When you buy a home, one of the first tasks you should do as a homeowner is change all the locks. It is simply a matter of home security as you simply cannot be sure who may still have a copy of the keys. The previous homeowners may have forgotten about the spare keys they lent to a contractor, house cleaner, dog walker, neighbor, friend or family member. First Lock & Security Technologies considers when you should rekey or replace your door locks.
Rekeying VS Replacing Locks
In simple terms, the process of re-keying locks involves a locksmith replacing the pin tumblers inside the locking mechanism, which leaves an old key or set of keys unusable. To replace the locks, a locksmith needs to physically remove each lock from the door and replace everything with new hardware. (including the knob or lever, trim plates and mechanism).
Why Would You Rekey a Door Lock?
If the locks are in good condition and not too old, most new homeowners will choose to rekey them as this is less expensive and less complicated. After all, if your home has multiple exterior doors, the time and cost to replace the hardware on all of them is sure to add up quickly. Ultimately, lock rekeying is just as secure as lock replacement.
When Should You Replace or Change the Door Locks?
There are a few different instances when changing out your door locks is a smarter choice than rekeying. First Lock & Security Technologies outline them below.
Change Old Locks: In older homes particularly, the door locks often will be older too, or possibly even the original hardware. If the locks are showing signs of wear and tear, changing them now is a good idea as they will have to be replaced sooner rather than later anyway.
Different Brands of Door Locks: You may discover that the home you bought has different hardware manufacturer brands on the front, back and possibly even the side doors. If this is the case, you are not only required to carry multiple keys, but you also have to keep track of which key opens which door. Replacing the locks for keying compatibility ( known in the industry as “keying alike”) allows you to use the same key for all doors.
Upgrade to Electronic Locks: If you would prefer not to have to keep track of keys, upgrading to electronic locks, also knows as smart or digital locks, can be an ideal solution and even offer the added benefit of remotely locking or unlocking doors and monitoring their usage.
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
First Lock & Security Technologies can inspect and assess your locks in order to advise as to whether rekeying or replacing the locks on your new home is best for your needs. Call us to ensure you are the only one that has keys to your new place today. After all, until you update the locks, you just don’t know who has a copy of the keys!
