Hardware Security, and Your Home

There are many components that make up locks in general, and deadbolts are no exception. People often ask us which part of the deadbolt provides the most security. Is it the knob? The lever? The lock above it? The actual deadbolt is what will protect your home, as it helps prevent criminals from breaking in by force. To learn more about the specifics of hardware security and see what components make up a deadbolt, watch our video on the topic here:

Pros, and Cons of Standard Deadbolts

Standard deadbolts are the traditional deadbolt option, and they’re often called mechanical deadbolts as well. You’re likely familiar with these types of deadbolts, so let’s just get into some of their advantages:

• Most time-tested, and affordable deadbolt option
• More style options, and customizability
• Easier to install than keyless deadbolts
• Limited people have access

And here are some of the disadvantages of standard deadbolts

• You have to carry a key around
• A spare key is an additional risk
• Only someone with a physical key has access
• It’s easier to get locked out 
• Not compatible with smart home technology

Pros, and Cons of Keyless Deadbolts

Keyless deadbolts are becoming more, and more popular these days. There are a variety of brands of keyless deadbolts and features can vary depending on the model. Here are some of the advantages that keyless deadbolts provide:

• Often compatible with smartphones, Bluetooth technology, and/or other systems
• Can be locked or unlock remotely; easy to give access, and change codes
• Great for securing small businesses with few employees
• You don’t have to hide a spare key (though key overrides are available)

And here are some of the disadvantages to keyless deadbolts:

• May require professional installation
• Can be more expensive than standard deadbolts
• Batteries need to be changed at a manufacturer recommended timeline
• Weather may impact functionality depending on model
• Someone can learn the code if it’s written down or there is keypad wear

If you’re deciding on the best hardware security for your home or business, contact us today or visit any of our area locations, and we’ll help you out.

Deadbolts are one such measure. While fairly commonplace in Arlington, TX, some older homes may not have them. (Or if they do, they may be in bad shape or an old, poor, design.) If you’ve been thinking about installing a deadbolt lock in your home, or you need deadbolt repair, here are some advantages that deadbolts provide, as well as best practices for installing them.

Benefits of Deadbolt Locks

When compared to traditional locks, deadbolts offer several advantages for homeowners in Arlington, Texas. Here are the three main benefits of deadbolt locks:

• Secure: There are multiple types of deadbolt locks, but all have a solid steel bar that makes it difficult for intruders to break or get past when trying to enter your home. There are even keyless deadbolt locks with code or scan entry for extra security.
• Reinforced: While you can get past a standard lock with a knife or crowbar, a deadbolt lock stands up to these methods better because it’s reinforced on the door frame. In the unlikely event that a burglar is able to break a deadbolt open, it will take much longer than a standard lock.
• Affordable: While sturdy, deadbolts have a simple design that is affordable. Arlington homeowners can easily upgrade their home security on the cheap with deadbolt locks.

Deadbolt Best Practices

Of course, even something as simple, and secure as a deadbolt can fail if you don’t install it properly or choose the right type of deadbolt. Here are some deadbolt best practices for homeowners in Arlington:

• Choose the right cylinder: There are single-cylinder, double-cylinder and keyless cylinder deadbolt locks available. Single is the most popular, but might not be the best option if you have a glass panel near the lock—thieves can open one side of a single-cylinder deadbolt without a key. 
• Extend it full, and reinforce it: The deadbolt must go all the way into the door jamb hole to work right. You also should reinforce the hole with a metal strike plate. Failing to do either can compromise your deadbolt.
• Think about the door frame: It’s often the frame (as opposed to the door) that breaks during a home invasion. You can reinforce your door frame, however, by using screws that are at least three inches long (and attaching them to the studs of the frame).

If you live in or near Arlington, TX, and need a deadbolt lock repaired or installed, contact the team at A-1 Locksmith today.

Today, we’re going to cover the latter scenario. By having a commercial rekeying company install “bump-proof” locks, you can avoid becoming the latest victim of this technique.

