integrumlocksmith

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FALSE ADS BY “LOCKSMITHS”

The vast majority of those locksmith companies that advertise their services online write misleading ads in the best cases, and false ones in the worst. Below I discuss the seven most popular deceptions perpetrated by these companies on Google, Bing, and Yahoo. 1. $15 Service Charge: One of the more popular misleading ads found online today is the $15 service charge. What these locksmith companies fail to tell customers is that their labor rates start at $95 per hour, and that they never pick locks – they drill them. So in addition to service and labor charges, their lockout victims are usually also invoiced for the cost of a new lock. 2. 15 Minute Response: Many of the locksmiths that claim to have a $15 service charge also claim to have a 15 minute response time. Unless one of these scammers is your neighbor, and happens to be home when you call, it is next to impossible for him to meet with you in 15 minutes. Taking down a street address and then entering it into a GPS, fighting traffic, finding parking, and walking from the service vehicle to the customer’s door almost always takes more than 15 minutes. 3. 24/7 Service: More than half of those locksmith companies that advertise online boast “24 hour”, “24/7”, or “24-7-365” emergency service. Many of these same companies however, do not run ads after 11:00 pm. 4. Trade Memberships: Some locksmith companies claim in their ads to provide safe and vault services. When you visit their websites however, there is no evidence of them belonging to any of the leading trade organizations, such as the Safe and Vault Technicians Association, the National Safeman Organization, or the Associated Locksmiths of America. Any safe or vault technician worth his salt is a member of at least one of these organizations. 5. Insurance, Licensing, and Bonding: Perhaps the most popular lie found in online locksmith ads is that they are insured, licensed, and/or bonded. At the present time there is no licensing body for locksmiths in the province of Ontario; and to become bonded, a locksmith must join a trade organization. When you visit the websites of these companies however, there is no evidence of them belonging to a trade organization, let alone of them being insured. 6. Training: Many of these locksmith companies also claim to hire only “skilled”, “trained”, or “qualified” technicians. When you visit their websites however, there is no mention of where, when, or by who these technicians were trained. There is also no explanation of how their technicians are staying current on the many changes made annually in lock and key designs. 7. Local: Finally, the locksmiths that advertise online in Burlington, Hamilton, and Stoney Creek for example, almost always claim to be “local”. When you visit their contact page however, you almost always find that they are located in Toronto, or in some cases, the United States. An alarming number of those locksmith companies that advertise online present themselves as being cheap, fast, convenient, insured, skilled, and local, when in actuality they are often none or few of these things. To avoid being scammed by one of these companies always do a little detect work first. I recommend checking to see that they are listed with the Better Business Bureau; reading their profile page on Home Stars, Yelp, and/or Google Plus; and visiting their contact page to see where they are truly located.

