If you own a business, however, it can be extremely beneficial to learn more terms related to commercial lock repair. What is a lock cylinder, for example? What are bump-proof locks all about? What does it really mean to “rekey” a building? Here are five common commercial lock repair terms that you might not know, along with their definitions.

1. Lock Cylinder

This is a pretty basic term that describes the entry point for the key in any lock — well, any lock that takes keys, of course. Lock cylinders have pins, which, when aligned by inserting the key, work to secure the lock and open it. The lock cylinder is housed in something called “lock housing.” But, basically, the lock cylinder is the main component of any key lock.

2. Rekeying

You might already know that rekeying involves making new keys for a lock. More specifically, rekeying is the process of making the lock cylinder (as mentioned above) work with a new key. How does this work, exactly? It’s all about the pins. A commercial rekeying locksmith will replace old pins with new pins that featuring a different length and go with different keys. The old key will no longer work with a rekeyed lock because the pins have been changed.

3. Bump-Proof Locks

We’ve written on the topic of “bump-proof locks” before, but in case you didn’t know, “bumping” is a technique that thieves use to bypass a lock without the need for advanced tools. It’s becoming more, and more popular, which is why experts in the locksmithing industry developed bump-proof locks to combat it. These locks feature a high-security design that cannot be picked or bumped open.

4. Keyway

The “keyway” is basically how your key is cut — specifically, how the shaft of the key is cut. The keyway determines whether a key is compatible with a lock. Keyways can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and from lock to lock. There are interchangeable keyways, and those that are not. It’s best to consult with a commercial locksmith if you’re having trouble with finding out which keys are compatible with which locks at your facility.

5. DND

Here’s an easy one: DND means “do not duplicate.” If this is on a key, it means the owner did not want someone to make another copy of the key. Although, this is mostly a warning for locksmiths, and doesn’t guarantee the key won’t be duplicated. You can, however, design certain keys with today’s technology so that it’s not possible to duplicate them.

If you’re in need of commercial lock services, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at 972-284-7500.

But what about when it comes to our locks? If a residential lock fails or breaks, you might automatically assume that it needs to be replaced. But a good locksmith can actually determine whether your residential lock can be fixed or if you do actually need to have a new one installed.

Why Locks Fail

The big question is, why do residential locks fail in the first place? There are a variety of reasons for this, but the four most common (for residences at least) are:

• The deadbolt breaks, jams or is misaligned
• The lock cylinder fails
• The key breaks off in the lock
• The strikeplate needs to be adjusted

If your door locks have any of the above problems, repairing or replacing the lock is your next step.

When to Repair and When to Replace

The very best way to determine whether a lock needs to be repair or replaced is by calling a locksmith who specializes in lock repair and installation. But there are some situations when you know the lock doesn’t need to be replaced, such as a broken key in the lock that can be extracted. Other interior issues (such as the deadbolt or lock cylinder) require a closer look and a professional opinion. The good news is that a licensed locksmith technician can identify the issue right away, whether you bring the defective lock into a physical location or schedule someone to come out to you and do the work for you.

Finding the Right Residential Locksmith

The best locksmith companies won’t try to sell you on something you don’t need. That’s the promise at A-1 Locksmith. There’s no kind of lock we haven’t seen, worked on or fixed before. Our certified, and licensed Dallas locksmiths install, and repair hundreds of locks every week and can offer you multiple solutions at varying price points. If there’s any way we can simply fix your lock so you can save a buck and avoid the expenses of replacing a residential lock, we’ll do it. Whatever you do, don’t try to fix it yourself if you’re not experienced with locks — you may end up costing yourself more in the long run!

If you’re in need of residential lock services in Dallas-Fort Worth, give the A-1 Locksmith team a call today at 972-284-7500.

Of course, in some cases, an individual may take the correct steps, and follow the DIY guidelines exactly, causing them to re-key the locks without flaw. Far too often, however, homeowners rely on DIY lock re-keying kits, only to discover a mistake later on.

Don’t attempt to re-key your locks at home without understanding the ramifications of your actions. Instead, consider the following perils you may encounter, which you can certainly avoid by reaching out to one of our skilled locksmith professionals at A-1 Locksmith.

