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by jimlongley
Wed Sep 26, 2012 7:33 am
Forum: The Crime Blotter
Topic: Woman's Locked Deadbolt Wasn't
Replies: 8
Views: 1020

Re: Woman's Locked Deadbolt Wasn't

Someone must have peeking over my shoulder at Home Depot. I don't know how many times I have demo'ed just that scenario, and not just to women.

Something they needed to add is to use three inch screws, or longer in the doorframe for the strike plate, and I personally replaced some of my strike plates with beefier ones. I was amazed, a couple of years ago, when this guy stood there and told me he was going to use 3/4 inch screws to mount the strikeplates in his doors because he didn't feel like taking the time to drill long holes.

The whole point of the long screws is to anchor the strikeplate, which is what the lock impinges on to lock the door, TO THE ACTUAL DOOR FRAME, not just to the decorative facing on the inside all the way into the actual structure. Otherwise all it takes is a good hard push to tear the strikeplate and all right out of the doorframe.

And check the length of throw of the deadbolt itself. If it's one of those that only moves 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch, REPLACE IT! Get a good, long throw, deadbolt. It doesn't matter which brand, just look for an inch or more penetration of the doorframe, and countersink the hole deep enough so the bolt throws all the way home.

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