The Three Most Common Door Lock Problems

You probably haven’t thought much about problems that can happen to your door lucks until an issue came up for your family. You knew that your locks were getting old or that you could always call a locksmith if something ever went wrong, but what are the most common door lock problems that happen and you should be aware of?

For starters, you could end up with a key breaking in the lock or just a key that isn’t working right. In another scenario, you could end up with your locks misaligning or being too loose, or even a slow lock and faulty door issues. Take a closer look below at the three most common areas of door lock problems. 

The key doesn’t work or broke

Have you ever tried to turn your key and it broke in the lock? Perhaps the key got stuck in the lock or maybe even the key won’t insert at all. Key issues are one of the most common door lock problems. 

If your key broke inside the lock because you tried to force it to turn after it got stuck, you can try to pull it out with pliers. If that doesn’t work, call a professional to help as they may need to help you try to get it out. 

If the key isn’t working, first make sure you are using the right key. If you are, then you may be having an issue with a deadbolt not interacting properly with the strike plate, which you would be able to find out in the case that you do finally open the door and find that the key now works fine.

 If it’s a new key, it may have been cut improperly. Call the locksmith to get this looked into and to see if it’s a bad key or a broken lock. 

Misaligned locks or loose locks 

Next, you could run into a lock issue in which you have poor alignment or it’s too loose. You want the deadbolt to fit properly into the strike plate along the door jam, but when it’s off even by a little, the lock may not work at all. This can sometimes happen when a person is too rough on the door or if a door isn’t installed properly or shifts from conditions like too much humidity. 

You could also be dealing with a loose handle or lock since these things will loosen up over the years. This is an easy fix with a tightening of screws, but if you wait too long to correct it, you’ll likely end up needing to call for help with an emergency lockout. 

Slow lock or faulty door 

Finally, beware of slow locks and faulty doors. A slow door lock is common when dirt or grime accumulates in the lock. This is not a hard fix, but it’s easy to make it worse which is why you should call a professional to help correct it. 

A faulty door mechanism can also happen with time and wear and tear. With excessive use and not getting the maintenance they need, they can become defective. In those scenarios, you’ll want to properly maintain your locks and doors to avoid a slow lock or faulty mechanism because these are mechanical functions that only a professional will be able to properly repair later on. 

These are a few of the most common door lock problems that you could come across on your property. Be sure to maintain your doors and locks, and call a local Chicago locksmithin the event that you need something repaired.

What is Lock Snapping and How to Prevent it?

One of the most common ways a burglar will break into your home is through the entry door. They use different tactics to get in through your door, such as your spare key in the fake rock or simply taking advantage of you forgetting to lock the door.

Even if you do everything correct, a burglar may break in through a method known as lock snapping. This common way of getting into a home usually happens due to a homeowner believing their home is secure when it's not.

Understanding What Lock Snapping is

A technique that doesn't require much skill, burglars use lock snapping, also called cylinder snapping to get into your home. Since this method doesn't require much skill or any special equipment, it's very common. All the intruder needs is a hammer and screwdriver to get into your home and they can do it very quickly with lock snapping.

Usually, this method is applied to a Euro profile cylinder lock, which is commonly used on uPVC doors. Even though the lock has multi-locking points, they are operated by a single-cylinder, which can be snapped into two halves rather easily. The burglar just has to apply the right force to the cylinder and it will break.

Once the lock snapping has occurred, entry into your home is rather easy. The burglar can now open the door with simple household tools and gain access to your belongings.

Simply put, lock snapping is the process of applying for to a lock cylinder to snap it in half. A burglar with very little experience can snap your lock in a matter of seconds.

How to Prevent Lock Snapping

Preventing lock snapping starts with figuring out if your locks are vulnerable. Make sure to check all entry points to your home as not all burglars break in through the front door. If you want a professional to check your locks, call a local Chicago locksmith. They will be able to tell you if your locks are anti-snap and if not, they can recommend the right upgrade to protect your home.