Re-Keying When a Replacement is Necessary

What is one of the most common results that arises when individuals attempt to use DIY kits to re-key their own locks? After following all the instructions included in a manual, and taking all necessary precautions, many homeowners find that they have only exacerbated the problem that already existed. And this doesn’t occur because the individual made a mistake during the process; instead, the problem remains because the locks should have been replaced, not re-keyed.

In many cases, homeowners won’t realize that a lock is far too worn to be eligible for re-keying, and will waste them time attempting anyway. With the help of a professional locksmith, you can avoid this wasted time; a locksmith can examine the lock, and help you understand whether re-keying or replacement is the right option for you.

Leaving the Locks Unusable

Of course, the ultimate goal of the re-keying process is to be left with a functioning lock that only opens using a new set of keys. Far too often, however, homeowners will make a mistake while attempting to re-key their locks, leaving it entirely unusable, and requiring an entire replacement.

This situation can ultimately be remedied by contacting a professional locksmith beforehand. To be sure, while DIY re-keying kits may promise to provide you with all the information necessary to re-key the locks in your home, it is still possible that you may a mistake, albeit a small one, during the procedure. Unfortunately, even a small mistake can leave the locks unusable.

Avoiding the Perils of DIY Re-Keying

What is the best way to avoid any of these pitfalls of re-keying your locks at home? The answer is simple: reach out to a professional locksmith at A-1 Locksmith. Our professionals have years of experience assisting clients, and are prepared to help you immediately.

If you find yourself facing this question, then, how can you decide whether to re-key or replace your locks? To understand the benefits, and drawbacks of both options, read through the following guide, and consider speaking to a professional for help.

Cost Considerations

When facing the choice of either re-keying or replacing the locks in your home or business, one of the most important factors to consider is the cost of the project. And here, in nearly every situation, you will find that it is less expensive, perhaps significant, to choose to re-key. By choosing to re-key, you will only need to make slight modifications to the existing locks on your structure; choosing to replace the locks entirely, however, requires the purchase of new equipment, which can be costly.

Simplicity of Re-Keying

In addition to allowing you to save money, re-keying also happens to be a much simpler process, as well, potentially one that you can facilitate at home with the help of professional instructions. To be sure, an individual in need of re-keying a lock may be able to do this at home; however, when in doubt, it is always a smart choice to contact a professional locksmith in the area who can provide assistance.

Of course, you may also be able to replace your locks yourself, yet doing, so requires a significant larger investment of time, and is, again, best left to a professional who can ensure the locks are installed properly.

When is it Necessary to Replace the Locks?

There are, undoubtedly, very clear benefits to re-keying a set of locks over replacing them, including the cost and simplicity of the process. When, then, should an individual consider replacing the locks altogether?

Ultimately, you should opt to replace a set of locks entirely if the lock has sustained damage, has become worn over time, or is not working properly for, some other reason. In this case, re-keying the lock may not provide a solution to the problem, and you may instead be required to replace the set.

In turn, this begs an additional question: how can you tell if a faulty lock can be re-keyed, or if it needs to be replaced? To find the answer to this question, you should consult a locksmith at A-1 Locksmith in Dallas. By speaking with a professional locksmith you can find answers to this, and any other questions you may have, and pursue the best option for your specific circumstances.

A-1 Locksmith wants the public to know that their are a variety of locks out there for your door. They provide locks for your home, locks for your business, and high security locks in case you want to be extra safe.

The traditional lock and key are great. They do their job and have been doing it for several decades but recently the technology  in the locksmith has changed. Security has gone up, and the locksmiths have tried to figure out a way to improve door locks to keep our homes safe.

The Electronic key is popping up everywhere nowadays. The form of lock is being seen on homes, and businesses, it is defiantly the new lock and key. Just like the transponder key has started fading out the traditional car key, the electronic key, and lock will soon start fading out the traditional metal lock and key.

A-1 Locksmith has transponder keys for only $40 to $175! CALL 972-284-7500 for more info!

A-1 Locksmith provides the Dallas, and Fort Worth area with latest technology that deals with locks, and keys. They have the most recent remotes for your cars, and can create a transponder key for any model car.

Even though you might not want to change from your traditional lock quite yet, you might want to look over your door locks to see if they are still in great working condition. Safety is huge when it comes to my family so we are always making sure all of our locks are in good condition and if they aren’t we change them out.

A-1 Locksmith guarantees the lowest prices in the locksmith industry! CALL 972-284-7500 for more info!