Schwartz Hardware Locksmith

If you want to protect your home, family, and property from unwanted entry, the locks at your front door are the first line of defense. While there are many options, install locks with a sturdy deadbolt and use multi-level locking to improve door strength.

Did you know locksmithing can also be a hobby? King Louis XVI was an avid locksmithing enthusiast and was often encouraged in his hobby because of its practical application.

Did you realize that a new style of crime involves robbing homes and businesses to remove structural elements like copper piping and other materials? To understand if you have adequate security, use a facility security checklist to perform an informal review.

Is your deadbolt lock stiff and hard to turn? The culprit may be a misaligned inside trim piece. When the inside trim is higher than it should be, it can cause the tailpiece to tilt and rub against the retainer pin.

The name and phone number for a reliable locksmith is just as important to keep in the glove compartment as auto insurance information.

If you've just installed new locks in your small business, one way to help maintain security is to limit the number of keys you hand out and keep a list of keys you have in circulation, complete with who has possession of them.

Locks and deadbolts are of course intended to prevent burglary, however businesses can reduce risk to crime in many other ways too. Be sure that your establishment’s parking lots and storefronts are well lit at night, and establish staff policies requiring at least two people to open or close your business.

Do you have someone in your home that is disabled and can't easily manipulate a key in the front door lock? Give us a call and we can provide you with information about digital locks.

Unfortunately, it can be a major security hazard when an employee loses their keys. Even if they believe they’ve only left them at home, it’s a good idea to have a plan in place for calling in a locksmith to change the locks before someone that shouldn’t have access can use the keys.

Have you ever heard the term classroom function? This refers to a lock where the outside of a knob or lever is locked and unlocked by a key only. There is no thumb turn on the inside. Regardless of whether the lock is engaged, you may always exit freely.

So you've bought a brand new car with a security chip in the key. Did you know that you don't have to have duplicate keys made at a dealership. We can work with you to duplicate not only the key but the security chip and probably save you some time and money.

If your dead bolt is difficult to engage, it may be misaligned. In fact, problems with poorly adjusted deadbolts result in many of the service calls performed by locksmiths across the country every year.

Even though your business maybe in a part of town that never has burglaries, it’s still important to get in the habit of locking up shop when you are away. Most of the time, an ounce of prevention is all that's needed to deter criminals.

What is a panic bar? It is generally a metal bar that is spring-loaded and allows easy ability to exit a building, even in the dark or in the case of an emergency. A commercial locksmith can install panic bars on any fire and emergency exits in your business.

When you’re first moving into a new home, it’s usually a good idea to have your locks changed right away. While the real estate agent may assure you that the previous owner turned in all their keys, you’ll sleep better at night knowing you have all the keys to your locks.

Were you aware that locksmiths can easily spot deadbolts that haven’t been put in correctly? Deadbolt problems are one of the most common reasons that commercial locksmiths are called. Many locksmiths recommend having a dead bolt that requires a key on the inside.

Why are more than two million burglaries committed each year? It could be that only about 13 percent of all break-ins are solved, making the choice of locks for your entrance doors even more important.

The combination lock was developed in 1857 by James Sargent. It was based on a pretty revolutionary concept: It was the first key-changeable lock that could be reset after it left the factory.

Door locking systems have come a long way in the last few years. Relying on a standard key may be conventional, but today it isn't uncommon to find keyless systems that use keypads or fingerprint readers.

Do you have employees who enter your business after dark and at other odd times of the day and night? If so, you may want to consider a keyless entry system. This eliminates a worker fumbling at the front door in the dark with a key.

A problem with your vehicle that requires a locksmith is something that doesn’t regularly happen. That's why it's important to know who to call if you find yourself locked out of your vehicle or with a broken car in an isolated area late at night.

Pin tumbler locks have an ancient past dating all the way back to 2000 BC. The first patent holder of the modern form of the pin tumbler was an American, A.O. Stansbury.

Installing strong locks and controlling who has access to the keys can help keep your facility secure. Knowing your neighbors can help, too. Observant neighbors can often identify and report suspicious activity before there's a problem.

Don’t leave notes for service people or family members on the outside of your front door. These act as a welcome mat for a home burglar. Also make sure that your doors are always locked and your locks work properly!

Although you may have friends or family who have spare keys to your home, they won’t always be able to drop everything to bring your keys to you when you realize you’re locked out. Luckily, we’re happy to drop everything to help.

As your family ages, you may find that everyone will need their own set of house keys to avoid leaving someone waiting on the porch. If you’re not interested in changing the locks, we may be able to help you make more keys on the spot.

Just as important as having external protection for your business is having internal protection. If you don’t have a security and safety plan, you should write them or have them written for your company and share it with employees so everyone has clear expectations.

Do you have a lot of walk in traffic to your business? If so, you want to consider a door closer. There are several different ways to ensure that a door to businesses closes after it has opened. This makes sense for security reasons, and to keep the weather outside.

Are you concerned whether you’re the doors and other elements of security in your business are adequate? A commercial locksmith can assess the strength of your lock and deadbolts and make potential recommendations to improve safety and security.

The best time to find a reliable locksmith is when there is no emergency. We can explain the scope of our services, particularly our emergency services offered any time of the day or night.

While conceptually, the lock picking process is quite simple, it is actually a very difficult skill to master. Locksmiths spend many years learning exactly the right pressure to apply and what sounds to listen for to get a lock open.

