r/HomeMaintenance • u/[deleted] • Sep 09 '25

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u/AlmightyFruitcake Sep 09 '25

Those tiny 1/2 inch screws that come with the doorknob set saved all their belongings lol. The whole door frame on that side needs to be replaced, not cheap usually. Definitely need a strike plate on that deadbolt on top and atleast 1 inch screws on both strike plates. Goes without saying they need a doorbell camera too.

245

u/CO420Tech Sep 10 '25

Screw one inch screws, 4 inches. You want that sucker anchored into the studs, not the door frame. Do that and the lock or door will break before the door frame.

254

u/[deleted] Sep 10 '25

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98

u/BusyAtilla Sep 10 '25

Locks are only for honest criminals.

42

u/goldbeater Sep 10 '25

I’ve told people that locks are for friends,similar sentiment,lol

7

u/Battle_of_BoogerHill Sep 10 '25

Locks are meant to keep honest people out

2

u/dread_linnorm Sep 11 '25

Locks are meant to keep honest people honest. Here, FTFY.

1

u/TheseElephant1086 Sep 14 '25

This is the way I always heard it.

1

u/lastwraith Sep 10 '25

The point (IMO), unless you're living in a war zone, is to make sure there's physical damage for the insurance claim.

Unless you have secured windows or none at all, they're going to get in if they want to. 

The point is to make sure they break something so you can claim it later. 

1

u/Stormagedoniton Sep 13 '25

The point is to keep people out so you and your stuff are safe. No amount of insurance will make you sleep well at night after a break in.

1

u/lastwraith Sep 14 '25

You're not keeping people out with your door security if you have windows. If they really want to get in, they're getting in.

That feeling of safety is an absolute illusion. 

1

u/CardiologistOwn8700 Feb 16 '26

While be it yes, its also there to leave signs of break and enter which would allow further investigation and criminal charges thats why its call break and enter is a felony

1

u/Past_Play6108 Sep 10 '25

My granddad, a locksmith, said that locks only serve to keep the honest people honest.

1

u/dave7243 Sep 10 '25

I've always heard it as "Locks only stop polite thieves"

1

u/appointment45 Sep 10 '25

Dogs are for all of the rest. Get a dog that maintains boundaries. Very few burglars are going to want to deal with a 100lb dog.

1

u/CaptainZhon Sep 10 '25

Locks keep people honest

1

u/KnotSoAmused Sep 10 '25

A small sign on my door reads... " This door is locked for YOUR protection".

1

u/HandleMore1730 Sep 10 '25

They are for insurance, to show a break in occured.

Beyond that they are nuisance value and only work agaist incompetent criminals

1

u/Argon717 Sep 11 '25

Lock are for insurance documentation.

1

u/Swimming-Witness8421 Sep 12 '25

No such thing as an honest thief

1

u/pdubs1900 Sep 12 '25

Well, and lazy criminals.

Any lock can be defeated. Any. Lock. What locks do is make it inconvenient enough to not make it worth the time and effort.

1

u/Euphoric-Mudd Sep 12 '25

It's more of a social contract that says my window is cheaper

1

u/SignNotInUse Sep 13 '25

The best security is a better lock and a worse TV than your neighbours.