Naperville Locksmith Pro: Lock Maintenance

Did you buy a lock recently and you’ve already had to replace it? We hear a lot of that at Naperville Locksmith Pro. But, we also know that on many occasions when your locks stop functioning well, it is because they haven’t been taken care of properly. Yes! Locks need to be maintained. It doesn’t matter if it is a padlock, a deadbolt or some other fancy type of lock. The better you care for your locks, the longer they will last.

If you want to make sure that your money doesn’t go down the drain when you purchase a lock, make sure that you take care of it. This goes for expensive locks too. Not because they are expensive, it doesn’t mean that they are self-maintaining. You have to treat them well so they can last for a long time.

How Do You Treat Your Locks?

Have you ever stopped to check your lock to see if all is well? Or are you the type that just opens and closes the lock and then go about your business? This is not a good practice. There may be damage to your lock that you haven’t noticed, or there could be a strain on your lock and because you haven’t been paying attention, it becomes ineffective.

Remember, the locks on your home, car and business are there for a reason. They are there to protect you. If you keep them in disrepair they will be unable to do their job. Don’t ignore them and treat them as if they value nothing. They are one of the main reasons why you sleep so sound at night. Without those locks, you would be putting yourself at great risk of danger.

Tips for lock maintenance

You do not have to get a professional to help you with lock maintenance. There are a lot of things that you can do on your own. But, if you so desire, feel free to reach out to a locksmith in Naperville. You should be able to get all the maintenance you need for your locks at an affordable price. However, if you want to check your locks on your own, here are some things that you should do.

• Look for rust

Rust on your locks is not a very good thing. it means that the metal used to make your lock has begun to corrode. Once there is corrosion, the metal is getting weak. This makes you more susceptible to a break-in. If you see any sign of rust on your locks, make sure you get them changed as soon as you can. It is very important that you do not procrastinate. That’s a serious risk that you would be taking with your safety.

• Get rid of any dirt or dust

Dirt and dust on your locks can prevent moving parts from gliding over each other smoothly. Instead, they increase the amount of friction in the lock. Friction and locks do not go well together. That is a sure recipe for disaster. If you notice that there is any build up on the lock, clean it thoroughly. Make sure that you do not remove all lubrication. If you do, you will have to lubricate the lock afterwards.

• Check for damage to the lock

Sometimes there is damage to your lock but you will not notice it unless you take a very close look. Just inserting and removing the key from your lock is not enough for you to observe some types of damage that may be present. This is especially true if you are using locks that extend into the doorjamb. Take a few minutes to check out the lock and see if anything is odd.

For this to be successful, you should know what the lock looked like with no damage to it, so inspect your locks periodically to see the amount of wear and tear or damage that is present. Of course, if the damage is severe, you will have to replace the locks promptly.

• Lubricate your locks

Lubrication for locks? Yes, that’s correct! You should lubricate your locks periodically. Some recommend once a year, others say as necessary. Truth is, some locks are used more frequently than others and some may require lubrication more frequently too. Pay attention to your locks and determine how often they need to be lubricated. It is in your best interest that your locks remain functional.

• Do not stress or strain your locks

Stress and strain is not uncommon to locks. It is especially common when locks are used on doors. Sometimes, the hinge of the door is not able to properly sustain the weight of the door. As a result, the door tends to fall a bit. Since no adjustment is made to the locks on the door, they get affected. Ever had to slightly lift a door so you could get it locked? That’s a perfect example. Some cases are not so severe. But, this strain on the lock is not good for the lifespan of the lock and it is also not good for your safety.

If You Want Your Locks to Last for a Long Time, Maintain Them!

Some locks are definitely inferior to others. There’s no doubt about that. But, it doesn’t mean that you have to purchase a new lock ever so often. With proper maintenance, you should be able to get at least a few years worth of service from any lock that you purchase. Just make sure that you follow the tips outlined above and you will be all set to go.

If you need a locksmith for any maintenance advice, service or you need to replace a lock, call us at Naperville Locksmith Pro in Naperville, IL. We are your lock experts so we can handle any lock problem that you face. It doesn’t matter what type of lock you have on your home, car or business. We can take care of it for you. Just give us a call and let us know your concern.

