Guides

Locksmith Guides and Tips

Plain answers to the lock and key problems people call us about, with the steps to take before and after you call.

Automotive guides

Most fobs that stop working only need a new coin battery, which you can change at home.

Most stuck ignitions come from a locked steering wheel, a shifter that is not fully in park, or a worn key.

Make sure everyone is safe, then try every door and the trunk and think about who has your spare key.

A transponder key has a small chip in its head that the car reads before it lets the engine run.

For most front doors, a solid single cylinder deadbolt with a full one-inch bolt and a heavy strike plate is the right choice.

First find out who is responsible for your mailbox lock: you, your landlord or HOA, or the post office.

If your locks work well and you simply want the old keys to stop working, rekeying is usually enough.

A keypad lock lets you in with a code, while a smart lock usually adds phone features on top of that.

Start by listing every door and every key the person had, then rekey the locks those keys open and delete any codes they knew.

A panic bar lets people leave by pushing anywhere on the bar, and a door closer brings the door shut and latched behind them.