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The lock on your front door is what allows you to get in but prevents anyone unwanted from gaining access to your property. However, there’s sometimes a time when you forget your keys and don’t have access to your house. Before you call the locksmith to come and have your locks changed, consider picking the lock yourself.

Most locks are actually pretty simple to pick, so next time you’re locked out of your house in the middle of the night, follow these simple steps to pick your lock.

Pick and Tension Wrench – Before you go about picking a lock, you’ll need a couple of handy tools. It is possible to improvise when picking a lock, but having these tools to hand will make the process much easier. The tension wrench is used to apply pressure to turn the lock cylinder, whilst the pick is used to pick the lock. According to Qualified Hardware, it’s possible to even use 2 bobby pins as a pick by straightening out the pin and removing the rubber coated tips.

The first step is to place the aforementioned tension wrench into the lower portion of the keyhole to apply pressure to turn the lock cylinder. You’ll need to determine which way to turn the wrench in order to turn the lock cylinder. Apply pressure to the tension wrench and hold it there whilst you work.

Picking the lock – The next step is to use the pick to actually pick the lock. You should use the pick to push up on each of the individual pins within the lock. If you’re not able to push up any of the pins, you’ll need to turn the tension wrench accordingly.

interior lock
You’ll need to feel for which of the pins is the most “stubborn” and put just enough pressure on it. You’ll need to push on the lower pin, which will, in turn, push the higher pin completely out of the cylinder. This bit can be a little fiddly. The upper pin should then fall back down onto the cylinder and you should hear a faint click as it does.

You’ll need to repeat this step for each of the remaining pins in the lock, whilst still maintaining pressure with the tension wrench. Once you turn the tension wrench, you should find the lock opens and you’re in.

How to prevent commercial locks from being picked?
Now you have a good idea as to how to pick your own lock, but how do you protect your commercial building and prevent your locks from being picked?

Deadbolt Locks – You may already have locks built into the knobs on your doors. However, they’re simply not enough to prevent someone from picking them. Deadbolt locks are much stronger and much more difficult to pick, making them the top choice when it comes to choosing a lock that can’t be picked. You’ll need a lock of at least grade 1 or 2 solid metal and no screws exposed on the outside.

Deadlock Locks – Installing a deadlock can help increase the security of a building whilst you’re in it, which is especially useful for office buildings. These locks are rarely visible from the outside and allow flicking the lock into place when you enter a building.

Cylinder Guards – Many burglars can easily hammer, wrench or pry their way past a lock, but installing a cylinder guard will make the process more difficult for them. Round head guards are the best option to choose, as they can’t be removed easily. Protect your locks and they won’t be picked as easily.