Moving into a new house is entertaining but there are some security concerns that can be overlooked. Perhaps the most obvious question is also the simplest: Who else has a key?
You have encountered this when you lose your keys. There was always doubt, even if you simply lost them inadvertently. If the key connects to your home or rental, office or shop then this is a very serious matter!
Which is where lock rekeying comes in. A more practical system for updating access and not having to completely change the lock every time.
What Does Lock Rekeying Mean?
Lock rekeying is replacing the internal pins or components in a lock to be able use a different key. The hardware on the locks very often isn’t touched, but now you can’t get in with your old key.
That is not the same as getting a lock changed. With replacement, the complete lock or hardware is taken out and replaced with a new one. Rekeying is when the locksmith adjusts the lock so that it is activated by a new key.
When it comes to practicality, most people choose rekeying as a simple solution for improving security without switching all the locks of their homes, rentals and businesses.
Why Rekeying Makes Sense After Moving
When you buy a house, an apartment or a commercial space, the former owner/landlord/manager gives you some keys. But you mostly do not know how many copies got generated before you.
Old keys may be living on with past tenants, contractors, cleaners, maintenance workers, neighbors or family members of the previous tenant. This may not seem an issue most of the time, but it can lead to a potential problem.
Scheduling a lock rekey Grand Junction service after moving gives you a clean start. You can have your locks rekeyed, the previous keys no longer function, giving you much greater control over who has access to your property.
Why Rekeying Helps After Losing Keys
It is frustrating to lose track of your keys because sometimes they are not exactly where you think they would be. Whether they fell out of a bag, got left behind at the shop, or got lost while running errands. Rekeying is a sensible second step, the absence of any way to trace who has secured them.
This is all the more relevant if the keys are lost along with something that could distinguish any of the following, what other information would identify an address, business name or a vehicle. Rekeying takes away the anxiety that someone might use the old key at a later time.
A locksmith can cut new keys if older locks may be rekeyed rather than interchangeable original locks. But if the hardware can still be used, it might make sense to rekey.
Rekeying for Homes and Rentals
When it comes to residential and rental property situations, rekeying is typically done immediately after moving in, moving out, ending a relationship with someone, changing roommates or losing keys. The landlords and property managers may also use rekeying between tenants to secure the access for the next tenant.
This will help tremendously when a previous property has changed hands between multiple occupants over the years. Even if every tenant had returned a key, we have no idea if anyone made copies.
A rekey will offer a more secure-seeming home without the need to change every lock in the residence.
Rekeying for Businesses
Another aspect of key control that businesses must take into consideration. Locks in offices, storage rooms, back doors, cash-handling areas and supply rooms need to be controlled properly.
You can have a situation where you might need a key when an employee has left, some office keys were lost, changed vendors or even felt insecure. It can be helpful if access to an area has become diluted and the business wants to regain control.
In Grand Junction, rekeying can verify security for small businesses whose workday progress is not delayed long.
Rekeying vs. Replacing Locks
Both rekeying and replacing locks are useful solutions when necessary but these methods serve a different purpose altogether.
Rekeying is generally a good solution if the lock itself still functions properly but the old key has to be rendered ineffective. This happens often after a move, misplaced passes or changing who gets in.
A lock replacement is preferable when the lock is damaged, obsolete, loose or hard to use, no longer sufficiently secure. If the hardware itself is at issue, rekeying may not suffice.
A locksmith can examine the lock and tell you which alternative is more reasonable.
Signs You Should Rekey Your Locks
You should rekey your locks when:
- If you’ve recently relocated to a new home or apartment
- You lost your keys
- A tenant moved out
- A former employee departed without returning their keys
- Another roommate or previous significant other moved out
- You are unaware of all the duplicate keys out there
- You want more control over how a property is accessed
These scenarios are very normal, and rekeying is an easy solution for them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rekeying cheaper than replacing locks?
In many cases, yes. This is especially the case when it comes to rekeying because the old lock hardware is essentially left untouched making this a relatively lower cost service. A total lock replacement is necessary if your lock is worn out, damaged, or beyond repair.
Can all locks be rekeyed?
Not all locks can be rekeyed. Well, that depends on the brand, style of mechanism and physical condition. An experienced locksmith will be able to inspect the lock and tell you whether rekeying is an option.
Should I rekey every exterior door?
Yes, all exterior entry doors including front and back entry relationships, side door entrances, and garage access should be re-keyed to ensure your property is as secure as possible while still providing the single key convenience.
Final Thoughts
If you have the need to better control who is able to access your property, a smart step for you may well be rekeying. This will be helpful particularly after relocation, key loss, tenant changes, and business access updates.
Also, not all of the bolts need to be replaced for you to reinforce security. If your hardware is still serviceable, rekeying will allow you to hit the reset button at a fraction of the costs and impact on labor.