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KEY WON’T TURN IN THE IGNITION — A STICKY SITUATION! LET SOUTH SHORE LOCKSMITH HELP You’re running late for an appointment. You get in your trusty car, slip your key in the ignition and low and behold, the key won’t turn in the ignition. Your mind starts racing with possibilities. After your initial panic, take a deep breath and read on and discover what to do when your key won’t turn in the ignition. First, there’s no need to panic. When all else fails, know that a trusted locksmith like the professionals at South Shore Locksmith can always help you out of a scary situation, like when your key won’t turn in the ignition. There are many reasons your key is failing to respond but there are three that are among the most reasonable reasons. Here are the top three reasons why this sticky situation could be happening: Problems with the key itself Ignition lock cylinder problems Issues with related components Before you do anything, put on your parking brake, to ensure that your vehicle is secure. Now let’s begin to assess the situation to why the key won’t turn in the ignition. PROBLEMS WITH KEYS: The Key is Bent: The bend in the key may be so small you might not have noticed it, but it will still create a situation where the key won’t turn in the ignition. It even fits inside the ignition, but when you go to turn the key — it won’t budge. The problem is once the key is inside it won’t align correctly to start the car. You may be able to solve the bent key problem with a trusty hammer, firmly tapping it to straighten and then trying it again to see if it will properly align and start the car. Worn Out Keys: This is a very common problem, especially with older vehicles. When these types of keys become worn out it makes the pins located within the cylinder not to properly drop and start the engine. This is why your key won’t turn in the ignition. The best way to deal with this is to replace the key. If the car has two keys, try the spare. To get a new key made you can try and contact the dealership or a reliable locksmith like South Shore Locksmith! You’ll need the car’s VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) which is located on a label either on the driver’s side windshield or look inside the door jamb. You Have the Wrong Key: Anyone can make this mistake! With so many keys that look just the same you may have taken the wrong key, it may actually fit into the ignition, but because it will not properly align, it’s not going to start the car. Make sure you have the right key and try again. ISSUES WITH RELATED COMPONENTS: The Steering Wheel: This is my key won’t turn 101, the first lesson many of us learn. In many vehicles the steering wheel can lock when you remove the key, sometimes this lock gets stuck, and all you need to do is gently but firmly turn the wheel. Most of the time this will relieve the pressure in the lock, and the steering wheel will turn. Now you should be able to start your engine. What Gear Are You In? For many vehicles, if the gear is not safely in park, the car will not start. It’s a safety feature that we often forget about because, as drivers, we automatically put the car in park and remove the key. Sometimes without noticing it, the gear can get shifted causing the safety feature to trigger and us not being able to start the engine. This is only a feature in automatic transmissions. The simple fix, place the car in park and it should start right up. RIP Battery! If your battery has died, your key may not turn in the ignition. With the advent of more complicated electronic ignitions, this is just another way of your car communicating with you. Notice if the lights are not turning on or maybe you’ve had to jump start your car recently? This could be the reason you can’t turn the key. Verify that the battery is dead and replace it or jump start the battery and then you should be able to turn the key. IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER PROBLEMS: Obstruction: If the key cylinder has a blockage, the key won’t turn in the ignition. To determine if there is an obstruction in the key cylinder look inside with a flashlight. The most common thing you’ll see with this type of ailment is metal debris. Cleaning out the blockage can be dangerous and may be best left to a professional locksmith. To clean away debris, you’ll need an electrical cleaner or compressed air. Always wear safety goggles to protect your eyes and make sure the area is well ventilated. Once the blockage is removed, the key should be able to slide in and turn. Stuck Pins and Springs: The pins and springs located inside the key cylinder each are uniquely shaped so that only your key will be able to start the engine. If the pins and springs are jammed, your key won’t turn in the ignition. Once these parts age or are damaged, that nice fit is altered so that your key won’t turn. If the pins and springs are just a little stuck jiggling the wheel or tapping it gently with a hammer to vibrate the key cylinder may help loosen the jammed pins and springs. Once they’re in place, the key should turn. You should then follow up with a lubricant to help the pins and springs stay loose. Although there may be some quick fixes when your key in the ignition, sometimes your best bet is leaving the problem to a professional. South Shore Locksmith has the skills, key cutters, and blanks for every type of car. You won’t have to worry if your key is either worn or broken, they’ll cut a key from code. In the short run, you could try and fix the issue and then end up doing more damage which will cost you more money. Instead, trust a professional locksmith like South Shore Locksmith to fix any problem — like when your key won’t turn in the ignition! We’re here to help with keys and locks the first time.

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Tips To Help You Avoid An Apartment Lockout

