Nothing is worse than when you go to use your house key or office key only to find that it sticks when you try and use it. You may spend time outside the door jiggling and wiggling the key to try and get it to work. This can be embarrassing if people are waiting on you and nerve wracking when you just want the safety of being inside the premises. It can also be a real hindrance and take away unnecessary time from your busy schedule. What could be wrong and why will your key not work?

California Lock & Key has prepared a list of the three main reasons a key stops functioning and also how to get your key working in your lock again.

1. The key has been used A LOT and is worn: This is the exact opposite of having a frozen lock that has not been used in a long time. This is when a key is so old and has been used so often that it stats to wear away and the cuts in the key start to dull and get too worn down. This can also be a result of the lock being over used and wearing away as well. This can make it so that the key will not engage in the lock and not allow the unit to turn either way.
2. The key is broken or chipped: This can be when a part of the key has been broken off. You can also have a piece inside the lock that has been broken and that will make it so that the key no longer fits in the lock. This can also happen when the key breaks off in the lock and cannot be removed.
3. The key could be what is called corroded or frozen lock. This happened more than often when a key has not been used for very long time and has gotten stuck in either the locked position or the unlocked position so long the metal starts to corrode and cause the area to be very hard to re-engage the lock.

There is one trick you can try to solve a corroded or frozen lock. California Lock & Key recommends you try to lube the key and the lock. You can use graphite which can be purchased at a home improvement store. Take the key and rub on some of the graphite and insert in back in the lock. You want to engage and disengage the lock several times so that the lube can work throughout the lock and key to ensure that it is working properly. This may be what fixes the problem and has your key working like new again.

Professional Chipped Key Replacement, Key Duplication, Re-Keying & Changing of Locks in Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Culver City, Northridge & West Los Angeles CA

If you find that the above tip hasn’t worked or you know that the key is worn down or broken, call California Lock & Key to come out and make new keys or replace the broken lock.

Many reasons that you require a locksmith are not always in an emergency situation. If you need a duplicate key to give to a family member you could call a mobile locksmith to come out and have it done at your leisure. This is when you can take your time to choose a locksmith and be comfortable with who is making and replacing your keys.

California Lock and Key have outlined four top reasons that you may need to have an emergency locksmith come out to you.

Locked Out – This is a serious situation that always stops you dead in your tracks. Whether you are locked out of your home, office or car you will need the services of an emergency locksmith. The bigger problem with locking yourself out is that you are usually when you are on your way somewhere. Everyone has a busy schedule and getting locked out could get you all the way off track. Call an emergency locksmith service to come out and help you get back in. The great thing is that whether it happens day or night, we can get you back in.

Lost Keys – This is one of the worst feelings out there. When you go to get your keys out of your pocket or out of your bag and notice they are gone. This could mean that they are lost or someone could have stolen them. The scary thing is that someone could now have access to your home, car or office (or all three) and the best thing to do is to replace the keys immediately. This might also mean that you were going for your keys for a reason and need to be in, out or going somewhere. An emergency locksmith can come out and get you a new key made right away.

Locks or Keys Don’t Work – If you go up to your lock and try the key and it just will not work you may need to have a new key. Sometimes locks can go bad and they need to be replaced. This can be done by an emergency locksmith so that you can be back doing what you need to do as quickly as possible.

Forced Entry Causing a Broken Lock: This is a terrible feeling to come home to. You walk in the door to notice that someone has broken down one of the doors and gained access to your home. They could have taken items that belong to you and in the meantime broken the lock that is currently on the door. You don’t want to leave the house like this so you will want a locksmith that can come out right away to take care of installing a new lock.

Call California Lock & Key for expert Mobile Emergency Locksmith Services in Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Culver City, Northridge & West Los Angeles CA

Even just for a brief moment; everyone has had the gut wrenching feeling of losing your keys and not knowing where they went or who has access to them. You can always have a key duplicated from another key that was not lost or stolen, but now you run the risk of possibly another person having access to your home. This can also be an unsettling feeling if you have moved into a new place. Anyone that has lived there before you could have made as many keys as they wanted to. This can cause concern when you are not clear on who could have a key to get into your home.

California Lock and Key has ways that you can have the locks rekeyed and have you feeling better about who has a key to unlock your home.

New Locks: One way that you can feel better about the security of your home is to have new locks installed. A locksmith can come out to your home and bring all new locks that can be installed on exterior doors. They will then hand over the new keys to you and that will be the only keys that exist for that unique lock. This can be a little more costly than rekeying but can help you feel more at ease. They can also look at the other locks in your home and inspect them to see how secure they are. This will need more hardware that you will need to purchase or pay for and you may need new decorative door handles if you want the finish of the locks to match the door handles too.

Rekeying: Another option that you have to getting your home secure is to have the locks rekeyed. This is a process that a professional locksmith like California Lock & Key can take care of. We will come out with the equipment needed to remove the old locking mechanism and install a new one. This means that the existing lock and handle will remain the same and just the internal mechanism is changed out. The cost of this process is less but the skill is worth more. It is much more technical to rekey a lock since you need to have the knowledge and experience to remove the internal mechanism.

Professional Lock Changes, Rekeying & Other Locksmith Services in Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Culver City, Northridge & West Los Angeles CA

If you are in need of having your home rekeyed or having new locks installed or any other locksmith services in West Los Angeles, you can call California Lock And Key today!

