Losing your apartment key is frustrating. So many members of our Brooklyn community are hard workers, who come home late after a long working day. Whether you’ve been waiting tables or up all night in the office, what could be worse than coming home only to realize you can’t be back in? Read this guide to help you troubleshoot lockouts.
I’m locked out and in a hurry to get in. Can I try to pick my lock?
We understand the temptation. Some people believe that picking their own locks will be more straightforward and cost-efficient than calling a locksmith. Unfortunately, those people are wrong in both cases.
Picking locks is difficult. In fact, on most modern locks fitted to houses, it’s impossible to do without a set of professional tools. This is a good thing – it means that your lock will be resistant to jimmying, battering, or any other lock picking attempts by potential thieves. But it also means any effort you spend trying to pick the lock will be wasted.
Or, worse still, it might work – in which case, you’ll most likely damage the lock. If this happens, the best case scenario is that you’ll have to repair the lock, which will cost money. If you’re sensible, you’ll have it totally replaced with a lock that’s harder to overcome – which will cost even more money.
In short, save yourself the effort, time and money and just call a professional. Lockouts are quick and inexpensive.
Is there any chance that a locksmith will damage my lock?
It is extremely unlikely. We have the tools and expertise to unlock any door properly, and we perform these sorts of services on a daily basis. The only cases in which there’s a risk that we’ll cause damage are those where there is something unusual about the lock, such as serious damage or age. In these cases, our insurance protects you financially.
I’ve lost my key and it’s late at night. What should I do?
Call a locksmith who offers 24 hour lockout services. Not all locksmiths do this, but those that do can usually come to you within a few hours. At Locksmith For Brooklyn NY, we can get to you in as little as half an hour, no matter where you are in Brooklyn.
You’ll need to meet us at your door, so we know who we’re unlocking the door for. But meanwhile, if you can, get yourself something warm to drink or sit down for a few minutes with a neighbor – there’s no reason to freeze in the cold.
Once we’re at your door, we’ll be done in about 10 minutes – up to 45 if you have multiple or high-security locks. Then you’ll be free to go home and put your feet up.
My key isn’t in the apartment or at work. Can you cut me a new one?
Yes. We can cut you a new one on the spot, as soon as we’re done bypassing the lock. We can also change the pins in your lock so that your old key won’t work on it – instead, we’ll give you a new key that will. This process, called ‘rekeying’, is a great way to maintain peace of mind and maximum security.
Preventing the need for lockouts
Losing keys happens to everyone, but for some people, it seems to happen over and over. Over the years, we’ve gathered some tips and tricks to help you keep track of your keys.
- Secure your keys to your bag or wallet using a keyring on a chain. Make a rule that you never remove your keys from this ring.
- If you’re prone to forgetting your keys in the apartment, install a hook next to your front door as a visual cue to pick it up before you leave.
- Give a copy of your key to a neighbor or family member that lives nearby – but make sure it’s somebody you trust entirely. Also remember that while it might be a solution for late-night problems, if you lose your key outside the home, you may need to get your lock rekeyed anyway.
- Consider keyless entry. We can install smart locks operated by smartphones, keypads, or fingerprints – a great way to keep the home secure without any need for a key at all.
The Bottom Line
Being locked out is annoying, but there’s an easy solution – consulting a professional locksmith, who is available 24 hours and can help you get back indoors without causing any damages.
As for long-term solutions, you can make lifestyle alterations with or without a locksmith to help prevent this sort of issue.
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