Assessing Your Security Needs

The first step in selecting the right lock for your home or business is to assess your security needs. Consider factors such as the crime rate in your area, the value of your property, and the level of access control required.

Investing in robust locking mechanisms is essential for high-security environments, such as businesses handling sensitive information or homeowners with valuable assets. On the other hand, residential properties in low-crime neighborhoods may prioritize affordability and convenience over advanced security features.

Exploring Types of Locks Available

The next consideration is to explore the types of locks available and their suitability for your specific requirements. Traditional options such as deadbolts remain popular choices for their reliability and durability. Deadbolts come in various configurations, including single-cylinder, double-cylinder, and jimmy-proof designs, each offering different levels of security and convenience.

Consider upgrading to high-security deadbolts featuring hardened steel construction and anti-drill features for added protection.

In recent years, Smart locks have emerged as innovative solutions for enhancing security and convenience. These electronic locks allow remote access control via smartphone apps, digital keypads, or voice commands, eliminating the need for traditional keys. Smart locks offer features such as activity logs, temporary access codes, and integration with home automation systems, making them ideal for homeowners seeking modern security solutions.

Compatibility with Existing Hardware

Compatibility with existing hardware is another crucial factor to consider when choosing a lock for your home or business. Evaluate the type of doors and frames you have, as well as any additional security devices or access control systems in place. Ensure that the chosen lock is compatible with your door’s dimensions and configuration, and consider Consulting With a Locksmith or security professional for expert advice.

For businesses, compatibility with existing access control systems and security protocols is paramount. Look for locks that seamlessly integrate with your organization’s infrastructure, allowing for centralized management and monitoring of access permissions. Consider factors such as scalability, ease of integration, and compatibility with industry standards to ensure a seamless transition and optimal security posture.

Making an Informed Decision

Ultimately, choosing the right lock for your home or business requires careful consideration of various factors, including security needs, types of locks available, and compatibility with existing hardware. By assessing your specific requirements and exploring the range of options available, you can make an informed decision that prioritizes both security and convenience.

When evaluating different locks, research reputable brands and consult with locksmiths or security professionals for expert guidance. Consider factors such as durability, ease of installation, and warranty coverage to ensure long-term satisfaction with your lock.

Remember that investing in quality locks is an investment in the safety and security of your property and loved ones.

Choosing the right lock for your home or business lets you enjoy peace of mind knowing that your premises are protected against unauthorized access and intrusions.

If a lock can’t be readily picked, it’s considered “high security.” Does this imply that other locks are more easily picked if this is the case? Experts, on the other hand, disagree!

If you have ever looked for locks for your home or business, you’ve likely come across the phrase “high-security.” There is a good chance you have disregarded it as industry-speak or a marketing phrase. When it comes to protecting your home, high-security locks are the best in the business, making your life simpler and more difficult for crooks.

For a variety of purposes, locks are available at a variety of pricing ranges. Some are easy enough to be picked up with a backup key or other means of access. Biometric access and mobile applications are two of the most advanced options available. In many cases, these locks can only be fitted by a professional locksmith. High-security locks essentially provide more protection against manipulation, damaging assaults, breaches, and off-site key duplicating. With the addition of electronics, the possibility for audit logs, surveillance, and quick recovery of hacked or expired credentials increased.

If you want to invest in a high-security lock to protect your valuables, you’ll also need to secure the room’s windows and other entrance points.

However, you must first learn how safe a high-security lock is and if you should get one for your garage door.

Features Of High-Security Locks

1. Bolt Strength

Heavy and robust bolts are needed to prevent them from being picked or shattered by heavy tools like a battering ram or a sled hammer. A thief should be unable to lift the bolt with their own hands. When brute force or machines are used to shatter a bolt, only a bolt constructed of a strong metal can survive them.

2. Copying Keys

Inevitably, there will be a lockout at some point. As a result, spare or duplicate keys are brought into the picture. It would help if you kept your keys out of the hands of thieves who may use them to gain entry to your house and steal your valuables. As a result, keeping keys just where you need them makes sense and is a very common thing to do.

You may want to use a high-security lock featuring patented keyways for additional security. Special machines must break or produce replicas of these locks or their keys.

3. Hardware

The heavier the locks, the more secure your possessions are. Locks built of hefty metal are almost impossible to pick or break. A lighter lock of inferior metals or polymers severely compromises your house or office’s security.

If you ever find yourself locked out, only a Professional Emergency Locksmith will be able to free you from your shackles and get entry.

