How to protect your garage from bad guys: we protect the gate from burglary

First line of defense

An ordinary key hatch that opens a garage door can be opened quite simply:

• gets hacked;
• breaks;
• gets out;
• breaks out;
• cut out;
• drilled, etc.

Often, many drivers think that by purchasing a garage, they have secured their car, but this is not so. The most attractive locks for thieves are those with a Soviet deadbolt lock. An attacker will recognize it immediately by its small hole. In this case, the hacking occurs very quickly, thanks to a special metal spoke, which he inserts into the hole and with a slight movement breaks it open in a few seconds. A hatch opens, behind which there are often 2 pins; they can also be easily removed and the gate is open.

Deadbolt lock

Naturally, the first thing to do to protect yourself from such problems is to change the deadbolt lock to a more modern one. Also, at the same time, it is necessary to weld 2 lugs on the inside of the door so that it is possible to additionally hang a padlock.

There is no trick against scrap. Often, attackers use simple but effective tools to open a lock.

Welded corners

Most often, the gate is opened with the most ordinary crowbar. This is done very simply, especially if there is even a small door gap, which eventually forms on gates of any quality of metal. It may lead to loops or the target will appear for another reason, but the essence is that a crowbar is inserted into it and the lock begins to break out. Cheap locks almost instantly cannot withstand such pressure, so it is best not to save money.

To protect yourself from such actions, a corner is welded onto the second door of the gate in such a way that a burglar will not be able to insert a crowbar, even into the existing gap.

Welded corners

Additional lock on the hatch

To prevent the possibility of tearing out, drilling or simply knocking out the hatch, an additional lock is installed on it, which protects it, but it is enough to simply knock it down with an ordinary sledgehammer, therefore the padlock on the hatch must also be protected. To do this, metal plates are welded on top and on the sides so that the thief cannot swing and knock him down.

Some car owners protect the door hatch with two padlocks that cover it with a plate.

Additional lock

Loops

If an attacker sees that the lock is strong enough, then he does not need to break it and simply cuts off the hinges. His goal is to get inside, and how this is done makes no difference.

To protect your garage from this type of burglary, you need to weld the corners on the sides of the hinges.

Loops

Inset

Some attackers don't bother at all about how to get in, and if all previous defense methods have been taken into account, then they simply cut out their entrance, opening it like a tin can.

There are known cases when a tire from a Ural chainsaw was taken, sharpened strongly and then simply crashed into a gate, opening a metal door like opening a tin can. Even 3 mm metal cannot resist such an onslaught.

To provide protection against such interference, additional plates, corners, fittings and other metal “garbage” are welded onto the back side of the gate.

Metal patches are better only if you weld another sheet of metal to the door.

Video: we provide reliable protection for the garage

It is worth watching the useful materials in the video. Here, car enthusiasts tell you how to protect garages from being opened, and show everything with specific examples. For example, you can make reliable garage doors by equipping them with a special locking hatch. This will significantly improve the level of security.

You also need to pay attention to the correct installation of modern reliable locks on garage doors. The following video explains in detail how to do this.

If you follow the advice, act comprehensively, and do not leave any weak points in the structure’s protection, you will be able to ensure safety in your garage.

Second line of defense

If the attackers are serious and determined to open the garage at any cost, then they can try to “inflate” the hinges. This is done using a gas cutter. They cut off the hinges and all previous door protections will not have any effect, but in this case you can protect yourself.

Holes are made in the gate jamb, and pins are welded into the door for them. Thus, even if the hinges are cut, the door will still remain in place, even if it sag a little.

Some weld a kind of huge metal latch to the inside of the gate, which prevents the door from falling, even if the door is torn off its hinges.

Espagnolette

But this may not help either, because there have been cases when the gate was simply torn out. To do this, 6 mm metal plates are welded at the corners of the gate, which hold the gate in the frame. In this case, the attacker has 2 options:

1. Tear out the gate with the wall.
2. Break your car.

Why doesn't the combination lock work in winter?

Residents of apartment buildings face this problem. The intercom is shared as long as it works. As soon as it stops working or needs to be looked after, it immediately becomes nobody's property. This is a common practice when the consequences are eliminated, but no one wants to prevent the causes.

After the combination lock freezes or the buttons do not work, people use all sorts of means, including those described above, but there is no result. If some of the buttons do not work, then they sin that they operate mechanically, they pour a lot of funds, spray with various aerosols and smear with gels, but they still work. And then discussions begin on the forums, saying that they don’t work and that it’s all a lie.

But the problem lies elsewhere. The consequence of exposure to cold is often not the mechanical parts of the calling buttons of the combination lock themselves, but their contacts, which cannot be reached by means if they are applied superficially.

The contacts don't work because they freeze. Short circuits occur due to poor contact. This can be observed when the lock seems to try to react when you press a key. You can see on the screen that an inscription with a pressed key appeared or a beeping sound was heard from the system.

