While you might think that locksmiths are only there to help you get into your house when you’ve lost a key, they can also offer security suggestions. These suggestions can include reinforcing doors, installing new locks and even smart locks.
Burglars look for ways to gain entry into your home by kicking in the door or breaking into a window. A locksmith can give you a variety of options that will decrease the risk of break-ins including rekeying your current locks or installing deadbolts.
Reinforce Your Door
There are a few easy things you can do to your door to make it more difficult for an intruder to break into your home. The first is to reinforce the frame. This is a great way to prevent someone from simply kicking the door open. This can be done with safety studs that are installed on the inside of your door jamb, or by adding corrugated pins to the hinges. These will make it much harder for an intruder to knock your door off of the hinges.
Another option is to replace the screws that hold the strike plate on your door. Most of these are only 1 inch long, and you should replace them with 3 inches. This will give the strike plate more surface area to distribute the force of a kick, making it harder for them to rip the strike plate from the frame. You can also take this a step further by replacing the strike plate with an elongated one that has larger holes that will accept the longer screws.
These are the cheapest and easiest options to make your door more secure. However, if you want to make your door completely impenetrable, you should look into purchasing one of the various door reinforcement kits that are available on the market. These kits include everything you need to secure your entry door. They usually include a metal reinforcement piece that makes the door jamb thicker, improved strike plates to make the deadbolt more secure, and doors shields that will stop a burglar from simply ripping your door off the hinges when they are attempting to break in.
If you want to get the absolute best security possible, you can even go as far as replacing your entire door with a steel model. Steel is stronger than fiberglass and wood, and it is very difficult for an intruder to kick or rip through. However, it is generally more expensive than a fiberglass or wood model. You can always speak with your local locksmith to learn more about the different options and find out which would be best for your home.
Install New Locks
One of the best ways to increase your home’s security is by installing new locks. You’ll be surprised how much of a difference it can make, both in terms of keeping the bad guys out and making your home easier to get into when you need to.
Depending on your preferences and budget, you can choose between several different lock options. A locksmith can help you explore the options and find a system that suits your needs. They will also be able to install the locks for you.
If you are moving into a new house, for example, you might want to work with a locksmith to have all the locks rekeyed and replaced. This will ensure that only you have access to your home and will reduce the chances of anyone else having a copy of your keys. It’s also a good idea to have the locksmith change the locks if you recently moved into an apartment or another type of rental property.
You can also ask your locksmith to help you add additional features to your doors that will make it harder for someone to break in or escape. This could include the installation of panic exit devices, which are commonly installed in schools and hospitals to allow people to escape quickly in an emergency situation without risking a stampede.
Another option is to have your locksmith upgrade your door’s strike plate. This is a small piece that attaches to the frame and helps keep the latch or bolt secure by giving it a place to rest. The strike plate can be strengthened by using a heavier metal, such as steel, and by adding longer screws.
Lastly, you might want to talk with your locksmith about installing digital locks in your home or office. This will give you more options for entering and leaving your premises, but it’s important to remember that even these types of systems are prone to failure. People are prone to forgetting passwords and code combinations, for example, and they may not be as hard-wired into your door or safe as physical locks.
Change Your Current Locks
When you move into a new home, there’s plenty to do, from unpacking and settling in to changing the locks. It’s an important security measure to take, so you can be sure that only the people who should have access are in your house. Luckily, rekeying your locks is easier than you might think, but it’s also a good idea to consider replacing them altogether with stronger models.
Patience is a skill that all locksmiths need, and it can be especially useful when dealing with lock problems. Oftentimes, it can take hours to perfect the ability to pick a lock without damaging its internal mechanisms. This is because the lock’s design can be tricky and requires a lot of patience to master.
Another thing that makes a good locksmith is being open to trying new methods of solving a problem. This is important because it can help them find the fastest and most efficient way to complete a task, saving time and money for clients. Additionally, it can help them make their customers feel confident that they’re getting the best advice possible.
It’s essential to choose a locksmith with the right credentials before hiring them to do work on your property. This means making sure they’re licensed and insured before giving them your money. You can check this by contacting the local licensing authority or visiting their website.
Additionally, you should ask for recommendations from family and friends before choosing a locksmith. This can help you find someone who’s trustworthy and reliable, and it may also give you a better idea of their prices and work quality.
Lastly, it’s worth checking that the locksmith you hire has the right skills to work on your specific type of lock. For example, some locks require special tools to remove and replace the inner mechanism, while others are more complicated than standard deadbolts. It’s best to go with a professional who has experience working on older models and can offer expert advice on your particular situation.
Having the right locksmith on hand can make all the difference in securing your home or business. There are many ways they can help, including providing you with smart locks that offer keyless entry.
Install Smart Locks
When you choose to install smart locks, your home security will never be the same. These locks make it possible to grant temporary access to guests and service providers without having to worry about them stealing your keys. Moreover, they provide real-time door entry notifications and monitoring to keep you informed of who is coming in and out of your home.
It’s important to find a lock that works well with your existing door and lock setup. You can find smart locks that replace your current deadbolt, or you can get one that attaches to your door handle and uses your existing key. Regardless of which option you go with, it’s important to find one that has good encryption protocols and features a tamper alarm.
Most smart locks also use Z-Wave technology to communicate with each other and your smart hub. This type of technology is considered safer than Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as it’s less susceptible to hacking and other forms of attack.
Another way to increase the security of your new smart lock is to swap out the screws in the strike plate on your door jamb. Adding 3-inch screws will ensure that your strike plate is secured into the jack and king studs of your door frame, making it harder to kick in the door.
Before installing your smart lock, it’s important to inspect the door and the frame for any dirt, debris, or damage. If you notice any issues, it’s best to fix them before starting the installation process.
Once you’ve removed your old lock, you can begin the process of installing the new one. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for ensuring that your new lock is installed correctly. In most cases, you’ll need to secure the interior part of the lock to the door using the supplied screws. You should also install the magnet on the door jamb within close proximity to the lock, as this will help prevent false alerts. Once you’ve finished, test your new lock by locking and unlocking it several times. If you have any problems, contact a locksmith for advice.