4. Drill Resistance

Drilling into a lock is one of the simplest methods to pick or break it. Drills are also used by many locksmiths when required. Drilling a hole in a lock renders it useless. Anti-drill plates and hardened steel ball bearings are common features in high-security locks.

How To Secure Your Home With High-Security Locks?

Burglars are unlikely to break in unless you have valuables in your house unless they know you have anything they want. Most often, burglars will attempt to enter your house via an unlocked sliding door or window. It doesn’t matter how costly the lock on your front door is; your investment is wasted if your windows and backdoors aren’t adequately protected.

The majority of burglars will gain entry to your possessions via an open window or an unlocked door. That’s why many individuals nowadays want home security systems installed. Using a smartphone app or a code, you can access your home’s smart locks, removing the need to retain physical keys.

For example, the area where your gun collection is stored would be a good candidate for high-security locks since it has only one way in and out.

How To Secure Your Business With High-Security Locks?

Locking business establishments with a strong, high-security lock is a good idea. It is also important to protect the windows and other points of entry in order to provide failsafe security and safety.

Biometric locks, as well as other smart locks, on the other hand, may be rather expensive in security systems of this kind. With this, you won’t have to keep making new copies of your keys each time an employee departs or doesn’t show up for work.

Bottom Line

When there are no other ways in or out of a room, high-security locks are your best bet. Investing in a high-security lock is meaningless if you use it to protect your front door, not your rear door, windows, or other access points.

While many immediately turn to high-tech solutions like security cameras, starting with the fundamentals is quite simple. It’s an essential aspect of home or business security to make sure your doors are locked when you leave. Because of human error, we recommend installing automated door closers in order to exclude them from the equation.

Get in touch with us for the finest door hardware services, such as door closer around.

How Do Door Closers Work?

A door closer is a mechanical mechanism that ensures a door shuts once it has been opened. Most building codes require door closers to keep fire doors closed, but many companies also have them on other garage doors in their facilities. Our recommendation is to put door closers on all outside doors as a precaution against intruders.

Doors in heavy traffic areas may benefit from these devices since they prevent doors from banging or being opened too forcibly, which can lead to injury.

THE IMPORTANCE OF A DOOR CLOSERS

• Security

When discussing the need for Door Closer Adjustments, a facility’s safety comes first. Initially, it may seem odd to think that a door shutting may affect a structure’s security. Isn’t the only thing it accomplishes to ensure that the door shuts properly? Doesn’t it follow that the locking mechanism, not the door-closing hardware, is responsible for securing the door?

The lock goes into action only after the door is shut and secured. This can only happen if the door is in excellent working condition. The door closer settings have to be right for the door to shut and lock correctly when someone goes through the opening. When the door closer is done, set the latch rate so that the latch secures itself in the striking mechanism.

• The ADA’s Requirements

Consider the Americans with Disabilities Act while considering door closer modifications (ADA). People with disabilities or other limitations will be able to open and close the door as a consequence. When adjusting a door closer, make sure that it doesn’t need a bodybuilder to open and go through it. The door should open with no more than five pounds of pressure from the latch.

The closing spring speed and power increase as the door progresses with the door’s movement. Changes to the closer may be made to regulate these characteristics of the door closer. Fire ratings or the placement of outside doors may take precedence over these criteria.

• Life Safety

Finally, we’ll talk about how to adjust door closers to meet life safety standards, including fire ratings. For a fire-rated door to function properly, it must be able to close and latch on its own. While the door has a Latching Mechanism, it will not function as intended if the closure fails to shut the door completely.

When there is a fire, the door should be closed so that the fire cannot spread and the inhabitants may safely leave the building. To maintain the egress route clear of the fire, smoke, and other hazards, all of the door closers in the area must close the doors at all times.

Additionally, all doors that are meant to be locked and protected must work correctly in the case of an active shooter. A closed and protected entrance may save lives in these instances.

• Prevents The Slamming Of Doors

Door closers have a mechanism that ensures a regulated door closing. The damper function maintains a particular degree of force and speed in the door’s closing. This is critical when it comes to doors with weight and persons at risk of harm.

Door closers, for example, protect tiny children and others with disabilities from being crushed by heavy doors. The agony of pinched fingers might be felt by anybody unable to move fast enough. Door closers are also useful for those who carry a lot of weight, such as a lot of luggage.

In fact, door closers minimize injuries and encourage accessibility since they prevent doors from being slammed shut.

