When to Replace Locks

Here at League City Locksmith, we get asked this question a lot! People want to know how long to wait until locks can or should be replaced. Is it better to simply rekey your locks or is full replacement really needed? There’s no one-sized-fits-all answer; each circumstance is different. There are pros and cons to lock replacement just as there are for rekeying your locks. The smart thing to do is to work with a full-service locksmith shop either here in League City, TX or in your neighborhood, if you don’t live here. Doing so will allow you to get professional advice from real, licensed, bonded and insured technicians that will know best what all of your options are. In the meantime, keep reading to learn more about the many aspects of lock replacement and how it can affect your security and well-being.

What’s the difference between lock replacement and rekeys?

Each is just like it sounds. Lock replacement entails changing out the entire lock and replacing it with another. Your lock professional actually removes the lock and installs a new one. New keys are obviously needed in order to open this lock. When you have rekey work done, your locksmith will leave the original lock in place. He does however change the inside pins and springs. What this does is make the older, original keys useless. Rekey work is generally less expensive than a full lock replacement, but not always. Check with your favorite local locksmith for price quotes and for additional details about both or either service.

Lock replacement at home

One of the main reasons to change your home locks is because of damage, wear and age. Imagine that you came home after a nice date with your special someone. You go to unlock the door and notice to your horror that the lock is hanging loosely off of the door which is already open a bit. Some has gained illegal entry into your home! After checking to make sure that the intruder is gone and after the police have been called, you start considering your lock options. You have to do something; your lock is useless now. It has either been picked open or smashed and is now unable to secure your property. You know that you have to replace it but you also have to go to work in the morning and you really do need to sleep tonight.
Another great reason to have a lock replaced at home is to make an upgrade. Say the above example happened to a friend of yours and not to you – yet! The more you thought about it, the more the gravity of the situation made you question the quality of your own locks. Wouldn’t some high security locks or bump proof locks be a better choice? You can’t rekey your way to those upgrades; they must be installed from scratch! We’ve given you two examples of solid reasons to replace your home locks; one is an emergency replacement and the other is a much needed upgrade.

Auto lock replacement

The very same reasons for replacing your home locks also apply to the locks on your car. It’s true that you have only a few locks per vehicle but car theft and vandalism often lead to partially or fully damaged locks on doors, trunk, ignition or even glove box. Glove compartment locks are at risk when burglars or even valet drivers break into them looking for car registrations, insurance papers, driver’s licenses or garage door remotes. A crook can get all of the information he or she needs to burglarize your home by simply going through your glove box. Your home address, remote and sometimes even spare keys are often found in glove compartments and using a crow bar to pry open the lock will surely damage it enough to need replacement.
While some may want lock replacement due to damage, others want newer, better locks like keyless entry, keyless remotes and other upgrades. Cars also change hands and are bought at auction, estate sales and through repossessions. New locks can represent better quality as well as new ownership.

Commercial lock replacements

With thousands of local businesses in the area, a solid percentage of them will be changing ownership in the near or distant future. Companies of all sizes and types expand, re-locate and change hands necessitating new locks and lock upgrades on a regular basis. Crime damage cannot always be repaired and often a full lock replacement is needed especially when that lock guards a main door, vault or office. Another factor in lock replacement is the upgrade to newer lock technology that is always on the horizon. Many times the lock and security upgrades to a local business location are tax deductible. A good commercial locksmith will be able to advise and consult with company owners and senior managers so that the finest business lock hardware is always used to secure the building, goods and staff.

Commercial locks are so varied; they have to be! Businesses come in so many forms including retail, hospitality, medical, entertainment, sports, fine dining, fast food, and each one of these categories can break down into hundreds of different business types. All need locks, keys and locking hardware unique to their services and products offered. This is why you can find everything from padlocks to CCTV technology when visiting a local company.

What’s best for your needs?

Is lock replacement for you? Only you can answer that, but you don’t have to do it alone. Call a local full service locksmith and discuss your particular needs with the technicians there. They can help you weigh factors like cost, installation times, service, maintenance, warranties and security goals. You might be considering lock replacement at home or for your car. Your business might need new locks or this may be the perfect time for a much needed upgrade to newer better locks or to more advanced technology. Weigh all the factors – between you and your locksmith experts, you’ll make the right decision for your needs.