Professional Locksmith Longmont » Available 24/7 » Call Now (720) 539-7477
24 Hour Quick & Affordable Mobile Locksmith - CALL (720) 539-7477
Locked Out? Lost Keys? Call Longmont Locksmith Now (720) 539-7477

EMERGENCY

RESIDENTIAL

COMMERCIAL

AUTOMOTIVE

When To Re-Key Your Locks

How safe would you feel if every time you turned the key to lock your door to your house or office, you’re never quite sure who might have a key to open it back up without your approval or knowledge. This might sound ridiculous, but it happens more often than many probably realize. How does it happen, and how do you solve the problem?

For starters, the problem is easily fixed by either changing or re-keying your locks. What this does is it leaves you with brand new locks that only the brand new keys will open, rendering any previous keys floating around who knows where, in the hands of who knows who, void and useless. This is a very good thing in providing you with the peace of mind and secure and safe feeling everyone should feel at home.

The difference between changing your locks or having them re-keyed basically comes down to price. When you change out the locks, you change out the entire hardware completely. When you opt to have them re-keyed, you leave the existing outer hardware in tact while only switching out the locking mechanisms inside, which means only a new key will open the lock but you retain the look and save money by not purchasing entirely new hardware. Of course, for this to work, the existing hardware has to be in good working order. Otherwise, completely changing the locks would be the better solution.

So, how do keys get into the hands of would-be burglars or those who might not be trusted? There are a few common scenarios that set you up for needing to have your locks changed or re-keyed.

Moving Into A New Home or Apartment

Whenever you move into a new home or apartment that was previously occupied by someone else, there is no telling how many copies of the key that opens your front and back door exists, floating around out there in the hands of who knows who. You may never know if they lost a key and had duplicates made or perhaps handed off keys to people they trusted, like a babysitter, a neighbor, or a cleaning person. While the previous home owner may have trusted them, these people are probably not people you know and trust to have access to your locks.

From the moment you sign the mortgage papers or apartment lease and settle in for your first night in your new home, and every time after when you lock that door, you never know for certain who else is able to open it up and come inside uninvited. The only remedy for this is to have your locks changed or re-keyed. Don’t be afraid to take back control of your safety and peace of mind by immediately having the locks re-keyed. This is the only way you can be certain that you are the only one who holds the key.

After a Break-In

Unfortunately, break-ins and burglaries happen every day somewhere. If it has happened to you, it is very important for one of your first steps to be to re-key or change your locks. No doubt, you will first be shaken up a bit and quite worried about safety. This is the time to call a qualified locksmith to come over on the spot and re-key your locks.

Don’t waste a single minute deciding on whether or not it should be done. Often, when a burglary occurs, there are other thieves who are watching the houses in your neighborhood and determining which places are easy targets. Secure your home immediately by rekeying your locks.

Following a Roommate Moving Out or Divorce

Regardless of why you lost a roommate, whether it be because of an eviction, argument, or a spouse leaving due to a divorce, this is always a must-do time for changing or rekeying your locks. Obviously, this is especially of the utmost safety concern if they moved out due to a disagreement or argument. Even if you left on good terms, you probably have no idea whether or not they made a copy of the keys or who they trusted with a copy. It’s always better to be on the safe side and get new locks or have them rekeyed so you know you are the only one who holds the key.

When any live-in relationship comes to an end, it is vitally important to re-key. By doing so, you buy back a great deal of peace of mind and ensure that the other person stays out of your life or at least out of your living space. Sometimes, the person on the other end of the break up might be threatening or decide to edge back into your life by stealing something you own. Don’t let this happen. Take action immediately and as soon after the break up as possible. Rekeying your locks is the fastest and easiest way to regain control.

When You’ve Lost Your Keys

As soon as you discover that you have lost your keys, it is smart to have your locks rekeyed. Before you take steps to re-key the locks, however, make sure the key is actually lost by conducting a thorough search for it. If it does not show up, it’s a good idea to re-key the locks just to be safe in case it falls into the hands of someone who might seek to do you harm or burglarize your home.

A Faulty Key

Even the finest locks and keys don’t last forever. After years of use, our key might become faulty or even break off in the lock. The best option when the key starts to become worn is to have your locks rekeyed. If the lock itself is also showing signs of wear, just have the entire locking system changed and start fresh.

Ultimately, in the long run, rekeying a lock will save you money that you would have otherwise spent on replacing the entire lock and key system. It will also prove to be a safety strategy that will ensure you can sleep at night peacefully and undisturbed from potential threats of break ins. Call your local professional locksmith today to have a look at your locks to evaluate them today to determine whether or not it’s time for a rekeying.

Does all commercial properties need panic hardware on their doors?

Securing the doors that allow access in and out of your building is generally considered to be a good, safe, secure idea. However, when that building is a commercial property with large human traffic coming in and out, you also need to know you will be able to evacuate the building quickly in case of an emergency. By taking some extra precautions, and following specific laws for commercial properties, you won’t have to worry about a panic mass exit or possible trampling in a hurry to get out. So, what exactly are these legal requirements, and does all commercial properties need panic hardware on their doors?