• Controls The Open Swing Of Doors

As a standard feature, most door closers have a backcheck mechanism. Backcheck slows or even stops the door during its opening swing to prevent it from opening too quickly.

It might be hazardous when the strong wind and the doors fly wide. Doorknobs may also be thrown open forcibly by people.

Bottom Line

Adjust the door closers on every door in a building to their proper settings. Before you complete the door installation, you should ensure everything is operating correctly. In terms of performance and safety, it has the potential to make a substantial difference.

The importance of a key is often overlooked, despite its importance in everyday life. We depend on these simple, everyday goods to protect ourselves, our loved ones, and our possessions. Many distinct sorts of keys are available, each with a specific function.

For your convenience, we’ve outlined some of the most typical uses for keys, the fundamental parts of a key, and the many different types of house keys available to you.

Types Of Home Locks

Keys for the home may come in a wide range, but we’re most likely just acquainted with a single kind. These are a few of the options:

• Mechanically Cut Keys

Older autos and doors in houses and businesses are popular places to find mechanically cut keys. A ridged pattern connects to the proper lock when they’re sliced on one end alone. Die-cast or carved keys get their name from the mechanical cutting machines that make them.

A significant drawback of mechanical cut keys is that they are the most easily replicated and do not provide much security. Duplicates are easy to create at a hardware store or self-service key cutter because of their basic design. As a result, these keys are both inexpensive and simple to make.

• Four-sided Key

This is by far the most common kind of key to be found in homes. They may be identified by the two or four sets of teeth on the opposing sides of the blade. For the best protection, go for the four-sided option. Because of their rarity and difficulty in duplicating, these items are unlikely to be targeted by criminals.

The lock to which the key is matched is more difficult to open since it has many teeth. Double and four-sided keys are the way to go if you want to upgrade your mechanically cut home key to something more secure on a budget. You may significantly improve the safety and security of your home with very little money and effort.

• Dimple Keys

As the name suggests, these keys feature a wide range of dimples on the blade. Two protruding pins in a lock match these dimples. When the dimple key is placed into the lock, it aligns the dimples with the pins, and the lock is then released.

This ensures that dimple keys work regardless of how they are placed into the lock since all sides are similar. Due to this, you don’t have to spend time finding out how to hold the key before inserting it.

The most typical use for these keys is as an additional line of defense against intruders in private residences. Your locks and Apartment Keys can be changed by hiring a locksmith.

• Abloy Keys

To access disc tumbler locks, Abloy keys are required. After being inserted, the key causes the lock’s discs to spin, and the lock will unlock when the discs are correctly aligned. It’s almost unheard of to find Abloy keys these days. Despite this, they’re a huge hit elsewhere.

• A Primary Key

When creating security, the main key is the essential kind of key, as the name indicates. The primary key can unlock all locks, even if multiple keys match specific locks.

Keys to individual offices are common, and managers often keep the master key to ensure that, in the case of an emergency, all rooms in the building may be accessed. When it comes to apartment complexes, though, primary keys are more common.

• Skeleton Keys

It’s common for skeleton keys, or “passkeys,” to be mistaken for primary keys. When it comes to main and skeleton keys, the distinction lies in that primary keys may open many locks. Only warded locks may make use of these keys.

One of the most valuable features of skeleton keys is a serrated, protruding component at the blade’s tip. Most warded locks are no longer in use since they are simple to pick up and offer insufficient protection. As a consequence, the number of skeleton locks has decreased.

• Magnetic Keys

The magnets in a magnetic key allow the tumblers in a lock to line up appropriately and release based on the size and orientation of the magnets. Because these keys utilize passive mechanics, no electronics are needed.

Several types of locks, including lever locks, deadbolts, and cylinder locks, use magnetic keys.

Bottom Line

The only physical keys we use consistently if we’re being honest, are three of the many key types we utilize daily. Have three: a personal, a vehicle, and a postal box.

It’s not just three main sorts. Our goal is that reading about the various sorts of keys described above has given you a better understanding of which keys you may utilize on your keyboard.

When you consider everything, you keep in your pockets, such as the keys to your vehicle, front door, side door, back door, mailbox, and maybe even your mother-in-house, the law, and several tiny rewards cards curved and perforated to hang easily.

It is easy for key chains to get packed very quickly. Because of this, you’ll constantly search for the right key to open the door or locker you are trying to enter and squander precious time each day.

Rekeying a few of your locks is a simple, inexpensive, and do-it-yourself option that may alleviate some of your stress. This comprehensive guide will teach when, why, and how to do a lock rekey.

