Maple Grove Master Locksmith: Garage Door Locks for Additional Security

Having a good garage door lock installed at your property will spare you from any unnecessary concerns.

Sure, you may have a reliable opener for the door – but what happens if this fails? Even the best designed systems are never fully immune to damage or glitches.

If you’re going away on vacation, or you’re out of the house for long periods of time, a garage door lock installation is set to bring you full peace of mind over your security. Wondering how? Then keep on reading.

Protecting your garage from electronic opener vulnerabilities

New developments in garage door technologies usually focus on addressing issues that could lead to a system’s circumvention. When automatic door openers were first introduced, they only had a limited number of combinations – meaning that it didn’t take much for someone to override an opener’s code to enter into a property. At the time, thieves would commonly drive around with a remote, pressing the opener button until they found a door with a matching system.

In order to counteract this, manufacturers introduced rolling codes, which constantly change so that no home intruder can replicate them. Unfortunately, tech-savvy burglars know how to work around this system – for instance, by exploiting faulty door openers or activating a door’s emergency release.

With this uncertainty around, a solid garage door lock will prevent your property from getting broken into. Even if a thief manages to activate your opener or emergency mechanisms, they won’t be able to enter the property because everything is locked in position.

Your overall home security will benefit from it

The garage tends to be the entryway for most residential properties. That means having a lock installed will give you more control over who can enter or exit your home through your garage. If you think about it, this is a good protective feature for your property at large: if someone enters or exits your property through the garage, you’ll know exactly who it was – reducing any suspicions if something actually goes amiss. So the locks aren’t just a deterrent, they’re there to provide you with enhanced home security in general.

Garage door locks are easy to install

And they’re quite affordable too. Of course, in order for these to do their job you need to ensure all the screws are secured in place, and the locks are installed properly.

There are three different locks you can choose from. An opener unit is the most common: it prevents people from opening the door by securing it when it is lowered.

The T-handle is the second lock type you might come across. These are installed outside the door and can only be unlocked with a key. Inside its turning handle there is a security bar that locks down the tracks, only releasing the pressure once the key has been turned.

You can also opt for getting a side lock installed. These are as straightforward as their name suggests: A sliding bar on the side of the door is all that’s needed to lock it. Not only are side locks very easy to install, they’re also very effective in preventing that much dreaded opener override we were talking about earlier.

What a locksmith can do to help

If you’re going to get a garage door lock installed, a residential locksmith will be the best professional for the job. Not only will they have a wide range of options for you to choose from, they will do all the work for a very affordable price. Credible lock and key professionals are all licensed and insured, and they’ll have the tools required to install your new security devices correctly.

No matter where you live, the best way to identify the right professional for the task at hand is to do a bit of background research. Try to get a few business names from people you know and trust – friends, family members, neighbors or anyone else you know has hired a locksmith in the past. After you have some local locksmith details handy, call them to ask about their various services. Always make sure that the company actually offers residential security solutions – some locksmiths might choose to specialize in other areas like automotive or commercial services. Many businesses will offer free consults and price quotes, so take the time to clarify any concerns that come to mind. While you’re at it, here are some things to check:

• Information about a business’s reputation: how long they’ve been operating, a list of client references (good locksmiths won’t balk at you for requesting these), license and insurance details, minimum callout charges, and costs for after-hours services
• Any informational gaps. If the person on the other side of the line answers the phone using a generic term (e.g. Locksmith Business), and refuses to provide a full company name, run for the hills. Also, never hire a company you can’t trace a physical address to, or who lacks essential details like contact information.

• A quick tip about money matters: partial deposits are standard procedure; full payment upfront is not. It’s also good to stay on guard if a locksmith changes their price quote on arrival or requests to be paid by cash.
• If you have the time to spare, read a few online reviews about your chosen business and check if any complaints have been laid against them through your local Better Business Bureau.

Are you a homeowner in Maple Grove, MN? Allow us to help. With the locally-based, licensed and insured team at Maple Grove Master Locksmith, you’re bound to find the right garage door locks to install in your property. Simply get in touch with us to discuss our solutions and to get a complimentary price quote from our experts.

Whether you’re in our area or elsewhere, garage door locks will help you keep your home secure. We highly recommend all homeowners to consider installing these in their properties, and we hope this blog post has been instructive in explaining the additional security benefits that these provide.

