Rekey

Rekeying vs. Replacing: What’s the Right Choice for You?

A common question we receive is whether to rekey or completely replace a lock. While both achieve the goal of changing the key, they serve different purposes and come at different costs. Understanding the difference is key to making a smart, cost-effective security decision.

When to Rekey Your Locks:

Rekeying is the ideal solution when your existing lock hardware is in good condition, functions correctly, and meets your security needs. You should choose this service when:

• Your primary goal is to control access. The lock itself is perfectly fine; you just need to ensure old keys will no longer work.
• You want to be budget-conscious. Rekeying is significantly more affordable than replacing multiple locks, as you are only paying for the technician’s time and the small internal pins, not brand-new hardware.
• You want to keep your existing hardware. You may have decorative handlesets or specific finishes that you want to maintain for aesthetic consistency.
• You want to simplify your keys. If you have multiple locks of the same brand, we can often get them all to operate on a single, convenient key.

When to Replace Your Locks:

Sometimes, rekeying is not enough or not possible. We recommend a full lock replacement when:

• Your locks are old, worn out, or malfunctioning. A lock that is difficult to operate or showing signs of wear is a security risk and should be replaced.
• You want to upgrade your security. This is the perfect opportunity to upgrade from a basic lock to a high-security, Grade 1 deadbolt from a brand like MUL-T-LOCK for superior resistance to picking, drilling, and bumping.
• You want a different style or finish. If you are remodeling or simply want to change the look of your door hardware, a full replacement is the way to go.
• Your locks are from different brands. If you want one key for all doors but have locks from multiple manufacturers, you will need to replace them with a single brand to achieve this.

Critical Times to Rekey Your Property

Rekeying is an essential security measure in many common life events. If you find yourself in any of the following situations, rekeying your locks should be a top priority.

• Employee Turnover at Your Business: Businesses re-key frequently when any key-holding employee quits or is fired. This is a critical step in protecting your assets, sensitive information, and the safety of your remaining staff.
• Lost or Stolen Keys: A single lost key represents a major security breach. Rekeying your locks immediately is the only way to neutralize the threat posed by that missing key falling into the wrong hands.
• After a Roommate or Tenant Moves Out: To ensure the privacy and security of your home or rental property, it’s wise to rekey the locks after a roommate or tenant vacates the premises.
• Relationship Changes or Divorce: In the event of a separation or divorce, rekeying the locks on your home is a necessary step to secure your property and establish your personal space.
• After a Burglary: If your property has been robbed, it’s crucial to rekey the locks. This eliminates the possibility that the intruder gained access with a stolen or copied key, providing immediate peace of mind.
• Moving into a New Home or Apartment: This is the most important time to rekey. The previous owners, their family members, neighbors, real estate agents, and contractors may all have a copy of your key. Rekeying on day one ensures you are the only one with access.

Our Professional Rekeying Process

When you call Guardian Angel Lock & Security for service, you can expect a professional and efficient process from start to finish. Our technicians arrive in a fully-equipped mobile workshop, ready to secure your property on the spot.

1. Lock Assessment: Our technician begins by inspecting your existing lock hardware to confirm it is in good working order and suitable for rekeying.
2. Precise Disassembly: The lock cylinder is carefully removed from the doorknob, lever, or deadbolt housing without damaging the hardware or your door.
3. Cylinder RePinning: This is the heart of the process. The technician removes the old set of key pins (tumblers) from the cylinder and replaces them with a new set of pins in a different combination.
4. Cutting the New Key: A new key is cut to match the new pin combination precisely.
5. Reassembly and Lubrication: The cylinder is reassembled, lubricated for smooth operation, and securely installed back into the original hardware.
6. Thorough Testing: We rigorously test the newly rekeyed lock with the new key to ensure it turns smoothly and locks securely. We also test all old keys to confirm that they have been successfully locked out and no longer work.

Call Guardian Angel Locksmith for more information regarding your security needs and we’ll get right to work!

Learn more about our Residential Products here:

• Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV)
• High Security Locks-MT5+
• Mul-T-Lock 800 High Security 
• Mul-T-Lock Grade 1 Deadbolt 
• Intercom Systems
• Safes
• Rekeying/Cylinder Combination Change
• Card Access Control Systems/Keyless Entry
• Smart Locks
• Keys Duplication
• DoorBird
• DoorKing
• Access Control