How Does A Lock Operate?

Having an understanding of how locks function is helpful before rekeying a lock.

A pin and tumbler lock is the kind of lock that is often seen on doorknobs and deadbolts. There are pins and springs within a cylindrical plug. A precise key shape must fit between the pins of various lengths to insert and operate the lock. To make this function, the pins’ size must match the depth of the key’s grooves.

It is necessary to dismantle a lock, remove the pins, and then replace them with new pins that have cuts that correspond to those on the key that will be used to open the lock. Only then will the lock be able to be opened with the desired key. Let’s have a look at the process.

Tumbler And Pin Lock

A steel cutaway is used to rotate a given key shape in a pin and tumbler lock, which can be found on locking doorknobs and deadbolts. This steel cutaway carries a cylindrical plug and many springs and pins. For a key to spin the locking mechanism, its pin arrangement must match the depth of the key’s different grooves.

In order to use a different key to open the door lock, you must dismantle the lock and remove and replace the pins, which have varying heights, with new pins that match the cuts and grooves in the new key. Alternatively, you may use the same key to unlock all of the doors.

For Homeowners, This Is Ideal!

Rekeying is the finest option if you want a single Key To Unlock All Your House or apartment locks. A complete key ring may be reduced to only the essentials, saving you time and space in your wallet or handbag and enabling you to locate the right one quickly.

When it comes to security, rekeying a lock is a good option. To ensure that they are the only ones with access to their new house after it has been constructed and numerous others, including builders, subcontractors, and inspectors, have duplicate door keys, new homeowners should confirm this before taking possession.

You may trust a qualified locksmith for your home’s security.

Are You Replacing Or Rekeying?

In the same way, landlords and property managers often rekey door locks when a new tenant moves in. Replacement of the whole lock is an option when moving into a previously owned home or when you lose your extra keys. Your house is safe and secure since no one else has the key.

Both are replacing and rekeying a lock, effectively modifying a lock to restrict access; however, both processes are only necessary in exceptional cases.

• If you lose your key, you won’t be able to dismantle your current locks for rekeying. First and foremost, get a new lock installed.

• Rekeying is not an option for repairing a worn or broken lock. When a lock is broken or bent, your locksmith will likely need to fix it sooner rather than later. Unless you want many locks to share a single key, you don’t need to rekey them if your goal is to have the only key.

Locks Made By The Same Manufacturer

To rekey several locks to fit one key, they must be made by the same manufacturer.

For example, you must use Schlage locks for any other locks you want to be rekeyed to match if your front door lock is a Schlage. You can’t rekey a Kwikset or Sargeant lock to open with the same key as a Schlage lock since each lock has a distinct keyhole size that only accepts its key.

Before rekeying, you’ll need to pick one lock brand and replace the others to match.

Bottom Line

Because of all the keys the previous owner had lying about, you are anxious to move in. Alternatively, if you are sick of carrying about a jumble of keys in your pocket or handbag, you may want to have a single key that can unlock all of your doors.

Rekeying your home’s locks may serve both of these purposes. You may be shocked at how simple it is.

It’s very uncommon for doorknobs and handles to come loose due to the daily wear and tear. When the handle pulls away, jiggles, or simply continues spinning for no apparent reason, you know it’s only a matter of time until the door handle repair is required!

For your convenience, we’ve put together this instruction on repairing those annoying door handles and knobs.

Doorknob Types That Are The Most Popular!

• Set screws are exposed.

Typically, a doorknob is attached to a threaded spindle with a set of visible screws, and this doorknob is no exception. The hidden screw doorknob is more difficult to tighten because you cannot see how the doorknob is attached and how all the components will fit together as readily as possible with the exposed screw doorknob.

• Hidden screw-in doorknob

In the same way, an exposed set screw doorknob has screws holding it to the spindle. This doorknob also has screws, although they cannot be seen. Doorknobs with screws hidden beneath a decorative faceplate are significantly different from those with screws exposed.

Why Doorknobs And Handles Can Get Loose?

Doorknobs and handles may become loose for a variety of reasons, including:

• The door handle or doorknob may become shaky or loose with time, necessitating an adjustment to tighten it back up.
• The handle or lock may not work correctly because it is an older device with accumulated dirt, dust, and other pollutants.
• The door plate may be missing a screw or be loosely fastened.
• In some instances, the doorknob or handle mechanism may be dysfunctional.

Door Handles And Knobs: How Do You Fix Them?