July 28, 2017 Apartment lockout There could be many reasons to being locked out of the apartment but the most common reason for this is the bad memory which does not let you take your keys from the table every time when you leave your apartment for work. Lockout problem can also happen when you lost your keys or they just broke off in the lock etc. But there is nothing to be worried about as the lock change and locksmith options are available in the market which made the apartment lockout problem solved within seconds. Indeed, you can take help from the companies who provide the locksmith services, as they have professional staff and tools, who has been trained to provide emergency locksmith services but not getting locked out in the first place is probably the best solution to get rid of this situation. Following we are sharing some tips to help you avoid an apartment lockout. Defiantly, these tips could be applied to any other building as well including offices and shops etc. 1. Double check before closing the door: This one is the easiest way to avoid a lockout. But sometimes, it could be hard to remember that you have to double check the keys of your apartment in your pocket or bag before leaving the house. To remind yourself, place a poster on your front door which says that you have to check your door keys before closing the door. 2. Always have a spare key: Having a spare key of your apartment is a great idea to avoid an apartment lockout. The locksmith can help you to make a duplicate key of your apartment in very cheap price. You can also give this spare key to the one of your most trusted neighbor, friend or family member. You can even consider exchanging spare key with them so that you can help each other in case of a lockout. 3. Ask about the master key: The landlords always have the master keys of their properties. They have this key for the maintenance checks and security upgrades. In the case of a lockout, ask your landlord to provide you a master key so that you can enter in your apartment. The landlord may ask for the money for the master key as he has to be at your place for this purpose. 4. Use a key finder: In the market, now there are small gadgets available which can help you to find keys. You need to place a small device over your key and get it connected with your Smartphone with the help of Bluetooth technology. Yet, this is a great way to find keys or remind you to pick the keys before leaving the apartment but it is the most expensive among all. 5. Find a locksmith: While the above-mentioned tips are enough for you to avoid and apartment lockout, but still if you failed to follow them and still got lockout, then there is no better way than taking advantage of emergency locksmith services. The professional locksmith service provider will unlock the door within second under no pressure. So, get in touch with a professional locksmith, so that you can take advantage of his services in case of a lockout.

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Using efficient Locks to Secure Your Home

There have been lots of concerns about improving home security, and one of the practical ways you can do that is through the use of efficient locks. Locks can provide you maximum security; however, when choosing a new door make such as side door or garage entry door make sure you use efficient locks to avoid break-ins. In Consumer Reports past trial of entry doors, most usually fail when the battering ram is used. That implies the lock you choose is essential to your home safety. To be secure and safe, Consumer Reports suggests you do the following: Use locks with a reinforced-metal box strike and a 1-inch-long dead bolt. Fix the locks with 3-inch-long screws to hold the framing beyond the doorjamb. Make sure the doors that lead from the garage into your home is done in the same manner. Use high-security locks that are made of unique pin configurations, hardened cylinders, and other defenses. Our testers spent weeks hammering, picking, pummeling, prying, and drilling. Frequently, the door we use most such as a side door or carport section door provides the least security. These doors require Grade 1 locks for top-grade security. Ensure you search for an ANSI or BHMA rating on the product or box detail page of any deadbolt you buy for an entry point. Schlage ConnectTM Touchscreen lock and The Schlage SenseTM Smart lock both provide the best industry rating for durability and security, and are great choices for simple electronic access that works with the most recent technologies. Schlage mechanical locks have additionally earned a Grade 1 rating. Improving your home's security is frequently a matter of combining durable and reliable hardware. The following checklists are useful approaches to keeping your property (and everybody in it) safe and secure: Secure frequently used doors and entries (such as the one linking your garage to your home) with a Grade 1 (top-grade security) locks., Schlage SenseTM, Schlage's mechanical deadbolts, and Schlage ConnectTM are excellent choices; they are, trusted in more than 40 million homes. Ensure windows are likewise secured with quality locks. Don’t hide extra keys outside. Electronic locks make it easy to share access to your home. *Arm your home with an alarm system. Numerous door locks, cameras, smoke *detectors and other gadgets would now be able to integrate with these *systems to enhance security throughout the home. *Equip every outside door with a wide-ankle eye viewer that ensures you *identify guests before opening the door. *Ensure all sliding glass doors have no less than one of the following: *Track bolt *Hinged entryway bar *Insertion stick bolt *Locks can be very effective in securing your home; therefore to get *professional services, visit any locksmith services close to you today.

