3 Types of Door Lock Repairs

When you have a lock that needs to be repaired, it's not doing the job you want it to do. Your locks need to be reliable and they need to guard your home or business. If you have a lock that's not working, it's time to call a professional locksmith and get it repaired.

There are many types of lock repairs that you might need. You might notice one of the many issues and not know why it's happening. Let's look at some of the types of door lock repairs you might need.

Door Won't Latch Properly

This is a pretty big issue. If your door lock won't latch properly, you need to get it fixed immediately. Usually, this means the strike plate and the latch are not in alignment.

It might be as simple as tightening the hinge screws or adjusting the strike plate. However, the repairs could be rather minor or could include adjusting the entire door.

If your door lock isn't latching properly, you need to call a residential locksmith. It's important to make sure your door latches properly. Even if you think you can fix it yourself, you might be leaving your door vulnerable if the job isn't done correctly.

Door Lock is Frozen

sometimes, an exterior lock will freeze during the winter. Interior locks can also freeze up due to dirt and wear and tear. While you might need a replacement lock, you can start with a few simple fixes first.

Try putting a little graphite in the keyhole. Then, operate the lock a few times to get the graphite into the mechanism. Sometimes, this is all it takes.

Lock de-icers can help if the lock is frozen, too. This can help with gummy, dirty deposits or during cold weather.

If neither of these options help, you may have to disassemble the lock. When you get to this point, hiring a professional is the right choice. They can assess the situation and make the right recommendation for your frozen lock.

Broken Key in a Lock

A very common repair you will likely need a locksmith for is a broken key in the lock. When this happens, it can be very difficult to remove the broken key yourself. It may also require tools you don't own. If you try to do this yourself and you don't do it right, you could cause quite a bit of damage to the lock.

When you break a key in your door lock, you should call an emergency locksmith. This type of locksmith will show up quickly to help you get the broken key out of the lock and give you access to your home or car again.

Whenever you're dealing with a door lock repair, a professional locksmith is best. You don't want to cause more damage to the lock. With the right help, you won't have anything to worry about. Locksmiths have the right tools and they are highly trained to deal with all types of door lock repairs and issues.

How to Properly Care for Your Iron Gate After Installation

You decided you wanted to enhance your property and you had The Professional Locksmith install an iron gate. It looks fantastic and you couldn't be more pleased. But, how do you properly care for your iron gate after installation?

There are several things you need to know about iron gates when it comes to caring for them. Here are a few tips to help you care for your new iron gate.

Apply Protective Wax

Depending on the type of iron gate you have, it may be a good idea to add a protective coat of wax to your gate. Some iron gates tend to rust due to exposure to humidity and rain. With a coat of wax, you can keep your gate protected from rust and it will look amazing for many years to come.

Clean it Regularly

Every so often, your new iron gate will need to be cleaned. It's best to use a mild cleanser during the cleaning process and a non-abrasive cloth. Don't let the water actually dry on the iron gate as it could stain or damage it due to the hard minerals and chemicals found in tap water.

You'll want to dry the gate with a sponge or cloth and never use caustic cleaners on your iron gate. Surface sprays, window cleaners, and any harsh chemicals may permanently mar your gate.

Remove Rust

Your new iron gate won't have any rust, but over time, rust may show up. If you do find any rust on your iron gate, you want to remove it. This can be done easily with sandpaper. Just rub away the rust and, if necessary, you can repaint the gate once the rust has been removed.

Paint Your Iron Gate

While a layer of wax will help protect your gate from rust, paint works wonders to keep an iron gate in good condition, too. Instead of using wax, you can decide to paint your gate to help protect the iron from the air and moisture.

Keep it Oiled and Repaired

Iron gate hinges will need to be oiled every so often. If you notice a squeaky sound or another sound from the hinges, it may be time to get out the oil or grease. It's a good idea to apply oil or grease to the hinges at least once per year.

