Locksmith San Luis Obispo: How to Prevent Lock Bumping and Other Breaking-in Techniques

Have you ever heard of lock bumping? It’s a technique that burglars use to open most standard pin tumbler locks using a specially cut key and a hammer. It’s fast, easy, and leaves no trace of forced entry. And it can happen to anyone, anywhere, anytime.

According to the FBI, there were over 1.2 million burglaries in the US in 2022, and about 60% of them involved forcible entry. That means that more than 700,000 homes were broken into using methods like lock bumping, picking, drilling, or smashing. And the average loss per burglary was $2,661.

If you live in San Luis Obispo, you might think that you’re safe from these threats. After all, it’s a peaceful and friendly city with a low crime rate. But that doesn’t mean that you should ignore the possibility of a break-in. You should take proactive steps to protect your home and family from intruders.

That’s why we’ve created this guide to help you learn how to prevent lock bumping and other breaking-in techniques. We’ll share with you some of the best locksmith tips and tricks to secure your doors, windows, and valuables. We’ll also tell you about the benefits of hiring professional locksmith services in San Luis Obispo to install, repair, or upgrade your locks. By the end of this article, you’ll have a better understanding of how to keep your home safe and sound.

San Luis Obispo’s Guide to Burglary Prevention: Locksmith Techniques Revealed

One of the most effective ways to prevent lock bumping and other breaking-in techniques is to use high-quality locks that are resistant to these methods. There are many types of locks available on the market, but not all of them are equally secure. Here are some of the features that you should look for when choosing a lock for your home:

Anti-bumping: Anti-bumping locks have special pins or mechanisms that prevent the bump key from aligning the pins and opening the lock. Some examples of anti-bumping locks are mul-t-lock, medeco, and schlage.

Anti-picking: Anti-picking locks have additional security features that make it harder for a lockpick to manipulate the pins and open the lock. Some examples of anti-picking locks are Abus, Kaba, and Yale.

Anti-drilling: Anti-drilling locks have hardened steel inserts or plates that protect the lock cylinder from being drilled or damaged. Some examples of anti-drilling locks are Evva, Banham, and Assa abloy.

Of course, having a good lock is not enough if you don’t install it properly. That’s why you should always hire a professional locksmith service in San Luis Obispo to install, repair, or replace your locks. A locksmith can also advise you on the best type of lock for your door, window, or safe, depending on your needs and budget.

Anti-Bumping Locks and More: San Luis Obispo’s Approach to Home Security

Another way to prevent lock bumping and other breaking-in techniques is to use additional security devices that complement your locks. These devices can enhance the protection of your doors, windows, and valuables by adding extra layers of defense. Here are some of the devices that you can use to improve your home security:

Deadbolts: Deadbolts are locks that extend a metal bolt into the door frame, making it harder to force open the door. They can be single-cylinder or double-cylinder, depending on whether they require a key on both sides or not. Deadbolts are usually installed on exterior doors, along with a regular knob or lever lock.

Door chains: Door chains are metal chains that attach to the door and the door frame, allowing you to open the door slightly and see who is outside without fully unlocking the door. They can be useful to prevent unwanted visitors from entering your home, but they are not very strong and can be easily broken or bypassed.

Door viewers: Door viewers are small peepholes that let you see who is outside your door without opening it. They can be simple or digital, depending on whether they have a camera and a screen or not. Door viewers can help you identify potential intruders or scammers before they try to break in or trick you.

Window locks: Window locks are devices that secure your windows from being opened or broken. They can be latches, bolts, bars, or sensors, depending on the type and size of your window. Window locks can prevent burglars from entering your home through the windows, especially if they are on the ground floor or accessible by a ladder.

Safes: Safes are containers that store your valuables, such as cash, jewelry, documents, or firearms. They can be fireproof, waterproof, or burglar-proof, depending on the level of protection they offer. Safes can be hidden, wall-mounted, or floor-mounted, depending on where you want to place them. Safes can prevent thieves from stealing your most precious belongings, even if they manage to enter your home.