A Locksmith instead of Auto Dealership

When you want or need a transponder key replaced, your first inclination may be to contact a dealership. While this may sound like the most logical thing to do, it isn’t the most practical thing to do. If you wish to save time and money, opt to allow a qualified locksmith service in Naperville, IL handle the job for you. Naperville Locksmith Pro helps many motorists who need additional keys. Although not having a spare key can pose various problems, hiring the wrong person to make a new key for you could be very frustrating. If you find yourself locked out of your car without a spare key, under any circumstances, it would prove to be very frustrating within itself.

This is compounded when you do not have a spare key. We know that it isn’t as though most motorists are resistant to having a spare key made, it is usually because they feel that it is too much of a hassle to have another one made. Still there are others who know that having a new transponder key made is more expensive than it is to have a regular key made. It stands to reason that a transponder key will cost more because of how they are designed. This type of key uses advanced technology and parts that are not used with a standard key. There are locksmith services in Illinois, such as Naperville Locksmith Pro, who offer 24-hour servicing and who have the right equipment needed to make you a new transponder key. We offer you what you need at a price that you can afford.

You might not think that a locksmith service will have all of the necessary equipment to handle the job but trust us when we tell you that most locksmiths know just how necessary having these tools are to their bottom line. If they want to gain a significant amount of the market share, they realize that they have to invest in this type of equipment. This is why you can be sure that most locksmiths will have the needed equipment to handle the job of making you a new transponder key. Since newer model automobiles are designed to use transponder keys, not having this type of equipment would become a financial problem for the locksmith service who doesn’t have it.

This is why it is in the best interest of a locksmith to have the appropriate equipment. The amount of money spent on this equipment will prove invaluable to most locksmith services. They can gain their fair share of the market and still help out those motorists who have transponder keys get back on the road again. Since the locksmith doesn’t have the same amount of overhead expenses that an auto dealership has, these savings are passed on to the customers.  This is certainly a good enough reason to rely on the services of a locksmith instead of an auto dealership for your service needs.

Additional reasons for relying on a locksmith instead of an auto dealership:

Serviced by a Professional Locksmith

Most locksmith services hire their locksmiths based on their training, skills and qualifications. In doing so, they are able to offer their customers the service they deserve from the most qualified service professionals. Knowing that you have someone on the job who is effective in handling the job means you’re sure to be able to get what you pay for. A reputable locksmith service who wishes to maintain their reputation will usually make sure that every employee meets specific qualifications before they will allow them to handle your service needs. They want to be certain that they will be able to help them maintain their status as being reputable. They will certainly make sure that their locksmiths are efficient in programming transponder keys. Their level of professionalism will be invaluable to continuing to grow their business. This is why you can be sure that they you will receive professional locksmith services.

Emergency Lockout Services

Whenever you’re locked out of your car, you can always count on a 24-hour locksmith service. While you can opt to have your car towed to a dealership, it would be much more cost effective to contact a locksmith to come to your aid. Most have emergency lockout services available around the clock. This is not necessarily the case when you rely on the services of a dealership. You might find yourself locked out after hours and may not be able to get into the dealership when you need to. When you contact a locksmith service, they will come to wherever you are to administer the help you need. You won’t have to worry about the added expense of a paying for a tow service on top of the expense of having your transponder key made.

Locksmiths Come to Your Location

We already mentioned that you are able to save money on the expense associated with getting your car to the dealership. In addition to paying for a tow service to take your car to the dealership, you’ll also be responsible for service fees that may not be directly related to what you are having the car towed in for. Remember those extra fees that they tack on due to their overhead expenses. When you rely on a locksmith, the locksmith will come to your location to address your service needs. When they arrive they will have the necessary tools and equipment to handle the job you have for them. There are very few locksmith services who do not offer 24-hour mobile services. It would be in your best interest to only allow a qualified locksmith service to attend to your service needs given all of the benefits it offers to you.

When you have an unexpected problem and need a new transponder key made consider what a locksmith is capable of doing for you. When you take the time to really think about how much time and money you save, we’re sure you’ll make the right choice.

