What Is Rekeying Locks? Is it Necessary? Find All Here!

Ever heard of Rekeying locks? If not, then you are at the right palace. New locks are frequently the sole option for addressing the security issue when people move into a new home or lose their car keys.

Not to imply that changing locks is improper, but it is always preferable to consider all your options and pick the best fit for your requirements.

How many of you are aware of what happens when locks are rekeyed and have heard of the practice? Not many, probably. Most people aren’t even aware that locks can be rekeyed and that, occasionally, this is a better option than having the locks changed.

Learn what replacing and rekeying your locks entail, how to decide which one you need, and each one’s benefits and drawbacks in the following paragraphs if you’re unsure which one would be best for you.

What is Rekeying?

While “changing a lock,” which means replacing an old lock with a new one, is self-explanatory, rekeying necessitates some explanation. Without replacing the lock itself, rekeying a lock entails switching the lock’s operational key for a different key.

In other words, you can keep the lock, but the old key won’t work anymore. To accomplish this, the lock must be disassembled and a few internal components, referred to as “tumblers” or “key pins,” replaced. Since each group of key pins in your lock corresponds to a specific key pin, changing those pins out effectively creates a new key that will open the lock.

Despite how difficult this may seem, if you have the correct equipment, it’s a simple process that shouldn’t take more than a few minutes.

The locksmith requires a current matching key to rekey a lock. Without the corresponding key, the only way to rekey the lock will be to pick it open. While this is not a problem for a skilled locksmith, it frequently results in additional fees that can make it more expensive than simply replacing the lock.

Rekeying a Lock Doesn’t Impact the Lock’s Security

Rekeying a lock doesn’t impact the lock’s security and doesn’t increase it. The number of pins a lock contains is one element that contributes to its security. 

The lock will remain as secure as before as long as the locksmith replaces the old 5 pins with 5 new ones. The best course of action if you want to improve the security of your locks is to replace them with new, higher-security models.

Rekeying is Usually Less Expensive

Rekeying is almost usually less expensive than having your locks changed because key pins for locks are so inexpensive. Rekeying your locks costs you labor, as opposed to getting your locks changed, which costs you both labor and parts.

All Locks Can Be Rekeyed as a Built-in Feature

All locks can be rekeyed as a built-in feature, so you don’t need to worry about that. This is an important thing to remember. The process for rekeying locks, however, varies and frequently calls for unique gear. For instance, to rekey high-security locks, such as “Medeco” and “Mul-T-Lock,” a special set of tools and key pins is needed.

Rekeying Locks of Car

Rekeying is typically less expensive and troublesome when it comes to your home’s locks than completely replacing them. Your automobile is not the same, though.

Changing the locks on your car is quite similar to rekeying locks, and both processes will probably be troublesome. Rekeying a lock won’t fix a broken lock, though; if your car door lock isn’t functioning correctly, you should have a locksmith take a look at it and replace or repair the car door lock.

To access the lock cylinder to rekey your car’s locks, a locksmith will often need to remove the door panel (and then the even more challenging part–put the car door panel back together). This is a labor-intensive and challenging task that may lead to broken plastic clip connections in the car door. Due to this, not all locksmiths are prepared to accomplish this. Make careful to find a locksmith that specializes in autos if you need to have the keys to your car rekeyed.

When To Use Rekeying Locks For Car?

Not simply because your keys are lost but also because you are experiencing issues with the ignition or locks, you will need to rekey your automobile. This basically comes under the service of rekey ignition. It might not be necessary to rekey the lock if your automobile key breaks. The key is worn out in around 90% of locks. If the worn key is not functioning, the issue can be resolved by having a new key made.

You may need to purchase new locks for your car if the locks are damaged. A car dealership or rubbish yard is the best place to start your search for a new lock. The majority of used locks may be rekeyed to match your present car key by a locksmith.

It’s possible that you won’t need to rekey your automobile if it was stolen. A locksmith can disable any chips that modern cars’ keys may have. By doing this, you ensure that the ignition on your automobile cannot be started with that key. The key code is a crucial component of your car lost when you rekey it. Your key’s database number in the dealer is known as the key code. Because of this, procuring a spare key is quite challenging.

When To Use Rekeying For Home?

If You Have Lost The Old Key:

You can rekey your locks, so the old key no longer functions if you’ve misplaced a copy of your old key and you’re concerned someone will use it to enter your house.

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If You Have Moved Into A New House:

Rekeying locks can be a cost-effective solution that ensures that only you and your family can access your new home if you’ve just moved into a new place. You can never be sure who might have obtained the keys to your house from the previous owner or how many copies there may be of those keys.

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If Someone Didn’t Return A Spare Key:

There are a lot of individuals in your life who come and go from your house. A neighbor, nanny, or subcontractor. Giving them a key is practical or occasionally required because each person contributes significantly to your life. However, if that person no longer serves in that capacity, sometimes they will fail to return your house key. It is time to rekey.

Difference Between Changing The Locks And Rekeying Locks

A lock replacement is straightforward: the locksmith replaces your outdated lock with a new one. Rekeying, however, is a little different because the lock is kept the same while the locksmith changes the working key. But some internal components (the “key pins” or “tumblers”) are changed once the lock is disassembled. The key pins can be easily replaced by changing or rearranging the pins so that the previous key cannot be used with the current lock. Whichever option you choose depends upon your situation. 

In all that changing or rekeying locks procedure, the most important thing is the selection of a locksmith. We recommend you choose the

JJs Premier locksmith if you want your work done correctly.