If you are thinking about changing the locks on your home, it’s important to know what the difference between rekeying and changing the lock is. Rekeying is when you take a lock that has been used previously and change its cylinder so that it will accept new keys. Changing a lock means replacing the entire locking mechanism with a brand new one.
There are several reasons you might want to change your locks:
Your old key no longer works. If you have lost your house key or had it stolen, there is no way for you to get inside without breaking down the door or calling a locksmith. Even if you have a spare key, there may be others who have copies of it as well. If someone else had access to your home with their own key, they could come back at any time and enter without permission.
You’re moving into an apartment from another town or apartment complex where you’ve changed the locks before because of break-ins or other safety concerns. When moving into an apartment with existing keys, consider asking management if they will replace all locks with new ones so that everyone has identical keys (and therefore more control over who comes in).
What Does Replacing A Lock Mean?
Replacing a lock is the process in which a new lock is installed on your door. It is often needed when your old one breaks or malfunctions, but it can also be done if you want to change the style of your lock or upgrade to a more secure lock. In some cases, it’s necessary when moving into a new home, as an existing lock may not match the new door or frame.
Replacing locks can be done in as little as 20 minutes, and it’s also much cheaper than buying new doors or hiring professional carpenters. Not only that, but it can save you time and money overall by making sure that your home is secure and safe from unauthorised access.
Replacing locks can be done for many reasons and for different reasons. Some of them include:
You’ve just moved into a new house and want to make sure that it’s secure by replacing all the locks with better ones. This will ensure that no one can access your home without your permission. If you already have a lock but it’s not working well or has some other issues, then you may need to replace it with another one that’s better suited for your needs.
If someone has stolen your keys, then replacing your locks with new ones would be a good idea since they won’t work anymore even if they somehow manage to get hold of them again.
You want to make sure that no one else can access your home without permission after finding out that someone else has been using their own keys without your knowledge.
What Does Rekeying A Lock Mean?
Rekeying a lock is the process of changing the pins inside the cylinder. When you rekey a lock, you’re not replacing the lock itself but rather changing the inner workings of the cylinder to match new keys. This means that anyone who has a key that matches your key can still open your door or cabinet.
Rekeying locks is often done to prevent unauthorised access to an area, such as an apartment or business office. It can also be used when a tenant moves out of an apartment or home, so that the next tenant can have their own set of keys made without having to replace all of the locks in the building.
The process varies depending on the type of lock, but generally involves removing the existing pins from your existing cylinder and then replacing them with new ones. The new pins will have holes in different positions than the old ones did, which means that they won’t align with the tumblers inside your deadbolt when you try to insert an old key.
Rekeying is usually done before selling a home or apartment, so that you can change out any locks that were installed by previous owners. This prevents buyers from being able to use their old keys after closing on your home. You may also want to rekey your locks if there are multiple people living in one unit (like a landlord who’s renting out an apartment) or if there’s been a security breach in an office building and you need to prevent unauthorised access by anyone who might have taken one of your keys.
In some cases, rekeying may be necessary if one or more of your keys has been lost or stolen — especially if they were shared with other people.
When Should You Replace Your Locks?
Locks are essential for home security, but they need to be replaced every so often. If you’re wondering when to replace your locks, here are some common scenarios.
When Your Locks Are Stuck or Jammed
If you have a problem with your lock that is preventing it from opening and closing, this is likely a sign that the lock needs to be replaced. If you have the same problem with multiple locks in your home, you may want to consider replacing them all at once since they may all have the same problem.
When You Lose Keys
If you lose your keys, then this is also an indication that it’s time to replace your locks. It doesn’t matter if you lost them accidentally or purposefully — if they’re gone, then they need to be replaced as soon as possible. This is especially true if someone else has access to your home who may have taken them before you realised it was missing or if someone copies them and uses them for nefarious reasons.
When Someone Breaks Into Your Home or Vehicle
If someone breaks into your home or vehicle, this is another good reason to replace your locks immediately because it means that someone has gained access to either one of these areas of your life without permission.