In addition, you want to make sure any missing fasteners or other repairs are made in a timely manner to your iron gate. If you don't address repairs quickly, they could turn into a bigger issue. If something you cannot fix has happened, such as the welds breaking, it's time to call The Professional Locksmith and let an expert fix your iron gate.

Along with caring for your new iron gate, you may want to beef up the security of your gate. Before it's installed, talk to an expert from The Professional Locksmith about boosting security with metal screens and other measures.

The Differences Between Common CCTV Camera Types

A CCTV camera is one used for your security system and there are several different types. The most common differences are found in the features and whether the camera can be used indoors, outdoors, or both. Let's look at a few types of CCTV cameras and how they are different.

Dome Cameras

A very common type of CCTV camera, dome cameras are used for both indoor and outdoor surveillance. They are dome-shaped and come in many sizes with different colors to choose from. These types of cameras are vandal-proof, offer a wide-angle field of view, and provide unobtrusive surveillance. They can also act as a visual deterrent.

Bullet Cameras

Another type of CCTV camera commonly used with home and business security systems is a bullet camera. This type of camera has a cylindrical shape and may also be called a lipstick camera. It's a weatherproof and waterproof option for indoor and outdoor use, but mainly outdoor use.

Bullet cameras don't provide the same wide-angle field as a dome camera. They are designed to provide better focus and can have a very good range of vision with the right placement. This is a very durable type of camera often used as a deterrent outside. Bullet cameras tend to be larger than dome cameras, too.

PTZ Cameras

Commonly used in security systems with an operator, PTZ cameras offers features allowing the camera to pan, tilt, and zoom. You can move the camera with a joystick to see a specific area better, which is a feature you won't get with bullet cameras or dome cameras.

Day/Night CCTV Cameras

Another commonly used type of CCTV security camera is the day/night camera. This is a type of camera with technology allowing it to go from day to night and still pick up a quality image. Typically, the camera will switch from color to black and white when low light conditions are present.

IP Cameras

A very common type of CCTV camera used with both business and home security systems, an IP camera will allow you to monitor things from anywhere. This type of camera provides real-time footage with an app on your smartphone or over the internet.

While this is a feature of many different types of CCTV cameras, not all cameras will allow you to monitor them from anywhere. However, you can find dome cameras, bullet cameras, and other types of CCTV cameras with this type of feature.

Hidden CCTV Cameras

If you're trying to provide surveillance without being noticed, a hidden or spy camera is a good idea. This type of camera can be very small and blend in so nobody knows it's there. Unlike bullet cameras and dome cameras, these types of CCTV cameras are not easily seen or found when just looking around.

There are many different types of CCTV cameras with different features. Figuring out which one is best for your specific needs isn't always easy. You can hire a professional to assess your security needs and recommend the right CCTV camera for your needs.

Best Locks to Secure Your Storage Unit

If you’re thinking about finally getting that storage unit for those extras that just don’t fit in the house, it’s important to think about how you are going to secure it when you’re not around it. It’s a great place to put your belongings when you need a little extra space at home, you’re moving, or you have items that you only use during certain seasons of the year.

By Self Storage (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

There is no need to hold onto holiday decorations or summertime equipment all year when you could be using the space in your home to function and live. Getting a storage unit can be a really handy way to get things out of one space temporarily and secure nearby, but make sure you are actually secure. Here is a look at the best locks you should consider getting to secure your storage unit from a break-in or vandalism.

Padlock

One of the most common options for locking a storage unit is to use a padlock, which allows you to lock up your unit without having to worry about losing your keys. You can get a keyed option as well, but having the option to use a combination style through a closed-shackle combination lock will make life simple. In addition, the closed-shackle design of it is challenging to break into with a bolt cutter; all you have to do is remember your combination.

If you get a padlock that requires a key, you’ll need it to lock and unlock. You’ll have two keys, allowing you to keep one as a backup in case you lose the other. Be sure to get one of solid quality so that a bolt cutter can’t get through any soft metal casing or poor quality material. Get one with a hardened steel shackle, a 5-pin tumbler, and a double lock.

