Is your home really secure in Texas?
An ominous burglar in a ski mask entering a home to steal items and then vanish!
Key In Knob Lock – As the name implies, a key in knob lock is where the handle that you insert your thumb to turn and open the door will accept a key. There are many styles of key-in-knob locks. Some are ball knob, tulip, lever handle ect… This type of lock contains a spring loaded latch. If installed incorrectly, this lock can be opened with a credit card. This lock can also be picked open very easily. Most burglars know how to pick a lock and this type of lock is his first choice when breaking into your home. It is like handing him the keys to get right in!
The spring loaded latch also allows the lock to be picked quicker than a deadbolt. Another way these types of locks get broken into is by brute force. The burglar shows up at your home with a pair of channel lock pliers or Vice Grips. He then uses enough force on the handle to create what is know as 2 flats. Force is applied in a clock-wise direction as well as a counter clock-wise direction until the handle separates from the door. This takes very little time and is virtually silent.
Texas Homes and security
The last way to gain quick entry into your Texas home is done by using key cylinder knockout. The burglar comes to your home with what looks like an automotive dent puller (this is the tool used to pull dents out at auto body shops). He then twists the threaded end into the keyhole and proceeds to punch the cylinder out of the lock. This may not be used as often as the other methods because it would make quite a loud noise while knocking out the cylinder. However, it is still a very quick way to enter someone’s home.
Ok, so now you are probably saying to yourself… How do I lock my home down to keep my family and property safe? First you need to hire a Texas Professional Locksmith to install a deadbolt on your door. The key is to have a deadbolt that has certain features and specifications. Which I will try to explain to you throughout this article. The deadbolt you choose will determine how secure you, your family and belongings will be. The better deadbolt you can purchase will range from $175 to $250 depending on who manufactures it.
It should have the following:
1. A hardened and tempered steel core that the bolt is made from.
2. The bolt itself should be 1? or longer when it is in the thrown position.
3. The lock cylinder should be made out of hardened and tempered steel so it will be drill resistant.
4. The lock cylinder should be constructed with a sidebar. This will make the lock pick and bump proof.
5. The outside decorative ring that is installed around the lock cylinder should come with a hardened and tempered steel slip ring. This will prevent the ring from being compressed into the deadbolt cylinder with a pair of vice grips or channel lock pliers. When this is done, it defeats a brute force attack on the cylinder.
6. The screws that secure the front and back portion of the deadbolt to the front and back of the door should be at least1/4? in width.
7. The rear plate that is installed on the inside of the door should be installed separately from the inside thumb turn. (thumb turn is the lever on the inside of the door that you use to retract the deadbolt)
8. When you buy your deadbolt it should come with a strike plate (plate that you screw into the frame that the bolt falls into when thrown). You should also install another plate behind the strike plate. This plate should be made out of hardened and tempered steel. It resists attacks from a crowbar and kicking the door in.
9. The wood screws that come with the secondary strike plate should be 2-1/4? or longer.
Deadbolt installation in West Texas
The deadbolt described above is what is called a Commercial Grade Lock. You will not find this at your local Hardware or Depot store. They are typically only available from a Professional Locksmith or Locksmith Supply House. This lock will slow down the burglar and will give you Maximum Security when it comes to no one breaking into your home through a locked door.
Remember.. You get what you pay for when it comes to security in Texas. The cheaper you buy your deadbolt the fewer features it will have built in to keep burglars out. And believe me… They will try to break into your home through the door.