If you decide to check your locks on your own, you want to find out if you have cylinder locks that can easily be snapped. Look to see if the lock sticks out of the door handle and protrudes very easily. If so, it's likely time for an upgrade.

Install the Right Locks

The best way to prevent lock snapping and make your home more secure is installing the right locks. Have a locksmith install the highest quality locks for your doors and make sure they are anti-snap locks. Having an anti-snap lock fitted to your door will ensure you don't have to worry about a burglar breaking in, even if you locked the door.

Anti-snap locks have a tested cylinder that keeps the lock from being snapped by the method used by burglars. They can attack this lock, but it won't snap like a traditional euro-cylinder lock will.

As long as your new locks are properly fitted and installed, you won't have to worry about snapping. A professional locksmith will be able to make the right recommendation for your door and install the proper lock to better protect your home.

How can you increase the security of a door lock?

Your door locks are in place in your home to protect your home and your family. That is why it’s important to always take the time to perform maintenance and increases to your home’s security system. This all starts by ensuring your locks are as secure as the day you first bought them and utilizing technology to increase your security as new features hit the market. Take a look at the ways you can increase the security of your door lock and keep your home safer.

Upgrade them

Start by upgrading your locks. Since this is a thing you use every single day and it’s a major way that you keep your home secure, you should make sure you are using the right kind for your door and that it’s working properly. Did you choose one that is appropriate for your door? Is it going to be weak against blunt force or the use of a bump key?

It may be time to call a locksmith to replace your old locks and install one of the trusted brands of door locks on the market. It’s also a great time to make sure you have a deadbolt since the handle or keyed knob is less important. Your deadbolt will be much harder to break-in compared to a spring loaded latch because you can’t get the bolt to move without rotating it at its core.

Your front door’s locking system is your entire security system to your home, which is why it’s so important to have the latest technology in door locks and have a professional locksmith install it for you. The wrong locks could mean a break-in and harm to your entrance. Make sure to get a deadbolt that extend one inch beyond the door and choose be a high-quality brand like Medeco that will be resistant to lock-picking or fake keys.

Reinforce your doors and glass surfaces

Next, take the time to have your doors and glass surfaces examined. These are other ways that criminals will try to break in. If you are using an old, light-weight door, it may be time to replace it with a solid door made with hardwood or metal inserts.

Have a professional locksmith come out to reinforce doors that do not need replaced and then have them examine your windows. Since windows are by most front doors, a criminal may try to break-in through this method. Strengthen your windows and glass by replacing them with a stronger material or by adding a security window film for extra protection. You can get a tinted window film or a clear one that will at least discourage most burglars because it’s not easy to shatter.

Add a security screen

Speaking of window films, you can also add a security screen to your front door. This is basically like having two doors in which one door is in front of the other door. This allows you to have a metal barrier with additional locks for your front door. Since they are made to open out, attempting to kick them in will likely be unsuccessful.

If a criminal sees additional deadbolts and keyed knobs to get in a house, they may give up on their plans. You will have the option to see through this door much better than a peephole while still remaining inside the house.

Lengthen set screws

Talk to your locksmith about how they can lengthen set screws. This is another trick to improve home security that is simple but effective. Simply have your strike plate and hinges’s ¾ inch set screws changed to 3-inch screws. If someone tries to kick the door in, you’ll find that the door is more likely to just splinter and fracture but not actually get kicked in.

Typically with the shorter set screws, when the door is kicked in the strike plate will get torn off the door when the trim is breaking. With a longer set screw, the strike plate won’t be as vulnerable since you are likely just attacking the stud of the door jam. You must also secure the door’s strike plate and hinge side in order for this to be effective during an attack.

Maintain and install more hardware

Finally, make sure you take the time to maintain your hardware and add additional features where needed. You can use slipcovers to add more metal content to a door to help strengthen it where it has vulnerabilities. If you have exposed or weakened bolts that you use to secure a door, get a cover that extends over the jam.

Consider installing securing devices from inside the home, such as a lock in the middle of the door or a chain lock. Add front door monitoring through surveillance cameras, smart locks, and smart doorbells to improve your ability to see what’s going on and deter criminals.

