Why Rekeying Is a Smart Choice After Moving In
Moving into a new home can be an exciting yet overwhelming experience. Amidst unpacking boxes and decorating, one crucial task often gets overlooked—rekeying your locks. Rekeying is an essential step in ensuring the safety and security of your new space. This blog post highlights the reasons why rekeying is a smart choice after moving into a new home.
Understanding Rekeying
Rekeying is the process of altering the internal mechanism of a lock, so it can be opened with a new key while the old keys will no longer work. This process can be beneficial for various reasons, especially when transitioning into a new residence.
Reasons to Rekey Your New Home
- Previous Ownership: One of the primary reasons to rekey your home is the possibility that previous owners have spare keys. This is particularly concerning if the new owners have not returned all keys.
- Real Estate Agents and Contractors: During the selling and preparation of the house for sale, multiple individuals may have been given access. Contractors and real estate agents typically possess keys during the showing process.
- Security Concerns: High turnover in homeownership increases the number of people who may have had access to the keys, raising security risks.
- Increased Safety: Rekeying your locks is an easy yet effective means of enhancing your home’s security, giving you peace of mind that only you and your family have access.
Benefits of Rekeying
Rekeying your locks after moving into a new home comes with numerous benefits:
- Cost-Effective Solution: Compared to replacing the entire lock system, rekeying is a more affordable option while still enhancing security.
- Quick Process: Rekeying takes a fraction of the time compared to installing new locks—sometimes as quick as 15 minutes for each lock.
- Retains Current Hardware: If you’re happy with the existing hardware and style of your locks, rekeying allows you to keep them while still improving security.
- Custom Keying: You can customize the keying of your locks, which means creating a master key system for easier access to multiple locks if needed.
Choosing a Professional for Rekeying
While rekeying might seem like a straightforward DIY project, hiring a professional locksmith ensures that the work is done correctly. Here are a few tips for choosing a reliable locksmith:
- Research: Look for local locksmiths with positive reviews and recommendations.
- Verify Licenses and Insurance: Ensure that the locksmith has the necessary licenses and insurance for your protection.
- Get Quotes: Request quotes from multiple locksmiths to compare prices and services.
- Ask About Expertise: Inquire about their experience with residential rekeying to assess their competency.
How to Rekey Your Locks
If you opt to rekey the locks yourself, ensure you have the right tools and instructions. Here’s a basic overview of the steps involved in rekeying locks:
- Remove the lock from the door.
- Disassemble the lock using appropriate tools.
- Replace the old pins in the lock cylinder with new pins that match your new key.
- Reassemble the lock and reinstall it on the door.
Ensure to follow specific instructions provided with the lock, as different models may have varying methods of rekeying.
Conclusion
Rekeying your locks after moving into a new home is not just a benefit but a necessity for enhanced security and peace of mind. It helps address potential risks associated with previous owners and unknown access. By understanding the reasons and benefits of rekeying, as well as the importance of choosing a professional locksmith, you can take this essential step to protect your living space. Don’t overlook the importance of your home’s security—make rekeying a top priority in your moving-in checklist.