[integrumlocksmith]

Tips To Help You Avoid An Apartment Lockout

There could be many reasons to being locked out of the apartment but the most common reason for this is the bad memory which does not let you take your keys from the table every time when you leave your apartment for work. Lockout problem can also happen when you lost your keys or they just broke off in the lock etc. But there is nothing to be worried about as the lock change and locksmith options are available in the market which made the apartment lockout problem solved within seconds. Indeed, you can take help from the companies who provide the locksmith services, as they have professional staff and tools, who has been trained to provide emergency locksmith services but not getting locked out in the first place is probably the best solution to get rid of this situation. Following we are sharing some tips to help you avoid an apartment lockout. Defiantly, these tips could be applied to any other building as well including offices and shops etc. 1. Double check before closing the door: This one is the easiest way to avoid a lockout. But sometimes, it could be hard to remember that you have to double check the keys of your apartment in your pocket or bag before leaving the house. To remind yourself, place a poster on your front door which says that you have to check your door keys before closing the door. 2. Always have a spare key: Having a spare key of your apartment is a great idea to avoid an apartment lockout. The locksmith can help you to make a duplicate key of your apartment in very cheap price. You can also give this spare key to the one of your most trusted neighbor, friend or family member. You can even consider exchanging spare key with them so that you can help each other in case of a lockout. 3. Ask about the master key: The landlords always have the master keys of their properties. They have this key for the maintenance checks and security upgrades. In the case of a lockout, ask your landlord to provide you a master key so that you can enter in your apartment. The landlord may ask for the money for the master key as he has to be at your place for this purpose. 4. Use a key finder: In the market, now there are small gadgets available which can help you to find keys. You need to place a small device over your key and get it connected with your Smartphone with the help of Bluetooth technology. Yet, this is a great way to find keys or remind you to pick the keys before leaving the apartment but it is the most expensive among all. 5. Find a locksmith: While the above-mentioned tips are enough for you to avoid and apartment lockout, but still if you failed to follow them and still got lockout, then there is no better way than taking advantage of emergency locksmith services. The professional locksmith service provider will unlock the door within second under no pressure. So, get in touch with a professional locksmith, so that you can take advantage of his services in case of a lockout.

[integrumlocksmith]

Using efficient Locks to Secure Your Home

There have been lots of concerns about improving home security, and one of the practical ways you can do that is through the use of efficient locks. Locks can provide you maximum security; however, when choosing a new door make such as side door or garage entry door make sure you use efficient locks to avoid break-ins. In Consumer Reports past trial of entry doors, most usually fail when the battering ram is used. That implies the lock you choose is essential to your home safety. To be secure and safe, Consumer Reports suggests you do the following: Use locks with a reinforced-metal box strike and a 1-inch-long dead bolt. Fix the locks with 3-inch-long screws to hold the framing beyond the doorjamb. Make sure the doors that lead from the garage into your home is done in the same manner. Use high-security locks that are made of unique pin configurations, hardened cylinders, and other defenses. Our testers spent weeks hammering, picking, pummeling, prying, and drilling. Frequently, the door we use most such as a side door or carport section door provides the least security. These doors require Grade 1 locks for top-grade security. Ensure you search for an ANSI or BHMA rating on the product or box detail page of any deadbolt you buy for an entry point. Schlage ConnectTM Touchscreen lock and The Schlage SenseTM Smart lock both provide the best industry rating for durability and security, and are great choices for simple electronic access that works with the most recent technologies. Schlage mechanical locks have additionally earned a Grade 1 rating. Improving your home's security is frequently a matter of combining durable and reliable hardware. The following checklists are useful approaches to keeping your property (and everybody in it) safe and secure: Secure frequently used doors and entries (such as the one linking your garage to your home) with a Grade 1 (top-grade security) locks., Schlage SenseTM, Schlage's mechanical deadbolts, and Schlage ConnectTM are excellent choices; they are, trusted in more than 40 million homes. Ensure windows are likewise secured with quality locks. Don’t hide extra keys outside. Electronic locks make it easy to share access to your home. Arm your home with an alarm system. Numerous door locks, cameras, smoke detectors and other gadgets would now be able to integrate with these systems to enhance security throughout the home. Equip every outside door with a wide-ankle eye viewer that ensures you identify guests before opening the door. Ensure all sliding glass doors have no less than one of the following: Track bolt Hinged entryway bar Insertion stick bolt Locks can be very effective in securing your home; therefore to get professional services, visit any locksmith services close to you today.