Use these tips to increase your front door locks since it is the most important security feature of your home!

How to Maintain Your Door Locks

Your home has plenty of door locks and you need to keep them maintained. If you're like most, you lock your doors often, which can wear out your locks over time. Maintaining your door locks helps to keep you from needing to replace the locks as often.

Door locks don't work forever. Even well-maintained locks will wear out over time. Here are some of the best tips you can use to ensure your door locks last a very long time.

Make Sure Your Door is Hung Properly

If you don't know was a properly hung door looks like, you can have a residential locksmith inspect the door for you. You want to make sure the door isn't sagging and is completely even with the frame. If the door isn't hung properly, it can put unnecessary pressure on the lock, which can cause an issue.

Properly hung doors won't bind and there won't be an uneven gap. You want a uniform gap along the sides and the top of about an eighth of an inch or at least less than a quarter of an inch.

Lubricate Your Locks Regularly

If you want to make sure your door locks function smoothly, you should use a lubricant about once or twice a year. Dry lubricants are very easy to apply and will help to ensure the lock remains in working order. Simply lubricate the inside of the lock with the key by moving it in and out a few times.

Clean Your Locks

You will also want to clean your door locks to keep them well-maintained. Use a mild detergent or a damp rag to clean the outside of the locks. If you use an abrasive or chemical cleaner, it can do harm to the lock. Even a petroleum-based cleaner may damage the finish of the lock.

Only Copy the Original Key

It can be a very bad thing for your door locks if you copy a copy of the original key. Always make your copies from the original key to ensure you get the best possible duplicate key for your door locks.

Check Your Deadbolt

You want to make sure you can easily secure the deadbolt without having to push or pull the doorknob. If you have to move the door around to get it to lock with the deadbolt, it means the lock or the frame wasn't installed correctly. Make sure the deadbolt extends all the way when locked, as well.

Check the Strike Plate and Screws

You want to make sure at least one of the screws in the top hinge is long enough to secure the door to the wall frame. This helps to prevent sagging and adds a bit of security. Usually, you want to add three-inch or longer screws to each hinge.

In addition, you want to check the strike plate to ensure it’s secure. You want to use long screws for this, as well.

Maintaining your door locks is very important if you're a homeowner. Locks that don't work right could cause an issue and may make it easier for your home to be broken into. Make sure you keep your door locks maintained and if you need work done to the locks, contact a professional Chicago locksmith.

What kind of padlock is most secure

There is nothing more important in a lock than knowing it’s going to do its job and it will be secure. If you were to be a victim of a crime when a padlock went missing overnight, you’d feel very angry that this measure you took to protect your property did not do its job.

That is why it’s important to learn about the different options on the market for padlocks and know what to look for in one that is going to be the most secure when replacing your locks. From knowing the right brands to looking for the right materials and sizes, here is a look at the types of padlocks and what will be the most secure.

What to look for in a padlock

There are many features that you can look for in a padlock that will allow you to make a wiser purchase and a more sound investment. You’ll be able to determine if a padlock is a cheap, unreliable option, or a secure and sturdy one.

Start with considering the materials and size of the lock and the key. You’ll want to make sure the lock size is big and the key has as many pins as possible to increase the security. Choose a padlock that features either carbide or alloy steel for the best security. The better the metal you have the more secure your padlock will be. Make sure you choose a thick metal like alloy but don’t worry about its weight as this isn’t always a sign of its strength.

Next, look at the shoulder shroud because the thicker and larger it is, the better. This is also known as the shackle cover and any metal that shrouds the shackle will add an additional layer of metal that has to be cut or removed to access the lock for opening it. 

Keeping that shackle more protected happens with less access and a shackle cover.  Also, if you have a hardened plate called an anti-drill plate, you’ll find that a drill won’t be able to break through which will mean better security.

A common bypass for locks is shimming the shackle and this can happen when there are no ball bearings. The shackle can release in different ways affecting the security too, which means if you have a shackle that needs to be released on both ends rather than just one end, a criminal would have to spend more time cutting which can buy you time and slow them down.

