You have a key that doesn’t work in your lock anymore. What do you do?
It’s frustrating to walk up to the door of your home or business and find that you can’t get in because the key won’t turn. If this has ever happened to you, then you know how stressful it is not being able to access what is rightfully yours. And if it hasn’t happened yet, then take comfort knowing that even those who are skilled at picking locks still end up needing rekeying services from time to time (and we’re glad they do).
Rekeying: What It Is and Why You Might Need It
Rekeying is a service provided by professional locksmiths all over the United States for people with lost keys or broken keys who need their existing ones changed out for new ones. This process will ensure that your doors are secured once again so no one else can enter using an old copy of your key without permission. Most importantly, when we change out old keys for new ones, we keep all of the old keys and can return them to you whenever you’d like.
There are a few reasons why you might need to rekey your locks.
- One is that you may have lost your key and don’t want someone else to find it and gain access to your property.
- Another reason is if you’ve had a break-in and the thief attempted or was successful in stealing your keys. In this case, it’s best to rekey all of your locks as soon as possible so that the thief can’t come back and try again.
- Finally, if you’ve moved into a new home or office, it’s always a good idea to have the locks rekeyed for security purposes – even if you still have the
In case you have recently moved to a new home, bought a new office building, or simply changed the locks to your old home, you might be familiar with rekeying. Rekeying is a method of changing the lock cylinder pins in order to turn an existing set of keys into a different set of keys that opens that particular lock. In simpler terms, this is a way to reinvent the lock using a different code.
Why would you want to rekey locks?
Rekeying is usually the best option when someone has lost access to their keys or if they have decided that they no longer need them anymore. The locks are changed in order to protect other people from gaining unauthorized entry into your home, office, or car lockers. Another reason to rekey locks is to get rid of the current code you have if it has become compromised or faulty. By changing your old locks, their evenness is restored and you can create a new pin configuration for them.
Rekeying FAQs
How do professional locksmith rekeying services operate?
Professional locksmith rekeying services use special machines which are designed with the purpose of changing the internal pinning configuration. They are usually equipped with locksmith-owned vehicles which carry all the tools and key cutting equipment. These services use special machines to rekey almost any type of lock including high-security cylinder locks, push bars, etc.
Can I rekey my own locks?
Sure, you can perform this procedure on your own if you are confident of doing it yourself. However, the best way is to leave the job to a professional locksmith who has been in this field for years and knows how to do it without making any mistakes.
Will rekeying affect the performance of my lock?
When done accurately, rekeying will not have any impact on the performance of your lock. In fact, by changing the pins inside a cylinder, you can improve its evenness and ensure that it requires less force to be opened from now on.
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
The cost of a locksmith rekeying services varies according to where you live and what you need to be rekeyed. For example, changing the cylinder in your front door lock will cost you between $ 100 and $ 150 whereas changing the pins in a car door lock cylinder would set you back around $ 40.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?
Rekeying is always cheaper than changing the entire lock. The rekeying process won’t require you to replace any of your locks but simply restore them back to their original configuration.
Some locks are not rekeyable, how do I know for sure?
If you want to determine whether or not your lock can be rekeyed by a professional locksmith service, contact us today and we’ll let you know if it’s possible or not.
When should I consider rekeying my locks?
You should opt for this procedure when:
- You’ve lost all access keys to your property
- A crime has occurred in your home and an intruder attempted or managed to steal keys
- You moved into a new place and wish to change the locks
- You want to change your old lock which has become faulty
- The code no longer works for some reason (this can be due to several reasons like stress, rusting, or wear and tear)
How long does it take to rekey a lock?
It usually takes 15 minutes for professionals to complete this job. But still, there are many factors that determine how much time the process will take. For example, if you wish for them to make keys during their visit as well, they might need more time than usual. If your lock is very hard to open or doesn’t work properly due to wear and tear, then it would require special attention on their part too. So, depending on these variables and more,
What is the difference between rekeying and changing locks?
Rekeying is the changing of locks to a new set of working key codes for the same door.
This process only works for single-cylinder, pin tumbler locks. Changing locks can be done on any lock that has been previously opened by using keys, unlike rekeying which only works with one set of previously used keys.
It also does not work on locks with electronic openers or deadbolts that have been locked and unlocked with a remote.
Did you know that rekeying was first invented in 1836 by Solomon Andrews, a New Jersey locksmith?
His lock had adjustable tumblers and keys, allowing the owner to rekey it at any time. Later in the 1850s, inventors Andrews and Newell patented removable tumblers which could be taken apart and scrambled.
Today, rekeying is done by an experienced locksmith using machines or tools designed specifically for this task. Some of the tools used to rekey a lock include:
- A chamber pick – these are long, thin instruments that have a variety of end shapes that fit into the keyhole and push or pull pins up or down to open or close a cylinder.
- Plug follower – this tool is inserted into a plug and turned with the key so that the plug can be pushed up or down in the cylinder with minimum risk of damage.
- Tumbler picking tool – inserted into a chamber, this device follows grooves in the pins and pulls them out with the force to open or close a lock.
Rekeying is an important skill for locksmiths to have, especially if they work for a company that wants to provide their clients with rekeying services.
A Rekeying technician should always bring along proper tools when working on locks because there are different kinds of keys and keyways. If the wrong tools are brought with them, it could result in permanent damage to the lock and loss of its warranty.
The best way to get a rekeying done is to contact a locksmith directly and speak with their staff. Some companies will book appointments for rekeying, simply by filling out a form online or over the phone and then paying for it in advance.
Are you looking for a locksmith in Washington DC, Maryland, or Baltimore?
King Locksmiths is the leading provider of rekeying services in the area. We offer fast and reliable service that will have your home or business back to normal before you know it.
Our highly-trained technicians are available 24/7 so we can help you with any emergency lockouts or repairs. You can trust us to get the job done right!
If you’re locked out of your car, house, apartment, storage unit, or office building – we’ll be there as quickly as possible to get you inside again. And if your keys were stolen and someone else has access to your property – don’t worry! We can change all of your locks for new ones that only work with one key (and not an entire set).