International Building Code IBC

The International Building Code IBC requires panic hardware on exit doors to be used as an exit device if the building has high traffic such as a library, an educational facility or an assembly hall that holds more than 50 people. It is also required on high-hazard occupancy buildings, which would include buildings that require equipment with high voltage, boiler rooms, incinerators, refrigeration machinery, or furnace rooms.

The purpose of requiring panic hardware is to make sure everyone inside is able to exit safely and quickly in case of an emergency.

It’s better to be safe than sorry

Just because the law only requires certain types of buildings install panic hardware doesn’t mean you cannot use this safety measure if your commercial building isn’t required by law to have it. You can still choose to do so.

If your commercial property is required by law, or if you want added safety precautions, the type of hardware and the way the installation is done also must comply with regulations. The actuating part of the exit device must be at least half of the width of the door. To unlatch it during an emergency, you must make sure that it requires no more than 15 pounds of pressure to open it, and never add a padlock or any chains or additional latches that would restrict its operations. Any touchpad that is used may not extend more than half the width of the door, starting from the latch side. Also, depending on where your building is located, you may be required to make sure your panic hardware will withstand a hurricane or tornado.

For more information call (720) 539-7477 or visit Locksmith in Longmont CO

Prevent Break ins

Helping Longmont Residents Shield Themselves Against Burglary

Every 14 seconds, a home burglary occurs in America with more than 2 million home break ins estimated to occur every year. According to Colorado crime statistics for the city of Longmont, close to 300 burglaries per 1,000 people happen each year. 66% of US burglaries are residential break-ins. With home and business security statistics like these, it only makes sense to consider services that Longmont Locksmith offers for security and peace of mind. Of course, year-to-year, the statistics change slightly, but at a rate of 300 per 1,000 residents, that’s 30% of residents, experiencing a burglary is cause to take action to protect yourself. According to the Neighborhood Scout, you have a one in 45 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Longmont and the surrounding Denver, Colorado area.

When are break ins more likely to happen?

Most burglaries happen during the daytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. , not surprisingly this is the time of day when most homeowners are at work. Weather places a part as well. Summertime is the busiest season for break ins, and February typically has the fewest.

How to Prevent a Break In

With all that we know about burglary crime, how do you protect your home and business in Longmont, Colorado, from break ins? Of course, you could always get a dog who is protective of you and your home and will bark at the sound of an intruder. While a barking dog is a deterrent for criminal break ins, it’s not always a feasible option.

Home security systems help. Homes and businesses without security systems are three times more likely to get hit. Yet, it’s estimated that only 17% of residences currently have a security system installed. Homes that do not have any video surveillance systems are the easiest targets.

Don’t discuss your out-of-town vacation or business travels online or with too many people. Keep this information as private as possible, sharing only with a trusted neighbor if necessary to make sure all newspapers are picked up while you are away and that the house appears to be lived in.

Keep your landscaping trimmed, and put thought into placement of bushes, trees, or plants that block the view of windows, doors, or other entry points. Privacy fences and landscaping often provide cover so the thief goes unnoticed until it’s too late.

Homes with an easy escape route are also targets. Dimly lit or unlit homes are also a welcome mat to an intruder.

After a break in, the thief will look for small items that are expensive and easy to carry out of the house and then sell for cash. Items like jewelry, watches, small electronics, DVDs, computer laptops and tablets or iPads, iPods, and iPhones, or cash are the most likely to disappear at the hands of a thief.

Keep valuables out of sight. If it is expensive or valuable to you, be sure to keep it in a place that is not easily visible from a window or from the street. When deciding which wall to install the television on, consider whether or not it will be noticed by a passerby walking past your home. Shut curtains and blinds when necessary. Keep smaller valuables like jewelry in a safe.

Avoiding a Break In Is Quite Often As Easy As Turning a Lock

About one-third of burglaries happen when the thief enters the home through an unlocked window or door. One of the easiest things that a home or business owner needs to do is to start by always locking windows and doors. It may be a hassle, but taking this simple step increases the security of your home or business. If you have recently purchased a home, add extra security by getting new locks. Obviously, the better the lock, the more secure your home or office will be.

Use strong locks that are made to secure your home or business. Use double deadbolt locks in your doors, especially the front door or common main point of entry. Pay close attention to sliding glass patio doors to make sure they are locked securely. A thief wants to hit and run. If they have to break glass, it is often enough of a deterrent to make them skip your home and move to an easier target. Make sure the sliding doors are completely shut and not open a crack or unlocked. Install a patio door lock for more security.

Locksmiths do more than show up to let you in when you forget your keys. Call Longmont Locksmith to perform all types of lock installations, security systems, high security locks, garage door locks, patio door locks, auto lock installations and repairs or panic bars. If a break in has already occurred, we will help with new locks and lock rekeying to give you a peace of mind in Longmont or the surrounding Denver, Colorado area.