Lastly, the core of a padlock where you would put the key in is a major part of whether or not a padlock is going to remain secure. The key is inserted into the cylinder and from there the lock’s variety of pins will play a huge role. You’ll want to ask questions about how many pins there are, what type of pins are they, and if there are other features like side bars or counter milling.

Brands on the market

Now that you know what to look for, it will be easy to spot a great product from a poor quality option. Look for brands on the market such as Sargent & Greenleaf, Ingersoll, ABUS, Master Lock, Hi-Shear, and Stanley Hardware. Depending on your budget, you can find a great variety of price points to suit your current needs. For a budget-friendly option, check out the Stanley Hardened Steel Padlock at a price around $50. For the absolute top-of-the-line type of products, you can find a $2,600 padlock called the Sargent & Greenleaf 951C which features military-level security.

Other popular options include the Ingersoll 10 at around $260, the Hi-Shear Padlock for just a little bit more, or the very simple ABUS  80TI/50 for just $15. Some of these options are going to offer more of those features above while others will allow you to save money while still offering some level of protection on your property.

While it’s important to save money, it’s worth the investment to get the security that comes with the higher-end padlocks. These are the things to look for that will tell you a padlock is most secure.

Rekey or Lock Replacement: Which is Right for You?

When you lose your key or it gets stolen, you have to decide if you want to rekey the lock or replace the lock. This is a bit of a big decision as they are similar options, but they could have a difference in the security of your home or building. Let's look at when you should rekey a lock and when you should replace a lock.

Rekey Your Lock if...

When you lose control over who has access to your business or home, you want to rekey your locks. This could be due to a staffing change or a renter moving out and another one moving in. If it's your personal home, it could be due to losing a key to your house.

As a business owner, you don't want an employee with a grudge getting into your business. If they have a key, they could vandalize your business, steal from you, or cause other damage to the business.

Another important time to consider rekeying your locks is when you lose a key. You never know who could have it and the last thing you need is the key ending up in the wrong hands. Whether you're a business owner or a homeowner, a lost key means it's time to rekey your locks.

The last circumstance when it makes sense to rekey your locks is when you have locks allowing you to easily rekey them by inserting a step change key. If you have these types of locks, it's usually much easier and quicker to rekey the locks than to replace them.

Change Your Locks if...

While most of the time rekeying is the better and less expensive option there are times when it's a good idea to change your locks. Whether you're running a business or you own a home, you may want to consider lock replacement in the following circumstances.

If the locks are worn out or outdated, it may be time to change them. Maybe you were considering rekeying due to a lost key, but the locks haven't been replaced in years. It may be better just to replace the locks in this circumstance as you may be able to upgrade for better security features with new locks.

The other circumstance that garners lock replacement instead of rekeying is upgrading your security system. If you plan to upgrade your security system, you don't want to be using old locks that don't provide the very best security features. It's better to upgrade to locks you can easily manage as a business or the most secure on the market if you own a home.

As a business owner, you can choose to replace your locks with a better system allowing you to manage all locks and keys. This can make it easier to deal with a lost or stolen key and help to protect your business.

The decision to rekey or replace isn't an easy one when it comes to your business or home locks. If you're not sure, a professional locksmith can inspect your locks and make a recommendation for your business or your home.

What are the Added Benefits of a Full-Length Latch Guard?

Latch guards are often used as a part of passive security to help deter forcible entry. A full-length latch guard is longer than a traditional latch guard and provides many added security benefits.

Without any type of latch guard, your deadbolt or locking mechanism may be vulnerable to forcible entry. Adding a latch guard makes it harder for a criminal to break or pick the lock through the gap between the door and the frame.

The main function of a latch guard is to protect the latch or deadbolt from physical manipulation. It's an important part of your passive security and overall protection for your home or business. Here are a few benefits of using a full-length latch guard.

Better Overall Protection

When you choose a full-length latch guard it makes it even harder for criminals to break in with force or manipulation of your lock. Often, a latch guard is enough to help deter criminals from even trying.

