FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

  1. My door is hard to lock, I have to push or pull it with a great deal of force to get it (un)locked. Why is this? It was working fine before.
  2. My key is difficult to turn, should I force the key until it turns?
  3. My key just stopped working all of a sudden. How and why did this happen?
  4. Can I use WD-40 or graphite in my locks?
  5. Sometimes I need to jiggle the key in the lock to get it to turn. What should I do?
  6. I want all of my locks on my house to take the same key, can this be done?
  7. Someone has stolen my keys; and I need to change my locks. Does this mean I have to buy all new locks?
  8. Can you supply locks that can be operated by my existing key?
  9. What is a master key?
  10. What is the difference between re-keying and master keying?
  11. What is a restricted key system?
  12. What is Lock Bumping?
  13. How do I know if my locks can be bumped?
  14. Is the “Do Not Duplicate” marking on a key enough for controlling key duplication?
  15. Is there such a thing as a key that can open all locks?
  16. Can a locksmith cut a key from a number?
  17. What is a laser cut key?
  18. I have a new car with a transponder key. Do I have to go to the dealership to get another key?
  19. My vehicle door lock was replaced. Can you change the door lock to suit the ignition key?
  20. Someone has stolen the keys to my car. What now?
  21. I lost the key to my car. Is there any way I can get a new key made?
  22. I have a safe and I don’t know the combination. Can you help me get it open?
  23. Can you change the combination on my safe?
  24. Is it necessary to service combination safes?
  25. I see a lot of locksmiths with the ALOA logo on their website. What is ALOA?
  26. Why should I make sure that I hire a locksmith company that is licensed, insured and bonded?
  27. What is a Locksmith Association?
  28. Can I schedule a specific appointment time?
  29. What types of payment do you accept?
  30. What sort of warranty is on your products and service work?




  31. My door is hard to lock, I have to push or pull it with a great deal of force to get it (un)locked. Why is this? It was working fine before.

    Buildings tend to shift and settle over time. Wood has a tendency to expand during humid weather, and contract during dry weather. Because of this, the locks latch and its corresponding strike plate become out of alignment, and needs to be adjusted.

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    My key is difficult to turn, should I force the key until it turns?

    No! Too much force on a key will likely cause it to break off inside the lock. When your locks become hard to turn, or snap/stick when you turn your key; then it needs to be re-keyed to the proper pin height to match the key you are attempting to use.

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    My key just stopped working all of a sudden. How and why did this happen?

    Either the lock could be dry or seized, and need lubrication; or your key or lock (or both) could be worn and require either a code cut key or the cylinder to be re-keyed to factory specs.

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    Can I use WD-40 or graphite in my locks?

    Never use either in a vehicle lock, as over time, this can inhibit the moving parts and attracts dirt/dust causing lock failure. Graphite should only be used sparingly in residential and commercial style locks. Rather than WD-40 we recommend a teflon or silicone based lubricant such as Tri-flo.

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    Sometimes I need to jiggle the key in the lock to get it to turn. What should I do?

    When you need to jiggle your key, this means that either the key, the lock, or both is worn; and you’re best to get a code cut key made. If this doesn’t help, then you will likely also need to have your cylinder re-keyed to factory specifications.

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    I want all of my locks on my house to take the same key, can this be done?

    Yes. If you have a key that slides into all your locks, then we can re-key the locks to be "keyed alike". If you have a lock (or locks) that the key doesn’t slide into; then those will need to be replaced to the brand of key in question.

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    Someone has stolen my keys; and I need to change my locks. Does this mean I have to buy all new locks?

    No. We can simply re-key your locks by changing the pins (combination) to a new code; rather than going through the added expense of replacement.

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    Can you supply locks that can be operated by my existing key?

    Yes. We supply and key new locks to existing keys all the time.

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    What is a master key?

    A master key is a secondary key that opens a group of locks; and sometimes all locks within a master key system. Many people get this confused with their locks that are "keyed alike"; where only one key operates all the locks.

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    What is the difference between re-keying and master keying?

    Re-keying changes the combination of the lock by changing the pins/tumblers to match the profile of new keys. Master keying is a process of keying locks to allow multiple keys to operate a lock under a master key system.

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    What is a restricted key system?

    A restricted key system restricts who can get a key duplicated. Only the authorized account holder may have duplicates made and/or update the current system we have on file.

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    What is Lock Bumping?

