A Locksmith is a person who makes, repairs, or modifies locks for a variety of purposes. Locksmiths make and reuse keys when issued changeable locksets and disable non-functional locks by drilling into them or changing key locks. Locksmiths are experienced in fitting and installing new locks and key sets. These locks are taken for corporations, residential, business, and personal applications requiring varying levels of physical protection to safeguard assets from unauthorized access. Locksmith services also include key duplication or design and key replacement if necessary. For example, if a business owner’s safe is stolen, a locksmith can replace all the safes in the building with new ones. A locksmith also provides emergency service by re-keying automobile ignition interlocks.
Companies and individuals offer locksmith services. Private Locksmith services may consist of repair and installation of high-security locks. In this case, the locksmith would evaluate the type of high-security locks, the locations where the locks need to be changed, and how many to replace. This consultation usually is free, but depending on the number of locks to be replaced, the cost could be out-of-pocket unless the locksmith has a prior arrangement with a particular company or government agency.
Most residential customers require only routine maintenance such as oiling the key locks, replacing springs, and cleaning the mechanisms. However, for high-security lock installations, routine maintenance is not enough to keep these locks working effectively. The locksmith must perform special maintenance procedures to ensure that the locks function correctly, such as replacing deadbolts, adjusting combination locks, changing cylinder locks, and oiling and overhauling deadbolt and drawer locks.
Commercial customers usually have several types of keys and require locksmiths to be available to assist them. Most commercial buildings will have multiple entry doors, which are used multiple times per day. Each employee in a commercial establishment will need a set of keys. Having professional locksmiths available on call to assist with lost or duplicated key issues will help maintain the integrity of this highly secured area.
Businesses often have hundreds, if not thousands, of keys to a building. Many of these keys will belong to one or more employees who work in a single office. Having an on-call, an onsite locksmith can assist with the needs of a business owner when he experiences a problem with a particular employee’s access to company property. For example, if an employee gives another employee access to company property without asking for authorization, the owner may have a problem on his hands. Suppose a locksmith is contacted on this matter. In that case, the locksmith will assess the situation and recommend whether the employer should change the locks or take steps to alter the employees’ access to the property.
Businesses that need an immediate Locksmith service can also contact a local locksmith to assist with a customer’s automotive emergency. For example, a customer that has locked his keys in his car may be desperate to get them back. A locksmith can provide the customer with assistance by providing a duplicate key or unlocking the door from inside. Some locksmith companies offer services that include unlocking the door, opening the trunk, and getting to the locked car. In addition, if there is another locked item in the vehicle that the customer is trying to access, a locksmith can often provide a means to reach it from the locked trunk.
In some cases, homeowners may experience problems with their deadbolts or other locks. For example, when using a standard key to operate a deadbolt, the combination is printed on a label that hangs on the side of the lock. Locksmith services will often replace the deadbolt and the door lock by repairing the mechanism inside the door. This repair process will usually require tools such as a hammer, chisel, screwdriver, and wrench. Once the damage has been repaired, a new key can be installed, and the door and drawer locks replaced with a brand new set.
For more significant issues such as broken locks or damaged locks, a locksmith will often consult with a security systems company or the homeowner to determine the best course of action for the situation. In most cases, a locksmith will replace the lock if the damage is severe enough to warrant replacing it. In other cases, the locksmith will install a new, safe lock on the door and use the replacement key to operate the new lock. A locksmith’s services are essential for all types of security-related issues.