It will become harder for anybody to use a lock pick, blunt object, pry bar or drill to get into your door when you choose a full-length latch guard. Storefronts often use these guard to keep the large gap in between the door and the jab from being exposed. With a small latch guard, it may still be possible to manipulate the lock. However, with a full-length latch guard, this becomes nearly impossible, making the door far more secure.

Visual Deterrent

For many criminals, if it looks too difficult to break into, they won't even bother. Using a full-length latch guard will help to deter criminal activity visually. This type of latch guard will make it look far more difficult to get into the door, which makes criminals think twice.

Work for Multiple Door Types

Whether you live in a condo building, house or you run a business; a full-length latch guard can be used to help protect your entry door. In addition, they can be used for outswing or inswing doors and there are several types of latch guarded to help protect just about any type of door.

Affordable Protection

One of the great benefits of a full-length latch guard is the low cost. It's a very affordable way to add an extra level of protection to any door. While these are not one-size-fits-all and it's a good idea to have a professional install your full-length latch guard, they do offer an affordable security solution.

Blend into the Look of Your Door

With multiple materials used to make latch guards, you can choose one that will blend into the overall look of your door. In fact, a full-length latch guard can easily compliment the other hardware on your door making it more secure and visually appealing.

There are several benefits you will gain from using a full-length latch guard. Choosing the right one makes a difference. It's best to have a professional look at your door and make a recommendation for the best possible security for your entryway.

Is a Keyless Lock & Entry System Right for your Home

You may have considered making the switch to a keyless lock and entry system for the house after seeing how easily it works in your car or a vacation rental property. We even covered it just a couple of week ago because it is a hot topic - https://www.theprolock.com/blog/2018/2/7/is-keyless-entry-really-more-secure. You don’t have to carry a key around and only your family knows the password to get in, making it really secure and simplified.

It’s trending these days because it gives the owner more control over the property and it’s convenient compared to carrying around spare keys, but some worry about how easy it is to transition. Take a closer look at keyless entry and what a remote keyless system is like so that you can understand more about it before getting it for your home.

Benefits of electronic door locks

If you are thinking about getting keyless locks, you may be wondering what benefits a remote keyless system would bring to your daily life. There are many benefits including better safety, how automatic it is, personal security, and even as prevention for forgetfulness.

No more trying to remember to grab the keys or to wondering where you last saw them since the remote access allows you to enter without access to your keys or a spare key.

If there comes a time when you are in a situation where you need to get in or leave the house quickly, you’re not longer fumbling through your bag, purse, or pockets trying to locate a key. This could be extremely beneficial in the case of an emergency or a safety situation in which someone is following you. When the kids need to go to school quickly or you are trying to get in the door with a handful of groceries, avoiding the fumble for keys can be extremely beneficial.

Another benefit of this system is that you can do extra things with it, such as having your porch lights come on while trying to unlock the door, have access to your window and door locks from a computer, and hiding the system by disguising them to resemble traditional doorknobs. You’ll also be able to get as many remotes as you want.

Keeping your keyless entry home secured

One of the tips you’ll need to remember with this system is that you’ll need to keep it secured. After your keyless entry installation, divvy up the codes for different people that you want to have access. for an office, each employee could have their own passcode, while for the home, you may want to give access to children that live outside of the home or for any hired help like a maid or nanny. These come in handy in the situation where someone no longer is welcomed in the home and the code can just be deleted for that person.

Be sure not to record your code that could potentially be found, such as in your computer that gets hacked or a notecard in your purse that could get lost. If you are going to write anything down, just write down a clue to yourself to remember it later. It may be difficult to make the code long enough, but it’s smart to max out the digits to make it harder for a thief to hack.

Finally, be sure to avoid making it something too personal that someone could guess it and always be changing it at least a couple of times a year. Don’t make it something obvious like your home address, zip code, or birth date, while updating it with something that you can remember when you change it every few months.

Keyless entry is a highly desirable system right now for homes and even offices that want more security and a simplified system. Talk to the professionals at ProLock to get your home setup with this modern technology that will make it easier for your family to get in and out of the house every day.