Keeping Your Home Safe & Secure

Sometimes just locking your door isn’t enough to keep intruders out of your home. When you’re trying to protect your family and everything that you’ve worked hard for, you likely have some things that you can do to bring you peace-of-mind. One of the things you can do, occasionally, is to evaluate your homes security. This enables you to maintain your peace-of-mind in knowing that you’re home security is still effective. If you’re moving into a new home, this is when you’ll really need to evaluate your homes security. There may be locks that are obsolete or locks that do not belong on the doors they are on. In some cases, there are some doors and windows that do not have locks at all. These will require some type of security feature. You can always rely on the services of Maple Grove Master Locksmith in Maple Grove, MN, to receive the help that you need for your security needs.

When you have a lot on your mind, you may neglect to take your home security into consideration. If you want an easy way to evaluate your homes security, we have developed a few things that will help you immediately increase your homes level of security and offer you the peace-of-mind you deserve.

Your Home Security Checklist

☐Evaluate and Install Deadbolt Locks

☐Evaluate Entryway Doors

☐Evaluate and Install Outdoor Lighting

☐Cut Bushes & Shrub 

Evaluating/Installing Deadbolt Locks – This isn’t something that should be ignored or taken lightly. It could be difference in your receiving an unexpected visitor or not. Since it is the most durable of all locks, it instantly maximizes your homes security. Most homes already have existing deadbolt locks. It is always a good idea to replace existing locks since someone may still have a key. If you decide to keep the ones you have, you’ll need to have the locks rekeyed. In order to make sure you have the right level of security, you’ll need to make sure that the locks are made from the most durable materials. Not every deadbolt is created with the same kind of material and that is why some are more durable than others. The best type of deadbolt lock is usually a steel one. If you decide to keep existing locks, just make sure they are made of steel and if they are not, replace them.

It is also important to make sure that the bolt of the deadbolt goes at least an inch inside the doorframe. If it doesn’t, there is the possibility of your lock being compromised. Invest in the type of lock with a free-spinning cylinder or a tapered cylinder. If it isn’t this type of lock, someone could break the lock, especially a seasoned professional. A single deadbolt lock is the one used most frequently since it only requires one key to open it. I is the double cylinder deadbolt that you should really evaluate before having it installed on your doors. This is because a double cylinder lock requires that you have a key for both sides of the door in order to open it. If you are not able to find the key and there is a fire or something, you will not be able to get out. You can ask any locksmith about the advantages and disadvantages of this type of lock if you are interested. If you have deadbolt locks, make sure that you use them in order for them to effective in keeping out intruders.

Evaluate Entryway Doors – You should also make sure that your entryway or exterior doors have deadbolt locks on them. Before placing any type of locks on the entryway doors, you should make sure the door is of good quality. You will need a sturdy door that cannot be easily kicked in. This would require your door to be a solid core door that is tough all the way through. It is able to withstand pressure applied to it no matter how much pressure it is. If the existing doors are hollow core, make sure that you replace them with a heavy-duty door that can withstand pressure. If these doors have glass windows on them, install unbreakable glass. If someone can break the glass of your door, they can access inside your home.

Evaluate and Install Outdoor Lighting – You might think that having outdoor lighting simply adds curb appeal but it does more than that, it can be a good deterrent for burglars. Make sure that there is enough lighting around your home to alarm anyone passing by to a possible burglary. Your outdoor lighting should be installed along the driveway, walkways, garage and facing all exterior doors. If the lights that you have in place are not in good condition they are no good to you. Check to make sure all of the lights that you have installed, work.

Cut Bushes & Shrub – Even if you have lights around your home, it could be possible for someone to lurk around your home behind bushes and shrubs. This should be a regular part of keeping your home safe. If there are bushes, flowers, trees or plants in front of your doors and windows, they should be trimmed or cut down. Someone could be lurking behind them, just waiting for someone to come home and ambush you. Don’t give an intruder an easy way to get inside your home. You have to consider your home security even when you are doing maintenance around your home.

If you want to do all that you can to avoid a home invasion, you can as long as you make a check-list and do your part in making sure that the things on the checklist are performed. Everyone has to do their part in seeing to it that they keep their home safe. The suggestions offered are both affordable and practical. There is no reason that you should avoid doing your part in keeping your home and family, safe.

