How to Tell If Someone Tampered with Your Locks

Assuming you are not yet sure whether someone tempered on your locks or not, check out the following signs for clarity.

Bent and Warped Lock

Brute force is a common method intruders use to gain entry into a building. They often kick the door open, pry the door frame, drill the lock, or bash the lock inside. As expected, this method would leave visible damage on the door and locks. Thus, you will notice bent metal, broken wood, or other scraps of material from the door. More so, the door lock can be warped or flaked.

Furthermore, if an intruder applies brute force on the door lock, it will leave paint circles on the keyhole. The paint circles often appear when the burglar loosens and retighten the lock's fixture. Also, if more force is concentrated on the keyhole, the lock will show more damage. Once you notice this, call the police and do not touch the area to avoid destroying evidence. After that, invite a trusted locksmith service provider such as Top Atlanta Locksmith for lock replacement.

Scratch Marks

The presence of bold scratch marks on the lock indicates that a burglar or intruder stopped by. Intruders often use metallic tools such as a screwdriver or a dental pick to trick the lock open and gain entry into a property. The lock-picking process often leaves behind marks on the surface of the keyhole.

Sudden Lock Malfunctioning

If the key takes too long to open the lock or requires more force, this is a sign that lock is dysfunctional. A malfunctioning lock can be a sign that there was a break-in attempt at your residence. When an intruder attempts to tamper with a lock, it affects the pin tumblers, preventing the right key from fitting in without obstruction. Once you notice the lock is malfunctioning, reach out to an expert locksmith at Top Atlanta Locksmith for security evaluation. Remember, the same intruder or another person might attempt to gain entry into the property another time. To be on the safe side, we can help upgrade your security system for optimum efficiency.

Bumping Signs

Bumping is one of the methods burglars use to bypass lock security. If there is a bumping attempt on the lock, it will leave behind shiny edges around the keyhole. The bumping process entails a key created with a file that wears down the key at specific points. The bump will unsettle the tumblers inside and unlock the door. The process creates nicks on the keyhole because the burglar tries to use force to bump the keyhole.

The nicks or shiny edges around the keyhole won't appear if the intruder doesn't use considerable force on the keyhole. However, the appearance of shiny edges around the keyhole tells you that there was an attempt to break into the house. If this is the case, contact Top Atlanta Locksmith to have the lock checked and replaced with a new one. Our trusted locksmiths will be there to help.