More than a broken lock
A break-in leaves more than damaged hardware. Kicked doors often split the frame around the strike, and a door that can't lock is a problem for the rest of the night.
First steps
Call the police and let them document the damage before anything is repaired. Photograph everything for your insurer.
Securing the door
Then a locksmith can make the door lockable again:
- replacing the damaged lock;
- resetting or replacing the strike plate;
- fitting a reinforcement plate where the frame has split;
- driving long screws into the wall stud so the strike is far harder to kick through.
Keys taken?
If keys went missing in the break-in, rekey or replace every lock they open, the same day if possible.
Once things are calm
Review the other doors and windows. Sliding doors, side gates and the door from the garage often deserve the same upgrades as the door that was forced.
Jobs we arrange in 92816
- Emergency door securing after a break-in
- Damaged lock replacement
- Strike plate and frame reinforcement
- Same-day rekeys when keys are stolen
Neighborhoods off Lincoln Avenue
The neighborhoods around East Lincoln Avenue are mostly single-family homes with driveways and side yards. After a break-in, owners often realize the back door or side gate was the easier way in all along. Use the review to fix those too: a Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt on every exterior door, long strike screws, a secondary lock on the slider, and a gate that latches properly. Good lighting at the side of the house costs little and deters a lot. If a neighbor was also targeted, compare notes; patterns help the police.