WHAT TO DO IF YOU RUN INTO TROUBLE WITH LOCKS AND KEYS

We hardly ever think about our locks and keys…until something goes wrong. The truth is, whether residential, automotive, or commercial, keys and locks play a major role in our personal and business lives. If an emergency arises, it’s certainly unnerving, but you don’t have to let it get to you. There are numerous measures you can take to keep yourself secure. You can surely prevent most of the problems with keys and locks that could happen.

Extend the life of your locks. There are things you can do to make your locks last longer:

• If a key won’t turn, don’t worry. Sometimes the pins get jammed up. Spray the lock mechanism with silicone spray or WD-40. This will often solve the problem so you won’t need to call a locksmith.
• General lubrication. If you ever notice any excess friction or grinding in the lock mechanism ~ or at least twice a year ~ apply a silicone-based lubricant spray to the keyhole.
• Replace your keys periodically. Our keys sustain a lot of abuse, because we use them many times a day, keep them who knows where, and toss them around. If you see that your keys are starting to wear down, or if they get damaged, then it’s time to make a new key. Don’t forget to discard your old keys responsibly; a recycle center is ideal.

What about stuck and broken keys? Haste makes waste: If you hurry with your keys, you could find yourself in a bind, because your key might break off in the lock! Take that few extra seconds and be patient with your key. You’ll save yourself plenty of grief.

If you are unfortunate enough to see your key break off inside the lock mechanism, if it occurs before you close the door, then you won’t be able to lock it, which obviously leaves you vulnerable to theft. If the key breaks off in the lock mechanism after you’ve closed the door, you likely won’t be able to open the door again. A broken key can cause damage to the lock itself. What you can do:

• If part of your key is stuck inside the lock, and there’s a tiny bit of it sticking out, you may be able to get it out. If there’s enough of the key showing, you might be able to pull it out with your fingers or with needle-nose pliers. If there’s any damage, then call a locksmith.

• If you don’t see any part of the key sticking out of the lock, it will be risky, because you could easily cause damage. Still, it might be worth a try. Find a flathead screwdriver ~ one that’s small enough to fit inside the keyhole. Pry the key inside, just slightly to the point where it comes out of the lock. If you do it just right, you should be able to remove it with needle-nose pliers or your finger.

Take Extra Security Measures

If you are concerned about circumstances at your place of residence or at your commercial building, there are many ways to give yourself more peace of mind.

Professional locksmiths recommend deadbolts. Be sure they are properly installed. A deadbolt should have at least a 1” throw. On the strike side, there must be a security plate with screws at least 3” long, going all the way into the wooden frame of the door. Do you have a window on or near your door? A thumbturn deadbolt isn’t won’t do you very much good, because a thief can break the glass, reach a hand in, and turn. To prevent this, install a double-cylinder deadbolt lock, which requires an inside key.

Know when it’s time to change the locks.

• Lost keys. If you are sure you have truly lost your keys, change your locks as soon as possible, since you surely do not want to risk the possibility of a stranger gaining access to your property.
• A new home. If you have just moved into a new place of residence, immediately change out your locks. You never know which former residents may still be in possession of an old key.
• New tenants or roommates. The same rules that apply to your home apply to rental properties. If you rent out any space in your apartment or home, replace locks every time you change occupants. Even if the former residents returned their keys, you cannot be totally sure that there aren’t some extra duplicates out there.
• After a break-in. If there’s been a burglary, you should replace all exterior locks right away. After that, replace any interior locks in order of your personal security preferences.

There are more ways to feel safe and secure:

• keyless remote entries

• magnetic locks
• safes for business and home
• keypad systems
• use only reputable high-quality brands, at least grade 2
• combination locks
• hire only a local expert locksmith who is licensed, background-checked, bonded, insured, and certified
• alarm systems

Preventive maintenance will help you avoid most lockouts. Do your part to keep your locks well maintained, and you may not ever have to hire a locksmith. Watch out for:

• difficulties putting the key in the lock mechanism
• wear and tear
• rust
• trouble turning the key in the lock mechanism

If you do come across any of these issues, your best bet is to change the locks, because worn-out locks will more easily get stuck or break, meaning you will get locked out. Old-fashioned or faulty locks also make you more susceptible to burglary.

When It’s Time to Hire a Locksmith

Sometimes you truly will have to call a locksmith professional. If your property is anywhere in Maple Grove, Minnesota, then consider hiring a dependable company such as Maple Grove Master Locksmith, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, always ready to get you out of trouble.