New homeowners often need to rekey their locks for security reasons. You never know who might have a key to your home before you purchased it.
Having rekeyed locks is less expensive than changing them and it gives you the same level of protection. Rekeying is also useful for landlords who need to rekey the locks between tenants.
Reasons to Rekey Your Locks
Rekeying is the process of changing a lock’s internal mechanisms so that it can be operated by a different key than it originally was. It’s a cost-effective alternative to replacing the entire lock, and can be an excellent security measure for many homeowners. There are some situations in which rekeying isn’t the right option, however, and that’s when it makes more sense to change the locks entirely rather than just rekey them.
If you’ve recently purchased a new home, it’s always a good idea to have your locks rekeyed as soon as possible. This can help to ensure that no one else has a copy of your house key, and keeps you safe from unwanted intruders who may have been given access by the previous homeowners.
Similarly, it’s not uncommon for people to get their locks rekeyed after moving into a new apartment or office space. This can also be done to limit access for tenants or employees who have moved on, which is particularly helpful in office spaces and residential buildings where rekeying often takes place.
Another situation in which rekeying is a great option is when you lose a key or want to restrict access for someone who has a duplicate. This is a fairly common occurrence, and can happen to anyone. It can be especially distressing when it happens to a business owner, who can’t afford to have any of their staff members having access to sensitive information or equipment.
A final reason to consider rekeying is when you want a simpler, less crowded key ring. Many people end up with a lot of keys on their key rings, and it can be difficult to keep track of them all. Rekeying your locks can allow you to simplify your key ring and have just one key that opens all the doors in your home.
Ultimately, it depends on your needs and circumstances as to whether you should change or rekey your locks. A lock change is often necessary for those who want to upgrade their locks to a more secure type, such as a high-security or deadbolt. In addition, if your locks are damaged in any way, it would be best to replace them instead of trying to repair them through rekeying.
How to Rekey Your Locks
Rekeying your locks is an easy, affordable DIY project that can increase security in your home or apartment. It’s a great alternative to replacing the entire lock because it costs less and takes much less time. But it’s important to know when – and how – to Rekey Locks Washington DC yourself before getting started.
This process involves handling tiny pins, so it’s not something to attempt with small children or pets nearby. It’s also a good idea to wear protective gloves when handling the key pins and use tweezers or a magnifying lens when working with them. You should also not throw away the old key until you are sure that your new keys work with all of the rekeyed locks.
To rekey a lock, first remove the doorknob or deadbolt by using the screwdriver that’s included in your rekeying kit. Next, open the knob and push back the cylinder from inside the doorknob. Depending on the type of lock, this could be as simple as pulling up on a lever or turning it counterclockwise. Once the cylinder is removed, remove the endcap and retainer pin from the cylinder. Drop the pins to the side to avoid mixing them with the new ones and use tweezers to insert the new ones, following the chart provided in your rekeying kit.
When you’re done, remove the follower tube from the cylinder and replace it with the new one, being sure to align it correctly to avoid damage to your keyhole. Repeat the steps on the remaining doors, using your key to test if it opens the lock. If it doesn’t, you’ll need to replace the lock rather than rekeying it.
Rekeying is usually used when someone loses a key, so they can ensure that unauthorized people don’t gain access to their home. However, it’s also a smart step to take when moving into a new house because you’re not sure who may have extra keys from the previous homeowners, housekeepers, pet sitters or contractors.
Rekeying is a great way to make sure that your new tenants, employees or contractors only have the one key that works with your locks. And it’s a great step for new construction homes, too, because multiple workers will have access to the locks during the build.
Getting Started
If you are thinking about rekeying your locks, it is important to understand the process. The term rekeying means changing the tumblers inside a lock cylinder to prevent previous keys from operating it. The process is less expensive than replacing the entire lockset and allows you to keep your existing hardware, but change how it operates.
The first step is to purchase a rekey kit that matches your doorknob or lever, usually at a hardware store or online. It will include a tool that helps you remove a C-clip holding the cylinder in place, a follower tube to hold pins and springs, and a set of new key pins.
To begin the rekeying process, insert the new key and turn it a quarter-turn to the right to align the holes on both sides of the cylinder plug. Then, remove the key and use the rekeying kit’s removal tool to remove the cylinder from the knob shank. Be sure to note where the new key pins go so that you don’t mix them up and accidentally insert the old pins back into the cylinder.
Once the cylinder is removed, you can remove the follower tube and dump out the pins. Replace the cylinder plug with a new one and add the new key pins as instructed in the rekeying kit.
Test the new key and lock to make sure it works. Rekeying your locks is an easy and affordable home project that makes a big difference in your sense of security. It’s also an excellent idea for anyone who recently moved into a property that was previously owned, as it can help to prevent people from having extra copies of your key.
It’s a good idea to start with the front door, since the people who lived there before you may have given their keys to friends and neighbors or allowed contractors and inspectors to enter. Then, rekey your other exterior doors and, optionally, interior locks to match. After that, you’ll be able to lighten your full key ring to a few essentials and spend less time fumbling for the right one.
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If you have been a victim of burglary or are concerned that someone has a key to your home, rekeying your locks may be the best solution. Rekeying your locks is a more cost-effective way to secure your property than replacing the entire lock and can give you peace of mind that only you have access to your property.
Rekeying a lock involves changing the pins inside of the cylinder so that it no longer works with the old keys. It takes less time than changing the lock and can be done on a variety of different lock types. If you have a lock with a standard keyhole, you can purchase a rekeying kit that matches the brand of your lock at a hardware store or locksmith. Using the kit will save you money on labor, but it can be difficult if you have never done it before.
It’s important to remember that rekeying isn’t the same as replacing a lock, and it will not fix any issues with the lock mechanism itself. It will only make sure that your old keys no longer work in the lock, so if the lock is faulty, it should be replaced instead of rekeyed.
If you’ve recently moved into a new home, or have given out a copy of your home keys to family members, neighbors, babysitters or contractors, it’s a good idea to have your locks rekeyed. It’s impossible to know how many people might have had access to your home prior to your move, so rekeying your locks is an affordable way to ensure that only you and those who you trust have access to your home.
Rekeying your lock can also be a smart choice for businesses that have had employees leave or fired and want to ensure that only the correct staff has access to their facilities. It’s much cheaper to rekey locks than it is to change them out, so it’s an excellent option for businesses looking to limit access and keep their property safe. Rekeying a business’s locks can also make it easier to transfer ownership if a company is sold or closed.