If you ever moved into a new home, misplaced your keys, or had to fire an irate employee, you might have needed to change your locks. The majority of people are unaware that re-keying rather than changing their locks is often a better and sometimes less expensive option. In this post, I’ll explain what it means to “re-key” a lock and, more importantly, when you should rekey your locks instead of replacing them. You may be wondering why this is significant. It can save you a lot of money every year, so it’s something to think about. Some locksmiths take advantage of the fact that customers are unaware of the differences and instead of educating them on all available alternatives, they charge more for them.
What does it mean to Rekey a Lock?
Changing a lock means that you have to replace the lock and the hardware that goes with it while rekeying a lock is when you change the key of the lock to a new key without taking the actual door off. This is done by dismantling the lock and replacing some of the components known as “tumblers” or key pins inside. Every set of key pins in your lock corresponds to a distinct key, hence when you replace them with others, you’re creating a new key that will now operate the lock. This may sound complicated, but it is actually an easy procedure that should only take a few minutes if you have the right knowledge and tools. In order to rekey a lock, the locksmith needs the current key that matches the lock. If they don’t have it, they will have to pick the lock open. While this isn’t a major concern for a skilled locksmith, it will frequently incur extra expenses, making it more costly than replacing the lock entirely.
Rekeying a lock does not reduce the lock’s security or make it any safer. The number of pins contained within a lock is one of the elements that make it secure. The new 5 pins are simply as effective as the old 5 pins, therefore the protection offered by the lock will be unaffected even though you replace all of the locks with new ones. If you want to increase the security of your locks, replacing them with stronger new ones is the better option.
Rekeying is frequently a lot cheaper than having your locks changed since the key pins in most locks are extremely inexpensive. When you rekey your locks, you just pay for the labor, whereas if you get your locks changed, you’ll have to pay for both labor and parts.
Another thing to bear in mind is that all of the locks include a built-in rekeying option, so you won’t have to worry if your locks can be rekeyed or not. However, the method for rekeying different locks is not always the same, and it frequently necessitates distinct equipment. Some high-security locks, such as “Medeco” and “Mul-T-Lock,” need a specific tool set and key pins to be rekeyed.
When should you Rekey?
There are a few instances when rekeying your locks is a good idea. One is when you’ve moved into a new home and don’t want to have any of the previous residents’ keys. In this case, you’ll want to rekey all of the locks in your home as soon as possible so that you have control over who has access.
Another time rekeying might be necessary is if you’ve lost your key or had it stolen. If an unauthorized person has access to your key, they could potentially enter your home without your knowledge. rekeying your locks will ensure that only those with authorized keys can get into your home.
Rekeying is another option to consider if you have various locks with distinct keys and want them all to match one key (assuming that all of the locks are from the same manufacturer or keyhole).
If you want to rekey your locks, it’s best to call a professional as they will have the necessary tools and knowledge to do so. Keep in mind that rekeying is not a DIY project and should only be done by a professional locksmith.