Check your doors for burglar proofing

[johnnymenudo]

All,

I had a very disconcerting situation over the weekend. I accidentally locked my keys in my house and was trying to decide if I should call a locksmith or see if I could break into my own home. The door between my garage and my house is a steel door that swings into the garage. In looking at the door it was clear to me (for the first time) that it was actually set so the outside of the door frame was actually facing into the house and the part facing the garage was the inside of the door. They did this because there is no room to have a door swing into the house since it is on a landing. You wouldn't think this means anything but hear me out. The outside of the door is where the door is recessed into the frame and this more or less makes the bolt inaccessible. From the inside however the gap between the door and frame makes the bolt visible. I took a small screwdriver - pushed it into the gap between the door and frame, and was able to move the bolt over and open the door. It literally took 10 seconds to get into my house. Thankfully I have two layers of security because there is another outside door, but this certainly made me think.

Does anyone have any advice on how to make this door more secure by switching hardware or adding hardware? I don't really want to add a deadbolt if I can avoid it.

JM

 

[griz]

There are locks designed to not be carded like you did with your screwdriver. They are not as secure as deadbolts but better than an easy lock. But don't forget the hinges are on the garage side as well. Using the same screwdriver the pins are easily removable which allows the door to be taken out.

 

[halvey]

A little off topic, but I used to work at a home center and sold tons of deadbolts and locks. Of the ones available via retail, get the Schlage. The Kwikset and others we got came back all the time broken.

 

[ccw007]

Why do you not want to add a deadbolt? Just out of curiosity

 

[rick_reno]

Just board the door up. Problem solved.

 

[johnnymenudo]

I have an alarm system that needs to be turned off within 30 seconds of opening the outer door. I think adding the additional lock would probably slow me down enough to make the alarm go off. It isn't a big deal but it is a consideration. That and the fact that I really don't feel like drilling out a steel door for another lock. LOL I did try to get the pins for the hinges out using a large hammer and a screwdriver and they are really tight. I couldn't get them to budge more than an 1/8". Good for burglar proofing - bad for popping the door out to add a lock. Would probably have to use some penetrating lube to get the pins loose.

JM

 

[BullfrogKen]

All exterior doors should have a deadbolt. Anything you do without installing a deadbolt is windowdressing.


It isn't that hard to drill your existing door for a dealbolt. The front door to our house didn't have one when we moved in. It was the first thing we did; even before we went to sleep that night. You can get it keyed to use the same key your door knob uses, either the one it currently uses, or a new set. I really doubt it will take you longer than 30 seconds to turn the keys on two locks. Or, if you have a high traffic house, you can install one that opens with a numeric keypad.

Is your door all wood, steel core, or steel over solid wood? When you make the trip to pick up the deadbolt, located right in the same aisle you can usually find the hole driller for boring that new hole in the door. All you need is a drill, and a chisel to install the new strike plate.

While you are there, buy a longer strikeplate. Trash the ones that come with the set, they're all of what, 2" long? A good shove, or tug in your case, will rip that right from the framing. If your existing door is of a very thin steel hollow core construction, solid brass fittings are available to slip on, like a sleeve, between the knob/deadbolt hardware and the door itself. These restrict using a tool to bend the steel inward and away from the hardware so one can get to the locks internally.

Aftermarket strikeplates can be bought that measure 6" - 8" long, that use 4 - 6 screws to bolt it to the frame. Don't use the screws that come with the set. Get some long enough to go through the frame and sink into the studs that support the doorway. It is a good idea to replace the screws on the hinges with the same screws; they're likely less than an inch long, and only serve to attach the hinge to the door. They aren't long enough to withstand stress or impacts.


All these upgrades can be done without the hassle and expense of purchasing and hanging a new door. Nothing you do with make your door burglar proof. If someone wants in badly enough, given time, tools and creativity, he will gain entry. You must make it more appealing for him to move on, to find another, easier dwelling. Deadbolts are considered a minimum step in securing your house, not an upgrade. Please reconsider your opposition to them.

 

[johnnymenudo]

All exterior doors should have a deadbolt. Anything you do without installing a deadbolt is windowdressing.

