Your locks are the first line of defense for your home or office security, so make sure they are in top-notch working condition at all times. When you have experienced a break-in attempt, you’ve lost your keys, or they were stolen, or you don’t know who has access to duplicate keys floating around out there, it’s time to change or re-key your locks. Sometimes, the most secure step to take is to change the entire lock. At other times, a re-keying process is all that is needed. What is a re-key, and how do you know when to re-key your locks?
The difference between a re-key and a lock change is that one provides entirely new locking hardware and key. At the same time, the other uses the working, intact cylinder and changes only the inside mechanisms, which will also require a new key, but leaves the existing lock and outer hardware intact.
The process of re-keying a lock is significantly less expensive than replacing the entire lock. A re-key involves replacing only the inner cylinder, the part of the lock that interacts with the existing key, which means you will essentially have a new lock and key when the re-key is complete, but you save on the cost of new outer hardware parts. So, your door knob will look the same, but it will require a new key to open it. After it has been re-keyed, a new key will be required to open the new inner cylinder locking mechanism that has been swapped out with the old inside parts.
Since you are retaining the outer hardware of the lock, for a lock to be considered a good candidate for a re-key service, it must be in good working condition, showing very little wear, rust, or tarnish. You can attempt a re-key service yourself, but it’s often best to get it done quickly and correctly from the start by calling upon the help of an expert technician.
Do-it-Yourself Re-key requires purchasing a re-keying kit at a local home improvement store. Although not everyone is genuinely knowledgeable about using the proper tools for the job, others want to ensure the job is done right from the start. After all, your home security is at risk if you fail to complete the job or do it poorly. If your current locks are showing signs of wear or you have antique lock sets, attempting to do it yourself will quickly escalate into a project that becomes out of control and overwhelming.
When it comes to locks and key security, it’s best to leave the job to a professional locksmith who can complete it efficiently and accurately in a short amount of time. In the long run, the cost will be worth it, as it will save you from having to spend your weekend on a frustrating and tedious project.
Call a local locksmith today who can arrive at your convenience to assess the security and durability of your locks and discuss your re-key options. The locksmith will have your safety and security needs in mind. A knowledgeable locksmith will be able to examine your lock, explain the details of a re-key service, and help you determine when to re-key your locks.
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