Rekey a Door Lock

If you’ve ever had a problem with your door lock and can’t find the right key to open it, rekeying your door lock may be a good option. Here’s how it works, what you need to do and whether you should rekey the lock yourself or hire a professional locksmith.

Cost of rekeying a door lock

There are two basic ways to change the key on a door lock. One option is to replace the entire lock, whereas the other involves rekeying the working key. Rekeying is more affordable and allows you to have unlimited new keys without changing the lock. However, rekeying does not come with any warranty and you may need to replace the lock in the future. Also, rekeying does not work well when a break-in has damaged the lock.

When you need a new lock, you can call a locksmith for a rekeying service. A locksmith can rekey a door lock for between $60 and $200. Depending on the type of lock, you can also do the work yourself and save a lot of money.

Steps to rekeying a door lock

If you’ve lost your keys and need to rekey a door lock, here are the steps. First, remove the retainer ring from the lock cylinder. This is typically done with a small wrench-like tool found with a rekeying kit. Then, turn the lock over and unscrew the pins.

The next step in rekeying a door lock involves taking apart the lock. This is necessary to swap the bottom pins. Different manufacturers code bottom pins differently, which means you’ll need to make sure the new key’s pins match. Rekeying your door lock will make it easier to find your key and will reduce key ring clutter.

Changing locks versus rekeying a door

Rekeying your door is a more affordable option than changing locks, and it can also offer you the same security level. Unlike replacing locks, rekeying a door can be done with your existing keys. Although you may need to make some small adjustments, you will still be able to use the existing locks.

Rekeying locks involves a combination of tools. Locksmith Apple Valley A locksmith will use a pinning kit to change the pins inside a lock. If you do not have a copy of your original key, he will need to pick the lock, which may result in higher labor costs.