Yes, you can rekey your own locks, and nothing is stopping you from doing it, except for the fact that all locks are different. Many people think that rekeying a lock is a simple matter of replacing the cylinder inside their locks. What they later find out is that getting to the cylinder and replacing it reliably isn’t all that simple.
Even seasoned locksmiths have practiced rekeying for years to ensure that they are proficient. That’s why even though you can rekey locks, you shouldn’t bet your home or businesses’ security on it.
How Does Rekeying Work?
Rekeying as the term implies is the process through which internal workings of a lock are changed so that it works differently but without compromising the security of a home or business. While it sounds simple on the surface, rekeying a lock isn’t a simple matter for anyone but a Professional Locksmith. In the simplest terms rekeying helps you keep the old lock, but the key you originally had will not work any longer. That’s why you need to have a grasp of the basic concepts before trying to rekey any lock.
Rekeying a lock requires gaining access to the lock’s cylinder. The lock needs to be removed and disassembled. Some people who have done it before might be able to pull it off. Still, since all locks are different, it is a risky proposition—not mentioning the fact that the incorrect replacement procedure can end up costing you in the way of the home or business’s security.
Why Do People Want to Rekey Locks?
One of the reasons why anyone would want to get their locks rekeyed is because it is one of the most cost-effective ways of ensuring that the locks will work with a new set of keys and the old one. For instance, a person who gives their home on rent may want to rekey the locks so that the previous owner can’t enter the apartment or home. It is cost-effective compared to perhaps buying and installing a fresh set of locks.
Rekeying can also be used for times when you want one key to open all locks. All locks can be installed with the same cylinder, which essentially will allow a single set of master keys to access everything. This type of setup is often employed in hotels and commercial establishments where there are many doors with locks.
The process of rekeying locks by a professional is also quicker. Most locksmiths depending on the lock, can rekey a standard lock within 30 minutes. The latest tools and experience helps to speed up the process. Locksmiths use tools like a catch tool, key decoder and a spanner for most jobs. If anything, it ensures the best possible outcome of the job.
The Cons of Rekeying
The biggest con is that a rekeyed lock isn’t any more structurally secure than the previous one. So, if the old lock often got stuck or could easily be pried off, rekeying it will not fix that problem. That’s why before rekeying, make sure that the locks are in good condition.
Rekeying Vs. Installing New Locks
Well, so we’ve already covered that rekeying a lock is cost-effective compared to buying and installing new locks. However, when should you decide on a new lock versus rekeying the existing one? One of the reasons why you’d want to install a new set of locks is to upgrade the existing security of your home or business. A better set of locks ups your security a great deal.
For instance, if you currently have a Grade 2 deadbolt installed, and you upgrade it to a Grade 1 by rekeying, the overall security isn’t boosted exponentially when compared to installing smart locks. So new locks could mean better security if you upgrade. That’s something not possible with merely rekeying them.
Conclusion
Attempting to rekey your locks can be risky. However, what you should do is hire a professional. A professional locksmith should be able to Rekey Your Locks while ensuring security. While it means paying for parts and labor, the result is a lock that’s more secure and reliable. When people do it themselves, not only is the process time consuming, but they could inevitably be compromising the security of their locks, which is never a good thing.
