How long have you been carrying the same door keys in your pocket or purse?

It’s normal for homeowners to believe their locks will last forever. Or, at the very least, that they can safely keep the same locks until they have a problem. However, this may not be the case. 

Is It Time To Change Your Locks?

Most experts agree that you should change your locks every five to seven years. You should change them earlier if there has been a change in occupancy, your locks or keys are damaged, or your need for security has changed, such as having a key lost or stolen. If your locks are still fairly new, re-keying might be your best option.

Changing Locks vs Re-Keying

Changing locks and re-keying both serve the same purpose: to switch to a new key. Changing out the locks takes longer and costs more than re-keying. 

Re-keying locks might be a better option if you don’t need new locks but need to replace the old key with a new one. This is a simple process that doesn’t require the locks to be removed. Instead, the locksmith alters the locking mechanism, so the old key no longer works, and it fits the new key instead. In some cases, re-keying is a fast and viable way of switching keys. 

When you move into a new house, re-keying is an affordable way of preventing anyone with an old key from getting in. In addition, it solves the problem of not knowing who else has copies of the keys to your house without the expense of replacing all the locks.