Locksmiths and Licenses: What You Need to Know

April 25th, 2012 by Jennifer

Be safe and choose an ALOA certified locksmith

In the US, only 15 states require locksmiths to be licensed. That may change as the law catches up to unscrupulous scammers, but for now, anyone can claim to be a locksmith in 35 states. Does your state require licensing? Texas does. Here’s a list from the Associated Locksmiths of America of all the states that have licensing requirements.

  • Alabama
  • California
  • Connecticut
  • Illinois
  • Louisiana
  • Maryland
  • Nebraska
  • Nevada
  • New Jersey
  • North Carolina
  • Oklahoma
  • Oregon
  • Tennessee
  • Texas
  • Virginia

What can you do to protect yourself from scammers if your state doesn’t have licensing laws? Here are some quick tips to avoid problem locksmiths.

  • Check for ALOA membership. This is a national locksmith organization that requires members to meet training and certification requirements. Pop-A-Lock Austin is a locksmith in good standing with the Associated Locksmiths of America. You can see for yourself by doing a quick search.
  • Don’t go for the company with the lowest estimate. No legitimate locksmith can afford to come out and unlock a door for $15 – it doesn’t begin to cover our time, equipment, insurance, and training.
  • Get a written estimate before the locksmith starts work. It’s a simple step that will protect you from the worst of the bait-and-switch locksmiths. If the price has already risen from the quote you were given over the phone, you may want to rethink using this particular locksmith.
  • Don’t let a locksmith from an unmarked vehicle work on your lock. Legitimate locksmiths have plainly marked service vehicles.
  • Ask the locksmith for ID or a business card. Make sure there’s a business name on it and that it matches the name on the car, uniform, and/or invoice.

Want to skip the uncertainty? Pop-A-Lock Austin is a fully licensed (#B12662) and insured local locksmith. We’re proud to offer highly competitive rates, upfront quotes, and fast, honest service. Call us today at 512-420-0919.

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Home Security 101: Your Door

March 21st, 2012 by Jennifer

When it comes to securing your house, having the right lock is important — but having a good setting for that lock is even more crucial. Even a high security lock won’t be effective against burglars if you have a hollow core door, a weak strike plate, or hinges on the wrong side of the door. Courtesy of your local Austin locksmith, here’s a basic anatomy lesson about your door and what you can do to make sure it keeps you safe.

Core. What’s inside your door? Is it hollow, or does it have a steel or particle board core? A hollow core door is significantly weaker than a solid core door. While most exterior doors are solid core, it’s good to check just to make sure.  Want to know how a hollow core door sound likes? Just knock on an interior door.

Hinges. If you can see your door hinges from outside when the door is closed, your door was not correctly installed. A burglar can simply remove the pins from the hinges and enter without dealing with the lock. Re-install your door so that the hinges are on the inside.

Door jamb. This refers to the two vertical parts of the door frame. Your door jamb must be made of sturdy materials (e.g. metal rather than wood) and firmly secured to the doorway. If not, it can rip out along with the door in the case of a kick-in.

Strike plate. The strike plate is the metal part on the door jamb that the bolt of the look goes into.  Strike plates are usually attached with short screws that rip out when a door is forcibly kicked. Longer screws, reinforced strike plates, and extended strike plates can all help strengthen your lock.

Deadbolt. Most residential doors have both a deadbolt and a key-in-the-knob lock below it. If you haven’t changed locks within 5 years, both locks are probably at risk for being bumped. A residential locksmith can recommend and install a bump proof deadbolt.

Door knob / spring lock. Spring locks are notorious for being less secure than deadbolts, so if your only lock is a spring lock, add a deadbolt to instantly increase your home’s security. Bump proof and high security options are available for both deadbolts and spring locks.

How does your door look? If you have more than one exterior door, be sure to check them all out. Pop-A-Lock Austin offers home security audits if you want an expert opinion. We’re also happy to provide accurate, upfront quotes on a full range of home locksmith services in Austin, Texas. Call us today at 512-420-0919!

Photo credit: Front Door by Kendryl Young

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6 Common Questions About Deadbolts

February 22nd, 2012 by Jennifer

Your local Austin locksmith answers your questions about deadbolts, why you need them, and what kind to install:

Schlage Deadbolt

1.       What is a deadbolt?

A deadbolt (‘dead’ because the bolt is locked in position unless the cylinder is turned with a key or a thumb turn) is a common type of residential and commercial lock. It is often paired with a spring or key-in-knob lock on front doors. If you have just a key-in-knob lock, you should know that they are easier to pick, jimmy, or bump than deadbolts. Adding a deadbolt helps deter opportunistic crime.

2.       Can deadbolts be picked or bumped?

Yes. Most older pin and tumbler locks, including deadbolts and spring bolt locks, can be opened by bump keys or picks. If you haven’t upgraded your locks within the past 5 years, your locks are probably vulnerable.

3.       Are there more secure deadbolt options?

Yes! Most manufacturers now offer bump resistant and bump proof deadbolts with new technologies like side locking bars, shallow drilling, and trap pins to defeat bump keys and picks. Newer deadbolts also tend to be more sturdily constructed.

4.       What kind of deadbolts are there?

Single cylinder deadbolts operate with a key on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. Double cylinder deadbolts require a key on both sides to lock or unlock. While a double deadbolt does increase security —  especially if you have glass panels on or around your door — it can also prevent emergency exits and is against some fire codes. A half deadbolt is invisible from the outside and thus cannot be picked or bumped – there’s nowhere to insert a bump key or a lock pick! It operates with a thumb turn on the inside and keeps you safe while you’re home. There are also electronic (keyless) and vertical deadbolts.

5.       What else can be done to make deadbolts more secure?

A lock is only as secure as the door frame and strike plate it is connected to. (A hollow door doesn’t help, either!) Flimsy hardware means that your door can still be kicked in, regardless of how good your lock is. If you’re investing in a high quality lock, it also makes sense to secure your entire door area. Most burglars still get in through your doors.

6.       How much do deadbolts cost?

A good quality deadbolt will usually cost between $75 and $150, plus the cost of installation. Reputable deadbolt manufacturers include Schlage and Medeco. Locks sold at the hardware store are less secure, and unprofessional installation can further reduce performance. A reputable locksmith can recommend and install a high quality deadbolt that works smoothly and effectively for years.

Do you need a deadbolt installed or upgraded? Call Pop-A-Lock Austin today at 512-420-0919 for a free quote on your home lock installation or if you have any other questions about your locks.

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Pop-A-Lock Locksmith Austin New Website Is Live!

April 13th, 2011 by admin

Great news! Pop-A-Lock Austin’s new site is up, and it’s a huge improvement over the old one (if we do say so ourselves).  You’ll find more information on the services you need and photos of the work Pop-A-Lock does around Austin. We hope you’ll feel more comfortable than ever calling, knowing that you’ll be getting a licensed locksmith with truly free quotes and no hidden fees.

We offer the same range of services for home, car, and business customers, and are proud of our free emergency door unlock program, which is as old as we are. There’s still no fine print and no fees for having us come unlock a door separating you from your child. We feel like heroes when we can save the day.

As we get things set up, we’ll be announcing lots of news and deals. Stay tuned, and stay safe!

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