How safe would you feel if every time you turned the key to lock your door to your house or office, you’re never quite sure who might have a key to open it back up without your approval or knowledge. This might sound ridiculous, but it happens more often than many probably realize. How does it happen, and how do you solve the problem?
For starters, the problem is easily fixed by either changing or re-keying your locks. What this does is it leaves you with brand new locks that only the brand new keys will open, rendering any previous keys floating around who knows where, in the hands of who knows who, void and useless. This is a very good thing in providing you with the peace of mind and secure and safe feeling everyone should feel at home.
The difference between changing your locks or having them re-keyed basically comes down to price. When you change out the locks, you change out the entire hardware completely. When you opt to have them re-keyed, you leave the existing outer hardware in tact while only switching out the locking mechanisms inside, which means only a new key will open the lock but you retain the look and save money by not purchasing entirely new hardware. Of course, for this to work, the existing hardware has to be in good working order. Otherwise, completely changing the locks would be the better solution.
So, how do keys get into the hands of would-be burglars or those who might not be trusted? There are a few common scenarios that set you up for needing to have your locks changed or re-keyed.
Moving Into A New Home or Apartment
Whenever you move into a new home or apartment that was previously occupied by someone else, there is no telling how many copies of the key that opens your front and back door exists, floating around out there in the hands of who knows who. You may never know if they lost a key and had duplicates made or perhaps handed off keys to people they trusted, like a babysitter, a neighbor, or a cleaning person. While the previous home owner may have trusted them, these people are probably not people you know and trust to have access to your locks.
From the moment you sign the mortgage papers or apartment lease and settle in for your first night in your new home, and every time after when you lock that door, you never know for certain who else is able to open it up and come inside uninvited. The only remedy for this is to have your locks changed or re-keyed. Don’t be afraid to take back control of your safety and peace of mind by immediately having the locks re-keyed. This is the only way you can be certain that you are the only one who holds the key.
After a Break-In
Unfortunately, break-ins and burglaries happen every day somewhere. If it has happened to you, it is very important for one of your first steps to be to re-key or change your locks. No doubt, you will first be shaken up a bit and quite worried about safety. This is the time to call a qualified locksmith to come over on the spot and re-key your locks.
Don’t waste a single minute deciding on whether or not it should be done. Often, when a burglary occurs, there are other thieves who are watching the houses in your neighborhood and determining which places are easy targets. Secure your home immediately by rekeying your locks.
Following a Roommate Moving Out or Divorce
Regardless of why you lost a roommate, whether it be because of an eviction, argument, or a spouse leaving due to a divorce, this is always a must-do time for changing or rekeying your locks. Obviously, this is especially of the utmost safety concern if they moved out due to a disagreement or argument. Even if you left on good terms, you probably have no idea whether or not they made a copy of the keys or who they trusted with a copy. It’s always better to be on the safe side and get new locks or have them rekeyed so you know you are the only one who holds the key.
When any live-in relationship comes to an end, it is vitally important to re-key. By doing so, you buy back a great deal of peace of mind and ensure that the other person stays out of your life or at least out of your living space. Sometimes, the person on the other end of the break up might be threatening or decide to edge back into your life by stealing something you own. Don’t let this happen. Take action immediately and as soon after the break up as possible. Rekeying your locks is the fastest and easiest way to regain control.
When You’ve Lost Your Keys
As soon as you discover that you have lost your keys, it is smart to have your locks rekeyed. Before you take steps to re-key the locks, however, make sure the key is actually lost by conducting a thorough search for it. If it does not show up, it’s a good idea to re-key the locks just to be safe in case it falls into the hands of someone who might seek to do you harm or burglarize your home.
A Faulty Key
Even the finest locks and keys don’t last forever. After years of use, our key might become faulty or even break off in the lock. The best option when the key starts to become worn is to have your locks rekeyed. If the lock itself is also showing signs of wear, just have the entire locking system changed and start fresh.
Ultimately, in the long run, rekeying a lock will save you money that you would have otherwise spent on replacing the entire lock and key system. It will also prove to be a safety strategy that will ensure you can sleep at night peacefully and undisturbed from potential threats of break ins. Call your local professional locksmith today to have a look at your locks to evaluate them today to determine whether or not it’s time for a rekeying.