If you moved to a new house or rented a house and lost your keys, you will most probably start thinking to change the lock. Most people are not aware of this situation, before and trying to look for changing a lock consider the option of rekeying the lock. Yes, it explains by name that you can re-key the same lock without replacing the whole lock. This option will be very economical for you because it doesn’t cost much. There are locksmith people out in the market who take advantage of this by not providing proper information about what options are available for the customer and which one will cost them less without anything to be compromised. This type of unprofessional locksmith always goes for the expensive options.
Rekeying a lock
Changing a lock explains you simply replace a new lock with the old one but rekeying a lock requires an explanation of how’s that possible. For your understanding rekeying a lock means you change the existing key of the lock with the new one without replacing the whole lock. Now how’s that possible, so your lock is made up of different parts including tumblers or key pins. You simply change those tumblers or key pins according to the new key and that’s done. Your old key will not be able to operate once you change the tumblers or key pins in your existing lock, only a new key will operate. That’s how you are rekeying a lock without replacing a whole lock. It sounds a bit difficult process but it’s a very simple and easy process if you have the right tools and knowledge of that. The process of rekeying a lock takes a few minutes to get done.
Pros of rekeying a lock
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Increased security
Rekeying is always the best option to increase your home security because your older lock keys will not be able to operate anymore so it will be relaxing stress that anyone else has a key for the lock, usually, it happens when you lost your keys somewhere it’s a chance someone will find it and could try to break in or when you move to a new house you need to make sure no one else has the keys so rekeying is the process that will help you to take off that stress.
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Cost-effective process
As we discussed earlier that in the rekeying process the main factor includes is changing the key pins inside the existing lock. The cost of key pins is very low as compared to buying a new set of locks. The only amount you are going to spend is labor or if you know and have knowledge about it you can do it yourself, but we recommend the get the help of professionals because it’s a tricky process especially when you don’t have the right tools. That’s the reason rekeying is a low-cost process.
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Easy and quick process
The process of rekeying is a very simple and easy process until unless it is handled by a professional locksmith. This process does not require a lot of effort and manpower you only need some special tools such as a key decoder, catch tool, spanner, and the new key of the lock. The tricky part is you should know how to use the tools properly and how to change the key pins without damaging the lock. It may take longer if you have never done it before.
Cons of rekeying
• Limited security
In the rekeying process just to keep in mind it will provide you limited security updates for example if you have a subpar lock which is an existing lock, and you wish to be rekeying that lock it helps you to protect and secure somehow if someone else has the keys but at the end it still a subpar lock. We are not saying it doesn’t protect at all, it does protect but in a limited way.
When do you need to change your locks?
There are a few reasons when you need to change your existing locks into new locks.
- You need to change your locks if you wish to have a new design of locks on all your doors with the same or different color of your choice because it might be possible your old locks are too old and rusted and unable to fix.
- The other possibility is when you need to improve the security of the house to an advanced level you need to change the locks already on your doors with better security options such as electronic locks.
- You also need to change your locks when you want all your locks to operate with the same key, but the existing locks are of different brands and designs, so it is not possible for the existing locks to operate with the same key.
We always recommend getting the help of a professional when it comes to a matter of security, get the help of a professional locksmith to rekeying or change of locks.