All these upgrades can be done without the hassle and expense of purchasing and hanging a new door. Nothing you do with make your door burglar proof. If someone wants in badly enough, given time, tools and creativity, he will gain entry. You must make it more appealing for him to move on, to find another, easier dwelling. Deadbolts are considered a minimum step in securing your house, not an upgrade. Please reconsider your opposition to them.

Thanks for the advice. I should clarify that my outer door has a deadbolt and is built like a tank. This is the inside door between my garage and house. The only way someone could get to this door is to get throught the outside door or open the large garage door.

JM

 

[secamp32]

If the hinge pins are on the outside

the hinges should be replaced with hinges that have pins on 1 side with corresponding holes on the otherside. These keep the door from being remove even if the hinge pins are removed.
http://www.statefarm.com/consumer/vhouse/articles/doorhing.htm

 

[Technosavant]

Install the deadbolt and just don't lock the handle lock (should save you the necessary time to get to the alarm pad). Or you can try and extend the time before the alarm trips.

 

[Langenator]

You might not be able to find it at your local Home Depot, but you can get metal plates that are made specifically to cover the doorknob bolt mechanism. Not sure exactly how they attach to the door, but they'll stop folks with screwdrivers.

 

[odysseus]

+1 on Bullfrogken.

...and the more the better when it comes to this. The longer it takes the better. Also sounds like your interior door is obscured visibly behind the wall that this first door has. That means more time to work on it in better privacy.

You might not be able to find it at your local Home Depot,

Your better locksmiths have a storefront that has these or can order them for you.

 

[TallPine]

Then there's these things called windows ...

 

[jeepmor]

you need the deadbolt

I know deadbolts add time to entry, but they add time to the potential criminal breaking in also. Since you state you don't have the room to put in a new door that swings inward instead of outward, you could take a welder and tack you hinge pins in, can't be pried out with a screwdriver that way. Just a tack, not a big weld, you may need to work on that door someday.

I'd wet down some carboard with a hole cut in it to allow access to your hinge and keep weld spatter off your door finish, should keep you from repainting the door and jamb. A simple fix with a welder, without one, not so simple. Strategically placed superglue could accomplish the same end. Even it a burglar was to pry/beat on it to remove the hinges, it would be quite loud, and at least in my neighborhood, this ruckus would get noticed. Superglue routinely provides 3000+ psi holding power, so don't put it in the wrong place.

I think there are some high security locks available that are more tamper proof than your existing setup. I think they make models that cannot be carded because there's something in them that locks the bolt part out, making it not press in, but I'm no locksmith. Suppose that's what a deadbolt is isn't it.

jeepmor

 

[mirage]

If you were able to "card" your way in the lock is not installed / adjusted correctly. If you look at the latch with the door open you should see two pieces, a large latch and a smaller piece called the deadlatch. When adjusted properly the latch will fall into the stike on your door frame, but the deadlatch will not fall in. When functioning this will stop "Carding"
Try this test, Go to your door and push in the small part of the latch. With it held in you should not be able to push in the big part. If it does you need a new latch.
I see alot of doors with the deadlatch falling into the strike hole too.
A little adjustment may solve your problem. That and non-removable hinge pins.

-Mirage

 

[Lone_Gunman]

Then there's these things called windows ...

I was thinking the same thing.

Why would I bother picking even a poor lock when I can throw a rock through the window?

 

[beerslurpy]

Try living in florida, the land of the sliding glass door. I keep an extra set of locked doors between me and the rear patio.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Thanks for the advice. I should clarify that my outer door has a deadbolt and is built like a tank. This is the inside door between my garage and house. The only way someone could get to this door is to get throught the outside door or open the large garage door.

JM

Well if you feel confident that the garage door and other exterior door is security enough, then why make this an issue? It is that much work to make this door secure? Garage doors are easy to defeat and gain entry to. I'm not going to share it on an open forum, but I can assure you the techniques are well known among the graduates of your local prison university. Once inside, any tools you have in the garage will be of great assistance defeating that door, and they'll be completely obscured from view and the sounds muffled.

Yes, windows can be broken with bricks, so can glass doors . . . It isn't an attractive option for the opportunist. Glass around doors, and glass panels can be replaced with Lexan to prevent breaking it, reaching in, and turning the locks.

