Garage door security question

[wadecollins]

A couple of months ago our garage was broken into, the rather old up and over garage door having been forced and damaged beyond repair. We claimed on the insurance and had a new garage door installed, and we paid extra for 4 point locking to make it more secure. Anyway, went out one morning this week-end and my heart sank because garage door was open again. Fortunately, it had not been possible to open it fully as our car was parked outside very close to the door. However, the strange thing was that this time there was no visible damage to the door or lock (which was in a locked position). This has left me wondering: is it actually common for thieves to get hold of replica garage door keys so that they just let themselves in with the key, or is there some techniqe whereby thieves can open the door without causing visible damage? The other possible explanation would be that a member of our family locked the door without noticing that it wasn't completely shut, so that although the door was in locked position, anyone could open it just by pushing it. If it's easy for thieves to open the new door, we need to get extra security fitted pronto, but I don't want to go OTT if actually it was just a case of one of us not shutting the door properly, so that anyone could open it just by pushing on it. Anyone have any thoughts on which is more likely?

does it have an oval "Eurocylinder" lock, rather similar to those commonly fitted to plastic front doors?

You can get additional garage-door locks, they usually come in pairs and are operated with the same key, they tend to have an unusually long bolt to go into the frame despite the gap between door and frame. Is the door metal, wood, fibreglass?

You might consider fitting an alarm. Is the garage integral with your home, if not, how far away and can you see it from a window?

Does the garage have a "personal" door for pedestrian entry? And had it been opened?

Thanks Piglet - not sure what type the lock is. In answer to your other questions, the door is metal and is the only door to the garage. The garage is not joined on to the house (although the two are close together).

Difficult to find a photo of a Eurocylinder that shows its distinctive shaped end. It is usually operated with a key of "Yale" shape. It is not the worlds most secure lock, and as they are quite common on house doors, ne'erdowells have learned some ways of opening them...

you only get to see the end with the keyhole, once fitted

this is one example of an additional lock that goes on the side of the door, there is also available a long thin one with a bolt that is operated by an unusual cruciform key.

Garage locks and doors are, as a rule, not very secure, so if you are likely to be targeted you will need something extra. A really big padlock and iron hasp will do, but of course these extras take time to lock and unlock so often people don't bother. You could also fit a battery-operated wireless alarm, with chime, such as the Yale or the Response, which could be integrated with a home alarm, if you think there is a good chance someone will pay attention.

p.s.

having thought about it more, the two common ways of attacking a Eurolock would either leave it in the "unlocked" position, or the cylinder would be damaged.

A metal door can sometimes be levered away from the frame enough for the bolts to disengage using a simple tool, but in that case you would see scratch marks or dents at the edges.

I am beginning to think you are right and it was not shut properly.

As it has been attacked once though, the crims probably think you have had time to claim on the insurance and refill it with expensive motorcycles and power tools, so you are at greater risk of being attacked again. If I were you I think I would add an alarm that sounds both at the garage and inside the house. the Yale kits are very good value from here and the "premium" one can phone out with a recorded message from inside the house.

Hallo Piglet. Just wanted to say thank you for taking the time to respond. We've today had two key operated bolts fitted, so hopefully our garage is now less of an easy target.

Oh :( My garage has been broken since I moved in 7 yrs ago.... and can be lifted without any effort. It has back door into house which I never lock.......

Getting out of bed to lock RIGHT NOW

well done, toothbrush

Entry through the garage is a great risk, because the crim can work out of sight or hearing of neighbours or passers-by, and will probably find lots of useful tools to help him.

If you can get into the garage from the house, I strongly recommend fitting a pair of padbolts top and bottom that you can operate from inside but not outside, they only cost a couple of pounds each. I've done that.

If you can afford key operated bolts or locks, so much the better, and then you will be able to unlock them from outside as well should you wish to. this kind of thing

The door between garage and house will (should) be a fireproof one, which is fairly thick and heavy, you could fit mortice rack-bolts top and bottom of that to supplement the BS deadlock which I hope it has got.