the landscape of security.

1. Smart Locks: Revolutionizing Access Control

Smart locks represent a paradigm shift in the way we think about securing our properties. Gone are the days of fumbling for keys; with smart locks, access is as easy as a tap on your smartphone. These locks utilize wireless technology to communicate with your devices, allowing you to lock and unlock doors remotely.

Some even offer additional features such as temporary access codes for guests and integration with home automation systems. The benefits are clear: convenience, flexibility, and enhanced control over your security. However, concerns about cybersecurity and reliance on technology remain valid considerations.

2. Biometric Access Systems: Unlocking Security with Your Unique Identity

Biometric access systems take security to a whole new level by utilizing the unique biological characteristics of individuals for authentication. From Fingerprint Scanners to Facial Recognition Technology, these systems offer a highly secure means of controlling access to sensitive areas.

Unlike keys or codes, your biometric data cannot be lost or stolen, providing a robust defense against unauthorized entry.

Additionally, biometric access systems eliminate the need for physical tokens, reducing the risk of unauthorized duplication. However, concerns about privacy and the accuracy of biometric recognition algorithms persist, raising questions about their widespread adoption.

3. Surveillance and Monitoring Technologies: Keeping an Eye on Security

Innovations in surveillance and monitoring technologies have transformed the way we monitor and protect our properties. High-definition cameras, motion sensors, and advanced analytics software work together to detect and deter intruders effectively.

These systems provide real-time alerts and video feeds, allowing homeowners and businesses to respond swiftly to potential threats. Furthermore, cloud-based storage solutions enable remote access to footage, giving users peace of mind even when they’re away from home. Yet, the proliferation of surveillance technologies also raises concerns about privacy infringement and the potential for misuse.

4. Virtual Security Guards: Remote Protection Around the Clock

Virtual security guards represent a departure from traditional manned security services, offering a cost-effective alternative for round-the-clock protection. Leveraging artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, virtual security guards monitor properties in real-time, detecting suspicious activity and issuing immediate alerts.

These systems can perform tasks that human guards may find tedious or repetitive, such as monitoring multiple camera feeds simultaneously and analyzing behavior patterns.

Moreover, virtual security guards can be deployed in various environments, from residential neighborhoods to commercial complexes, enhancing security without needing physical presence. However, concerns about the reliability and effectiveness of AI-powered security solutions persist, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and oversight.

Bottom Line:

As technology advances, so do our capabilities to safeguard what matters most to us. From smart locks to biometric access systems, innovative security solutions offer many benefits, from enhanced convenience to superior protection.

However, it’s essential to approach these advancements with caution, acknowledging potential drawbacks and taking steps to mitigate risks. By embracing innovation while remaining vigilant, we can create safer, more secure environments for ourselves and future generations.

An image is associated with the word that conjures ideas of the undead picking locks with bones, snatching long-lost riches and ancient gold from decrepit chests, or fleeing rusty, cobweb-laden prison cells aboard haunting pirate ships.

Skeleton keys have the reputation of being unstoppable if you have one in your possession. As a result, you would no longer be constrained by doors or locks. To go past any hidden passageways, you might use your skeleton key.

Skeleton keys exist, but they don’t have the power to Unlock Every Lock on the planet. In some situations, and with appropriate locks, they are effective. What precisely is a skeleton key?

What Exactly are skeleton keys?

Keys that have had their teeth, or the biting, filed away are known as skeleton keys. As a result, they are reduced to their “bare bones,” hence the term. As a result, many people incorrectly assume that the term stems from their long, thin, skeleton appearance.

Skeleton keys can fit into locks they wouldn’t usually be able to because the teeth are filed off. Using this technique, they can Unlock Various Locks without ever being detected.

Ancient Romans and Etruscans used skeleton keys. The incorrect key could not be used to open these locks because they had wards, which are locks with metal patterns.

The Workings Of Skeleton Keys

In most cases, skeleton keys are used in warded locks. This distinctive design is seen on both sides of the key and inside the lock in most warded locks.

The patterns on the key’s biting are the opposite of these locks’ internal mechanisms. (The key section placed into the lock is called the bitting.)

This means the right lock will have a triangle-shaped ward if the key bitting has a triangle pattern cut into it. It is thus impossible to use a key that does not contain this triangular pattern.

Consider it a shape sorter toy, with the wards as the different forms and the box they’re sliding into as the key. If you attempt to insert the wrong block into the wrong hole, the block will become stuck. Furthermore, the form of the hole cannot be forced or warped and still operate with a metal lock.

Locks That Can Be Opened Using Skeleton Keys

There are just a few types of locks for which skeleton keys are appropriate: warded locks and sure lever locks. 

• Locks like this one are fairly ancient and are seldom used. This kind of locking mechanism is still used in certain low-security locks. However, because of the widespread availability of skeleton keys, warded locks are no longer considered secure and, as a result, are seldom utilized.

