Are Your Locks Being Picked?

Burglaries are alarming, and can be emotionally upsetting, as well as expensive. They often result in the need to change your locks.

This isn’t always necessary though. It’s worth considering rekeying instead of replacing your locks.

A traditional method of lock tampering, picking is gentle and leaves few signs. Another technique, bumping, requires specialized tools and can also leave few marks.

Rekeying

Safes rekey service are a great option to avoid the possibility of your keys being picked. It is done by removing the lock cylinder from any housing it rests in, and then using a key-rekeying kit that matches your brand of lock to replace the pins inside.

The kits contain tools to help you remove the old lock and a set of new key pins. The plug has cylindrical chambers spaced according to manufacturer specifications, and the top pins are pushed down by springs while the driver pins are at varying heights that allow a key to be inserted and turned.

Rekeying is almost always cheaper than replacing your locks because the key pins are much less expensive than the lock itself. It is also a great option if you have just bought a new home and are concerned about the number of keys that the previous owners had floating around. It is also possible to rekey your locks so that they all work with the same key, but this requires matching the lock brands and keyway types.

Lock Replacement

A lot of people use locks to secure their homes and businesses. They are a cheap and effective way to keep honest people inside and dishonest ones out. However, they can wear out over time, becoming easier to jimmy and more susceptible to burglars.

Replacing your locks will not only help stop professional thieves from breaking into a property, but it can also keep honest workers and suppliers who come to work at your place of business safe. Upgrading your lock to a commercial-grade lock is another great option, as it will make it more difficult for burglars to breach your security measures.

It is often a good idea to change locks after buying a new house, renting out a room or ending a rental agreement. This will ensure that you don’t have any previous owners, family members or tenants who could still have a key. This is especially true for businesses and commercial spaces, where a disgruntled employee or former tenant can access the property with duplicate keys.

Lock Installation

Burglaries can be terrifying, but you can do your part to avoid them by adding an extra layer of security to your home. Locks are an integral component of your home’s security system, so choosing and installing the right locks can make a big difference in protecting your family and belongings.

Unfortunately, not all locks are created equal. Many of the cheap locks found in hardware stores have a lower grade than what is recommended and can be easily picked or even broken by a burglar with simple tools like picks, screwdrivers, paper clips, tension wrenches, and more.

To avoid this, have a residential locksmith install a keyed deadbolt on your door with tamper-proof hinge pins to keep your home safe. Additionally, a locksmith can also install security pins on your existing lock to make it harder for someone to bump the lock. This will add another step of resistance to a burglar’s plan as it will take them longer to break into your home and could scare them away.

Lock Repair

Occasionally, even if a key is in the lock, it can be difficult to turn. If this is the case, a locksmith should be called immediately.

Another sign of tampering is scratch marks around the keyhole. Similar to picking, a method known as bumping can leave no obvious signs if done correctly. This technique involves inserting a standard key with saw-like points into a compatible lock and then hammering it carefully to catch all pin tumblers. This can create fresh, shiny metal scratches finer than those left by the key.

Locks can also break due to normal wear and tear. When this occurs, it’s important to have them replaced as soon as possible. Lock Replacement Services with higher-quality products will not only provide you with better security but will also act as a deterrent to burglars. This can be a big plus if you live in a close-knit neighborhood. Burglaries can be traumatic and embarrassing for residents, especially if they are victims of identity theft.