What Is ‘Bumping?’

First, a little more about what “bumping” is exactly, and how burglars use it. They say that bumping is so easy, a child could do it — about 9 out of every 10 locks in American houses are susceptible to it. But it wasn’t always that way. Bumping originated as a technique that allowed locksmiths to access locks when they didn’t have a key. It involves taking a specially cut “bump key,” inserting it into the keyhole, and using a screwdriver or other similar object to “bump” or tap the key until the pins align and the lock opens. There’s a little technique involved, but thanks to the Internet, more, and more thieves are learning about it and using it.

What Are ‘Bump-Proof’ Locks?

Fortunately, just as bumping has increased, so has the rise of “bump-proof” locks. These types of locks prevent the bumping process by adding a secondary locking system on the side of the key that prevents access from a single “bump key.” To get specific, while bumping aligns the pins in a keyhole by the key user jumping the shear line, and using a little torque, bump-proof locks involves lifting and rotating additional pins that a bump key can’t open. Put simply, these locks go a long way toward increasing the safety of your home.

Installing ‘Bump-Proof’ Locks

As with many household projects, you can try to find a YouTube video and install bump-proof locks yourself. Or, you could trust a local locksmithing company to do it right the first time. We’re talking about your home’s security, however. Do you really want to trust the safety of your family, and belongings to a DIY project? Professional locksmiths like the team at A-1 Locksmith have years of experience changing out locks, safes, security systems, and more. Furthermore, they’re licensed to operate as professional locksmiths, and take customer satisfaction very seriously.

We’re here to help you better understand bumping and your options for avoiding it. Call us today at 972-284-7500 to discuss installing high-security locks in your home.

Like any other home appliance, a door and its related hardware requires routine inspection and maintenance to make sure that everything works correctly. The following guide is meant to help you understand the hardware of your door, as well as what you can do if it needs repair or replacement.

Door Hardware Specifics

Nearly all doors are installed with the same (or similar) hardware. To be sure, in order to latch shut, the door must contain a latch on the door, as well as a latch strike on the door frame. And, if the door utilizes a deadbolt, opposite this will be a deadbolt strike in the door frame, as well. Finally, the door will possess a mortise plate that surrounds the latch, as well as a lever or knob to open the door itself. This is not an exhaustive list of the hardware you may see on your door; however, issues often arise with these specifically, so understanding their placement and purpose can help in the pursuit of a remedy.

Inspecting and Maintaining Door Hardware

In general, as a homeowner or business owner, it is imperative that you take action immediately if you notice an issue with one of your doors. And, one of the most common issues to arise with door hardware involves the door not latching easily when shut, or not latching at all. This can be an inconvenience, at best; or a safety hazard, if the door cannot be locked.

Ultimately, if the door is unable to latch, it means either the latch or the deadbolt (or both) is missing the strike on the door foundation; this could be due to the house foundation shifting over time, or the door pulling the hinges downwards.

Check Your Hardware Routinely, and Call a Locksmith for Help

While there is no exact amount of time after which you must check your door hardware, doing, so on a routine basis, especially if you notice wear and tear, can help you catch problems before they arise.

Of course, if you do notice a problem with your door hardware, it is imperative that you contact a locksmith. A skilled locksmith can identify the source of the issue, and find a quick solution to help you protect your home.

Do you need a locksmith in the Dallas area? Reach out to us today at A-1 Locksmith for assistance. We have been helping Dallas residents for over 65 years, and we would like to put our experience to work for you immediately.

But no matter where you live, there are certain tactics you can employ that will help prevent burglars from entering your home, and that may even make them think twice about even attempting to break in. Consider these three simple things burglars don’t want you to know that will help keep you and your home safe from intruders.

1. Make the House Look Occupied

One of the best ways to deter potential burglars from breaking and entering into your home is by making it look as if it is occupied at all times. In reality, it is unlikely that a burglar would be interested in targeting a home with a family inside; instead, he or she may look for another house that looks uninhabited.

