Category Archives: Lock Rekeying

What Is Rekeying? Is It Expensive?




lock-rekeying-If you move into a new house, or rent a new commercial space or an apartment, change cleaning companies, or fire an employee, you may find yourself thinking about changing your locks. Even if you get back the keys from previous occupants, owners, contractors or employees, they do have had the opportunity to duplicate all your keys. So you don’t have a way to know how many duplicate keys have been made, or who all have them. In almost any situation where you feel lock needs to be replaced, a local locksmith can easily rekey your locks at a fraction of cost and time it would take to choose new locks and replace them. There’s no need to replace the entire lock for protecting your cash, files and property. We had a little help from the Arvada Locksmith Pros in the editing of this article as well.

lock and key doing rekeyUnless your existing locks are flimsy or have been irreparably damaged, both rekeying or replacing locks offer the same degree of security. Rekeyng offers many advantages. First, there no need to install new hardware as it uses the existing one, so the process is cheap. Secondly, rekeying is much faster than installing new locks. A trained locksmith can easily rekey the locks of entire house or building within few hours. What’s more, many businesses and homeowners end up buying locksets that aren’t simply made for their type/style of doors. In such cases, both your jamb and door will need to be retrofitted in order for new lock system to be properly fitted. And if you have to purchase a lock that matches other hardware in color, finish and style, it can be very difficult to find an ideal match. Where match is necessary, some homeowners find themselves buying the complete set of hardware which increases the cost manifold.

What Is The ReKeying Process?

In rekeying process, the locksmith changes the tumblers of the lock cylinder with new tumblers of varying sizes. Once you rekey lock, you can throw away old key as it will no longer be ale to open the lock. The lock will require new key that perfectly coincides with the new lock tumblers. Local locksmiths can easily rekey locks at significantly lower cost than full replacement of locking mechanism. If the lock has ANSI (Grade-1 designation) then there’s no need to replace the entire lock.

rekey processIn addition to rekeying locks to ensure safety, some homeowners also rekey their locks for convenience. An easy way to reduce weight of many keys and confusion is to have all your exterior or interior locks rekeyed to use just one key. A locksmith can easily rekey unlimited number of locks in your house to work seamlessly with the same key. For rental property owners, such as condominium associations and apartment buildings, it’s often necessary to have one master key to open multiple locks. These locks will also have one key that will only open the tenant’s locks. Locksmiths can easily perform master rekeying to almost any configuration to meter the requirements of businesses, property owners and home owners.

The decision to replace or rekey your locks may come down to the expense. In fact, in some states you’re required to rekey your old locks between tenants if you an owner a rental property.




SmartKey Re-key Technology – Locks You Can Rekey Yourself!




A new technology that has emerged in locks and security for the past few years have been the advancement of SmartKey Re-key technologies to help people rekey their locks. This can be especially helpful for homeowners that rent out rooms or guesthouses like on sites like AirBnb or Craigslist.

We found out about how popular these locks where getting from www.247brooklynlocksmith.net, a popular locksmith service in Brooklyn NYC.

We think these rekey-able locks are great for some applications, but if you need a more high security lock they probably won’t work. For most homes they could be an excellent addition though! Check out the videos below for a more visual demonstration about how they work!

Reviews of the Smartkey by Schlage:

When I decided to replace my entry lock to a combination capable deadbolt as well as conventional key, I had at least two brands to pick from. I primarily chose Kwikset because of the built in motor that activates closure of the deadbolt after I’m inside (after about 20-30 seconds), in case I might forget to manually lock the door. During the decision process, I noticed that the product I was considering, also incorporated a concept called SMART KEY, but dismissed the feature as an extra that I probably would never use. About a year later, I misplaced my keys OR LOST THEM, and was concerned about someone finding them and having access to my home.

