First Lock & Security Technologies (CSLB #901913 as 7Krka, Inc.) provides a wide range of locksmith services for residential and commercial clients in the Silicon Valley. Its experienced technicians are trained to install, repair, and rekey all types and brands of lock systems. The company features high-security, pushbutton, smart and storefront locks; master key systems; exit devices and door closers; and decorative door hardware.
Owner Gary Lekan, CRL has been working in the locksmith industry for 45-plus years. After spending time as a technician and manager at locksmith and security firms in the Bay Area, he established First Lock & Security Technologies to bring his dedication to professionalism, craftsmanship and attention to detail to all types of security projects. “We’re always striving for perfection,” says Mr. Lekan. “Our focus is on getting every aspect of every job done right. If we’re going to spend our time and effort, it will be to produce excellent results.”
First Lock & Security Technologies emphasizes the importance of customer service in every aspect of its operations. “The purpose of this business is to serve people and do whatever it takes to make sure they’re satisfied,” explains Mr. Lekan. “We give our customers what they want, but we also give them our professional guidance to make sure their projects are complete.”
“Simply put, we strive to always treat our customers right and provide them with high-quality work. By focusing on effective communication, we’re able to understand and take care of their needs to ensure total satisfaction.”
Maintain your door locks to keep them functioning properly and looking like new.
Your door locks protect your home, family and property, so it’s important to keep them working as efficiently as possible. To maintain and improve the functionality and appearance of the locks in your home, consider the following tips:
Clean frequently.
Dirt, grime and oils can build up on door handles, locks and deadbolts, especially when they’re used every day. To avoid this, regularly wipe down affected surfaces with mild soap and water and dry with a soft cloth. This will help keep the dirt and acids from your hands from corroding the surfaces.
Avoid scratching.
“It’s common for frequently used locks to get scratched around their keyholes and faceplates,” says Gary Lekan, owner of 1st Lock & Security in Mountain View. “There’s really no way to avoid this—you just have to be careful whenever you put your key into a lock.”
Keep locks and door mechanisms from sticking.
Everyday use and accumulation of dirt can cause door locks to open harder and even freeze up. A simple solution is to carefully apply a spray lubricant directly to the lock. “A lot of people use WD-40, but I don’t recommend it,” says Mr. Lekan. “Instead, you should use a product that’s infused with Teflon, like Tri-Flow—it’ll stay in the lock longer.”
Don’t rely on graphite powders to unstick locks.
“Graphite powder can be a problem,” cautions Mr. Lekan. “If you put it in a keyhole, it can jam up the inner workings. However, experienced locksmiths may use graphite powder in certain circumstances, like when taking apart and reassembling a cylinder. Just a little bit applied to a lock’s interior components will keep it working smoothly over a longer period of time.”
Call a professional for regular maintenance.
“The average person can do a lot to maintain their own locks,” says Mr. Lekan, “but after a while, they need to be taken apart and serviced, cleaned, lubricated at the contact points, reassembled and reinstalled. That’s not really a do-it-yourself kind of thing, so you should call a licensed locksmith to achieve the best results.”
Maintaining customer satisfaction is a crucial aspect of any business, but it's even more important for locksmiths that have earned the prestigious Diamond Certified award. For First Lock & Security, the key to achieving and maintaining customer satisfaction is ensuring every employee focuses intently on customer service and quality. "We expect a lot from our employees," says owner Gary Lekan. "They understand that in order to keep our customers happy, they have to focus on doing things right the first time."
First Lock & Security has been providing locksmith services for residential and commercial clients in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties since 2007. The company's experienced technicians are trained to install, repair and rekey all types and brands of lock systems, including security and electronic locks, master key systems, storefront locks, exit devices, door closers and decorative door hardware.
Unlike less experienced locksmith companies, First Lock & Security considers dependability and consistency to be vital parts of the job. "Our customers appreciate us because of our reliability and the quality of our work," says Mr. Lekan. "They know exactly what to expect when they call us–we're going to show up, do a good job, clean up when we're done and be ready when they call us again."
Another distinguishing feature of First Lock & Security is the vast amount of industry experience Mr. Lekan brings to every job, no matter how large or small. "I started locksmithing more than 35 years ago, when I was 18, and I was general manager of six stores (managing 35 technicians) before I established this company," he explains. "I share everything I've learned about products, training and customer service with my employees. Our collective expertise allows us to strive for perfection and achieve very high satisfaction on each job."