Signs Better Security is Needed

The team of experts at Naperville Locksmith Pro provides important services to those in Naperville, Illinois looking to enjoy better security, but the information that they have provided here is useful for anyone, no matter where they happen to be located. Commercial properties and residential properties need protection that is sure to prevent items from getting stolen, and people from getting hurt. Having solutions such as a safe will do more than just keep items locked away from intruders, though – fireproof and water resistant safes can ensure that property is protected even if a fire or flood occurs. And certain solutions can enhance the organization that one has at their property. There are some surefire signs that better security is needed for your property. Here are some of them that have been provided:

1. Locks are falling apart. When you can see physically that your locks aren’t in good shape, it is time that you replace them. Better security is needed if your locks aren’t doing their job.
2. You just bought a new home. If you bought a new, previously owned home, it is important that you first rekey your locks if you aren’t going to replace them. When you buy a new home, you are buying a place that many contractors have had access to (lockbox key). If you forget to hire a lock and security provider, then you might end up with appliances or other items stolen from the home before you even fully move in. It is not exactly difficult to see when a home is not being lived in for an extended period of time. Anyone who drives by might notice that there are no cars in the driveway, or a lockbox on the front door. People can easily gain access to the lockbox key especially if they have been hired to work on the property. A sign that better security is needed is if you just bought a previously owned home.
3. You just don’t feel very safe. If you have a lingering feeling that something is missing, then you probably are in need of better security. What you have just isn’t enough to make you feel safe, and your gut is telling you this. Pay attention to how comfortable you feel when you are home alone. Would you feel that your teenagers are safe if left alone for a little bit of time? Is your dog safe while you aren’t home? If you feel that something isn’t right, then consider talking with a locksmith professional about additional security features.
4. You do not have a safe but you have lose money or even weapons at your property. Having money sitting around, out in the open, at a commercial property is extremely dangerous. You are practically inviting thieves to take your cash. If you have lose money in your home, this isn’t the best idea either. At one point or another, you are likely going to have contractors come into your house, whether that is to fix something or install something. Maybe you will even have a dog groomer or babysitter come to your home. Even if you mostly trust these people, you should still have valuable items or money locked away. Of course, if you have a weapon, it should always be kept locked up when not in use. You might have a gun for home protection in case anyone breaks in and threatens you. You will want it to be in a place that is easy for you to access, but it should be out of the reach of children. Locking it in a safe can mean that you still have quick and convenient access, but not just anyone can grab a hold of it. If you have a weapon or money sitting around and you don’t have a safe installed, then you need better security, hands down.
5. You had your property broken into. Maybe your car was broken into in a parking lot while you were shopping, enjoying a meal or working hard at your desk. Or perhaps your home was broken into and the locks were destroyed in the process. Whether your vehicle, commercial property or residence were broken into, it is important that you take the time to look into better security. You will need new locks installed. If you had a spare key sitting somewhere in your house, then you don’t want to risk not having the locks changed out. You can get something newer, better and stronger.

These are all definite signs that better security is needed at your property. Whether you are going off a feeling that something just isn’t right, or have a definite sign in front of you that new locks or even better features like deadbolts and access control are needed, it is important that you take the time to speak with a lock and security professional. There are an abundance of options which are available. You might be concerned that just anyone is able to get into certain points of your property, but you would feel better if they were closed off. Think about how access control could help you. You might have a patio which leads right into your kitchen, but there isn’t a lock. From lock installation, deadbolts and access control to break in repairs, lock rekeying and even the installation of safes, a locksmith such as the team at Naperville Locksmith Pro in Naperville, IL will be able to provide you with affordable options. Of course, if you aren’t in this area, be sure to do a search online or ask your friends if there is a locksmith that is local who they would recommend. You need to take matters into your own hands and pay attention to signs that your property, whether it is a home, car or office, is in need of better security. You must protect your belongings, yourself and your family.

Why Your Business Needs Security

Whether you have a small, medium or large business, it is a good idea to make sure you have sufficient security to protect your investment. A basic surveillance system is capable of recording your daily activities. It monitors your property and can see the coming and going of everyone who enters and leaves.  You might be surprised to find out what more modern surveillance systems are capable of doing now days.  With modern systems, you don’ t even have to worry about changing the tapes. They offer you a little more convenience than just basic surveillance system.

