Does your lock provide you the right level of security?
When it comes to essential standards in home security, a lock is the ultimate hardware which enables you to keep your home secure.
It's no secret what door locks do and the value they provide to keeping your home safe and secure from unwanted visitors.
Most home burglaries happen between the hours of 10:00am and 3:00pm when people are at work. Almost 30% of burglars enter a home through an unlocked door or window. An astonishing 34% of burglars enter through the front door. Statistics source: SafeWise.
Burglars have no interest in working hard (this is the reason why they choose to steal in the first place). Having said that, burglars are usually looking for quick and easy access through windows and doors and cheap locks, which are easily manipulated.
Hmm "easily manipulated", what does that mean? There are many forms of lock manipulation; some are pretty easy and, believe it or not, may take only a few seconds. As a professional locksmith with over 10 years of experience, I myself have opened locks in just three seconds. Yes, I said seconds.
How did I unlock the door in just 3 seconds
So how exactly did I manipulate the lock to unlock in such a short amount of time? There are several techniques which professional locksmiths use and, unfortunately, criminals have implemented some of these very techniques. These techniques consist of lock picking, door shimming, and key bumping.
Can you guess which technique I used to get the door open in just 3 seconds? I'll give you a hint; you see it done in movies all the time using a credit card.
Did you figured it out?
Well, if your guess was door shimming, you are correct. The process is fairly simple, hence the three second break-in. We use a bendable plastic to wedge between the door and the jamb to unlatch from the strike plate. If that sounds complicated, it’s really not, as that's just the technical terms. Trust me, when you see it in action, you will be alarmed how easy it is for someone with bad intentions to manipulate your house locks.
Choosing the right lock replacement
It is recommended to have at least two functioning locks on your exterior doors. The first lock should be an entrance function door knob that has a locking mechanism with a latch guard. This prevents door shimming. As far as for the second lock change, which I always tell my customers is the primary security lock, I recommend getting a deadbolt lock replacement.
I never recommend buying those cheap deadbolts you see in The Home Depot® or Lowe's®. You get what you pay for - cheap locks security. Consider purchasing a high security deadbolt which has multiple layers of enhanced security and is vigorously tested not only for lock manipulation but forced entry. I always recommend the Mul-T-Lock® and Medeco® brands to my clients; however, Schlage® and Kwikset® also make pretty good high security deadbolts.
4 Things to consider before changing your locks
Security: Buy a lock which is pick proof, bump proof, and shim proof. Most high security locks come with a key card. This card allows you to control who may duplicate the keys. If you decide to buy a Mul-T-Lock® or Medeco®, stay away from the rare programs, and ask for the more popular ones such as 06, 08, and DM keyways. This will save you a lot of headache down the road when looking for a locksmith shop that has these keys in stock.
Safety: Inspect the surroundings of the door. If there is breakable glass in the immediate surroundings of the locks, or if you have a window that is within reach of the locks, then I recommend replacing the lock to a double cylinder deadbolt. In most cases you may use either a tubular deadbolt or a surface mount deadbolt with a rim cylinder. A double cylinder deadbolt functions with a key to lock and unlock the bolt both from the exterior as well as the interior.
Quantity: If you need to change all your exterior door locks, consider getting them keyed-alike. This eliminates the hassle of having multiple keys and simplifies daily use by allowing you to work with one key that controls all the replaced locks.
Aesthetics: It's always nice to have all the finishes on your door hardware match colors. Try to match all your existing door hardware - hinges, saddles, and decorative trims. Yes, it's important to have great security, but it should be just as important to have appealing door locks; after all, this is your home we're talking about.
Changing your lock
Consumers tend to enjoy the buying experience. On the other hand, locksmiths often enjoy replacing those old locks with brand new door locks that work smoothly, give that feeling of security, and overall look nice. It's like that fresh car scent and feel of a new car. At least that's the way I always feel when doing lock changes, and perhaps maybe this is why my fellow locksmiths and I choose to do this job.
Once you've decided on which lock you’re going to buy, it's time for the fun part - the installation.
Getting your locks changed is fairly simple and you can do it in just 20 minutes.
Or, you can reach out to one of our professional Brooklyn Locksmiths if you do not possess the time and/or tools to get the job done on your own.
Conclusion
It's no secret that door locks keep your home safe and secure from burglars. Cheap locks do not provide adequate security and are easily manipulated.
If you want to have good security for your home, purchase high security locks. Remember, big box stores normally sell the basic security products to have their prices appeal to consumers. Consult with your local locksmith on which brand and type of lock is best fit for your doors.
Finally, Consider having a professional locksmith change your locks.
For more information and free consultation, drop us a line, or give us a call right now! (718) 635-2219, we're more than happy to provide you with lock replacement service in Brooklyn.
