Rekeying a lock is a procedure in which a locksmith changes the combination of your existing locks. The hardware is removed from the door and changes are made to the the pins inside the lock to match a new key. This is normally less expensive than purchasing new hardware.When this procedure is completed by a locksmith you will have a new set of keys for your home which will lock out any old existing keys.
You should rekey your locks anytime you move into a new property, lose a key to a property, or feel that someone you are not aware of may have keys to the property. Remember our slogen... "WHO HAS KEYS TO YOUR HOME?". If you can not answer that question, it's time to rekey!
3. When should I re-key my locks?
2. Can I re-key my own locks?
Some "do it yourself stores" do offer re-keying kits. We do not advocate anyone other than a certified locksmith to rekey their own locks. There are many small parts such as springs,pins, and clips that can get lost or misplaced easily and are not always supplied in these kits many times resulting in extra costs and possibly having to replace the entire lock and calling a locksmith !
5.How many locks do I have ?
In order to determine how many locks you have use this rule of thumb....."A lock is anywhere a key is inserted".Deadbolts and door knobs are seperate locks. Some homes and businesses have DOUBLE CYLINDAR DEADBOLTS------>
these would be concidered 2 locks.
The standard Single Cylindar Deadbolt lock has a thumb turn on the inside like this---->
7. Does installing 2 deadbolts on my front door increase the security of my home?
The answer to this question No... WHY SPEND THE EXTRA MONEY? Although many of our competitors will talk you into this unecessary expense we always advise our customers against this unless there are special circumstances. Most people believe they can get more security in there front door buy adding more locks...THIS IS A OLD WIFE'S TALE! Think about it....if you have more locks on your front door than your neighbors home maybe you have some really good valuables that you are trying to lock up....This can be a double edged sword!
LOCKS ARE THERE TO KEEP HONEST PEOPLE HONEST! Remember a good thief will find the path of least resistance into your home or business. So to add more security not more locks....ensure you have all windows locked with track locks and get a good alarm system installed in your home. This way they may get in ....BUT NOT FOR LONG!
6. What is master-keying? (Pro's & Con's)
Master-keying a lock is when ther are one or more keys that open a specifc lock or locks. The is mostly done on commercial buildings however, this can be a useful tool for residencial properties as well. In order to acomplish this all locks that are to be mastered must work on the same type of key. As an example; a property manager may want to have all of their properties mastered to one key and an individual key for each property that is used by the tennant. This way the property manager can access any property at anytime without having multiple keys. The Pro is that master keying adds convenience and the Con is that it does not add security! It actually decreases the security in a lock as it allows multiple keys to accomidate the cylinder.