Step 1: Take off the doorknob or handle.

You should remove the handle if you didn’t tell me what’s wrong with it immediately.

Simply find the screw and loosen it with an Allen key or screwdriver if it is accessible. After taking out all of the screws, you should then be able to take out the door handle or doorknob.

Locate the detent access hole if you have a handle or doorknob with concealed screws. The door handle or knob will not be able to rotate on the door because the detent hole has a pin that protrudes from it and is triggered by a spring. To push down on the pin, you’ll need a flathead screwdriver.

After completing this step, you should rotate the shaft, which will allow you to remove the knob or handle from its location.

Step 2: Remove the foundation.

After removing the door handle or doorknob, the following step is to take the door’s base off the door. Using a flathead screwdriver, carefully peel the ring apart from the base to remove it.

When removing the base, take care not to harm the backing plate. If the backing plate becomes broken, this may prevent the handle from being correctly reattached at any point in the future, in which case you will need to Contact a Locksmith.

Step 3: Locate and tighten the screws.

A set of screws should be visible when the base is removed, and they’ll probably need to be tightened. The backing plate, which keeps the handle or doorknob together, is attached to the door using these screws. Tighten each screw while gripping the backing plate with both hands.

Step 4: It’s time to put everything back together.

After ensuring that the screws are securely in place, you can reattach the base to the backing plate by simply clipping it into position. After the base has been secured, the handle or doorknob may be positioned on the spindle shaft such that the holes can be aligned with either the screw holes (if there are visible screws) or the detent (should you have hidden screws).

Replace any exposed screws, and your door handle or doorknob should now work properly.

Fixing A Loose Doorknob

“How do you repair a loose doorknob?” is a common question.

• Set screws, comparable to a grub screw, loosen and lose their hold on the handle spindle when a doorknob rotates loosely on the spindle.
• Look around the collar of the doorknob to find the loose screw, and then use the right screwdriver to tighten the screw. This will allow you to adjust either the screw or the Allen key.
• Getting a new screw for the doorknob is possible by taking it to the hardware shop.

Bottom Line

At some point, every homeowner and company owner will be forced to deal with the issue of doorknobs or handles that are too loose.

It is just a matter of time until the handle on the door becomes an annoyance for your personnel and your clients, regardless of whether it pulls away from the door or jiggles when you attempt to open it.

When it comes to a doorknob that has fallen off, there’s good news: it’s not too difficult to repair.

Yes, you can rekey your own locks, and nothing is stopping you from doing it, except for the fact that all locks are different. Many people think that rekeying a lock is a simple matter of replacing the cylinder inside their locks. What they later find out is that getting to the cylinder and replacing it reliably isn’t all that simple.

Even seasoned locksmiths have practiced rekeying for years to ensure that they are proficient. That’s why even though you can rekey locks, you shouldn’t bet your home or businesses’ security on it.

How Does Rekeying Work?

Rekeying as the term implies is the process through which internal workings of a lock are changed so that it works differently but without compromising the security of a home or business. While it sounds simple on the surface, rekeying a lock isn’t a simple matter for anyone but a Professional Locksmith. In the simplest terms rekeying helps you keep the old lock, but the key you originally had will not work any longer. That’s why you need to have a grasp of the basic concepts before trying to rekey any lock.

Rekeying a lock requires gaining access to the lock’s cylinder. The lock needs to be removed and disassembled. Some people who have done it before might be able to pull it off. Still, since all locks are different, it is a risky proposition—not mentioning the fact that the incorrect replacement procedure can end up costing you in the way of the home or business’s security.

Why Do People Want to Rekey Locks?

One of the reasons why anyone would want to get their locks rekeyed is because it is one of the most cost-effective ways of ensuring that the locks will work with a new set of keys and the old one. For instance, a person who gives their home on rent may want to rekey the locks so that the previous owner can’t enter the apartment or home. It is cost-effective compared to perhaps buying and installing a fresh set of locks.

Rekeying can also be used for times when you want one key to open all locks. All locks can be installed with the same cylinder, which essentially will allow a single set of master keys to access everything. This type of setup is often employed in hotels and commercial establishments where there are many doors with locks.

The process of rekeying locks by a professional is also quicker. Most locksmiths depending on the lock, can rekey a standard lock within 30 minutes. The latest tools and experience helps to speed up the process. Locksmiths use tools like a catch tool, key decoder and a spanner for most jobs. If anything, it ensures the best possible outcome of the job.

