The locks on the door of your home are an important security measure that prevents the entry of intruders and burglars into your home. So, if the door locks are damaged or if they are not working properly, then it can put your home and family at greater risk. This is why homeowners should regularly inspect door locks and repair or replace them if necessary.
Most homeowners also prefer to change the locks due to security reasons. If you are planning to replace the door locks with a new one by hiring an emergency locksmith Brooklyn, then you should know a few things about door lock replacement.
The Difference Between Rekeying And Replacing
You can either rekey or replace keys when you are changing the locks of a door. Both rekeying and replacing will make sure that the old keys cannot be used to open the lock. However, several homeowners often find it really hard to choose between replacing keys and rekeying them.
If you want to ensure higher security, then it is best to replace the keys. During the process of replacing, the older lock will be removed from the door and a new one will be installed. Replacing keys can be quite costly when compared to rekeying.
Locksmiths will realign the springs and pins in the existing lock to make it suitable for a new key during the process of rekeying. If you are on a tight budget, it is best to opt for rekeying, as it will surely help you save a few dollars.
Rekey When You Are Moving To A New House
Real estate agents, construction workers, subcontractors, and several others will be having keys to a new house during the construction phase. Several homeowners who are moving to a new home often fail to realize that those people may still have access to their house.
So, if you are moving to a new house, you should definitely rekey the locks by hiring an emergency locksmith Brooklyn. That said, individuals who are moving to a rented house should thoroughly check their agreement for rules and regulations related to changing locks. In some cases, you may need to give one of the new keys to the landlord.
Damaged Locks Should Be Replaced
The locks of your door are prone to damage and they will become unsuitable for use eventually. The repetitive process of unlocking and locking the door may end up causing severe damage to the internal mechanism of the lock. When this happens, you should consider replacing the damaged locks instead of rekeying them.
The process of rekeying will not work on a worn or damaged lock. If you rekey damaged locks, then you will continue to face issues with the locking mechanism. On the other hand, replacing the lock will resolve issues with the locking mechanism.
Change Locks When Keys Are Stolen Or Lost
If you have lost the keys to your house or office, then the first thing you should do is to immediately call an emergency locksmith Brooklyn to change the locks. There is a chance that the keys might have been stolen or it may have ended up in the hands of someone. So, the smart move is to change the locks asap.
Most professional locksmiths will recommend rekeying over replacing in such cases. However, you will need to use the original key for rekeying. If you don’t have the original key, then you may need to replace the lock. If the locks of your home went missing or are lost, then also you will have to replace the lock.
Final Thoughts
Homeowners should regularly inspect door locks and repair or replace them if necessary. If you are on a tight budget, it is best to opt for rekeying, as it will surely help you save a few dollars.