Back in the olden days, small European villages were surrounded with by high walls to keep out robbers. Shopkeepers typically gave keys to their businesses to the local constabulary so evening foot patrols could gain easy access in case of trouble.

Were you aware that a high security lock is fundamentally different from a conventional cylinder or mortise style lock? It utilizes a special keyway and cylinder that's very effective at discouraging tampering.

It's easy to be concerned about security after you have a break in or other security related incident. The time to be security conscious is before you have a bad experience, though. Most security experts recommend investing in the best home or business security measures you can afford.

Do you have an emergency plan in place for you and your employees at your business? This should include what to do and who to notify in the case of any emergency such as fire, theft, robbery, etc.

Do you ever worry that a former employee could still have a set of keys to your office building? Since some people have no qualms about stealing from former employers, it’s wise to change your locks to ensure they don’t still have access.

One lock picking technique is called raking (which is actually much less precise than actual picking). To rake a lock, the locksmith inserts a pick with a wider tip all the way to the back of the plug and then pull it out quickly so that it bounces all the pins up on its way out.

Care to guess the difference between a single and a double deadbolt system? A double deadbolt uses two keyway cylinders, one on the inside of the door and one on the outside. A single deadbolt has one keyway cylinder on the outside and a thumb turn cylinder on the inside.

Although many locks you can buy at the local home improvement store are relatively easy to install on your own, you may worry about whether you’ve really properly secured it. Calling in a locksmith can help you get the peace of mind you need that it’s been installed properly.

One of the most commonly recommended security items for any form of business is a deadbolt. These are one of the most reliable forms of both commercial and residential security. There are many different options, as not all deadbolts are created equal.

In addition to having appropriate locks, there are steps that you can take to ensure your building is secure. For example, be sure that fire escapes don’t provide easy access into your building. Also, keep a clear view into and out of your establishment at all times.

Do you ever worry that it may be too easy for your employees to make copies of the keys for your company? When you need to make it more difficult for people to gain and maintain access to your building, we may be able to help.

If you have lived in your home for a long time, you may be noticing that the locks are not working as smoothly as they once did. This could be due to the teeth of the key wearing down, or the lock itself is beginning to fail or both.

If you like the idea of integrating the locks on your facility, an interconnected locking system may be for you. It combines the functionality of both a deadbolt and a latch in one. From inside, the door can be unlocked and opened in one easy motion.

Some locks are considered "High Security" and have some different features than your typical household lock. These locks are very difficult to pick and can't be "bumped" which uses a specially crafted key to open the lock. Many of these locks are restricted key systems as well.

Have you ever seen a double sided deadbolt? While a common deadbolt has a key on one side and a thumb turn on the other, a double sided deadbolt is keyed on both sides of the door.

Don't take any chances with lost keys to your front door. Burglars look for the homes that offer quickest entry and exit. If it's possible the lost keys were on your property, a burglar is likely to try and see if they match your front door.

Ever heard the term "key relevance"? It refers to the minor differences between a master key and the copies made from it. If you've ever had a key copy not work as well as the original, you know that there can be a significant variance in key relevance across multiple copies. That's why it's always a good idea to test new keys immediately.

Did you know that there are high security locks that are virtually impossible to pick or bump and can also withstand attack from a cordless drill? Of course, the drill will likely damage the lock, but the burglar remains outside.

A burglary occurs in the U.S. every 15 seconds. Although a fair share of those break ins involve forced entry, a majority of burglars gain entry through unlocked doors and windows.

We recognize that some industries can be more natural targets for robberies, hold-ups and thefts. If you need to ensure your employees have a safe area to go when your business is under attack, we may be able to help you create a more secure area.

In the event of a break-in at your facility, call the police immediately and refrain from touching anything. After the event, review your safety protocols closely, and have your locks re-keyed immediately if there's any chance an unauthorized individual has obtained access to a key.

We recognize that retail locations with glass store fronts can require different types of door locks than your average office building. Let’s talk about the door layout in your business and the best type of locks for them.

Would you believe that locks and keys have been around since ancient times? They are mentioned in ancient mythologies, and the oldest archaeological find of a wooden lock was near the ancient city of Ninevah, dating back to the 8th century BC.

Have you ever heard of a Maison key system? This is a keying system that permits a lock to be opened with a number of unique, individual keys. There is also something called a master key, which operates a set of several locks.

There are four different types of door closers. A commercial locksmith can help you choose the right piece of equipment for your business. The most common type is attached to the top of the door and stores the energy used to open the door to close the door.

It's pretty easy to get distracted and lock your keys in your vehicle. No matter when this happens you can give us a call, and we'll send out help so you can get back in your car and on your way.

Good locks are important, but other aids can help keep you safe, too. Consider adding a 180-degree peephole to your front door for added visibility. That way you'll have a good view of exactly what you're opening your door to.

Remember, your entryway locks are your first line of defense against unwanted intruders in your home. Talk to your locksmith to find a lock that's going to be resistant to picking and drilling, and strong enough to withstand exterior force.

One way to keep your home safe is to keep ample lighting on the inside and outside of your home. Also, keep bushes and shrubs trimmed back from walkways, doors, and windows so that these areas are in full view at all times.

Did you know that lock picking refers to the manipulation of any lock by an instrument or tool other than the intended key? Burglars normally need two tools (a pick and tension wrench) to manipulate a pin tumbler lock.