The Cons of Rekeying

The biggest con is that a rekeyed lock isn’t any more structurally secure than the previous one. So, if the old lock often got stuck or could easily be pried off, rekeying it will not fix that problem. That’s why before rekeying, make sure that the locks are in good condition.

Rekeying Vs. Installing New Locks

Well, so we’ve already covered that rekeying a lock is cost-effective compared to buying and installing new locks. However, when should you decide on a new lock versus rekeying the existing one? One of the reasons why you’d want to install a new set of locks is to upgrade the existing security of your home or business. A better set of locks ups your security a great deal.

For instance, if you currently have a Grade 2 deadbolt installed, and you upgrade it to a Grade 1 by rekeying, the overall security isn’t boosted exponentially when compared to installing smart locks. So new locks could mean better security if you upgrade. That’s something not possible with merely rekeying them.

Conclusion

Attempting to rekey your locks can be risky. However, what you should do is hire a professional. A professional locksmith should be able to Rekey Your Locks while ensuring security. While it means paying for parts and labor, the result is a lock that’s more secure and reliable. When people do it themselves, not only is the process time consuming, but they could inevitably be compromising the security of their locks, which is never a good thing.

Many people reluctantly agree that losing a key was one of the worst experiences in their lives. If you don’t have a key, it isn’t possible to enter your own home. But even if you do by breaking the lock, your home’s security is still at stake. That’s why getting the locks rekeyed is so important, especially if the original key is no longer with you. However, the question is, is it possible to Rekey A Lock without the original key? Fortunately, it is possible, and there is one way to do it.

Rekeying the Lock Without the Original Key

The process of rekeying a lock without the original key is going to be different for each type of locking mechanism. So, you need to understand that doing it also comes with its own set of issues. Below we talk about a few things you should know before rekeying the locks.

Picking the Lock

Any experienced and Professional Locksmith is able to pick a lock to unlock it. A locksmith can unlock the lock, using their pick and then remove the cylinder. However, not all locks can be rekeyed using this method without the original key. For instance, this method will not work for knob locks, smart key locks, a deadbolt etc.

Smart lock rekeying without the key

The lock can be removed from the door without damaging it. After it is removed, the cylinder can be taken out. Doing this requires a lot of experience, and the locksmith will also need to be well-equipped. That’s why doing this is beyond the expertise of a regular locksmith.

The Cost involved with Rekeying Locks

Now when you don’t have keys for the locks or if it is broken or lost, the lock has to be rekeyed. Most locksmiths should be able to rekey locks without the original key with some level of ease. That said, the cost associated with doing it without the original set of keys is high. That’s why you might want to consider changing the locks instead.

Conclusion

If you find yourself in a conundrum about changing the locks or rekeying the existing one, it is essential to consider a couple of factors. The most crucial factor is the fact that it will cost you a little more than buying a new lock. Plus, you want to hire the best locksmith with experience with rekeying the type of locks you have.

One of the ways to decide between the two is to call up a locksmith and get a quote for rekeying your locks. Explain that you have lost the key and tell them about the type of locks you have. Then once you get that estimate, compare it against the price of installing a set of new locks. If they are both equal, it is better to install new locks. Nothing beats the extra security new locks offer.

One of the questions we get asked often is How To Reverse The Locks? Well, there are many different approaches to doing it, depending on the locks you have. However, this small step by step tutorial is meant for people who have regular doorknob type locks that are thumb-operated.

The problem with these commonly found locks is that they are so simple to use that many times children will lock themselves in the bathroom or their bedrooms. Not only do kids do this as part of their natural learning process, but it can also be potentially distressing for parents. So, instead of replacing the locking knob with perhaps a closet knob, you can just reverse the knob, by placing the locking end outside. That way, kids aren’t able to lock themselves in.

If you want to reverse the locks of your home, below are the steps you can follow to do just that.

Start by removing the knob

You will want to start by removing the screws on both sides of the doorknob that are holding it together. You should be able to see the screws behind a plate of the doorknob. Just twist the plate, and it should come away from the door. Then look for a small notch in between the handle and the plate. Use a flat head screwdriver and insert it into the notch to release the handle. Once the handle is loose, it can be easily pulled off, and the plate removed to expose the screws.

Then while holding the opposite side of the doorknob, use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the knob to the door and together.

Remove the Doorknob

You then pull the doorknob away from the door and slide the spindle away from the latch. Then push the end of the latch, which should be the parts that protrude from the edge of the door. That should help you remove the entire lock.

