When moving into a new home, one of the very first things you should take care of is changing or rekeying the locks. Not only will changing or rekeying the locks secure your new premises, but it will also provide you with the peace of mind you desire. Even if your realtor informs you that the locks were changed after the previous owners moved out, house cleaners, building and home remodeling contractors, and others may still have duplicate keys. A professional locksmith like First Lock & Security Technologies can not only efficiently take care of this, but also offer helpful advice as to whether rekeying or replacing the locks is the best route. Moving into a new house is an exciting adventure that also involves a lot of work. To make your move a little easier, we are going to outline what you need to know about the lock changing process below.
Rekeying Locks
Rekeying is an inexpensive alternative to full lock replacement that is just as effective security-wise. Rekeying a lock is essentially removing the pins and installing new ones, deeming the original key no longer able to operate the lock. After the rekeying service is complete, you will be provided with a new set of keys. Rekeying is only possible if the locks are in good working order and is not recommended for older locks that are failing. Also, if you are looking to improve your home’s security, rekeying may not be the best solution as you will be keeping the existing locks and not improving the hardware.
Can I Get All My Locks Keyed the Same?
Provided the locks will accept the same key into the keyhole, your locks can be keyed alike. If one or two locks are not compatible a new lock cylinder may be able to be utilized. If not the lock may need to be relaced to be compatible.
Purchasing New Locks for House
If the locks are older, not in good working condition or you wish to upgrade the security, replacing the existing locks with brand new locks is recommended. A local locksmith with a physical storefront shop like First Lock & Security Technologies will have countless lock options to meet your security needs.
High Security Locks – High security locks offer many benefits including protection against lock picking, unauthorized key duplication and drill resistance.
Electronic Locks – Electronic locks are an excellent choice for increased convenience. Many keyless locks only require access to a smartphone and are technically unpickable since they don’t use a keyway. However, electronic locks are not always the most secure option. For example, every time you use a keypad door lock, any onlooker has the opportunity to observe you inputting the code and can enter it themselves later. Another disadvantage of electronic locks is that most of them operate on batteries which can lead to a home lockout if the batteries die.
DIY VS Professional Lock Installation
It simply does not matter how strong and secure your locks are if they are not installed correctly. By attempting to install door locks on your own, you may risk damaging your door lock or the door itself and having to pay for repairs. By hiring a professional locksmith, you will have the peace of mind your locks are functioning as intended.
Professional Locksmith Services in San Mateo, Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City, Woodside, Portola Valley, Menlo Park, Palo Alto, East Palo Alto, Stanford, Mountain View, Los Altos Hills, Sunnyvale, Cupertino, Santa Clara, Campbell, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, San Jose, Milpitas & Los Altos, California
Changing locks on your own can be a difficult and complicated task that not many people have the knowledge, time, patience or ability for. A professional locksmith like First Lock & Security Technologies can guide you through your options and answer any questions you may have. We invite you to come by our shop conveniently located at 905 North San Antonio Road in Los Altos CA to view our lock selection and/or call us for the quickest and most reliable lock changing service today!