    Lock bumping is a lock picking technique for opening a pin tumbler lock using a specially-crafted bump key.  A bump key can easily be purchased off the internet and used to illegally gain access to residential and commercial properties. 

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    How do I know if my locks can be bumped? 

    Security professionals believe 95% of all residential locks can be opened with a "Bump Key" and since there is almost no evidence of a break-in, the intruder can easily avoid arrest.  We can install high security locks that are highly resistant to bump keys.  This is your best defense against this type of intrusion.   

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    Is the "Do Not Duplicate" marking on a key enough for controlling key duplication?

    No. While we respect the "Do Not Duplicate" marking on a key, some merchants do not. To prevent unauthorized key duplication, a restricted key system such as Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, Medeco, or ASSA etc., should be used.

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    Is there such a thing as a key that can open all locks?

    No. A master key is a specific key that is designed to operate a group of locks, or all locks under a master key system. The days of skeleton keys are long gone. Rest assured that there is no such "master key" that opens all locks.

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    Can a locksmith cut a key from a number?

    It is quite common for a locksmith to cut a key "by code". This is possible for many things such as: vehicles, padlocks, filing cabinets, etc. Providing proof of ownership before cutting a key by code is a standard procedure of security professionals to safeguard security.

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    What is a laser cut key?

    Laser cut keys or sidewinders, are keys with the milling on the side rather than on the top and bottom. Contrary to the name, lasers are not required to cut this type of key!

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    I have a new car with a transponder key. Do I have to go to the dealership to get another key?

    No. We are equipped to handle the majority of transponder keys on the market today; and usually at a fraction of the price of a dealership.

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    My vehicle door lock was replaced. Can you change the door lock to suit the ignition key?

    Yes. We can key it up for you.

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    Someone has stolen the keys to my car. What now?

    We can rekey your vehicle locks to a new key, and even remove old transponder keys and add new ones for your peace of mind.

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    I lost the key to my car. Is there any way I can get a new key made?

    Depending on the year, make & model of the vehicle; we can usually cut a key by code for your vehicle. If a code is not available we can disassemble the locks to determine the key cuts; and make a new key.

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    I have a safe and I don’t know the combination. Can you help me get it open?

    Yes. Safe opening services are one of our specialties. We can also do repairs after opening a safe to renew its appearance, functionality, and security.

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    Can you change the combination on my safe?

    Yes. We can service, reset, and change combinations on the majority of safes on the market today.

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    Is it necessary to service combination safes?

    Yes. It is recommended that your safe be serviced at least once a year, depending on the amount of use it endures.

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    I see a lot of locksmiths with the ALOA logo on their website.  What is ALOA?

    See “What Is a Locksmith Association” below.  Many locksmith companies use the ALOA logo illegally and are not members of ALOA.  If you are basing your decision to use a locksmith because of their affiliation with ALOA, please confirm their membership by going to www.aloa.org.  You can also go to www.findalocksmith.com to find a qualified locksmith that is a member of ALOA.

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    Why should I make sure that I hire a locksmith company that is licensed, insured and bonded?

    Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who are working as locksmiths, but are not licensed, insured or bonded. Most of the time, these inexperienced & unprofessional “locksmiths” are simply trying to earn as much money as possible; thus resulting in them giving misleading information.

    For your protection, you should work with a locksmith company with the above credentials that is also a member of ALOA, the Better Business Bureau and other locksmith and security associations.

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    What is a Locksmith Association?

    Locksmith Associations are organizations committed to safeguarding the trust society has placed in security professionals, and the security industry. This is accomplished in a number of ways such as:

    • Accountability – through security checks, fingerprinting, licensing, etc.
    • Training – through ongoing hands-on classes at the local, provincial & national levels, including manufacturer & distributor sponsored classes or seminars.
    • Education – through association newsletters and national-level journals, books and manuals.

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    Can I schedule a specific appointment time?

    Yes. You can make a specific appointment that meets your needs, and we will do our best to work with your schedule.

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    What types of payment do you accept?

    We accept Cash, Visa, Mastercard, Discover Card, AMEX, and debit card payments.

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    What sort of warranty is on your products and service work?

    Every product we sell carries a different manufacturer’s warranty. Please inquire about warranty at the time of purchase.  We have a 1 year guarantee on our service.

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    Pop-A-Lock Your Atlanta locksmith leader in safety, reliability, and quality for Automotive , Residential or Commercial and also offers the LOWEST PRICES in town! Call us at 770-339-1616

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