Reverse the Spindle

You will want to reverse the spindle towards the backside of the door. You also want to check to make sure that the spindle goes through the latch as well as the screw posts. In most cases, it should work flawlessly, but some tweaking and adjustments may be needed.

Putting it all back together

Start by lining up the screw holes, which should be on the side of the knob you removed. Then insert the new screws through the hole in the knob and screw those into the post. You will want to turn the screw clockwise to secure both sides of the knob. Put the plate back in and push the handle into their respective sides.

Test the lock to see if everything is working fine. If some more adjustments are needed, you’ll need to remove the knobs again. Just make sure that the door does not swing open when closed.

Many locksmiths start by mastering the art and science of lockpicking. However, that’s also how a lot of criminals start breaking into people’s homes. While lockpicking is a complex and often difficult process, time, and practice make things go a lot faster. While security pins can help throw off experienced lock pickers but even that can be bypassed. The trick to dampen the efforts of a seasoned lock picker is to stay one step ahead of them.

In this article, we’ll look at a couple of locks that can’t be picked by Most Professional Locksmiths and criminals.

The ‘August’ Smart Lock

The ‘August’ is touted as being one of the safest and lockpicking free locks in the world. One reason for that is if the lock is ever cracked, it won’t be by a set of picks but software hackers. The lock is made to be opened using a smartphone. Though a key can still be used when outside, that’s not compulsory. The battery-powered smart lock will not open if the battery fails and is safe from thieves, even those who are computer whizzes, at least for the time being.

The HYT Chain Key

The design of this lock is downright crazy; it is inaccessible and can be opened with a unique looking key which goes through the keyway—known as the Chain Key because the key is injected into the lock. So, the keyway curves in such a way that standard lockpicking tools can’t get through the path.

Now being familiar with the inner workings of the lock or having a key makes it impossible to deal with the curve. So, that should away most if not all master Locksmiths away.

EVVA MCS

Now this one is a magnetic lock with a lot more complexity added on top compared to the MIWA lock. The round shape and cuts of the key make picking this lock more difficult. In addition to the magnetic pattern for every EVVA MCS key, the only way to duplicate or decode it is to have an existing key. So, if the picker can’t study your key, then the lock can’t be picked.

Shi-He Chi-Me U-lock

The key for this lock is very similar to the XPUZMAG, but the U-lock has an obstructed keyway and the variations in which it is available to make it impossible to pick. The sharp turns are something most picks can’t get around. Also, if there were some way to get around the turns, the picker would need to keep tension, which would just be near impossible. While the lock is widely made and sold in China, it is also available in the US and other parts of the world.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are quite a few locks that can’t be picked. However, the one common dominator among them is that they are expensive. The more high-tech and intricate, the more you pay.

One of the first things we learn as locksmiths are the fact that our service can be misused. If anything, there are countless cases of impersonators hiring a locksmith to gain access to someone else’s vehicle or home. That’s why, as a Standard Operating Procedure, every locksmith in North America starts by verifying the identity of the person who has hired them.

Whether you call a locksmith to Unlock a House, Shop or a Car, we will often ask you to prove that you own the property or have the right to be on it. We’ll ask if the title is in your name, or does the registration of the car match your driver’s license? Is the home address shown on the driver’s license etc?

Now if you don’t have something that can verify you as the owner of the property or for one that you have the right to enter, then we’ll ask that you bring someone who has the right. Furthermore, if you can’t produce another party, then we need to find other ways to identify your link to the property like a photo ID, property records etc.

While we admit that verifying a person’s identity can be a pain and often time-consuming, it is a necessary part of the job.

Does the Law Require Locksmiths to Verify Ownership Before Gaining Entry on Your Behalf? 

In the majority of American states, a locksmith or a Locksmith Company does not legally need to verify ownership or rights to the property. However, credible companies take extra steps to ensure that they only work for people who have the right to be on the property.

That said if a locksmith company does not verify your identity, it is a red flag that you are now dealing with perhaps an uncertified and even unskilled locksmith.

How Can a Homeowner Provide Proof of Ownership to a Locksmith Company? 

Here is how ownership can be proven: 

• Provide the locksmith with your drivers’ license that has the address of the property on it.
• You can provide a photo ID that has your mailing address
• Show business records like a website, business card etc. anything that will show your position and name of the business
• Show the company a copy of your rental agreement or lease
• The locksmith should be able to hook you up to the local country property records department to verify your name, and then you can provide an ID when onsite that matches that name.
• If you have just bought the home, and currently don’t have the keys then provide the company with a closing statement.