I reinvestigated the SMART KEY feature key, and then contacted Kwikset tech support to confirm my understanding that I could re-key my lock using their SMART KEY kit….i.e., the kit, which could be ordered from AMAZON, would contain a replacement key. When I received the kit, it did include a new key plus several duplicates of the new key, together with easily understood instructions on re-keying the lock myself. IMPORTANT!!!! Although I had lost my keys, I did have a duplicate of the old key AND THAT DUPLICATE OF THE ORIGINAL KEY WAS NEEDED during the re-keying process. A slick concept, and if ever needed, a money saver for the home owner.

4 keys is perfect, If the tenant wants more keys, they can go make them, I only ever give the tenants two keys anyway. I’ve always made 4 keys, two for me, two for the tenant.

Before I’ve just told the locksmith to grab some old quickset from his dead pile and duplicate it, but this is just about the same cost as having the locksmith cut 4 keys anyway, plus the bonus of two more.

Here is a model made by Baldwin, another top security brand.




Why You Need To Rekey Your Locks When Moving




family with moving boxesIf you are moving into a new home , then hiring a locksmith to rekey the locks should be your priority. The previous home owner might have kept a duplicate key to the existing lock and this might compromise the security of the premise. Rekeying a lock actually costs less than completely replacing the lock. When rekeying, the locksmith simply changes the tumblers and pins of the lock’s cylinders to another size that cannot be opened by the existing key. The owner of the property you are about to occupy will always assure you of the security. Take your own initiative to rekey all the locks. We talked with the people over at FindGoodMovers.net to give you great in depth information about lock rekeying when moving.

Benefits of rekeying your locks when moving

Rekeying locks is much cheaper

money bag - cheaperWhile moving you will probably incur numerous costs, especially in terms of transport. Instead of replacing the existing lock with a brand new one, rekeying can save you money. You will still be guaranteed the same level of security but at a more cost effective price. It is good especially if you are moving into a big home with several rooms. Purchasing a new lock for all the rooms will make the total cost of moving very high. Besides being very expensive, changing locks also take some time.

Guarantee complete safety and security of your home

Security is the first thing a tenant considers when he/she moves into a new home. Remember , no landlord will tell you that the locks have been compromised. You cannot just trust anyone, even the landlord himself. This is because more often than not people tend to have a duplicate key to the premise. Take charge and get a trustworthy locksmith to rekey the locks. This will block the previous home owner , his friends, relatives and any other unauthorized persons from accessing your home.

In addition some people even loan keys to care givers and cleaners who come around in their absence. When a house is under construction the home owner might have distributed copies of the key to workers like carpenters , and electricians.Some of these workers might end up using the key maliciously and hence compromise your privacy and security.

Provides you with higher chances of getting claims from insurance firms

hands holding homeMost homes have been insured for burglary or theft.when such an unfortunate thing happens you will expect the insurance company to compensate you. As you know insurance companies would want to ascertain that it was not your neglect that led to the theft. As such they will look around for obvious signs that the house was forcefully entered into. If there are no such signs , you might as well forget about getting any compensation from the firm.

Grants you peace of mind

When you rekey your locks, you will be at peace no matter where you are. Rekeying locks helps eliminate constant worry of someone else accessing your new abode without your authorization. Whether you move into a new home or business premise , you can’t just be sure of who has an extra key to that place.

Three simple ways to re-key your locks

rekey diagram open lockIf you have adequate knowledge on how to rekey locks, just take the locks to a trusted locksmith. A security expert will alter them for you.

Another way is to check the technology of the locks. If it is possible for you to rekey them without the help of a locksmith, then just do it yourself.

Lastly , you can call in a professional locksmith to remove, rekey and then reinstall the locks. As much as this might cost you some money, it is worth it. A locksmith will be able to identify any other malfunctions with your lock and fix them before you eventually settle down.

It is also important to check if your new home has remote garage door openers. While you are rekeying the locks remember to also change the frequency codes of the remote garage door opener. Just ensure that you hire a trustworthy locksmith. Do not rely on the landlord or previous tenant for rekeying. These people might find a way of getting your new key since they know each other. Search for a reputable locksmith who will in no way compromise the security offered by your new locks. Once all is done , avoid giving your key to just anyone, only trust close family members.


What Does It Mean To Re-key A Lock?




