After a long day of work, you return home and find you can’t open your front door. A stuck deadbolt lock can be a frustrating discovery. This is a common problem between seasons because extreme weather changes can cause the house foundation to shift and doors to misalign.  The door shifting may cause the deadbolt to be caught under the door’s weight.

Try the following methods to free the deadbolt:

If the door is still stuck, you will have to use a mallet to remove the hinges and take down the door. Once the door is removed, you can check to see if the problem is a broken deadbolt or unaligned door. If you’ve freed the door, you take the following steps to prevent a pressure problem in the future.

Preventing a Stuck Deadbolt Due to Pressure

This should prevent the door from becoming stuck in the future. You should also check for rusting on the latch plate because the rough parts may catch the bolt. If you need to have your lock replaced, a locksmith is just a phone call away with TalkLocal.   Go to the TalkLocal website to fill out a short request form and get connected with a local locksmith in 90 seconds!

Buying new locks for a door can be expensive, so it is advised that you simply rekey your locks. Better yet, learn how to rekey your own locks so that you can save yourself the time and cost of getting locks rekeyed by a professional.

How to Rekey a Lock

You can buy a rekey toolkit for around $10 in a utility store, such as a Home Depot. Rekey toolkits exist for most popular brands — if you have a lock that is pretty old or is custom-made/foreign, consult a professional instead of reading this guide.

Buying a toolkit is a good investment because it is designed for a brand of lock and can be used multiple times (depending on the number of the pins that came with the toolkit). Most toolkits can be used around six times.

First, remove the knob of the door that you want to rekey. To remove the doorknob, insert a metal wire into the side of the knob, depress the knob, and pull it off. Then push the lock cylinder out from the knob by pushing it out after popping off the knob sleeve.

There is a retainer ring on the cylinder that secures the contents of the lock cylinder. Push the retainer tool against the proper slot of the retainer ring to remove it. If you don’t know the proper slot, refer to the instruction manual that came attached with the toolkit.

Remove the cylinder plug from the cylinder. The cylinder plug houses all the small pins that come down on the key to make sure the key is a match before unlocking. Once the cylinder plug is out of the cylinder, you can replace these small pins with the pins that came when you bought the toolkit.

Replace the color-coded pins to match your new key (that also came with the new toolkit). Then carefully put everything back and it should be set. Test the lock (without actually locking the door at the frame) to test if the key works. If it doesn’t work, take it apart to see what went wrong and fix the problem.

Additional Help

If you feel like you need professional help on figuring out the cost of getting locks rekeyed, TalkLocal can put you on the phone with the correct local experts in minutes.

Most modern cars come standard with an electronic key remote, which is also known as a “fob.” Fobs allow car owners to unlock their cars quickly as they approach, without having to stop and use the manual key. They also often control the alarm system of the car. Losing this remote can be a huge hassle as they are coded specifically for your car and you cannot just go buy a new one. Fortunately, there is a process for getting a new fob in the event that you lose yours or the battery dies. Read on to find out how to replace car key remote and get back to the automatic unlocking that you are so used to.

The first thing to do is determine whether your key remote simply needs its battery replaced, rather than the entire unit. If this is the case, you can usually switch out the battery yourself and save some significant cash.  Check out this tutorial for information on getting your fob open and buying the right type of battery.

For situations where battery replacement is not going to cut it (such as when your unit is completely wrecked or just lost), you will need to get a completely new replacement key remote. To do this you will need to go to a dealership that makes your exact type of car. Before going, be sure that you know your vehicle’s make, model, and year. You will also need to know your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN can be found in your car’s owner’s manual, as well as the bottom left corner of the windshield and the inside of the driver’s side door panel. With this info, head out to the right dealership and they will have the equipment to program a new key remote that works on your individual car.

If you have lost your keys as well as your remote and need to access your vehicle, you can use TalkLocal to find a locksmith in your area. All you have to do is enter your availability, location, and a description of your problem and TalkLocal will automatically connect you to a quality professional in just a few minutes.

A deadbolt is a very secure type of locking mechanism.  It reinforces the lock on a door by making it more difficult to open.  It cannot be moved into the open position unless the lock cylinder is rotated. Adding a deadbolt will add resistance to entering without the right key do so your home will be more secure.  It is most commonly used as a complement to a normal spring bolt lock at the entrance of the building.  Learn how to install a deadbolt strike plate with the information we’ve provided below.

Installing the strike plate for a deadbolt has to be a very exact process.  A lot of people make the same mistakes when attempting to self-install a deadbolt’s strike plate.  Most commonly, they do not align the strike plate in the exact position to line up with the spring.  Many people also try to install a new strike plate in the same hole formed by the previous strike plate.  They may also be using the wrong size screw because a strike plate requires long ones.

Installing your deadbolt strike plate

When you install a strike plate, there are three parts.  You have to assemble the strike frame reinforce, metal liner and finished strike plate.  You must make sure that you are not installing this new strike plate in the same hole that the old one used because otherwise it will not have good wood to attach to and your plate will fall loose almost immediately.  You will first have to create a slightly large hole.  Then, screw in the rough strike plate.  Next, using two long (3 inch) screws, penetrate the wall frame.  You will need to drill pilot holes for them first.  Then insert both the metal liner and finished strike plate.  You should make sure to test your lock and make any necessary adjustments.

