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Car keys not turning in ignition? Here’s what you can do!

locksmith services in Washington DC

You have gone for a long drive to a beach with your family, enjoyed there to your heart’s content. You come back to your car picturing your bed in your head, get into the driver’s seat and put the car keys into ignition slot. Now there’s a problem. You cannot get the key to turn. This might be a very uneasy situation. The best thing to do here is to call a professional automotive locksmith, however you can try your luck first with these first.

  1. Try with the steering wheel

Try turning your wheel left and right to determine which side is blocked. Turn the wheel to the side it is turning into and hold it there. While holding the wheel in that position, try turning the key in the accessory position. As you turn the key, try to rock the steering wheel along. If this does not work, try to rock the wheel as you move the key inside the ignition.

  1. Lubricating the keyway

It is possible that your keyway is blocked with foreign materials like sand or rust. Try to lubricate the keyway of the lock ignition. The ideal lubricant would be a graphite or a silicon based one. Spray the lubricant in the keyway generously, wipe off the extra lubricant and try jiggling your keys into the ignition again. Try this a couple of times.

  1. Good old tapping might help

Just like dust, some bigger materials like springs can get caught on the lock’s keyway. Try tapping a few times to get it out. You can use something that can vibrate on the key as you turn it. You can use a tool like a hammer which causes the vibration. If this does not work, try tapping directly on the ignition cylinder.

  1. The problem might lie with the key

If you have a spare key, try to use the same to rule out if the key is faulty. If the spare key works, check if the original one is worn out or bent. Contact a locksmith the repair the key for you, or even better get one of those fobs which does not need a key to start the car, if your model supports so.

  1. Replacing the ignition cylinder

If the key is not an issue, the problem might be in the ignition cylinder itself. If this is the case, don’t worry, you don’t have to replace the whole ignition cylinder, just rekeying will make do. All you need to do is call an expert locksmith in your area and get it done!

Q locksmith services for your auto locksmith needs

Q locksmith services are industry experts in locksmith services in Washington DC, Maryland and Baltimore. We provide all kinds of automotive locksmith services in Washington DC and neighboring areas including car key replacement, key fob programming, ignition repair, ignition replacement, key cutting and more. Call us at 888-571-4443 to speak with an expert now and prevent any future car lockouts and other related issues.

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Frustrated over the car key not working? Reasons and what next

car lockout services in Baltimore

Summers are already here and getting yourself in a situation where you are locked out of your car or your car key is not working, is quite scary and frustrating. You car key or fob might not work due to various reasons and it is very important to access the situation first before calling a locksmith service for car lockout in order to save your time and energy in the scorching heat.

Here might be one of the reasons:

  1. Dying key fob battery

If you are using a keyless car, the first thing you should check in case your door isn’t opening is the battery. A lot of people forget about the fob battery and call the locksmith service, this wasting time and money.

  1. A damaged key

A car key is something we take it everywhere with us, and of course you should, with the fear of car lockout. However taking it everywhere means a lot of wear and tear happens over time as it is thrown into pockets, purses and desks and if you are one of those clumsy people, you might have dropped the key multiple times here and there resulting in the key being chipped, bent or even broken.

  1. Internal damage to key fob

If you are using a keyless entry vehicle and your fob battery is perfectly fine because you just replaced them a couple of days back, the problem may be with the connectors inside the fob. They might get damaged over time thus resulting in a non-working key. A damaged fob will not give you door access or start the vehicle.

  1. Non-programmed key

If it is a new key fob, chances are that the fob has not been programmed yet. A non-programmed fob, like a damaged fob, will not unlock or start a car.

  1. Your locksmith did a bad job

There are a lot of locksmith services in Baltimore but very few offer top quality services. If you are not able to unlock the car with the new key you just got duplicated, blame it on your locksmith. Poor quality car key duplication often leads to issues with unlocking the car. Hence a proper research needs to be done before a locksmith service company is chosen to do the job.

Now that you know the reasons, you understand when to call a locksmith. A locksmith is very helpful in cases of car lockout, and you should always have his number saved, however the right locksmith needs to be determined first.