With modern day conveniences, sometimes we take most things for granted. We don’t take a moment to give the proper respect due to revolutionized advances in today’s professions. The histories concerning locksmithing can be a fascinating subject, so today California Lock & Key would like to offer a brief history lesson.

What is Locksmithing?

Locksmithing is an art and the profession of designing and producing locks, along with protective hardware mechanisms that secure buildings, objects, storage facilities, cabinets and safes. The art of locksmithing has seen many changes throughout history.
Being closely related to the blacksmith, locksmiths were talented metal workers. By shaping the metal they could create dozens of individual pieces of the locks, forging keys, and file-work.

History & Development of Locks & Keys

Locksmithing began in Ancient Egypt and Babylon approximately 4000 years ago. Back in those days locksmiths used wooden devices that that used pin tumbler in principal to prevent movement of the door bar. The pins could only be moved with large cumbersome wooden keys. It was shaped like a modern day toothbrush, but bigger. The key was inserted into the lock and pushed upwards, moving the internal pins thereby unlocking the door. The oldest of these simple locks were discovered in the ruins of the Assyrian Empire, in the city of Khorsabad close to Nineveh. Historians and scientist determined these locks were created around 704 BC.

Locksmiths & Metallurgy Advancements

After incorporating advanced metallurgy in the 18th century Europe, locksmiths were able to create much more durable locks and keys. During that 18th century, many famous locksmiths managed to improve the designs that remained unchanged ever since the fall of the Roman Empire. With continuous designing and enhancing mass production exploded, sending the locksmithing art through drastic change. Cheap industrial locks were a lucrative industry nearly obliterating the locksmith profession. Now locksmiths generally work in two fields; work as repairman for industrial locks or work for large security entities designing and building more complex and high tech security.

Professional Emergency, Automotive, Residential & Commercial Mobile Locksmiths in Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Culver City, Northridge & West Los Angeles CA

At California Lock and Key, our experts offer a wide variety of locksmith and security services to help you day to day. For your automotive needs we offer: Locksmith Car Ignition Re-Key, Change Out, Replacement and Repair, Car Keys Cut, Re-Key and Lost Key Replacement, Broken Car Keys Removal, Programming Chip Keys, Transponder Car Keys, Replacement of Computer Chip Auto Key, Laser Cut Car Keys, Key Fob Replacement and High Security Car Keys. We also include locksmith services for your homes and businesses including Lockouts, Lock Changes, Rekeys, Institutional Locks, Installation and Maintenance of Commercial Safes, Security System Installing, Servicing and Consulting, Commercial Access Control Integration, and Commercial Locksmith Security Solutions. Contact us today!

Our automobiles top the “Luxurious Need List”. We rely so heavily on our vehicles that most often than not we take them for granted. Especially in believing the security of them will work flawlessly every time. There are a number of ways our source of transportation may need a technician from California Lock and Key. Some may not have even been considered. Here are several examples an expert might be in need in regards for automotive locksmith services: For your ignition; Locksmith Car Ignition Re-Key, Change Out, Replacement or Repair. Another obvious need may be your keys such as; Car Key Cut, Re-Key, Lost Key Replacement, Broken Car Key Removal. On the more hi-tech side of your keys can include; Programming Chip Keys, Transponder Car Keys, Replacement of Computer Chip Auto Key, Laser Cut Car Keys, High Security Car Keys and Key Fob Replacement.

Automotive Locksmith Services

For any reason these auto locksmith services are needed, it’s usually at the worst time imaginable. Getting locked out of your car usually includes an embarrassing tale. But sometimes we actually can blame the offending vehicle with mechanical error or simple wear and tear. Ignition problems probably don’t occur to most to get a locksmith involved; they go straight to costly mechanic, when a capable technician is most likely your most wallet friendly way to get the job done.

Key Stuck in Ignition

An extremely common problem with the ignition is when the key gets stuck. This frequent nuisance is due to the manufacture’s choice to use a split wafer ignition. The wafers can be worn down from constant use. Not only do we have the erosion problem, but it’s prone for dirt and dust to make its way in there causing us problems. Whatever the wretched cause may be, once the wafers are out of position it will be close to impossible to remove or insert your key into the ignition. Good news is this won’t happen without any warning. First you will notice that you have to wiggle your key a few times to get into or out of the ignition switch before the wafers are completely out of place. However, if you ignore the signs, you will have no choice but to call a professional. The cost of a tow truck to your closest dealer is a pricey package but fortunately easy to avoid. Simply call one our mobile locksmith professionals to aide you back on the road.

High Tech Keys

Another common problem is those hi-tech keys. Each is cut and programmed for your vehicle of choice. Being that so many of the population are prone to losing things with keys topping that list, it’s a good idea to have a few spares made. But sometimes on those dark and ominous nights, or even on a bright and cheery day, we find our keys have grown legs and wondered into Narnia, or wherever socks disappear to. It’s an easy fix with certified members of California Lock and Key.

Professional Mobile Auto Locksmith Services in Burbank, Van Nuys, Long Beach, Thousand Oaks, Santa Clarita, Culver City, Northridge & West Los Angeles CA

Our vast automotive locksmith service menu will get you back on the road no matter what kind of lock and key problems keep you from enjoying your day. Contact us for all your locksmith needs!