One of the few things homeowners are often worried about when leaving for vacation is the safety of their property. Obviously, you don’t want to return from a thrilling vacation just to find out that someone tried to break into your home. It is most likely to spoil the whole vacation mood and cause distress.
Image by Arek Socha
However, burglars or intruders often try new techniques of invading someone’s property, leaving little to no visible signs. In such cases, the condition of your door lock can help you figure out the truth. Below are a few signs you must look out for to check if your door lock has been tampered with. So, let’s get started!
- Your Lock Doesn’t Work As Efficiently As It Should
Sometimes the signs of breaking remain unnoticed for quite some time. It is especially possible in case burglars fail to intrude on the property. Nevertheless, if you observe that your lock is not working as effectively or fast as it used to, it is a red flag. Look for other possible signs of damage around the door to ensure whether it’s simply the lock malfunctioning or not. If there are no signs of theft or damage, contact the locksmith and get your lock fixed right away.
- Signs Of Unnatural Wear And Tear
You must also look for signs of unnatural wear and tear caused by attempted burglary. It often happens when burglars use intense force to open the locked door. It may result in warped wood on doors or door frames, problems with your deadbolt, paint circles near the locking fixture, and more. In such a situation, it would be wise to contact professionals for fixing a deadbolt that spins or replace the deadbolt. It will ensure that your place remains safe and secure, even when you are away.
- Fresh Nicks And Shiny Metal Edges Around The Keyhole
Some burglars may also use the technique named bumping. It leaves subtle signs or even no signs of intrusion on or around the door. Here, a standard key is filed down into a saw-like point to create a dummy key. If done correctly, this dummy key works just like the original key, making it effortless for intruders to invade. Nevertheless, you might see fresh nicks or metal edges around the keyhole.
What Can You Do In These Situations?
It would be wise to contact the police immediately and allow them to inspect the property thoroughly. You can also record the signs to present them as evidence of intrusion. In case you have a security system installed, collect the picture or video of the intruder and present the same as evidence.
Know that even if you are unsure about the invasion, you must contact the police. They can help ease your mind. Also, contact professional contracts to improve the condition and security of your door locks.
To Sum It All Up
These are a few signs that someone tried to tamper with the door lock. In such circumstances, you must contact the police immediately to make a report of invasion. You must also get in touch with door contractors to ensure its good condition.
