A Mobile Service

Call Today: (817) 260-0170 Mansfield Locksmith

Twitter Mansfield Locksmith Facebook Mansfield Locksmith Youtube Mansfield Locksmith
Commercial Mansfield Locksmith
Automotive Mansfield Locksmith
Residential Mansfield Locksmith

Should I Rekey or Replace Locks?

Mansfield LocksmithHave you lost or misplaced your keys, fired an employee or moved into a new house or apartment? If your answer is yes to any of those situations, you may be interested in getting your locks changed. Did you know that you do not have to get new locks if those old locks still work? Instead, you can get them re-keyed at Mansfield Locksmith in Mansfield, Texas. If you have no idea what it means to re-key a lock, you need to continue reading...

Re-keying a lock is an option that many people do not know about. However, if you have a highly rated lock, this may be a much better option for you, instead of purchasing new locks, which can get quite costly. Some locksmiths may shy away from offering this option to their customers. Why? It is much more costly to have your locks replaced which equals to more monetary gains for the locksmith. But what exactly does it mean to re-key a lock?

Re-keying Locks

Although the name may sound very technical and the process requires a certain level of expertise, it is not extremely difficult to re-key a lock. When a lock is re-keyed, the locksmith replaces the pins and springs in the lock cylinder with new ones. This means that the old keys will no longer work in the lock. Instead, you have to use a new set of keys to open the lock.

For the locksmith to re-key the lock, the lock has to be taken apart. The entire process takes a few minutes to be completed, providing that the lock and security professional is knowledgeable and experienced in doing a re-key. If the pins and spring do not match up with the key, the lock and key will not be functional together. It is therefore very important that a re-key is done accurately. Make sure that the locksmith checks whether or not the key works in the lock before leaving otherwise you may end up with a lock and key system that is not functional.

When you re-key a lock, it does not mean that you have compromised the effectiveness of the lock. It also does not mean that it is now more effective than before. It simply means that you have extended the life of the lock you had, by giving it a new key.

If you have suddenly become interested in re-keying your lock, you may be wondering if your lock can be re-keyed. The answer is yes. Although different brands of locks have different methods of re-keying, all locks are built so they can be re-keyed.

If you have locks that work perfectly fine, you can re-key them without them being damaged first. Perhaps you prefer having less keys. You can re-key your locks so they can all be opened with the same key. However, to be able to do this, you have to have locks of the same brand or the same type of keyhole.

Should I Re-key or Replace Locks

Now that you know what it means to re-key, you know that you have two valid options regarding your locks. Should you hire a locksmith to re-key the locks or should you just go ahead and get the locks replaced?

At the end of the day, the choice is yours, but there are conditions in which it makes more sense to re-key rather than replace locks. Of course, the reverse is also true where it is better to replace locks rather than re-key them in certain situations.

When should you re-key?

It is highly recommended that you re-key your locks in the following situations:

1. You have many different locks and a different key for each of those locks.

To save time and energy, it is better to have some or all of these locks re-keyed. You do not have to re-key them all with the same key but you can definitely lessen the amount of keys that you have to carry around with you. Remember that this will only work if the locks are the same brands or they have the same keyhole.

2. You love your lock but you want to change they key used to open it.

If you have lost your key and you think someone may find it, or you are restricting access from someone who has the key, this is a great option for you. You will be able to maintain the safety and security of your old lock but with new keys that only you possess.

When should you change your locks?

There are some situations when you have no choice but to change your locks. Some of these situations are:

1. You want to use one key for your locks but they are not all the same brand

If you want to decrease the amount of keys that you have to carry but you have different locks, you definitely have to replace some of your locks. You have the option of changing the odd locks to the same brand or other brands with the same type of keyhole.

2. You want to upgrade your security

In order to do a security upgrade, you cannot simply re-key your locks. An upgrade requires the installation of better locks, some of which may even be electronic. This is definitely a reason for lock replacement.

3. You want to change the design or color of your locks

Over time, locks may become rusty or they may simple look old and outdated. In order to improve appearance, it is imperative that you change those locks. In other instances, you may have a particular décor in mind and the current locks contradict that look. It is best to change the lock so it does not affect your décor negatively.

Whether you need to re-key or replace your locks, ensure that you contact your locksmith. They are better able and equipped to make the necessary changes. If you live in the Mansfield, Texas area, you should give Mansfield Locksmith a call. Our locksmiths are certified, experienced and professional. Your satisfaction is always guaranteed. Just ask our previous customers about us. We are the best locksmith company around but we are confident you can find a great one in your city, too.


Locksmith Articles
Top