Key in LockChances are that you may have heard people talk about changing all the locks in a building many times. In most cases they may not have been aware of the option of re-keying the locks or may have been under the impression that re-keying will not fully protect them from those who may still be able to gain access using the old keys.

Actually re-keying is enough and one does not need to incur the much higher expense of changing the entire hardware and installing new locks. It is an unnecessary expense when re-keying is possible.

Resource: www.chandlerlocksmithpros.net

So what exactly is re-keying? What does it mean to re-key a lock?

Simply put this is the process of altering or making adjustments to a lock so that it stops using the old key and starts using a new designated key. It is a very simple procedure that will take an experienced locksmith only a few minutes to complete but it is as good as changing the lock because old keys will no longer work.

 

rekeyThe way it is done is that the interior chamber of a lock usually has a series of upper and lower pins. All the key does is to push this pins into alignment and the door opens. Now what the locksmith does when re-keying is to replace the lower pins in the chamber so that the ridges fit into the new key when it is inserted into the key hole. Thus only the new key will open and the old key will now be useless.

This process also means that countless number of locks can be adjusted (re-keyed) in exactly the same way so that they all use the same key. In this case one master key will open all the locks.

Re-keying is the best option and beats changing locks because the former costs only a fraction of what it would take to remove and replace entire locks.

Another Great Article On Rekeying:How To Rekey A Door Lock




Why Re-key Your Home?




A lot of people do not realize how important it is to re-key your new home. Also, re-keying your house from time to time is also a great idea for security reasons. You can easily re-key your entire home with the help of a locksmith like the Denver Locksmith Pros who helped us with the info for this article. If you are not convinced that re-keying your home is that important, then below are a few reasons why you should do it:

hand-putting-key-in-lock-blk-white

Security
Miniature House With Lock and ChainAsk any locksmith after a burglary, and he/she will tell you that you will be surprised how many homes are being burglarized with no signs of forced entry. In cases like these, it highly possible that the burglar used old keys that still work on your old locks and doors. Re-keying your home so that old keys would not work on your locks and doors is one of the primary reasons why you should hire a locksmith to re-keys the locks for you.

Insurance Requirements
insurance-papers filesAside from giving your new house a fresh set of keys, nowadays, most insurance companies already requiring that if you have a new house then you must re-key the locks before you can avail full insurance coverage on your property and the contents within it.

Convenience
It is possible to re-key multiple locks and doors to a single key and by doing so it will be more convenient for you and avoid confusing situations. Having a single key is also advantageous for property owners, such as corporate organizations, joint property owners and rental property owners, to better manage and secure their properties. With one master key, you should be open multiple lock and doors within the same property. With the help of a locksmith, you can also customize to which doors and locks will a master key opens.

Re-keying is crucial for new renters or property owners as it will offer many advantages such as increasing security, insurance requirements and convenience. If you are a new renter or bought a new property, then it is best that you consult the services of a local locksmith.


3 Reasons to Re-key Your Door Locks




Key Inside LockHomeowners have to take into account many things, and one of them is home security. Here is a list of times when it will be very important to re-key your locks for the safety of your family and home.

Reasons to have your locks re-keyed by a professional locksmith.

Get More Info On Re-Keying Locks From ahwatukeelocksmith.net today!

#1 When You Lose Your Keys

lost house keysLosing your keys is a hassle, and it always sucks to have to think about the sinister side of lost keys, but it is necessary for good home security. You can’t assume that your keys fell into good hands, so its a great idea to either hire a locksmith to perform the service.

#2 After A Burglary

home burglarWhen your security is breached and someone enters your home in an unwanted fashion, it’s a good time to have your security looked over in the first place. To make sure you know your keys and locks are secure, have them re-keyed!

#3 When You Move In To A New Home

movng into a new homeMoving is the time where it is very paramount to make sure your door locks get re-keyed. In almost every situation with rental or new homes, there will be keys available that you don’t own. This is the very reason that a re-key procedure exists in the first place. Sleep sound knowing that you have the only keys that can access your new home!