Having a more up-to-date surveillance system will help you save time and money in the long run. Aside from saving you time and money, there are a host of other benefits to consider, which are listed below.

Benefits of Video Surveillance

1. Improves Work Production

A camera can improve the way departments communicate between each other and other buildings. It can also help keep workers focused and less reluctant to waste their employer’s time and money.

2. Increases Safety and Security

Having cameras strategically installed throughout your business prevents crimes from occurring and help decrease break-ins.

3. Improved Employee Relations

When there is proof of specific employees moves, it is possible to quickly end disagreements related to where an employee was expected to be. They also help give evidence and proof of something that may occur between employees while at work.

4. Prevents False Claims

When someone falsely claims they have been injured at work, having a video monitor can give testimony to the incident. Security cameras will be able to prove or dispute the claims thus saving everyone time and costly claims.

5. Real-time Monitoring

Continuous monitoring of specific areas is possible from the comfort of your very own desk. All of the monitoring can be done in real-time.

6. Digital Storage

If you have an IP-based video surveillance system installed, you will benefit from its digital storage. IP systems let you store recorded footage digitally on the company’s network servers or hard-drives. This makes the surveillance video accessible to the appropriate people and makes searches fast and more convenient.

7. Helps to Avoid Theft

Video cameras that are visible help to prevent potential burglars from breaking into your business.

8. Better Reputation

When customers are aware of the cameras that you have invested in, they are given a better image of your business. It shows just how much you care about your business and their well being. They feel more comfortable doing business with you.

9. Safety & Security

You’re capable of keeping your business and employees safe. With cameras around, it usually prevents bad behavior. Devices that are installed in areas where they can be seen usually help minimize vandalism and violence to a greater degree.

10. Monitors Visitors

Even if you do no have access control throughout your business, having a surveillance camera is a great way to see who is in and out of your building at any given time. The camera records the date and time that visitors are on your property. If you require visitors to sign in, when someone gets by you without signing in, you are able to call them back to sign in.

11. Controls Crowds

If you are the type of business that draws large crowds of people, a camera is probably necessary in order for you to keep up with everyone.  If you don’t want your business to be destroyed by a single incident, have a camera present to capture the activity of others. Those monitoring the camera can act quickly if something appears to be getting out of control.

12. Visual Proof

When there is criminal activity involved, it helps to have proof. This is exactly what you receive when you have a video camera installed it gives evidence of a specific situation without having to take the word of somebody.

13. Remote Monitoring

Who doesn’t like the idea of being at two places at the same time! Well this is exactly what you are able to do when you have a surveillance camera installed. With an IP system, it enables you to view your footage remotely from the convenience of your very own computer monitor as long as it has network access. Several sites are able to communicate over the same network with all camera views visible online.

14. Entry & Exit Securely

Whenever there are a lot of people leaving an area at once, this can pose a threat to the safety and security of everyone around. Everybody is trying to either get in or out at the same time. Having a video surveillance in the key areas of entry and exits can prevent an incident from becoming dangerous. If you don’t protect your employees and customers, you can be held responsible.

15. Building Security

Any areas that are restricted can be breached. This is something that happens more often than people realize. A disgruntled employee might make it possible for others to gain access into these restricted areas. Having surveillance cameras installed means that you are not playing it safe. You take the threat of someone gaining access to your private or confidential information, seriously. You can never play it too safe if you think that you’re business is in jeopardy of being compromised.

After reading all of the numerous benefits of having a video surveillance system installed, you may have decided that this is absolutely necessary for your business. However, perhaps you are not in a position financially to take on such an investment. You can start out with a basic surveillance system and add upgrades as you’re finances improve. The problem would be if you didn’t at least try to get the help that you needed by at least consulting with a professional locksmith service, such as, Naperville Locksmith Pro in Naperville, IL, who can actually handle the job of installing the system for you, according to your specific needs. The locksmiths service will be a much more cost-effective option for installing your surveillance system.