• Warded locks were often utilized in Europe’s oldest locks. As long as the Romans were around, they were commonplace. A warded lock is most likely to be found on any locks in the Western world that date from about that period. A warded lock, for example, is likely to be found on an old steamer trunk.

• However, unlike in Europe, warded bolt locks employed a similar technique in ancient Chinese locks only seldom. Bolt locks were employed to secure gates, while more complex locks were utilized to secure personal items such as jewelry.

• Low-security padlocks and hotels that employ skeleton keys as master keys, both of which use warded locks, are examples of current situations in which they are still used. On the other hand, most hotels have moved to a digital master key system. An antique house may contain a rim lock, employing the warded lock mechanism to secure the door.

Unlockable Locks That Skeleton Keys Can’t Get In

• The pin tumbler lock is the most renowned lock that cannot be opened using skeleton keys. There’s a good chance you’ve got this lock on your front door. A set of pins must be elevated to the correct height before the lock may be turned. A key must be cut to the necessary height to raise these pins.

Skeleton keys won’t get you past the security measures, even if you can squeeze one into the keyhole. No effect will be seen on the pins due to turning the key. What Use Is a Skeleton Key in the face of such a situation?

• The most common lock seen on private residences is the pin tumbler lock. Even the cheapest and least secure padlocks employ these locks.

Bottom Line

Any key can’t bypass locks. A thief can’t just walk away with your goods. Knowing that there are no lurking skeletons out to get you tonight will help you sleep well at night.

Recommendation

Contact Elite Locksmiths; we have a solid reputation in the community and are available year-round to address various lock-related difficulties. We ensure emergency entry to your property or car. In addition, if you choose, we may install new, high-quality security locks. Many of our clients have hectic schedules and depend on us to handle any lock issues.

There are two main types of locks that are commonly found in use, today. These are cylindrical and mortise locks. A mortise lock is made up of a (rectangular) “lock body” that will fit inside a pocket (mortise), which is the same shape as the body and has been cut into the door. Here, the lock body consists of the actual working parts of the lock. This can include the; latch, handle/knob and/or deadbolt. The actual frame of the door, upon inspection, will show a metal plate that is flush against the door frame, while being screwed into place.

The plate will have an opening that the locking device (commonly – a steel bolt) will slide into, when the lock is turned by its key. These locks were, in the past, mostly found on old buildings. However, their excellent level of security is making them more popular these days.

The Parts Of A Mortise Locks

A mortise lock consists of several different parts that include:

• he lock’s body – The actual locking device that can be found inside the bored mortise.
• The lock trim – This is used to open the door (pulls, handles, levers, doorknobs).
• The strike plate – This lines the frame’s hole, where the bolt will insert, when the door is locked.
• The keyed cylinder – This houses the parts which operate the lock’s unlocking and locking functions of the lock’s body.

Mortise Locks Installation Concerns

As you might imagine, mortise locks, like every other type of lock, will have its benefits and drawbacks. The most significant drawback can be the amount of expertise needed to install the lock. That’s because the door frame needs to be precisely carved out, in order to hold the lock body. A good fit can require the proper tools and woodworking knowledge. But it should be noted that even though the bored hold may weaken the door’s structure, the actual lock is stronger than a common cylindrical lock, which is also bored.

A professional locksmith can ensure that the bored hole and other aspects of a mortise lock are properly installed, in order to get the most secure lock installation.

A “high security” lock is designed to be more resistant to being compromised than a standard lock. You’ll notice that many lock retailers will say that their locks offer a high level of security, in actuality, the lock has to have the correct security rating in order to be deemed high security. You can also determine which locks are “high security” by checking the ratings/reviews of a lock by locksmiths, lock manufacturers and lock security researchers.

In general, these types of locks have certain features and designs that will increase their ability to defy forced or unauthorized entry, as opposed to regular locks, over a certain period of time. This means that the lock is not designed to be completely tamper-proof, but will make the lock compromise too time consuming or present too great a difficulty to defeat.

High Profile Lock design

The different security ratings for high security locks are based on different characteristics that include:

• Key Duplication Control – This is a type of lock that requires a proprietary type of key design that can only be duplicated by the lock manufacturer. They may also require a special key-cutting machine or patent-protected warding patterns and keybows.
• Resistance to Manipulating – High-security locks are designed with components that will resist decoding or lock picking attempts. The most common type of pin-tumbler lock components in this category are “security pins”. Key bumping and key impression tactics can also be made useless with other types of components.
• Resistance to Forced-Entry – High security locks also commonly use extra strong materials and components, in order to prevent forced entry. These include extra-hardened lock materials as well as ball bearings and steel rods.
• Keyways that are Restrictive – The lock may also use very complicated keyways that make it more difficult to use lock picking tools.

Do You Use high-Security Locks?

