Lock Bumping: What Is It And How To Protect Against It

Did you ever wonder what lock bumping truly is? Our professional lock technicians will provide you with detailed information on the procedure and teach you how to protect yourself against it.

While you might have heard of lock bumping before, chances are you do not have a full understanding of how it works. All you know is that it is something that can be used by burglars to make their way into a home. If you have never fallen victim to a home intruder before, but you personally know someone in the neighborhood who has been burglarized with the help of this technique, you might be feeling a little anxious right about now. Here is a brief definition of lock bumping along with a few prevention tips that should protect you against it.

Relax, take a few deep breaths and read these next few lines. We will explain to you what this procedure is and tell you exactly what you can do to make sure you are well guarded against it.

What Is Lock Bumping?

Shortly put, lock bumping is an ancient locksmithing method that was used by expert locksmiths for opening doors when the key was missing. The method refers to using a special key (a bumping key or a 999 key) that needs to be put into the keyhole and tapped with the help of an object. It could be anything ranging from a screwdriver to a rock. In return, the pins should jump into line and cause the lock to open. It's simple physics at its best and provided that two-thirds of break-in reports mention no signs of forced entry, according to data from the National Crime Prevention Council, lock bumping should be taken seriously. While this does not mean that all of these aforementioned break-ins were done with the help of 999 keys, it also doesn't mean that you should mistakingly ignore the risks.

Lock bumping continues to be used by police authorities even today when they are performing surveillance work or when they are on a mission looking for evidence. Professional locksmiths rely on other types of tools for picking locks, even though some of them may pull this old Ace up their sleeve every now and then.

Unfortunately, as mentioned before, locksmiths and the official authorities are not the only ones who can make use of this practice. Home burglars have a plethora of information they can find on the topic over the internet. Plus, to make matters even worse, there are websites that sell bumping keys to anyone interested, no questions asked.

Pin Tumbler Locks Are More Vulnerable

If you have pin tumbler locks on your home or office locks, you are more likely to become a victim. The explanation is simple: these locks use different-sized pins that can prevent the lock from opening in the absence of a key. Tubular pin tumbler locks work similarly and they can be picked with the lock bumping method. If your home has a cylinder lock on the front door, you should personally inspect it and see if you notice any signs of faults or vulnerabilities. Insert the right key in and out a few times and notice if it tends to get jammed in the keyway. Are you having any kind of trouble locking or unlocking the door? A broken lock will be even easier to bump open by an inexperienced burglar.

If you live in a home with multiple entryways or you are running a commercial space with lots of offices and storage rooms, you might need professional help with assessing all of your locks. The 24/7 Locksmiths Near Me team is ready to assist you with your needs and issue trustworthy recommendations. We can also provide you with new lock installation services at good prices, so make sure to give us a call and schedule an appointment.

Which Locks Offer Better Lock Bumping Protection?

• Replace your old cylinder locks with either deadbolt or mortise locks for enhanced protection. Consider investing in electronic locks you can control with the help of your phone or remote access or biometric locks that let you use your unique fingerprints to access your home. If you are not sure which locks to choose, we can introduce you to a few of the most reliable models on the market at the moment.

• If you do not wish to invest in new sets of locks all over the house at the moment, you can consider having some more pins added to your cylinder locks. This way, you will make potential home burglars' work more difficult while spending less than you would on brand new sets of locks.

• Embrace the smart home concept and use smart locks and video doorbells that will allow you to keep better track of everyone going in and near your home. Receive notifications on your phone in real-time alerting you every time someone is at the door, ringing the bell or trying to force their way into the house.

Lock Bumping Prevention Tips

Have a locksmith recommend a reliable bump-proof deadbolt and add it to your current lock.

Get a surveillance camera outside your home, above the main entryways; they are good deterrents against potential burglars who might consider using this technique to enter your home. Use light commercial-grade locks instead of your current residential locks, as they offer more picking and bumping protection.

Always have an authorized and licensed lock technician install or upgrade your locks for optimum results and extra safety. Give us a call now and schedule an appointment with us!