21 secrets a locksmith won’t tell you

Keep your home safe from unwanted intruders with these secrets a locksmith won’t tell you. Read on to learn trade secrets from emergency locksmiths.

Many locksmiths online or advertised elsewhere are scam artists. They’ll quote you a great price, but when they get there they’ll say you have a special lock they can’t pick, so they have to drill it open. Then they charge you extra for a replacement lock you can buy at a hardware store for much less.

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If it’s 2am and some guy calls me because he’s locked out of his car at a club, a service call that’s normally $55 is automatically $100. If he’s got money for clubs, he’s got money for me.

It’s easy to defeat the cheapo locks from big-box stores. Most are mass-produced by reputable manufacturers but to really low standards. Look for at least a Grade Two lock.

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The best lock is a deadbolt that’s properly installed. It should have at least a 2.5cm “throw.” On the “strike side” there should be a security plate with screws that go all the way into the door’s wood frame.

If you have a window on or near your door, a thumb-turn deadbolt won’t do much good. They’ll knock out the glass, stick a hand in and turn. Get a double cylinder lock that needs a key on the inside.

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Keys stamped “Do not duplicate” are duplicated all the time. Ask me about high-security locks with keys that can’t be replicated at the hardware store.

Don’t believe a car dealer who says only he can duplicate keys. In most cases, a locksmith who specialises in automotive work can make you a key – usually cheaper.

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Divorce lockouts are a challenge. The soon-to-be ex-wife will call and say she’s locked out, so I get her in and change the locks. Then the husband calls with the same request. I refer him to a competitor.

Have a cleaner who needs a key? Ask me to key your door so that your master key works on the dead bolt and the doorknob, but his or hers works just on the knob. On the day he or she comes, lock only the knob.