Q lock service to your rescue

Choosing the right locksmith company can be very tricky. However, we make it simple for you. Q lock service professional locksmiths has been in the industry since 2009 and our locksmiths are trained from the industry’s best. We provide car lockout services in Baltimore with other services including residential, commercial and other automotive lockout services with a 24/7 customer service so you don’t have to listen to that automated response every time. Call us at 888-571-4443 for any kind of locksmith services and you will never regret this decision.

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Have a small business? Consider these keyless entry locks for office security

commercial locksmith services

You have put in your blood and sweat into your business idea which is close to your heart and now you have your own office running with employees working for you. Kudos! What is the next step to ensure your business is successful? Security. Safety and security is very important when it comes to your business, and in today’s age, the traditional lock and key set won’t cut the mustard. Let’s find out the best security locks suitable for your business.

  1. Electronic keyless lock

A traditional electronic keyless lock is a keypad/combination lock model which requires a PIN to unlock the door. You can assign different codes to different users and change the PIN at any point of time. It is easy to install and maintain and you can easily manage access to your office.

Some of these models also have protective mechanisms like auto-shutdown of keypads after entering a wrong PIN three times. Some models have physical keys whereas some newer models have touchscreen keypad. These locks are usually a combination of PIN mechanism along with traditional deadbolts or handles. They are perfect for small office or single building access.

  1. Digital Door Lock

A digital door lock like Samsung digital door lock is definitely an upgrade to your business security along with improving the office aesthetics. They have a digital touchpad with a push to enter-pull to exit functionality and auto-locking with a mortise sensor. These types of locks are easy to use but hard to break-in. It can be programmed to take unto 30 different users and create their RFID tags. They are rigorously tested to be kickproof, PSB fire tested and have extra security features like an intrusion alarm, fire detection sensor and anti-tampering lockout feature. These type of locks are perfect for retail businesses, hotels, restaurants and other high-security businesses.

  1. Bluetooth enabled fingerprint and touchscreen keyless smart lock

This is the powerhouse of door security. It is a 5-in-1 Bluetooth enabled lock which allows entry through fingerprint recognition, numeric code, smartphone control, knock or shake to open and a mechanical key. It can be used for both IOS and android users. You can assign different t users with different level of access, monitor log records and clone capabilities. It can identify up to 95 fingerprints in less than 0.5 seconds and can hold unto 95 unique numeric passwords. This one is definitely a keeper which will ensure those burglars stay far away and make a solid impression on your clients and investors.

Locksmith services for keyless lock installation

Once you decide on the type of lock, you will need a professional locksmith whom you can trust to install the lock correctly. Q lock locksmith services are industry experts in commercial locksmith services with 12 years of industry experience. We provide commercial locksmith services in Baltimore along with Maryland and Washington DC. Along with keyless entry lock installations in Baltimore and two other locations, other commercial services include rekeying and changing locks, door installations, file cabinet lock and key, door closer installations etc. Call us at 888-571-4443 to speak with an expert and have all your queries answered. Book a service now and be assured of a top class service.

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6 situations which would call for emergency locksmith services

Best Emergency locksmith services in Maryland

You are a very cautious and meticulous when it comes to house keys or car keys, however, as human, we are bound to make mistakes, and when that happens, it is very important to keep an emergency locksmith services contact handy. In situations like house lockout or car lockout,  trying to jimmy open the lock or taking help from kind strangers can make the matter worse. The best way to tackle the situation would be to call an expert locksmith.

Here are six situations where you will need to call an emergency locksmith service.

  1. Lost house keys

No matter how careful you are, there might come a situation like you are robbed on street and your purse had the house keys, our you opened the door to check on the neighborhood and the door closed behind you. What do you do in these kind of situations? You are house locked and you might be tempted to break-in through the windows, however, unless you are an expert in that, it might prove to be dangerous. Call a locksmith immediately!

  1. The infamous car lockout

A car lockout is very common since there are several ways it can happen. In the past, the car locks were not that complicated and you would have make done by relying on the driver of a tow truck to pop open the door. However, today’s car locks are much more complex with keyless locks and other sophisticated mechanisms. You will need an emergency locksmith in such a case.

  1. A house break-in disaster

Your house have been robbed when you were out for a vacation. The first call you make is 911. Whom do you call next? You guessed it right! You need to change your house locks immediately and for that you need to call an emergency locksmith. The burglars have definitely figured out a weak point in your house security and there is no stopping them for a revisit. It is in your best interests to change the locks immediately, even upgrade the lock mechanisms.

