Frequently Asked Questions

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 lock’s latch and its corresponding strike plate become out of alignment, and need to be adjusted.

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.

Never use graphite either in a vehicle lock, as over time, this can inhibit the moving parts and attract 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 Lock Saver.

When you need to jiggle your key, this means that the key, the lock or both are 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.

Yes. If you have a key that slides into all your locks, then we can rekey 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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Unless you are in an apartment building or group of buildings managed by a property manager, you likely won’t know if your lock is master keyed or not. A professional locksmith must disassemble the cylinder to determine if your lock is master keyed. If there is no reason for the lock to be master keyed, we can simply remove the master pins for you.

No. While we respect the “Do Not Duplicate” marking on a key, many discount stores do not. To prevent unauthorized key duplication, a restricted key system such as ABLOY®, Medeco(R)®, ASSA®, etc., should be used.

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.

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.

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!

It is a key with an embedded computer chip that transmits data to your vehicle when you turn it on. If the signal is recognized by the vehicle's immobilizer, then the engine will start. If the signal is invalid, or the key has become damaged, the vehicle may go into theft mode and not start.

No. Lock opening tools are only available to persons with a licence under the Criminal Code of Canada (section 353). A locksmith WILL NOT supply opening tools to anyone.