Keeping the shrubbery around ground level windows trimmed and objects capable of breaking them from cluttering the yard actually goes a long way to keep a burgler from attempting access through a window.

Frankly, most theives gained access thru an unlocked door or window. The simple act of locking things turns most folks away.

You felt uneasy about this door and asked about ways to secure it. You were given a few tips. Now you feel its unnecessary. . . . OK. Nevermind. $100 says those two doors leading into the garage aren't connected to your alarm system. . . .

 

[johnnymenudo]

Well if you feel confident that the garage door and other exterior door is security enough, then why make this an issue? It is that much work to make this door secure? Garage doors are easy to defeat and gain entry to. I'm not going to share it on an open forum, but I can assure you the techniques are well known among the graduates of your local prison university. Once inside, any tools you have in the garage will be of great assistance defeating that door, and they'll be completely obscured from view and the sounds muffled.

You felt uneasy about this door and asked about ways to secure it. You were given a few tips. Now you feel its unnecessary. . . . OK. Nevermind. $100 says those two doors leading into the garage aren't connected to your alarm system. . . .

Huh? I didn't say that securing the inside door was unnecessary. Why are you inferring this? That's the whole reason for the post in the first place. Although the outer door is very solid, I realize that the overhead door security has it's weak points. That's my biggest area of concern actually. If they capture the code and can then work inside out of sight.

I do have alarms on both doors and motion detectors in the garage. If phone lines are cut the alarm goes off but no one is called. The hinges on the inside door have screws to prohibit pin removal. I looked at the door last night.

I am going to add a deadbolt inside and put in a new lockset. I am also going to add a plate to cover the bolt.

Thanks for all advice.

JM

 

[Red_SC]

JM,

If your security system is like mine, the deadbolt won't be a problem. Your 30 seconds don't start counting down until the door opens, so it doesn't matter how long it takes to get the deadbolts and knobs unlocked. Also, it isn't that hard to put a deadbolt on a steel door. A hole saw will cut through it easily.

I used to work for a contractor, so I've installed a number of knobs and deadbolts. Definitely go with the Schlage. I have yet to see another brand within the same price range with anywhere near the quality and toughness of a Schlage. They work.

 

[BullfrogKen]

Huh? I didn't say that securing the inside door was unnecessary. Why are you inferring this?

I am going to add a deadbolt inside and put in a new lockset. I am also going to add a plate to cover the bolt.

Thanks for all advice.

My mistake and apologies. It came across as we offered you solutions, but they were relegated to non-necessity because this exterior door is behind a garage. I am glad to see you decided to reinforce that door as well. Too many homeowners are lulled by daily emergencies, complaciency and routine to not imagine the common B&E tactics employed to get into a house. And, More importantly, the simple steps of discouraging this would be burglar.

Top of the list - Locks . . . just use them
Second - the Lock hardware . . . inadequate, not installed properly.

Anything beyond first two are considered upgrades with diminishing returns. These 2 are bare minimum precautions.

 

[johnnymenudo]

My mistake and apologies. It came across as we offered you solutions, but they were relegated to non-necessity because this exterior door is behind a garage. I am glad to see you decided to reinforce that door as well. Too many homeowners are lulled by daily emergencies, complaciency and routine to not imagine the common B&E tactics employed to get into a house. And, More importantly, the simple steps of discouraging this would be burglar.

Top of the list - Locks . . . just use them
Second - the Lock hardware . . . inadequate, not installed properly.

Anything beyond first two are considered upgrades with diminishing returns. These 2 are bare minimum precautions.

Thanks Ken. I appreciate your advice.

JM

 

[mmike87]

Two words:

RAZOR WIRE



Seriously, my wife can credit card our handle locks open easily. We installed deadbolts on every door in the house.

 

[scubie02]

You said it took you ten seconds to get the door open, which I think would be more than enough time for my dog to be waiting on the other side when the door opened...

 

[TarpleyG]

Try living in florida, the land of the sliding glass door. I keep an extra set of locked doors between me and the rear patio.

Here in S. Florida almost ALL the typical style doors open out. Something to do with hurricane code I guess. You have to install security hinges to keep folks from popping the hinge pin and just pulling the whole door out. Weird place...Florida.

Greg