Continuing problems

If you cannot seem to install the deadbolt strike plate properly, have questions before starting, or would like a professional to help you should find qualified companies who can help you out.  Use TalkLocal to be put in contact with reliable local locksmiths immediately.  Just input your problem, location and availability and TalkLocal will do the rest.  Within minutes you should be on the phone with someone who is ready to help you out.

There is nothing more frustrating than getting locked out of your car and staring at your keys through the window. What makes it even worse is if you left your engine running. Luckily, there are ways to get inside most locked cars, so you can retrieve your keys without having to deal with a car dealership or a locksmith.  Below are some tips on how to get keys out of locked car.

Using a coat hanger

You are extremely lucky if you have an older car with the lock that presses up and down. Straighten out a wire coat hanger, curl the end into a little hook and slide it between the side or vent window and rubber molding. Use the hook to grab the button and pop it up.

Using  a jimmy

Go to a gas station if you are fortunate enough to be parked near one. Many of them have a jimmy you can use to open your door. It slips between the door and window and works on the locking system in the door, opening it easily.

Using roadside assistance

Call your roadside assistance provider. Your plan will probably have a service policy for opening locked cars.

Breaking a vent

Try breaking the small vent window if you absolutely must get into your car. It is relatively cheap to replace.

Using a code

If you have a newer car, check to see if your keys have been coded. Some codes are engraved on the key; others are hidden inside a plastic piece on the key. Have a key made at no charge by calling the code in to a locksmith. The cost of the locksmith’s visit will still be cheaper than having locksmith make a wax model and then craft a new key.

If none of these options work, use TalkLocal to immediately get in contact with local locksmiths who can help you.

We have all heard of identity fraud, bank account fraud, and credit card fraud, but how about locksmith frauds?  Whether it is well known or not, this type of deception is sweeping the country.  Since locksmith services are frequently unplanned occurrences, it is important to know what to look for to protect yourself from getting cheated.

Locksmith fraud usually arises in the simple form of overcharging for services.  The “locksmiths” will give an expected rate to a customer over the phone, perform the service, and then demand much more money than originally projected.  Many of these swindlers are not even licensed locksmiths and their advertisements actually present fake information. The swindlers take advantage of customers’ vulnerable situation and lack of expertise.

Avoiding locksmith fraud starts with a few simple steps.  First of all, always demand a price upfront.  If this price changes for any reason throughout the service call, refuse to pay.  It is unlikely that these extra charges are legitimate, so stick to what you were originally given.  Additionally, always stay smart and alert during a service call.  If the locksmith arrives in an unmarked vehicle, do not be afraid to inquire about his validity.  Posing as a certified member of this type of profession is becoming all too common, so be cautious of con artists.  Above all, do not pay for anything before the service is complete.

It is especially important to be vigilant in matters of home security.  Choosing a locksmith for updates in residential security should not be a rushed process.  Reviews, referrals, and licenses are all meaningful things to look through before making a decision.  This is always something to keep in mind before giving someone access to your home.

If you do fall victim to a case of locksmith fraud, do not hesitate to report it.  Contact local officials, state government, or the Better Business Bureau to find and ultimately expel these faulty services from the market. Next time, use TalkLocal to find a reputable locksmith. TalkLocal uses social reputation, online reviews and rankings, and call analytics to ensure that you are matched with high quality locksmith in your area.

Getting locked out for a long period of time is inconvenient, embarrassing, and just downright irritating; but let’s face it–it is something everyone seems to go through at least once in life.  However, if you have managed to escape this dreadful experience thus far, taking a few precautions in the future can help to keep it that way!

The best way to avoid getting locked out is to have spare keys available.  These are inexpensive and easy to make, yet can save you valuable time and money should the originals be out of reach.  Leaving a spare key to your house or car in your bag or briefcase is a great practice.  This way it is always on your person and not at risk of being locked inside.

Another option is to place a spare inside a magnetic case somewhere in the vicinity of the locked item.  These are also fairly easy to purchase and conveniently hold your key in the very place you would need it during a lockout.  However, be sure to place the magnetic case in an inconspicuous location – it is only you, not an intruder, that should be able to find it.  Finally, leaving a spare key to your house or car with a trusted friend or family member can be useful.  This person should be easy to contact and close enough to meet you if you find yourself locked out.

Putting spare keys in the most accessible locations is helpful for you in the case of a lockout, but be aware of one important restriction:  never leave a spare key to your house inside your car.  If for any reason your car should be broken into, you do not want to compromise the security of your home, as well.

Even if you adhere to all these tips, accidents can happen.  Therefore, having a backup service to call in the event of a lockout is a good idea.  Many insurance companies will offer assistance in this area, so check with yours to find out their policies.  Also membership such as AAA can quickly send you professional help if you are in the middle of an automobile crisis.  If you are not eligible for these types of aids, TalkLocal can easily connect you with a nearby locksmith.  In a situation where time is of the essence, TalkLocal can meet your needs. A consumer is usually on the phone with a service provider just 90 seconds after submitting a request!