Here’s a quick fix that will help you make your home a little more secure. It’s cheap and easy to do by anyone. Any place of entry into your home is always a weak spot and reinforcing entryways into your home will help deter a break-in or at least cause the burglar or thief to spend more time than they may want to trying to get into your home.
DIY Repair Tip - #2 - Home Security Improvement Tip
Check the strike plates for your doors. If they have the short 3/4 inch screws which are normally included in locksets, replace the shorter screws with 3 inch wood screws. This will allow the strike plates to be secured to both the trimmer stud and wall stud. Since studs are generally 1 1/2 inches wide you will have secured the strike plates firmly to both studs. This makes it a lot harder for someone to kick in or pry open your door with a screwdriver or prybar. Another point to remember when doing this simple upgrade for your doors is that you will have to use shorter screws if you have sidelight windows that are less than 3 inches from the edge of the doorjamb.
The shorter ¾ inch screws that normally come with locksets don’t offer the holding power and security afforded by using longer 3 inch screws to secure the strike plates firmly to the studs.
This is a project that the average homeowner can do that is inexpensive and simple to accomplish. It will also add to the security of your home.
Got screwdriver?
Staying above the water line!
Riverwalker
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11 comments:
That's a good tip.
...i went one step further,i put 3"ers in the hinges too...
...kinda related,screw in yer window AC units,no central air here,so the two window units on ground level are screwed in too...
...keep those honest folks honest...lol
To: Mayberry
It's a simple fix to make things a little more secure.
Thanks.
RW
TO; Ken
Hinges with 3 inchers works for me...
Great tip about securing your A/C window units!
Thanks Ken!
RW
Excellent tip.
Along the lines of cheap home security upgrades:
Double-hung windows: Get some lengths of wood; broom sticks, dowel rods, wooden closet rods - whatever - and cut them to length from the top of the sash to the top of the window... make sure it's snug.
If someone tries to get a window entry, they will break the glass and reach up to the window latch to open the sash - this insures that they have to consider wriggling through a opening edged with freshly broken glass first.
Do the same for sliding glass doors so they can't be pried open.
Every little bit helps.
There is a little gadget that hardware stores sell that go behind the strike plate to make it even more secure. Its a small metal box that the bolt goes into that sits behind the strike plate. Not only do you use longer screws to reach the studs through the strike plate holes, there are two more holes at the rear of the box for more screws. The metal box adds even more strength than just a strike plate. All you need to do is chisel out a small hollow for the box. I wish I could remember what the thing is called though.
To: Dustin
Another great tip!
Thanks Dustin!
RW
To: Carvin' Joe
I know about the deadbolt boxes but they take a little more work than the average person is likely to take on. If you've got a local handyman to help though, it's well worth the time and effort.
This is another great tip!
Thanks Carvin' Joe!
RW
Good idea!
To: Gen-IL Homesteader
Thanks. Glad you liked the tip!
The other tips are great also.
Thanks.
RW
Great Tip on the long screws, thats a good one.
I second Dustin's idea about wedging the windows. At my old house in a bag neighborhood we used 2x4s.
Riverwalker, or anybody, I'm curious how many people have some type of camera system for home security, or if you just stick with flood lights?
I'm looking into some cameras but I don't know if it is worth the work and money.
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