While, in many cases, specialized high security locks may not be necessary for everyday “light” security (a low-security file cabinet, inside office door, etc.), there are other times when the extra security just makes sense. You can contact a professional locksmith with any questions you may have regarding this decision.

When you think of a locksmith’s services, you will usually list “changing locks” among the most common. However, in many circumstances, you may want to consider re-keying a lock, as opposed to actually changing out the lock, itself. This is where a good locksmith will come in handy. A professional locksmith can assist you with determining whether merely rekeying a lock would be more logical than going ahead and replacing the entire lock. It’s interesting how many locksmith customers have never even considered that they had options in this matter.

Rekeying your locks

The process involved with rekeying a lock involves removing the springs and pins, located in the lock cylinder and replacing them with new ones that are designed to work with a new/different key. Unless there is something actually wrong with the lock, this can usually be a good way to proceed.

The reasons why a lock is re-keyed can include:

• Change in property ownership
• Change in residents who have had access to the property
• A recent theft or burglary

Another reason that rekeying might be a preferable option is the fact that it will give the locksmith the opportunity to examine the lock, in order to see if it actually needs replacing. It should also be noted that when a lock is re-keyed, it is also usually lubricated. This can make the lock work more smoothly.

Replacing Locks

With that said, there are times when a lock needs to be replaced. This generally occurs when the lock has become worn, over a long period of time or through constant use. In addition, it could be a good idea to upgrade a lock, especially if the lock utilizes an outdated form of technology that might make it easy to bypass.

Other reasons can include the purchase of a lock that is more pleasing to the eye or a lock that is designed for individuals with disabilities. For those who own standard, mechanical locks, electronic locks may be a desirable option. For advanced security features, there are also biometric locks available. In any case, consulting with a professional locksmith is the best way to go, when you decide on changing a lock.

It’s pretty common, nowadays, to see a number of DIY (do-it-yourself) kits that will allow you to rekey your current locks. However, for those who want to ensure the best quality work when it comes to home and business security, a professional locksmith rekeying service is preferable. This will ensure that the job is done correctly and quickly, without the worry of having something “go wrong”.

That’s because, if the DIY rekeying job isn’t done properly, there’s a good chance that your lock(s) may be ruined. This would create the expense of having to purchase and install a new lock(s). Most people would rather not take that chance and will just go ahead and obtain the services of a dependable locksmith company.

Services For A Licensed Locksmith

Of course, it’s important to secure the services of a licensed locksmith that carries the proper credentials and has been doing business in their location for a good length of time.

Once you have found the locksmith that you may want to do business with, you will also want to check out their references, in order to determine how they’re rated by their customers. It’s also possible, in some cases, to find online reviews of a particular locksmith’s services.

What advantages are there with using a professional locksmith?

A professional locksmith will come to either your home or office building at an agreed upon time. This will leave you free to take care of other tasks that may be either scheduled or unscheduled. Trying to rekey a lock yourself can be frustrating should any interruptions take place. Rather than having to concentrate on a task that you don’t do every day, you can focus on more important items.

With a professional locksmith near me, you also remove the task of going to the hardware store and having to figure out exactly what you need to complete the job yourself. That chore is replaced with a easy phone call that you’ll make to the locksmith, in order to schedule your appointment.

Rekeying services, can save you a lot of money, when it comes to situations in which a lock needs to be secured from any past key holders. This can certainly be true when an apartment or home is acquiring new tenants. Contact your local locksmith for all the details.

There can be any number of reasons why someone may decide to ask for a new lock installation. Perhaps a lock has worn out or become damaged. Or maybe someone might wish to upgrade an older technology with a newer one. A good example of this might be the replacement of an older key lock with a more up-to-date biometric lock. But, no matter the reason, one thing remains constant – the desire to get affordable, friendly and high quality work from a locksmith.

This is the reason why it’s suggested that you deal with a well-established locksmith in your local area. This way, you can get dependable information regarding the efficiency and value of the locksmith that you may be considering.

“Friendly Service”

At Elite Locksmiths, we not only provide fast and friendly service, but we can advise you as to the best type of lock that you can get for your particular needs. We can explain the available type of locking devices from;

• Deadbolts
• Standard Mortise Locks
• More Advanced Electronic Locks

This is the type of service that our customers require, in order to make the correct decision regarding the locks for their home, office, business, etc. This is among the reasons why we have become a trusted name in the Washington State area and beyond.

Types of Locks Available

As an example, a customer may choose one of the three types of deadbolt security locks; double cylinder, single cylinder and electronic. We will explain, for instance, how s double cylinder deadbolt will need to have a key, while a single cylinder lock doesn’t. This can make a big difference when it comes to who will need access and where the lock will be installed. In addition, you can completely forget the question of using a key by selecting an electronic lock.

These are just some of the things to consider when having a lock installed.
Increasing security why locksmith installation services, have attained such high popularity among home and business owners. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways of making sure that your property is safe from break-ins and theft.