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Rekeying Vs. Replacing Your Locks: What You Need To Know

What do most people immediately do when they have cause to question the security of their existing locks? They replace them. However, while this solution most certainly works, it’s not the only one out there. Unbeknownst to many people, it’s possible to keep your existing lock unit and simply rekey it. How Does Rekeying Differ From A Lock Change? During a lock change, the homeowner (or business owner, as the case may be) purchases a complete set of new lock hardware. They then remove the old unit and install the new one, or hire a professional locksmith to do so for them. During a rekeying, on the other hand, the old lock unit is preserved. Instead of discarding it, a locksmith will carefully remove just the lock cylinder and replace the pins within it so that they respond to a new key. Unless your existing lock is damaged in some way, rekeying is every bit as secure as a full lock exchange. Once the pins in your lock have been changed, the old key will no longer work under any circumstances. The two major differences between these processes are price and complexity. Purchasing a new lock unit is substantially more expensive than rekeying an existing lock; however, rekeying is a more delicate operation to perform. The only caveat to consider when seeking rekeying services is that it’s better to have the old key with you (otherwise your locksmith will need to pick the lock cylinder before starting to rekey it). While picking a lock won’t be a problem for most locksmiths, it can sometimes result in additional fees. If you want to change your locks because you’ve lost your keys, you should therefore carefully review these extra charges to ensure that rekeying is still a better deal than replacing the unit. Can I Rekey A lock Myself, Or Will I Need Locksmith Services? Rekeying absolutely requires the skills and expertise of a professional locksmith; as stated above, it’s a very delicate, precise operation. However, even with the aid of a locksmith, rekeying is still the less expensive option in most situations. Hiring a locksmith is also the more expedient choice: If you have pressing security concerns, an emergency locksmith should be able to rekey your lock within an hour or two. If your existing locks precisely match the color, style, and finish of other fixtures and hardware around your home, rekeying is an excellent home security solution. Like lock replacement, it will render your old keys unusable, all without the added expense and hassle of purchasing a new unit.

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The Qualities of a Good Locksmith

Finding a local locksmith company is not difficult with the help of technology. The search engine like Google has made it very easy for us. You can search for a company in case of an emergency locksmith but sadly this does not guarantee you the quality of their services. For this purpose, you need to do your own homework before you hire someone to unlock your house's or apartment's front door. A good locksmith company has a number of different qualities. Other than just looking at their reputation, trained staff, experience, low prices, tools and equipment, you must also look for the following things before hiring a locksmith. This will surely guarantee you that you have chosen a good and reliable company to unlock the doors and vehicles etc. They must have a license and identification: In Canada, licensing to become a locksmith or offer locksmith services is not really required in all states but a good locksmith company only hires the one with a license and proper identification. So, when you are choosing an emergency locksmith company, make sure to check their license. Many companies even share the picture of their license on their website so that their customer can identify it and have trust in their services. They charge reasonable prices for their services: Expensive does not guarantee you high quality or services or cheap prices does not mean that you will not get good services. So, beware of the company who charge very low or unrealistic price of their services including services like lock change etc. Scammed and fraud companies do offer their services in very cheap rates but in return, they get a view of your house which can be a danger. So, always ask for the charges in advance for their locksmith services. A good company will give you a written estimation of their services. Drilling is not the only services they are offering: Sometimes drilling and replacement have been required, but this is not the only option available in case of a lockout. So, if the company has provided you no other option than drilling or replacement, then do not hire them. A good locksmith company always has a trained staff and necessary tool to unlock the door without any drilling or replacement. The scammed company wants you to allow you to drill in the lock because this will allow them to earn more money. They give you a written estimation of their services: Before starting their services, a good locksmith company will provide you a written estimation of their services. This will avoid all type of hidden charges and you know in advance that how much you have to pay for their services. If the locksmith is not providing you any estimation of their services then there are chances of hidden charges which they will charge later. So, avoid a locksmith who does not provide you an estimation of their services in advance.

