The Low Down On Bolt Down

Safe Bolts 1We regularly get asked by our customers whether they need to bolt their safe down or not and our answer is always the same: Yes definitely!

If you have a smaller safe that can be carried away then a thief will simply take it with them and crack it open in their own time. Burglars tend to spend 8 to 12 minutes in a home during a break in so if you’re safe is bolted down they’ll be put off as they can’t remove it and won’t have enough time to crack it open.

If you have a larger safe we would still recommend you bolt it down. Again this is to add an extra layer of security to your safe but it also makes it safer. Some safes are very tall so if you bolt it down it will prevent it toppling over should it get knocked. Old heavy safes should also be bolted down as the doors can be very heavy so when they swing open it can unbalance the safe.

How is it done?
The installation process is fairly straight forward with most safes coming supplied with installation holes already pre-drilled (the bolts will be included too).

All you need is a good electric drill with a good heavy duty and robust masonry drill bit to drill the holes into the floor with. The length of the bolts will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer as there are so many different safes on the market but if you call us we can find out the length for you so you can buy a drill bit of suitable length.

Once the holes are drilled you simply use the bolts and secure the safe to the floor and hey presto you’ve just made the burglars life difficult and made your valuables safer. When bolting a safe to the floor it is important that you don’t choose a floor with underfloor heating as drilling into it can damage the heating system.

Where to drill?
Wooden FloorAnother common question we get asked is where should I bolt the safe. Our advice is to pick a concrete floor as they will offer the most secure hold. However if this isn’t an option for you (for example if you live in a block of flats), there are other options available.

Safes can be bolted into wood joists if you have a wooden floor (not laminated). If you’re planning on installing your safe into a wood floor please let us know and we’ll get special wood-fixing bolts added to the order. If none of the above locations/floor types are available to you then you can install many of our safes to the wall and some manufacturers can offer chemical fixes which essentially glue the safe into place.

Should you have any further questions regarding bolting down a safe please give us a call and our team will be happy to help.