To make the system work, disassemble the panel and clean the contacts. Lubricate them so they don't freeze again. You don't have to do it yourself. Money has already been paid to public utilities for this.

Code lock

The problem of combination locks freezing is a common problem. Timely prevention will protect the owners of such devices from unpleasant moments.

Third line of defense

In any case, if they decide to hack you, it’s only a matter of time, because the best option would be to install a GSM alarm system. It can be installed in different places. Special sensors are installed both on the hatch and on the gate opening. It can be connected to your mobile or private security, private security company.

The best option is to use all protection methods at the same time. Some even keep a guard dog inside the garage, but do not forget that the animal needs regular walks, fresh drinking water and food. This option is relevant only if the owner of the garage stays in it as often and for a long time as possible.

Camcorder

Along with the GSM alarm, it is best to install an additional 2 Wi-Fi video cameras, one of which should be located inside the garage, and the second outside.

You should never forget that even intruders caught in the act will fight back, so no things inside the garage exceed the cost of your own life, so when trying to break in, it is best to contact specialists and professional security guards. You should never choose between your wallet and life, because the first without the second makes no sense.

Types of executions

Within the concept of a padlock, which is a durable body with a security mechanism and a bolt (in the vast majority of cases, curved and fixed in the body itself), there are many design options.

The huge variety of hinged locking devices can be divided into three groups:

1. Barn.
2. Equipped with a locking finger.
3. Invoices.

Looking ahead, it should be noted that the last group of products is most reliable. Overhead models are the best locks for protecting the garage from unauthorized access and theft of property.

The combination of a padlock and an internal lock provides good security and makes it much more difficult to break into.

Choosing a reliable lock for a garage is especially important, because attackers are somewhat less constrained in the conditions when opening a separate building than in the case of breaking into doors in apartment buildings.

Barn locks

A barn-type castle is the first thing that comes to mind when mentioning hanging structures. A distinctive feature is the crossbar, bent into an arc, fixed in the body in the closed position.

Such locks, first of all, are highly compatible with lugs of various configurations. In fact, the range of such products allows you to choose a model that fits any eyelets.

The huge variety of shapes and sizes, design features and materials used gives rise to a colossal number of existing models used to lock anything: from your youngest daughter’s personal diary to your garage.

Barn locks do not require installation and are easy to use. But, unfortunately, even with a hardened hinge and protrusions protecting it, the cases are susceptible to force breaking methods. Especially if the lugs on the door are not firmly attached.

They cannot boast of resistance to “clean” opening. The vast majority of models are equipped with cylinder mechanisms. Some models in the mid-price segment are equipped with combined coding systems that are more resistant to key imitation.

All castles will “freeze” in winter. The rubberized body, the protective coating of the shackle or the valve on the well do not prevent moisture from entering the lock.

Thus, the reliability of a barn lock depends on the strength of the materials from which it is made and the complexity of the security mechanism.

Locking finger

A special case of the design of padlocks is those equipped with a locking finger. They are distinguished by a straight locking rod, which is fixed in the body. Models are available whose rod is fixed in the body on both sides or only on one (the so-called “fungus”).

It is more difficult to select such a product for the configuration of the lugs, but due to the small gaps between them and the lock body, reliability increases. If the dimensions are adjusted very precisely, it will be impossible to get close to the locking pin.

When choosing a lock of this type, you should pay attention that some cast iron cases, due to the fragility of the material, are easily destroyed by impact loads or rebar shears.

Full metal shell rim locks

Padlocks are a variation on the straight shank type. The difference is that the “finger”, the mechanism and even the lugs are hidden under a durable steel case.

Due to the configuration, it is unacceptable to close the rim lock in the wrong position. The well must always look down, otherwise water will get into it and the mechanism will rust.

This is the most reliable option for a padlock, especially in combination with an internal one. However, the housing configuration imposes certain limitations on compatibility with different lug sizes.

If we are talking about replacing a garage lock, then it will most likely not be possible to install the overhead model so that it functions as expected. Therefore, the lugs must be made for a specific lock. Some of them even come with documentation indicating the required configuration.

In this case, a significant gap between the body of the rim lock and the surface of the door is unacceptable. When installed correctly, they should touch each other in the closed position. Otherwise, you can insert a lever under the body and break the lock.

The excellent security properties of padlocks are only valid if they are installed correctly. This is especially true for models in the high price segment, equipped with factory-produced hardened eyes.

For the same reason, attention should be paid to the burglary resistance of the secrecy mechanism. A conventional cylinder pin “cylinder” for an English key does not provide questionable security for the lock. However, there are more reliable options for cylinder mechanisms, which are used in overhead hinged locking devices or closed-type hinged locking devices.

Ways to protect padlocks from bad weather

The doors of modern residential premises are reliably protected from bad weather, thanks to a cornice, terrace or a special entrance canopy. But non-residential buildings often lack such extensions, and the locking devices, of course, rust, deteriorate, and freeze. Therefore, owners are wondering how to secure a padlock from rain, snow and moisture? Can:

• make a case from a plastic bottle;
• make a raincoat from a car inner tube.

