Start at Your Front Door
The front door is the entry point targeted most often in residential break-ins. Test your deadbolt first. It should extend fully and resist movement when locked. If it feels loose or doesn’t throw completely, that’s a hardware problem worth fixing. Next, check the strike plate. A standard strike plate held in by short screws offers very little resistance to a kicked door. Strike plates anchored with three-inch screws that reach the structural framing provide much stronger holding power.
Also inspect the door frame. Cracks, soft wood, or a visible gap between the door and frame are signs the jamb may not hold under pressure. Door jamb reinforcement is one of the most overlooked upgrades Memphis homeowners can make, and it’s often more effective than replacing the lock hardware alone.
Check Every Exterior Entry Point
Side doors, back doors, and garage entry doors deserve the same attention as the front. Walk the perimeter of your home and test every lock. Doors that are rarely used often have older hardware that hasn’t been updated in years. Patio and sliding doors are another common weak point, since they can sometimes be lifted off their tracks or forced open if the locking mechanism is worn.
While checking entry points, look at locks on ground-floor windows. A broken or missing window lock is an open invitation. Our residential locksmith services cover everything from deadbolt installation to patio door hardware, so you don’t have to sort through multiple vendors to address different entry points.
Evaluate Whether Your Locks Have Been Compromised
Even if your locks look fine, they may not be as secure as you think. If you’ve never had the locks rekeyed since moving in, anyone who has had a key at any point could still have access. This includes previous tenants, former house guests, or contractors. Rekeying changes the internal pins of a lock so that old keys no longer work, without requiring full hardware replacement.
- Rekeying is the right choice when locks are newer and in good condition
- Full replacement makes more sense when hardware is worn or outdated
- Either option resets your home’s access history and closes gaps you may not know exist
We can help you figure out which option fits your situation when we come to your home.
Consider Whether Your Current Locks Are the Right Grade
Many homes in Memphis and Shelby County have builder-grade locks installed during original construction. These locks meet minimum code requirements but are not designed to resist forced entry. Upgrading to ANSI Grade 1 hardware is a meaningful improvement in physical resistance.
For homeowners who want more control over access, smart lock installation offers keyless entry, remote access management, and entry logs that show when the door was opened and by whom. Smart locks work best in combination with reinforced frames and quality deadbolts, not as a substitute for solid hardware.
Add a Visual Deterrent Layer
Locks are your first line of defense, but visible security measures can discourage someone from targeting your home to begin with. A doorbell camera or exterior security camera makes your property a less appealing target compared to a home with no visible monitoring. Cameras also document activity and send alerts when motion is detected.
- Doorbell cameras cover the most common point of approach
- Exterior cameras extend coverage to side yards and back entries
- Camera footage supports police reports if an incident does occur
- Visible cameras signal to potential intruders that activity is being recorded
We provide doorbell camera and security camera installation for homes across the Memphis area. Pairing a camera system with upgraded locks and a reinforced door frame gives you a layered approach that addresses both deterrence and physical resistance.
Take Action Before It Becomes Your Emergency
A neighbor’s break-in is an uncomfortable reminder that home security isn’t something to put off. Most of the gaps Memphis homeowners find during a security assessment are straightforward to fix. We provide mobile locksmith services across Memphis, Shelby County, Bartlett, Germantown, Cordova, Collierville, and the broader Mid-South, seven days a week. All lock and rekey work comes with a 6-month warranty, and service comes directly to your home. If your assessment has raised questions about your current locks, reach out to The Lock Doc to schedule a visit and get straightforward answers about what your home actually needs.