If you’ve ever lost your house keys, moved into a new home, or fired an employee who had access to your locks, then you may have considered changing your locks. However, a locksmith can save you the cost of completely replacing your locks by simply rekeying them.
Rekeying changes the working key without changing the lock itself, which can restrict access and prevent old duplicates from functioning. But is it more secure than replacing the entire lock?
When to Rekey
When people move into a new home, lose their keys, or split with a partner, they often consider changing their locks the first step. They might even call a locksmith for the job, but they aren’t always aware that there is an alternative that is cheaper and simpler—lock rekeying.
When you rekey your lock, the pins inside the cylinder are replaced so that the old key won’t work with it anymore. The process usually takes less than an hour for a professional locksmith to complete, and it costs significantly less than buying a brand-new lockset.
Rekeying is a popular choice when someone moves into a new home and wants to ensure that previous owners, landlords, or renters don’t have access to the property. This service is also a great option for business owners who want to limit the number of people with access to certain areas of their building.
Another common situation in which homeowners rekey their locks is when they change concierge services or housekeepers who have copies of the house keys. This prevents them from getting in without your permission and also helps to keep your personal possessions secure.
You may also want to rekey your locks if you’ve recently changed the key code on your garage door. This will ensure that only the person who has the new key can open your garage, which is especially useful if you have children or pets living in your home.
On the other hand, you should only consider replacing your locks if they are damaged or if your old ones don’t offer sufficient security for your needs. This is because a lock replacement requires you to install an entirely new lock, which can cost more than simply rekeying your existing locks.
When to Replace
When you have a mix of lock brands and types in your home, the convenience of having one key work for all locks may be worth rekeying. However, if the door hardware is starting to show major signs of wear and tear (including rust spots, broken pieces, or difficulty opening and closing), it’s probably time for new locks.
Rekeying only changes the working key inside a lock, making it so the old key won’t operate anymore. It only takes a few minutes for a professional locksmith to do, but it’s not something you can try on your own.
If you’ve just moved into a new house, changed roommates, or lost a key, rekeying your locks can be a quick and affordable solution to ensure no one else has access to your property. It’s also less expensive than replacing your lock entirely, although changing your locks is still a good option for those who want to upgrade their security level.
Replacing your locks means removing the current lock cylinder and installing a new lock with a different locking system. It’s more expensive than rekeying because you’ll be paying for both labor and parts. However, if you’re concerned about your home’s security, a locksmith can help install high-security locks and deadbolts, as well as advise on other ways to improve the security of your home. For example, they can suggest other upgrades, such as alarm systems and door sensors. The main difference between rekeying and changing your locks is that changing a lock requires you to replace the entire lock cylinder, whereas rekeying only involves the key pins inside. Because the key pins are inexpensive, rekeying is much more cost-effective than replacing your entire lock.
Cost
Many people believe they must replace their locks if they lose a key or move into a new home, but this is not always true. Instead, rekeying your lock is a much more affordable solution that can provide the same security boost.
This process involves resetting the tumblers or pins inside the lock so that it works with a different key. It’s a relatively easy task for an experienced locksmith and can be done in a matter of minutes. It’s also a more cost-effective option than replacing the entire lock hardware since rekeying only requires the existing key to unlock the door.
Another reason to rekey your locks is if you suspect that someone has made unauthorized copies of your keys. This can be a major problem if you live in an apartment or have a tenant that moves out, but it’s also an issue for businesses. You never know who might have a copy of your keys, so it’s best to rekey the locks immediately in this situation.
You may also need to rekey your locks if you buy a new one, but you want to ensure that it works with the old ones. This is called master keying and can be very useful in businesses. It allows one person to access all of the doors in a building with a single key, while other people only have access to their own offices.
It’s important to note that rekeying is only a temporary solution to the problem of lost or stolen keys. If you have an issue with a thief breaking into your home, it’s best to replace the locks entirely to prevent them from coming back later on.
Convenience
Rekeying is a much more convenient option for those who want to limit who can use their locks. Rekeying a lock changes the configuration inside the cylinder and makes previous keys unusable, which will help to keep your property secure. This can be a great solution for businesses that experience a large turnover in employees or even homeowners who have lost their keys. It can be done quickly, and it prevents former employees from using their keys to gain access and steal goods or cause criminal damage.
Rekeying can also be cheaper than replacing the entire lock if the existing hardware is still in good condition. The main component that is changed when rekeying is the key pins, which are relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of new locksets.
Replacing the entire lock, on the other hand, will require a completely new lock cylinder with an entirely new set of tumblers and pins. This will increase the overall security of your home or business and offer a new look to your door.
Rekeying and changing locks can be a great way to make your property more secure, but the decision of which one is best for you will depend on your needs and circumstances. While there are some situations where it would be more appropriate to change your locks instead of rekeying them, rekeying is a simpler, faster, and less expensive option in most cases. Regardless of which choice you decide to make, it is important to have a professional locksmith perform the work so that it is done correctly and will provide the most protection for your property. Contact us to learn more about our locksmith services and schedule an appointment.
Security
If you’ve recently moved into a new house, split from a partner, or lost your keys, you might think that changing the locks is the best option. However, it’s not always necessary and could be much more costly. Most people don’t know that rekeying the locks is an alternative. This process is less expensive than replacing the entire lock and still provides a renewed sense of security.
Rekeying works by changing the key pins inside the lock to match a different key. This means that your old keys won’t work anymore, and no one will be able to open the door using them. It’s a relatively quick process that a Toledo, OH, locksmith can do in just a few minutes. It can also be done at home with some newer types of locks like the Kwikset smart key and Schlage SecureKey.
However, it’s important to note that rekeying only affects the lock’s internal mechanisms and not the overall look. If you want all your locks to have the same appearance, then replacing them may be the better choice.
Another downside to rekeying is that it only works on single-cylinder, pin-tumbler locks. It doesn’t work on combination locks or locks with electronic openers. Additionally, it only changes the key pins and does not change any other parts of the lock. This means that the lock is still vulnerable to other types of attack. This is why it’s important to upgrade your locks or consider other options that will provide higher security. For example, you could install a deadbolt or choose to go keyless. If you have any concerns about the current state of your locks, it’s best to consult a professional to help you make the right decision.