Protecting a padlock from rain and snow: useful tips

Moisture creates unfavorable conditions for padlocks, which are used quite often in households. Over time, the components of the mechanism deteriorate, rust, and begin to open or close poorly. In order to avoid such problems and not waste time on lubricating and warming up, you need to know how to protect a padlock from moisture penetration and freezing.

There are several devices for these purposes, and which one is better to resort to is up to the owners to decide.

Recommendations for selection

The information above and the recommendations below will help you determine which of the available padlocks is the most reliable:

• case steel and heat-treated steel arms are optimal materials;
• size is of secondary importance, the main thing is compliance with the eye installation technology;
• Products that are too cheap by definition do not have a reliable padlock design;
• combined secrecy mechanisms are the preferred option;
• the presence of additional protection of the shackle by the protrusions of the case is a plus, but not so critical as to sacrifice the reliability of the secrecy mechanism or the strength of the case for its sake.

Thus, padlocks can provide decent protection for the garage, but only with careful selection and proper use.

Source

Expose a wall - the first popular hacking method

If your garage is located in a place far from public view, and its back wall overlooks a vacant lot or is close to the blank wall of another building, you can be sure that this is the method they will try to display your property. The method is simple - the wall is dismantled at the back, and all valuables are simply taken out of the resulting hole in a few minutes. A minibus driving close to the wall is unlikely to arouse suspicion even in a busy neighborhood, let alone in a vacant lot.

The features of the method are quite simple:

• usually garages are built with a half-brick wall, and the brick itself is placed on edge in order to save materials and not overpay builders for work on site;
• there is also no insulation, since there is no need for it, so there remains a bare wall outside and inside, even a layer of foam insulation is unlikely to complicate the task;
• such masonry is broken with several blows of a sledgehammer or a large hammer, and then disassembled to the required size, forming a convenient opening for carrying your things outside;
• a machine for loading stolen property can usually be driven directly to the back wall of the garage box, this greatly simplifies the task for intruders and covers them in the event of people passing by;
• It will be difficult to take the car out of the garage through such an opening, but taking out all the other things, including large elements, can be done very simply, so it’s worth thinking about safety.

Now you know about the most popular methods of theft from garages, so you can protect yourself and your property from theft. Most likely, it is better to organize protection using reinforcement; for this purpose, metal gratings or profile systems are used, which are installed on the internal walls and welded into the overall frame of the garage box. It is also possible to build additional internal walls, including pouring reinforced concrete. This will not guarantee protection, but it will definitely extend the time it takes for thieves to open the garage.

The procedure for a garage owner after detecting a break-in

If you suddenly discover that there are signs of forced entry on your garage door, you should immediately contact the police and call their employees. The arriving squad is obliged to record the incident based on the existing signs of a break-in and file a report based on this. The victim will need to write a statement to law enforcement agencies. Our legislation does not impose any specific requirements for the execution of the document, but it must contain the following information:

• It will need to be formalized in writing, where the full name, place of residence, and contact information will be indicated.
• Describe the incident itself - where and when it happened.
• Indicate all available data on the vehicle, especially noting its special features - tuning, dents, scratches, etc.
• List the damage caused as accurately as possible.
• Note the last time you saw your property and when you discovered it was missing.

A burglary case will be initiated only if there is such a report or based on your application. This moment is worth monitoring, otherwise you may waste precious time.

It is very important not to touch anything at the crime scene, as there is a possibility of inadvertently destroying evidence. If there is any information about burglars, or at least suspicions, they should also be reported to the police immediately.

If there is any information about burglars, or at least suspicions, they should also be reported to the police immediately.

Protecting the premises from intrusion

At home, you need to find all available documents that can confirm the damage caused. This will be necessary for the trial and for imposing a penalty.

How to strengthen sectional doors

Sectional doors can be strengthened using steel profiles. The need to strengthen structures arises in three cases.

1. The gate is installed in a room where significant temperature changes are possible or air humidity exceeds permissible values.
2. Sandwich panels are subject to constant high wind loads.
3. The entrance to the garage is located on the sunny side (thermal deformations are possible).

Image No. 1: sectional door leaf with amplifiers

If steel profiles were not included in the package, you will have to purchase them separately. Prices are at a more than acceptable level.

Important! If you order sectional doors with the possibility of remote control, do not skimp on electronics and ask whether the equipment is equipped with remote monitoring systems, protection against signal interception and encryption. To monitor the condition of structures, connect the automation to the Internet and install the application on your smartphone

This way you can monitor your garage in real time.

To monitor the condition of structures, connect the automation to the Internet and install the application on your smartphone. This way you can monitor your garage in real time.

The protection of sectional doors from burglary is also enhanced by installing secret locking mechanisms. This method of increasing security is best suited for manual models, since hidden locks are not associated with automation.

Image No. 2: Secret locking mechanism for sectional doors