These are some of the security devices that you can use to prevent lock bumping and other breaking-in techniques. They’re not foolproof, so consult a locksmith for proper installation and maintenance. A locksmith can also recommend the best security solutions for your specific needs and budget.

Locksmith Secrets from San Luis Obispo: Preventing Common Break-In Methods

In addition to lock bumping, there are other common break-in methods that burglars use to enter your home. Some of them are:

Credit card trick: This is a method that involves using a credit card or a similar thin and flexible object to slide between the door and the door frame and push back the latch of the lock. This method only works on spring latch locks, which are not very secure.

Lock snapping: This is a method that involves breaking the lock cylinder by applying force with a tool like a hammer, a screwdriver, or a pair of pliers. This method can work on euro cylinder locks, which are common in uPVC doors.

Key extraction: This is a method that involves removing the key from the lock using a tool like a magnet, a hook, or a drill. This method can work on any lock that has a key left inside, either by accident or on purpose.

Door kicking: This is a method that involves kicking the door with enough force to break the lock, the hinges, or the door frame. This method can work on any door that is weak or poorly installed.

To prevent these break-in methods, you need to use locks and doors that are strong and durable. You also need to follow some simple tips, such as:

Don’t leave your keys inside the lock: This can make it easier for burglars to extract them or use them to open the door. Always take your keys with you or store them in a safe place.

Don’t hide your keys outside your home: This can make it easier for burglars to find them and use them to enter your home. Avoid hiding your keys under the doormat, in the mailbox, or fake rock. Instead, give a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend, or use a smart lock that can be opened with a code or a smartphone.

Use a strike plate and long screws: This can make it harder for burglars to kick in your door. A strike plate is a metal plate that attaches to the door frame and holds the latch or bolt of the lock. Long screws can reinforce the strike plate and the hinges, making them more resistant to force.

Use a door brace or a security bar: This can make it harder for burglars to open your door from the outside. A door brace or a security bar is a device that wedges between the door and the floor, creating a physical barrier that prevents the door from opening. They can be easily installed and removed, and they are ideal for sliding doors, patio doors, or hotel doors.

These are some of the secrets that locksmiths from San Luis Obispo use to prevent common break-in methods. However, they are not enough to guarantee your home security. That’s why you should always contact a professional locksmith service in San Luis Obispo to assess your home security and provide you with the best solutions for your needs and budget.

Conclusion: How Our Professional Locksmith Service in San Luis Obispo Can Secure Your Home

You have learned a lot about how to prevent lock bumping and other breaking-in techniques. You have also learned about the different types of locks and security devices that you can use to protect your doors, windows, and valuables. But how can you make sure that you have the best security solutions for your home? The answer is simple: you need our professional locksmith service in San Luis Obispo.

Sterling Locksmith is one of the best locksmith services in San Luis Obispo. We have the experience, reliability, availability, and affordability to help you secure your home and protect your family. We can handle any kind of lock, door, window, or safe, and we can install, repair, or replace them with high-quality products and services. We can also assist you with any emergency locksmith situation, 24/7, and provide you with free estimates, discounts, and guarantees for our work.

We have been serving the San Luis Obispo area for over 10 years, and we offer a wide range of locksmith services, including emergency, residential, smart door lock installation, door lock repair, and lock repair services. Contact us today for your locksmith needs. You won’t regret it!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is lock bumping?

Lock bumping is a technique that burglars use to open most standard pin tumbler locks using a specially cut key and a hammer. It’s fast, easy, and leaves no trace of forced entry.

How can I tell if my lock has been bumped?

It’s very hard to tell if your lock has been bumped because there are no visible signs of damage or tampering. However, you might notice some clues, such as your door or lock feeling loose or wobbly, your key not fitting or turning smoothly in the lock, finding a bump key or a hammer near your door, or noticing missing or misplaced items in your home.

How can I prevent lock bumping?

The best way to prevent lock bumping is to use high-quality locks that are resistant to this technique, such as anti-bumping, anti-picking, or anti-drilling locks. You can also use additional security devices, such as deadbolts, door chains, door viewers, window locks, or safes. You should also hire a professional locksmith service in San Luis Obispo to install, repair, or upgrade your locks and security devices.