Re-keying a lock involves rearranging the tumblers in the existing lock to make it respond to a new key and, more importantly, stop responding to a previous key. This is a low-cost way of ensuring a previous tradesman, owner, or anyone else who may have had access to your keys can no longer enter your home. Re-keying is usually done when a new owner or renter moves into a residence, after a remodel that involves tradesmen utilizing your existing keys, or after a falling out with an individual who has access to your keys. While re-keying is not as expensive as completely replacing your locks, re-keying your entire property can add up. To reduce the expense of re-keying often, you should implement the following tips when re-keying your home.
Evaluate Who You Trust
Before you start handing out keys to your home, think about who you trust to have access to your residence. You should decide whether you want your extended family and close friends to have keys or whether you want to limit keys to current residents of your home. The fewer sets of keys you have circulating, the safer your home is. However, it is important to have emergency access to your home, so you may want one or two trusted friends or neighbors to have a copy of your keys.
Reconsider Hidden Keys
If you have a hidden key for access to your home, reconsider whether it is necessary. Hidden keys can easily be found by burglars who can then make a copy of your key. It is better to leave a key with a trusted individual rather than leave one hidden outside your home. When you re-key your home, think of how you can get rid of hidden keys around your property.
Make Sure Everyone In the Family Knows How to Protect Their Keys
When you re-key your home, take the time to discuss proper key safety with anyone who lives in your home. Ideally, your keys should be on you at all times. You should avoid leaving keys where they can be stolen and copied without your knowledge. You may want to invest in belt hooks to keep your keys clipped to you. If you have key holders who work out or dress up to go out, discuss how they will keep track of their keys. You may want to limit decorative key chains to make it easier to hold onto keys during physical activity.
Have Area Keys for Contractors
If you have regular contractors, consider using area keys for them. For example, your landscaper can have keys that only allow access to the garden while your babysitter may have keys to the home. However, it is a good idea to not give out your deadbolt key and leave your door without the deadbolt locked when you expect contractors. This ensures that you always have the ability to limit access if you suspect one of your keys has been compromised.
Create a Plan for Future Re-keying
Although you want to re-key as rarely as possible, it is still a good idea to re-key your home on occasion to ensure that copies of your keys are not circulating. Some people re-key their home every year. However, if you do not give out many keys to your home, you can re-key your home every five years or so. You should talk to your locksmith about your particular risks and how often you should re-key your locks.
Re-keying your home provides the perfect opportunity to discuss safety with your housemates, evaluate your current key usage, and make a plan to keep your home safe. For more information, visit websites like http://www.beckerlocksmithservices.com.
Share28 August 2017
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