Why It Might Be Time To Rekey Your House
Why It Might Be Time To Rekey Your House
Let’s be honest – the good old key and lock system is probably the first and best line of defence for any home.
Not only is it reliable, but it is also simple to use. However, it is a machine; like any other machine, it can develop faults and defects over time.
On that note, a faulty key is one of the most common problems in lock and key systems. When it occurs, the key will fail to open the corresponding lock. Alternatively, you might lose or misplace the key, which can practically lock you out of your own house!
The only course of action in such situations is to rekey your locks, which is fairly simple. But you might not know about this process if you are not a DIY locksmith. That’s why we have made this guide.
So, if you are curious, then read on!
What Is Rekeying, And How Is It Different From Replacing Locks?
Let’s start from the basics, beginning with a discussion of what rekeying actually is. As you can guess from the name, rekeying refers to the process of replacing the key of a given lock.
So, when rekeying your locks, you only change locks instead of replacing the entire lock. This sets it apart from the process of changing locks, which involves replacing the whole locking system altogether, including the key. Replacing entire locks can be much more expensive than simply changing the key.
That said, you will need to replace some parts inside the lock to use the new key. These parts are the key pins or tumblers, which complement the design of the key.
Do not worry, though, for the process of changing key pins is relatively simple. In other words, you don’t need extensive knowledge about locking systems to get it done. We have discussed how you can accomplish this task in a later section.
When Should You Rekey Your House?
This question might pop up if you are thinking about rekeying your house. In that context, there can be several reasons to rekey all the locks in your home. Below, we have discussed all the possible scenarios that make this process necessary.
1. Moving Into A New House
It is always wise to rekey all the locks of a new home you have recently purchased or moved into. In some cases, the previous owners may still possess keys to the property they have sold. Therefore, using the same key and lock systems can raise several security concerns.
We are not suggesting that the previous owners of your property have any such nefarious intentions, but you should rekey the locks nonetheless, just to be safe. If you do that, only you and your family can access the property, eliminating security concerns.
2. Change In The Family Dynamics
Let’s face it – a modern family’s dynamics can change quickly over a short time. For instance, you may have just divorced or broken up with your spouse or partner. Or your family members may have moved apart for some reason. In such situations, you might wish to cut off the access the estranged family member or partner has to your home.
We are not saying it is the best solution, but hey – if that person does not wish to remain connected, what other choice do you have? And if the individual leaves begrudgingly or to take revenge, then you have all the more reason to cut off their access! This is where rekeying will be handy, keeping your property and belongings safe.
3. Damaged Or Lost Key
Given the small keys, it is not uncommon for someone to lose or misplace them by mistake. It might seem like an innocent error, but it is anything but that. After all, you have yet to learn who might have found the key and their intentions. Naturally, this poses a major risk to your home’s security.
Also, your key might have become bent, broken or rusty from excess usage. In that case, you won’t be able to open the corresponding lock, which can be a big hassle.
Thankfully, lock rekeying is the best solution for dealing with both scenarios. It prevents outsiders from accidentally getting access to your home and eliminates any issues arising from key damage.
4. Better Convenience
Nearly every one of us has experienced the all-too-familiar situation of fumbling around in the dark, looking for the right key to the door lock. If you have been in such a situation, you know how annoying it can be.
But if you get your locks rekeyed, you can have multiple different keys for it, making it more convenient to unlock. So, you can avoid being in vulnerable situations like the one mentioned above, making your life easier.
How To Rekey Locks?
If you want to rekey your current locks, you can follow the steps mentioned below:
- Remove the cylinder from inside the lock
- Dislodge the C-clip that lies alongside the cylinder to secure it in place
- Attach the key plug to the back of the cylinder and insert it into the lock
- Take out the cylinder plug, leaving behind the follower plug
- Remove the old pins and key from the cylinder plug and insert the new key
- Attach new pins inside the cylinder plug
- Replace the plug inside the lock and push the follower plug out
- Reattach the C-clip and test out the lock
Here, we suggest you use a key from the same brand as the lock. If you use different brands, the process becomes more complicated since you will need to account for compatibility issues.
Keep Your Home Safe
So, now you know why rekeying your home’s locks is important. And as you can see from the above discussion, the process is not that complex either.
You can perform the rekeying process yourself if you have some DIY experience. However, if you have no such experience or if there are too many complex locks in your home, you should contact a local locksmith.
If you want to do it more affordably and conveniently, call us instead. Here at Express Locksmith, we have a team of qualified professionals who provide all types of locksmithing services. It doesn’t matter the lock’s condition or quality – our professional locksmiths will rekey all your door locks instantly!
Want to learn more great locksmith tips? Check out our guide on whether you need a mechanic or automotive locksmith for car lockouts!
Rekeying Your Home FAQs
Why should I rekey my same lock instead of just changing the locks in my house?
Rekeying your existing lock involves changing its internal lock mechanism rather than replacing the entire lock. This allows you to keep the same locks on your doors while still ensuring your old locks can’t be opened with keys that may be out there from the previous owner. Rekeying is often cheaper and easier than installing brand-new, different locks.
How does rekeying a lock work?
A locksmith can rekey your existing locks by replacing the old lock components inside with new lock cylinders and configuring them to work with new house keys. This changes the lock mechanism so your old house keys no longer work, keeping your home security intact.
If I rekey my house, will I need to rekey all of my electronic locks?
Most electronic locks and keypads for your home have a master mechanism that can be rekeyed with your standard locks. A locksmith can rekey this central electronic lock system to work with your new keys.
Why should I rekey my house locks if I moved in recently?
If you just purchased your home, it’s important to rekey the existing locks rather than continuing to use the same lock the previous owner used. This ensures no copied keys from the old owner, tenants, or even the listing agent can grant access to your home. Rekeying gives you peace of mind.
When is rekeying necessary for home security?
Reasons to rekey your home include moving into a new property, losing a physical house key, noticing that keys are missing, ending a relationship with someone who had a key, or general concerns that too many copies of your keys are floating around. Rekeying restores control over access.
