When you are in your home, you always want to make sure you are safe and secure. One part of keeping your home safe is a solid locking mechanism. In some instances, you can just change a key to improve the security system in your home. There are other instances, however, when you need to change the lock completely. The following are some examples of when you should rekey or change the locks in your home:

What Is the Difference between Rekeying and Lock Changing?

Rekeying locks includes using the same locks on a home but changing to a different key. The locking mechanism will be the same, but the inside of the lock is changed. You can then use a new key without replacing the entire lock.

The locksmith will replace the inner pins and springs on the lock cylinder. When you see the ridges on a key, they are representative of the inner pins and springs of a lock. The pins and springs will match the ridges on the key, which allows the lock to open when the key is inserted. When a locksmith rekeys a lock, he or she will rearrange the inside mechanism to accommodate a new key.

You will need to have the original key in order for the locksmith to rekey the lock. If you have lost your key, a spare will work. If you have no keys to the lock, the locksmith will have to pick the lock to get into the mechanism, but you will have to pay an additional fee for that service.

When you have the lock completely changed, the lock is completely removed. The locksmith will unscrew the lock, remove the entire piece, and replace it.

When Is Rekeying Appropriate?

There are some instances in which rekeying a lock is ideal. Some common reasons for rekeying a lock include losing your keys in a public place, not knowing who may now have access to the house, moving into a new home with no knowledge of who may have a key, or getting a divorce.

When Should the Locks be Changed?

In other cases, changing an entire lock is more appropriate. This includes instances of a break-in, when you have old locks that do not function well, when you have a variety of different locks in your home and you want them to match, or if you want to upgrade your lock.

Visit a website like https://www.beckerlocksmithservices.com/ to learn more about residential locksmith services near you.