When Should You Rekey Your Locks?
Rekeying locks is one of the best ways to protect your home, but there are several factors that can determine whether or not you should rekey your locks. Here’s what you need to know about rekeying your home’s locks and when it might be necessary.
When Is Rekeying Necessary?
Rekeying a lock is a simple process of removing all of the pins from a lock cylinder, inserting new pins and then replacing the cylinder inside the lock. This process only takes a few minutes, but if done incorrectly, it can damage your lock or cause it to fail completely. Not only can this cause you to spend extra money on replacement parts, but it could also leave you vulnerable to burglary.
There are several situations in which rekeying your locks is necessary:
- If You Are Moving Into A New Home Or Apartment With Existing Locks
- If There Were Recent Break-Ins In Your Neighborhood Or Nearby Area
- If Your Keys Are Lost Or Stolen
Pros For Replacing Locks
Replacing locks is a great way to upgrade your home security. With so many options for new locks, it can be difficult to choose the right one. The following are some of the benefits of replacing your locks:
Increased Security
Deadbolts, door knobs and other door hardware can be replaced with more secure versions. For example, deadbolt locks have a thumb turn on the inside of the front or back door which makes them more secure than knob locks. A deadbolt lock can also be locked from the outside with a key, whereas knob-style locks cannot.
New Locks Are Less Expensive Than Replacing Doors
Many people are hesitant to replace their doors because they think it will be an expensive venture, but this isn’t always the case. If you have old-fashioned knob or lever-style deadbolts on your doors, you may be able to remove them and replace them with newer, more secure locks without replacing your entire door frame or jamb. This type of replacement costs much less than replacing an entire door and frame.
Improved Security Against Lock Picking
A lock-picking tool is used by criminals who want to break into homes without causing damage to doors or windows.
Cons For Replacing Locks
The biggest con of replacing locks is the cost. Replacing a lock is likely to cost more than repairing it. Also, if you have an old lock that has been in place for years, replacing it may not be necessary. If your lock is working properly, you may be able to repair it and save money.
Another con of replacing locks is that they are often out-of-date by the time they need replacement. This can mean that there is no longer a key available for them or that they do not match other locks in your home.
If the lock on your door needs replacement, consider going with a smart lock system. These locks allow you to program access codes for different people in your family so you can easily grant access without compromising security. These systems also allow for remote entry so that you don’t have to worry about losing keys or having them stolen by someone who breaks into your home.
Pros For Rekeying Locks
Cost Effective – Rekeying locks is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce security risks. This is because you don’t have to replace your existing lock or door. Instead, you can use a simple rekeying tool (it looks like a small wrench) to change the pins inside your current lock. This simple process costs less and can be completed quickly.
Improved Home Security – If you’re worried about someone breaking into your home or business, rekeying locks is an excellent way to improve the security of your property. By changing the pin positions in your lock, it prevents the unauthorised use of keys from other manufacturers or dealerships with access to them. This makes it much harder for intruders to gain access to your property without permission and helps prevent damage from being done by thieves trying to get inside.
Increased Convenience – Rekeying locks can also provide increased convenience for residents and guests who need access to multiple properties on a regular basis. For example, if you own multiple properties or businesses but can’t afford new keys for each one right now, you can use rekeyed locks instead so that only one key is needed for all of them.
Cons For Rekeying Locks
There are several cons for rekeying locks. The biggest one is that it will not stop someone from using the same key to open the lock. If you have a key that works in multiple locations, it can be very easy for someone to use it at one location and then go to the other location and use it there as well.
Another con of rekeying locks is that it can require more than one person to do. You need to have someone who knows how to do this type of work, which can be costly depending on how much work needs done.
Finally, another con of rekeying locks is that they may not last long at all because they are not made with quality materials or parts. They could break easily or even break during the process of trying to install them into place properly so that they work properly.
Are you looking for an expert locksmith in Durham and surrounding areas? Contact Tyne Tees Locks today for a free, no-obligation quote.