  1. A family member lost his keys

You have a family and each member has his or her own set of keys for convenience. However, your 12 year old kid lost the key on way back from school. Very possible. In this case also, you need to change your locks immediately, since someone with wrong intentions can get hold of that lost key and can easily get into your house. It would be taking a huge risk not to do anything and just forget about it.

  1. The key broke off into the lock

If your keyway is blocked or your key is worn out, it is very possible that your key gets stuck into the keyway upon withdrawal and with a little force, it breaks into the lock. In such situation you are left with hardly any options other than to call an emergency locksmith for extracting the broken key and replacing the lock or rekeying. To avoid such situations you should keep an eye on your key before they become brittle and clean the lock on regular basis.

  1. Lost car keys with fob

You might lose your car keys which also had the transponder attached to it. Simply opening the door somehow is not enough in this case. You need to call a professional locksmith to replace the key and the fob and get the new fob programmed. This is very important for your car’s security.

Best Emergency locksmith services in Maryland

Q locksmith services is a very reliable locksmith services company in Maryland which responds to your calls real quick. We are available 24/7 for any kind of emergency locksmiths needs including car lockout services, house lockout services, truck opening service, transponder key programming service among others. Call us at 888-571-4443 and get yourself out of these situations in a fast and effective way.

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Most common door lock problems that need your immediate attention

residential locksmith, trusted locksmith

House door problems creep in from time to time which most house owners have to deal with at some point of time. The way we deal with these problems decide the safety and security of our house in future. Most of us try to avoid addressing these issues until it is too late thereby impacting our house security.

These are the most common door lock problems that should be catered to on an immediate basis by calling a locksmith.

  1. Loose locks, knobs and handles

There are several components or parts which hold the door lock together, and proper functioning of each part ensures that the door lock works smoothly. With frequent and regular use of door locks, specially for main entry doors, the locks or its parts become loose and if not detected early, you might be in a house lockout situation, or even worse, a house break-in. If the knob or handle is loose due to an unfastening screw, it can easily be fixed with a screwdriver, however if the problem lies within the internal mechanics of the lock, its better you call a professional locksmith.

  1. Misalignment of door locks

If your door lock is misaligned, the latch or the locking bolt will not line up properly with the lock’s strike plate. These are very easy to spot since you will not be able to  lock the door easily. Misaligned locks and latches are usually a result of improper lock installation or weather conditions like dampness or heat. This issue if not treated at time, can worsen, resulting in broken locks or doors. Calling a residential locksmith would be ideal in such cases.

  1. Broken key inside lock

Now this one is a real bummer and those who have experienced this will know. A key broken inside a lock means you being in house lockout with a broken key and a door lock which is probably damaged. plus the headache of extracting the broken key from the lock. A lot of people are tempted to extract the key themselves, which if not done properly can aggravate the situation further. Hence the best solution would be to call a trusted locksmith.

  1. Jammed locks and latches

Jammed locks can be caused by the built up of debris inside the lock or by a broken lock bolt or a much serious concern like an attempted break-in. Again, this is an issue which should not be stacked for another day just because you are too occupied to deal with it now. These problems can spin off to cause much serious situations which you wish to avoid. If the lock is jammed due to a blocked keyway, you can try solving it by applying a generous amount of lubricant into the keyway, however the lubricant cannot be just anything like your cooking oil. You can use dry lubricant like graphite or wet lubricant like WD-40. If, however, your lock is jammed because of a broken bolt, it’s better not to tackle the situation yourself and calling a locksmith instead.

  1. Turning lock cylinder

Turning a key should lock or unlock the door, pretty simple right? However, if the whole lock cylinder turns instead of locking or unlocking the door, there is a major problem at hand to address. This usually happens due to a damaged or loose set screw. Sometimes you might be in luck and the door might still lock or unlock, however, one day you might find yourself stranded outside your door. Hence, it is best not to ignore the issue and to call a professional residential locksmith right away.

Where to find a good locksmith?

This is where Q lock locksmith services come into picture. We are the industry experts in locksmith services in terms of experience and quality service delivery. We provide residential locksmith services in Baltimore, Maryland and Washington DC. Our services include residential, commercial, automotive and emergency locksmith services. Call us at 888-571-4443 to book a locksmith today so you can sleep in peace of mind.