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What system, mechanism, device or other form of electronic and mechanical equipment doesn’t require repairs? It would be highly unlikely! So, why not the locks or even the keys of your house, car or any other property! After all, keys get distorted after years of use and locks might get loose or some parts might need replacement. In fact, when it comes to equipment useful to your security, it must not be neglected. Yet, people don’t seem to appreciate much the usefulness and actual purpose of lock repair. We prefer to wait a bit longer and replace the locks than fix them. At some particular cases, people wouldn’t even notice that their door locks would need repair. Though, the benefits are tremendous. When locks are maintained on time, they won’t need replacement any time soon unless you want to get newer ones of higher technologyRepairing the problems with the strike plate or other parts of the mechanism will keep the system resistantRepaired locks won’t give you headaches with abrupt problems that might also lock you outWhen you check and repair them regularly, the cost will be low and the problems confined to minimumOur auto locksmith crews will also advise you to check the locks of your vehicles, tooIf you have children, repair the cabinet locks as well Fix problematic locks today What will you do if you put the key in your lock but the cylinder turns altogether? How will you secure your home if you’ll try to lock the door for the night and the door won’t lock over a damaged strike plate? Let’s see the advantages of lock repair from the other side! Try to imagine of any situation that will bring you closer to serious security problems and the reason would be your failure to repair the locks! Rusty locksProblematic boltsConflict in the lock mechanismCylinder issuesDamaged strike platesMissing screws Any problem that will not allow you to enter your property and lock well is a major issue. Our Toronto locksmith crews remind you that: Repairs fix problems but Repairs also prevent problems It’s also important to understand and remember that locks are affected by the sun, rain, moisture, pressure, quality of locks, installation procedure and force. There are many parameters that will determine their condition and, thus, problems are not always avoidable. Yet, when their repair is a good solution, why should you risk security instead of reinforcing it?

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Common Security Features to Keep In Mind for Your Home

Thefts and burglaries are becoming a common happening in a lot of areas nowadays. There is however a certain steps that can be taken to ensure that one’s house are not looted: Make sure that all the locks are in place and the alarm system is turned on. IT is important to make sure that the doors and the windows are locked. Windows that come with interlocking mechanism should be aligned in an efficient manner. The practice of keeping a spare key in some location outside the main door should be dissuaded. The entry doors of the house should be made of sturdy material and should be reinforced if necessary with metal or by solid wood. Many people do not take the above points seriously. They think that installing hi-tech gadgets will alone solve their problem. However, taking other such measures is equally important.

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How to Secure Sliding Glass Doors

Sliding glass doors are a great way to add light to a home. To thieves and intruders, they’re known as an easy point of entry. This is because the locks are generally weaker and can be forced open with a little effort. If the door is single pane glass, it can be broken easily. Some can even be lifted off the tracks. There are a few simple ways to secure the doors, increasing security and peace of mind. Most sliding glass doors are made with weak or brittle latches, which can be broken when forced. One option is to have a new lock installed in the bottom track to prevent forced entry. You may have an additional hole drilled into the moving door to keep it locked in an open position, allowing for fresh air while staying secure. If you're not interested in changing your locks, security bars are another option. They fit into the exposed door track and prevent it from being opened. Depending on the material and quality of the bars, they may be able to withstand great amounts of force. Security bars are available with or without a locking device. The glass used in your doors may also be a point of weakness. Double pane or wire-embedded glass is stronger than the more common single pane doors. If your biggest concern is the glass, your best bet would be to purchase new doors that already have stronger glass. This may actually be a cheaper option than replacing the glass alone. Intruders sometimes lift sliding doors off their tracks. To prevent this, you should maintain your doors by cleaning rollers and tightening screws. Self-tapping screws should be installed in the top track. These screws will allow movement but prevent the doors from being removed.

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Are you locked out of your bedroom? If you are locked out of your room, there are many ways you can go about getting back in. Find the best solution here.

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Buying a keypad door lock can be overwhelming if you do not know what to look for. To make the right choice, and check out our list of keypad door locks.

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Do you have a broken lock? These quick solutions will help you fix your broken lock without any hassle. Learn about the solutions for your broken lock here.