When Its Time To Replace Your Locks
Do you remember the last time you gave a spare key to someone? Did you ever get it back? Your home safety begins with your locks and if it has been a few years since you changed them or worse, you never installed new locks when you moved in, then it is likely a good time for you to do so. Some of the advantages of new locks include:
- Upgraded Safety
- More Convenience
- Updated Style
- Control who has access to your house
To Rekey or Replace?
Some people may not be able to or want to replace their locks. This occurs frequently for those who live in areas with homeowner’s associations that may set pretty stringent outdoor regulations. When this is the case, it may be a good idea to rekey. To do this, a locksmith removes the old cylinders and pins and replaces them with a new set that works with new keys.
This can be particularly beneficial if you live in a planned community. Many of these housing developments have master key systems and you have no idea how many people may actually have access to your house.
Types of Locks
There are a wide variety of locks that provide varying levels of security. In general a combination of lock systems will be the best way to protect your home. Here are some of the most common locks:
- Knob Locks-These are attached to a doorknob and allow you to turn it or not. Knob locks tend to be very vulnerable to lock picking.
- Deadbolts- Most doors are equipped with these to go along with knob locks. The locks actually bolted into the door frame which provides greater security particularly against someone trying to jimmy the door open.
- Mortise Deadlocks- One step up from deadbolts. These require keys on both sides of the door otherwise they cannot be opened.
- Anti-Jimmy Deadbolt- These complicated latched are easy to operate but nearly impossible to bust open. Someone will literally have to tear the door down in order to get in.
High Tech Options
All of those locks are good options for making sure your home is safe. They are all, however, vulnerable to one thing: lock picking. It does not matter how good your lock is, if it can be picked. Although mechanical locks have gotten increasingly complex over the last several years, they will always have this vulnerability. For this reason, it is a good to consider on of these high tech lock options. They can offer you a perfect combination of security and increased convenience over traditional locks.
- Keycards- We have all seen this at hotels. These systems are hard to crack, but you still have the inconvenience of needing a physical object. These are better suited towards offices.
- Keypads- This is one of the best options. They have dropped significantly in price, are easy to use, and most importantly, easy to change the code. Depending on the model, they will have additional features such as one-time guest codes.
- Fingerprint Locks- For most people, this level of security is unnecessary, but they are an excellent way of controlling exactly who comes and goes. Not just those who may happen upon a keycard or figure out the code.
- Smart Locks- Most of the above-mentioned locks also come compatible with your smartphone. Using Bluetooth or Wi-Fi technology, they can give you remote access to your locks. Not only this, they can be used to monitor who is coming and going into your house as well as allow to change your lock codes or restrict access from anywhere.
Hire a Professional
For your own sanity, do not try to rekey or replace locks on your own. Although they may seem simple to us, they are actually complicated technology. Not only this, improperly installed locks will not only jeopardize the safety of your house but may also damage your door frame. Finally, it is a matter of time. What might take several hours of your weekend, can be done in a very short time by a professional locksmith service.
If you search on Amazon, any of these style of locks you will be bombarded with so many options that it will be hard to decide which is best. Locksmiths have the tools to repair, replace, or install new locks. And not just any locks, but the right ones for your safety and your budget. Not only that, they can provide you with an assessment of your other security needs and can help you pick out the system that will work best for you. Finally, they are affordable and can bring all the tools necessary for the job with them.
Emergency Assistance
If your home has been broken into and your locks have been damaged, it is not going to be easy to go to sleep. Our mobile locksmiths are always available—24 hours a day, 7 days a week because the last thing you want after your home has been burgled is to know that your locks do not work. They can come meet you in under thirty minutes and get the job done fast so that you can rest easy knowing that you are safe.
