When we lock our doors, we count on our locks to keep us and our belongings secure. Unfortunately, this can easily be turned against us in a situation where we find ourselves locked out of our own homes.
Maybe you lost your keys, or your lock has broken and will no longer open. This can be a very frustrating situation and usually requires a prompt solution.
In this situation, there are a few ways to go about getting inside. Many people will leave a spare key hidden somewhere nearby, others may try to enter through an unsecured entrance or window. Both of these options are less than ideal.
By far the best option, if you are locked out, is to contact a locksmith as soon as possible. Locksmiths are experts at opening almost any door, no matter how hopeless it may seem. And, locksmiths are often available on-call 24 hours a day, to help you in unexpected situations.
Will a Locksmith be Able to Open My Door?
The short answer is: yes.
When it comes to opening doors and locks, no one is more suited to the job than a locksmith. A professional locksmith will have the tools and expertise to approach nearly any locked door and figure out a way to get you back in your home quickly.
While an experienced locksmith should be able to bypass nearly any door or lock, the method they use to do so will vary depending on the situation.
How Do Locksmiths Open Doors?
The ideal way for a locksmith to open your house is through non-destructive entry. This would mean unlocking or bypassing a lock with no damage to the lock or the door. The most common method in this case would be lock picking, and though it may seem frightening to homeowners, most home locks can be picked by a qualified locksmith with the right tools in just a few minutes.
Unfortunately, in some cases, this is not possible or not feasible, and destructive methods must be used. This option is used for higher security locks, locks too broken to pick, or doors that are obstructed for other reasons.
Destructive methods may include drilling out a lock or opening the door by force. Though these may seem like extreme measures, even in a destructive entry scenario your locksmith will know how to do so safely and with the minimum amount of damage caused.
How Long Will it Take to Open a Locked Door?
With a basic home lock, a residential locksmith will be able to open the door in under a half hour. Another great benefit is that most locksmiths are available on call 24 hours a day, so help is never too far away.
In more complex situations, the time it takes for a locksmith to open a door may increase, though you should always be able to re-enter your home within a few hours.
How Much Does a Locksmith Cost?
The cost of a locksmith will vary depending on who you call and what services you need. For a simple job like a new house key or a key duplication, you may pay only about $10. For something like bypassing more complex security or 24-hour emergency service, you may pay up to or above $200. When you call your locksmith of choice, they should be able to provide you with a quote.
Do I Need a Locksmith?
When locked out, some people may try to solve the problem on their own and gain entry by creative means. Options like climbing in a window may seem easy, but you can harm yourself and your home in doing so.
Another option some may consider is to pick their own door lock. The reality is that without specialized tools and the knowledge of how to use them, you have a better shot at making the problem worse than you do of getting the lock opened.
The bottom line is that calling a locksmith will be faster, safer, and well worth the cost.
What Other Locksmith Services are Available?
Besides opening a locked front door, a locksmith can provide a number of additional services. They can help you to repair broken door locks, or to install new ones. They can cut new house keys for your locks. They can also help with many other types of locks around your home, such as on garage doors, windows, sliding doors and more.
Locksmiths also do much more than house doors and can work on locks on cars, trailers, and safes. Some locksmiths may even be able to assist with digital and electronic locks that use a key code or entry card rather than traditional keys.
Opening car doors when the owners have accidentally locked their keys inside is one of the most popular services for a locksmith. Essentially for any service that involves locks or security, a locksmith may just be the person for the job.
Looking for a locksmith in London, Ontario? The team of licensed locksmiths at D & L Mobile Locksmith is available 24 hours a day to help you with your lock and security needs. They offer a range of expert services to keep your home or business secure.