Combination lock

Next, you could choose a combination lock like the padlock. Combination locks allow you to unlock the unit through a set of numbers rather than a key. You can choose from a single dial lock or a multiple dial lock, depending on if you want several combinations to open the lock.

Single dial locks will be used by operating a single sequence of numbers and lining them up on a single rotating dial. You’ll have to know the sequence to open it, as well as the right order of numbers because there are discs inside that have to line up with the correct sequence. You’ll hear a click when you have the right sequence and a simple tug will open it.

A multiple dial combination lock works where several rotating discs are operating with a pin with teeth that hook into them. You’ll have to align the notches of the lock with the pin’s teeth to open it. This works well for your bike or your luggage, but it’s not recommended for storage units compared to a single dial lock.

Cylinder locks, maximum security padlocks, and general purpose locks

Other great options for your storage unit are cylinder locks if you have the ability to lock it directly to the storage door, general purpose locks since they are made of brass or stainless steel, and maximum security padlocks made from these same materials. These three options are another way to really add security to your storage unit that other locks can’t.

If you are ready for a storage unit but you’re not sure how to ensure your belonging’s security, make sure you check out these best lock options, first.

How to Fix Jammed and Stuck Locks

Sometimes you end up with a jammed lock or a stuck lock that means you can’t get into a room, your house, or your car properly. You can’t have a door misaligned from the deadbolt or loose setscrews without ending up with a door jam. 

These are things you can fix if you have a little bit of knowledge, the right supplies, and the ability to determine what the problem is. Below we will show you what’s needed to fix your jammed and stuck locks, or what your locksmith could do if you want the professional job done for your home. 

Determining the jam or stuck lock

To determine if you have a jam or stuck lock, you’ll want to look at a number of things first. The first sign may be that your knob will turn but the door won’t open. Another may be that the door lock is stuck in an unlocked position, but you’ll want to check to see if another key will work in case your key has been damaged. Perhaps the doorknob lock button is stuck or maybe your deadbolt is stuck in a locked position. 

Examine the situation to make sure you know what needs to be fixed and how to handle it. for a stuck button, try turning the handle while pushing and holding the lock button, and then jiggle the handle to see if it helps. If the door lock is stuck in an unlocked condition, try to see if the door will lock when it is ajar in case of an alignment issue. 

Get some supplies

Next, you’ll want to get some supplies to check for different issues. You may need to use powdered graphite or TD-40 as a lubricant to help with jammed locks. Get a key-extractor tool and screwdrivers or a multi-magnetic hand tool with a screwdriver set. You may want to use kerosene for any rust removal. 

Addressing various issues 

Once you’ve tried to unlock the door with a different key in the event that you have the wrong key or a damaged key, you may have a temperature issue. Try to warm up the house if the home has gotten too cold. If it’s a hot location, you may have excess oil or dust, which you can check your key for stickiness or accumulation. 

Next, try a key extractor to fix a lock that has a broken key jammed inside. You may need to spray some of that lubricant in the keyhole to make for a smoother removal. A sticky lock happens when a door gets older, so the dry lubricant of the powdered graphite can help to smoothen the jam. 

Avoid a WD-40 since it will attract dirt, unlike the TD-40 or graphite. If you’re dealing with rust that is causing the jam, soak your lock in kerosene for a day to remove the rust. Feel free to lubricate the spring mechanism with some Teflon lubricant which will help if it’s becoming faulty and the deadbolt isn’t retracting completely. 

Lastly, you may need to use a screwdriver or the multi-magnetic hand tool to fix your jammed lock. This can help you to tighten screws and bolts in the event that something has come loose. Try tightening the hinges if your door is loose on its hinges because it may be causing your latch to sit too low on the striker plate. 

Is there a gap between the door and the doorframe? You’ll also want to tighten the set screw because you could have a loose setscrew making the door not opening despite the knob turning. 

You don’t have to address a jammed lock or stuck lock on your own. The professionals at Chicago Emergency Locksmith can handle a jam like this in no time and carry the proper tools and skillset for situations like yours.