5 Essential Locksmith Tips Every Homeowner Should Know
Home security is a huge concern for homeowners; ensuring your locks are secure and adequately working is a great way to protect your house. From selecting the right locks for home security to troubleshooting typical door lock troubles, knowing how to maintain and repair your locks will save you time, stress, and money. You may want to prevent home lockouts or decide between smart and traditional locks - knowing the right locksmith can improve the security of your home.
The following are home security locksmith tips each homeowner should know. These practical tips will help you with lock maintenance, security risks, and emergencies. Follow these expert suggestions to increase front door security and protect your home.
Choose the Best Locks for Home Security
The best locks for home security may help prevent break-ins. Above all other locks, deadbolts are the most secure. Find quality ANSI Grade 1 deadbolts that will not be forced open. High-security anti-pick, anti-drill, and bump-resistant locks are suitable additional security measures. They resist most burglary tampering methods. Advanced security and convenience include keyless house entry locks, no more keys to lose, and remote access control. All entry points should be able to lock correctly, even the front and back doors. Installing high-quality locks in homes reduces the risk of break-ins and enhances home security.
DIY Home Lock Maintenance for Long-Lasting Security
Regular maintenance is essential to ensure that your locks function properly. Performing DIY home lock maintenance can extend the life of your locks and help avoid common problems. The most important is cleaning and lubing your locks. Keep internal parts moving smoothly with a graphite-based or silicone spray lubricant, but avoid attracting the dust/debris characteristic of some sprays.
Loose screws on lock hardware are another maintenance task. Locks may get loose through hard usage and are more prone to breaking or picking. Test the parts of your door lock and tighten loose screws if necessary to prevent movement.
Check your keys for wear, too. Wounded or bent keys can jam the lock cylinder. If you see damage, replace the keys before they fail to work. Following these daily home lock maintenance tips will help keep your locks working and secure for years.
Prevent Home Lockouts and Stay Prepared
Being locked out of your home sucks. Here are some ways to prevent common door lock problems and be prepared for the unanticipated. The simplest precaution is to leave a spare key somewhere safe and accessible. Instead of stashing it under a doormat or flowerpot, give a spare key to a neighbor or relative you trust.
Upgrade to keyless entry locks on your home, too. With these locks, you can use a keypad, fingerprint scanner, or smartphone app to enter your home instead of a key. For traditional locks, use a key storage lock box mounted somewhere inconspicuous for emergency access.
The habit of checking for your keys before leaving home may also prevent lockouts. Put your keys where you can see them easily before going out, near the door or another location. So don’t think about how to prevent home lockouts; just follow these strategies.
Smart Locks vs Traditional Locks: Which Is Better?
The most common dilemma is choosing the right locks for your home: smart or traditional locks. Both options have pros and cons depending on your security and lifestyle needs. There are many benefits of high-security locks, and here is an overview.
Smart locks offer home security solutions that combine user-friendly features with enhanced protection measures. Owners can control doors remotely through smart locks, provide short-term passwords, and receive instant security notifications. Many models include functionality that permits integration with home automation systems. The devices need batteries or external power supplies, yet some models could face hacking vulnerabilities.
On the other hand, traditional locks are reliable and cheap. High-quality deadbolts (and presumably some mechanical locks) provide good physical security with no chance of technical failure. They don't have electronic guts like smart locks, so they aren't susceptible to cyber security hacks. But they need a physical key that can be lost or copied.
So, security-wise, smart locks vs. traditional ones comes down to what you prefer. People searching for convenience want smart locks, while those searching for durability typically choose conventional locks.
Locksmith Tips for Lost House Keys and Emergency Situations
Losing your house keys is stressful, but knowing the steps to follow often can get you back in safely. The first key tip for losing a house is to stay calm and look around for where they may have gone missing. If you are unable to locate them, contact an established locksmith.
If you often lose keys, have the locks rekeyed instead of replaced. A locksmith will change the internal pins on the lock so the old key won't work, and you will get new keys. This is an economical solution without a complete lock replacement.
Install the best keyless entry locks for homes for future preparedness in case of losing the keys. These locks can be accessed with a passcode, fingerprint, or mobile app instead of a traditional key. Having the number of a locksmith in case of an emergency is also helpful. Searching for emergency locksmith services near me before an urgent situation occurs allows you to get professional assistance quickly.
How to Improve Front Door Security and Protect Your Home
Improve front door security is one of your home's most important entry points. Start by installing a solid-core or metal door - these are stronger against forced entry than hollow wood doors. Fortify the door frame with strike plates plus security screws to avoid break-ins. Upgrades to high-security locks are available. A video doorbell or a security camera can also monitor activity and scare away intruders. And outside lighting around your front entrance is another security measure. All of these things can improve front door security and overall home security.
Conclusion
Understanding important security locksmith tips and steps to protect your home starts with knowing how to secure your home. Choosing the right locks for home security, doing home lock maintenance, and avoiding home lockouts can reduce common security risks and keep your home safe. Consider smart vs. traditional locks when choosing locks, and consider high-security locks. You never know when you will lose your keys, so a home lock troubleshooting guide and the ability to find emergency locksmith services can be a real-time saver. Follow these expert locksmith tips to up your home's security, avoid lock-related emergencies, and sleep easier.