How can you make your home look alive, even when you’re gone? Consider leaving one or two lights on when you leave the house, or utilize an automatic timer that turns on lights when it gets dark. And if you plan on leaving for longer periods of time, have friends or neighbors pick up your mail, and newspapers each day, as well.

2. Ditch the Old Locks – and Install a Deadbolt

If a burglar does decide to target your home, one simple way to stop him or her from getting in is by ensuring that all the doors to the outside can be locked with deadbolts. Many modern burglars are aided by the existence of pushbutton locks on doorknobs; it is much easier to enter a home installed with these, even without a key. By installing a deadbolt on all of your doors, you may, in fact, help the burglar decide that he or she should try elsewhere.

3. Install a Security System

Finally, even the most daring burglars may not turn away from an occupied home with a deadbolt on the door. And in this scenario, it is imperative that you have a security system installed by a skilled locksmith. A number of security systems for your home, including smart home features, video surveillance, and even alarm monitoring, can keep you notified of any illegal entry, and will alert law enforcement as well if your home is being burglarized. This is truly a necessity for those residents who wish to protect the valuables in their house.

By following these few simple tips, you can help ensure that burglars won’t target your home. Contact a professional at A-1 Locksmith today; we are prepared to assist you do everything necessary to protect both your house, and your family within.

We are professional locksmiths who work 24-hours a day, and provide a wide range of locksmith service for different types of locks. When you have lost your keys, and are Locked Out Of Your House, you can call us to rekey the locks. This means that you wouldn’t have to get the lock replaced. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money when you are Locked Out Of Your House.  Sometimes, a lock replacement would simply cost too much.

In most cases, we can rekey the lock which is an affordable option. In this case, our professionals are going to remove all the pins from the lock’s cylinder and fit in new pins that will be compatible to the new keys. So, in case you are Locked Out Of Your House you must know that duplicating keys, and rekeying the locks are two different things.

In rekeying, we would make changes to the lock mechanism or components rather than making new keys. This is a complex process, and if you get Locked Out Of Your House you should call only professional, and qualified locksmith like us.

The benefit of this method is that you would virtually have a new lock without the need to spend all that extra money. In addition, even if someone else gets your lost key, they would not be able to open your rekeyed lock. So, now you know the benefits of getting your lock rekeyed in case you are Locked Out Of Your House.

If you have a numeric code lock and you are Locked Out Of Your House, you would again need to call for professional locksmith services like us. This is a keyless entry mechanism where you would have to enter the right code in order to open the lock. The problems can arise when you forget the code or if the lock mechanism has some problem or has gotten damaged. We are a residential locksmith who can help you in this situation when you are Locked Out Of Your House and stranded out.

Thus, whenever you are Locked Out Of Your House it is best that you call A-1 Locksmith DFW for our round the clock services. So, it doesn’t matter whether you are Locked Out Of Your House at midnight or in the afternoon. You can always rely on us when you’re in trouble.

As such, alteration of the lock has led to many interesting technologies for the Dallas locksmith industry. One such interesting development has been that of the deadbolt. A deadbolt is a locking mechanism by which a hardened metal piece is used to provide access control. However, this mechanism can only be moved by rotating the lock cylinder. This means that a key is a Dallas locksmith absolutely necessary to gain access. It provides security in the fact that it is incredibly difficult on its own to get through without the necessary key. The damage that must be dealt to the door in order to bypass it without the key is both impractical for theft purposes, and requires special tools. There are certain types of deadbolts available, including a vertical model that is secured to the top of the door. This model is significantly less susceptible to damage via the usual methods such as a crow bar and can therefore provide greater security. Dallas locksmith A-1 can help you!

The professionals at A-1 Locksmith serve any, and all locksmithing and security needs for the Dallas/Fort Worth area. They are available 24-hours a day for emergency services. Call them today at (972)-284-7500.

A-1 Locksmith – 2685 Walnut Hill Lane, Dallas, TX 75229 – (214) 350-2021