August 7, 2024

Why Lock Rekeying Might Be a Better Option Than Lock Change

Emergency lockout

When it comes to securing your home or business, the decision to change your locks or rekey them is crucial. Both options have their advantages, but in many cases, rekeying can be a more cost-effective and efficient solution. This blog explores why lock rekeying might be a better option than changing your locks, highlighting the benefits, process, and scenarios where rekeying is the preferred choice.

Cost-Effectiveness

One of the most significant advantages of rekeying over changing locks is the cost savings.

Lower Cost: Rekeying involves altering the internal mechanism of the existing lock so that it works with a new key. This process is generally less expensive than purchasing and installing entirely new locks. For homeowners and businesses looking to enhance security without a significant financial outlay, rekeying is an attractive option.

Avoiding Additional Expenses: When you change locks, you not only pay for the new locks but also for the labor involved in removing the old locks and installing the new ones. Rekeying eliminates the need for new hardware, thereby reducing labor costs.

Economical for Multiple Locks: If you need to change the keys for multiple locks, rekeying can be far more economical. A locksmith can rekey several locks to work with the same key, saving you from buying multiple new locks.

Convenience and Efficiency

Rekeying is a quick and convenient solution for improving security.

Faster Process: Rekeying is typically faster than changing locks. A professional locksmith can rekey a lock in a matter of minutes, whereas changing locks involves more steps and can take significantly longer.

Minimal Disruption: Rekeying causes minimal disruption to your daily routine. Since the lock remains in place, there is no need to modify the door or the surrounding hardware, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free process.

Consistent Key Usage: Rekeying allows you to maintain consistent key usage across multiple locks. If you prefer to have one key that opens all doors, a locksmith can rekey all your locks to operate with a single key, providing convenience and ease of access.

Enhanced Security

Rekeying can enhance security in various situations without the need for new locks.

After Key Loss: If you lose your keys, rekeying ensures that the lost keys will no longer work, preventing unauthorized access. This is a crucial step in maintaining security after a key goes missing.

Change of Occupants: When moving into a new home or after a tenant vacates a rental property, rekeying the locks is a smart security measure. It ensures that previous occupants cannot gain access to the property, providing peace of mind for new residents.

Employee Turnover: For businesses, employee turnover can pose a security risk. Rekeying locks after an employee leaves ensures that any keys they had are rendered useless, protecting the premises from unauthorized access.

Environmental Considerations

Rekeying is an environmentally friendly option compared to changing locks.

Reducing Waste: By reusing the existing lock hardware, rekeying reduces waste. Changing locks involves disposing of the old locks and packaging for the new ones, which contributes to environmental waste.

Sustainable Choice: Choosing to rekey locks is a sustainable decision that minimizes the environmental impact associated with manufacturing and transporting new locks. It’s a simple yet effective way to make a positive environmental contribution.

Scenarios Where Rekeying is Ideal

Certain situations make rekeying the preferable option over changing locks.

Tenant Turnover: Landlords can benefit from rekeying locks between tenants. It’s a cost-effective way to secure the property without the expense of changing locks every time a tenant moves out.

Lost or Stolen Keys: If keys are lost or stolen, rekeying ensures that the security of your property is not compromised. It’s a quick solution to prevent unauthorized access without the need for new locks.

Desire for Key Control: If you want better control over who has access to your property, rekeying is a straightforward way to achieve this. By rekeying, you can limit access to trusted individuals and prevent previous keyholders from gaining entry.

The Rekeying Process

Understanding the rekeying process can help you appreciate its benefits.

Disassembling the Lock: A locksmith will first disassemble the existing lock to access the internal pins and springs. This step is crucial for altering the lock mechanism to work with a new key.

Replacing Pins and Springs: The locksmith will replace the old pins and springs with new ones that correspond to a new key. This reconfiguration changes the lock’s internal mechanism, rendering the old keys useless.

Reassembling the Lock: After replacing the pins and springs, the locksmith will reassemble the lock and test it to ensure it operates smoothly with the new key. This process is efficient and ensures that the lock functions correctly.

Testing and Quality Check: The final step involves testing the rekeyed lock to ensure it operates smoothly with the new key. The locksmith will perform a quality check to confirm that the rekeying was successful and that the lock provides the desired level of security.

Rekeying locks offers numerous benefits, making it a better option than changing locks in many scenarios. It is cost-effective, convenient, and enhances security without the need for new hardware. By understanding the advantages of rekeying and the process involved, you can make informed decisions about your property’s security needs. Whether you’re dealing with lost keys, tenant turnover, or employee changes, rekeying provides a practical and efficient solution.

For expert rekeying services and security solutions, trust PowerKeys Locksmith. Our experienced team is dedicated to providing top-notch locksmith services tailored to your needs. Call us today at 844-797-5397 to learn more about how we can help secure your property with professional rekeying services.