Proving Automotive Ownership 

• In most cases, all that is needed is the car’s registration, title or proof of insurance along with a photo ID.

Now even after all this caution, things just aren’t as secure as they should be. That said it is worth trying mainly because that’s something a certified locksmith is committed to doing just so that they don’t end up breaking the law. However, in 90% of cases, we get it right and most if not everyone understands the reason why these steps are taken.

What is Considered Not Valid Proof of Ownership for a Locksmith Company? 

• Generally, a locksmith will not accept phone authorizations since anyone can be on the other end of the phone.

• Also, email authorizations aren’t accepted because the email could be sent by anyone.

While the extra steps that locksmiths take may make the property owner uncomfortable or hesitant, but it is in the best interests of those who own the property. Think would you want someone entering into your home without an authorization?

Many times people complain that we are asking for personal information when it isn’t our job. At times people hang up and then they call another locksmith to try their luck. However, no credible locksmith service will let you in without verifying your identity and link to the property.

Conclusion 

When you Hire a Locksmith Service, always make sure that you have a way of proving your link or ownership to the property. If you are a vehicle owner, then things are easier because registration documents should be able to prove that you own the vehicle. However, things can be tricky for a homeowner or office owner.

That said a credible Locksmith Company should be able to work with you to verify your identity before letting you in. Think of it as a mandatory step to protect you!

Many people attempt to hide a spare key outside of their home or apartment just so that they can be saved from the frustration of being locked out in the event their main key goes missing. That said the inherent danger of hiding your spare key outside is the fact that it could make the job of a burglar very easy. All they need is to keep an eye on you to see where you are hiding the spare key.

The good news is that there are Several Excellent Places to put your spare keys. That said, there are some places that are more obvious than others. The goal is to choose the least obvious spot. You will want to strike the right balance between using a Clever Hiding Spot for your key outside, but it shouldn’t be so hidden that you forget where it is when needed.

Our first and most important tip is not to hide your key under the doormat. Instead, use one of the ideas we’ll discuss below in this article.

Utilize Fake Rocks

Interestingly, there are many more Americans buying fake rocks from stores than there ever were before. They think it will blend in with the natural scenery. The problem with these fake rocks is that they look out of place, and that makes them easy to spot. So, if you can easily distinguish a real from a fake rock, then so can anyone else.

Our suggestion is to make your own place to hide a key in a real stone rock. You can glue it to the rock or bury it in the ground near the home.

Potted Plants

Many people stash their keys under fake outdoor pot plants, but it is one of the most common ways to hide a key that everyone knows about it. If you are using this method, it is like inviting a criminal to your home. Plus, it requires minimal effort to lift the plant and get the key. Also, potted plants are easily knocked over, so a gust of wind could reveal the key to your front door.

Behind Knockers and Front Door Ledges

Never hide the keys to your home in knocks and crannies around the front door. Many criminals check the front door, and they know all the common hiding places. Alternatively, you could hide the keys behind the knockers with a magnet. Not only is it less evident, but there is significantly less risk of being found.

Mail Boxes

Sure, mailboxes are away from your door and even your home, but it is very near the street. People could be watching you from a few meters away. So, they could just as easily open the mailbox and pull out the key.

Rain gutter

Sure rain gutters and even spouts aren’t the first places that a criminal will think to look for keys; if you live in a place that receives a lot of rain, it could wash away the keys too. So, you’ll still need to fall back on having to Call a Locksmith.

Fake Sprinklers

Fake rocks look out of place and are easy to spot, but that’s not the case with fake sprinklers. They look realistic, but they will only work if you have a garden that has a sprinkler system installed. The upside to using a fake sprinkler is that it is inexpensive and straightforward to put together. You only need a nozzle, a plastic container, hose and some hot glue to put the parts together.

Once the device is assembled, bury it in the ground, and nobody will ever think to dig it up. They will probably think that you’re doing it to keep your grass hydrated.

Use a Fake Drain Cap

Now if you are living in an area known for having high levels of petty crime invest in a fake drain cap. A fake drain cap as the term suggests does not perform its normal function, i.e. of draining water, but instead will hold your keys. Nobody ever chooses to open up a drain cap because it stinks. The only difference is that this will not because it is fake.

All you need is to buy a drain cap or some small plastic container. Put the key inside of the container and hook it up to the drain cap. Then dig a hole and bury the container in it. Allow the top of the cap to be exposed so that it looks like any regular drain cap.