Rekeying changes what a lock will accept, so your old keys stop working and a new key takes over. We explain how it works inside the cylinder, when it makes sense, and when replacing the hardware is the better choice.
What rekeying means
Rekeying means changing the inside of a lock so it works with a different key. The lock itself stays on your door. What changes is the set of small pieces inside the cylinder that decide which key can turn it.
When the job is done, the new key opens the lock and the old keys do not. Nothing about the door or the hardware has to be removed for good, which makes rekeying a practical answer in many situations.
How it works inside the cylinder
Most house locks are pin tumbler locks. Inside the cylinder there are stacks of small pins at different heights. When the right key goes in, its cuts lift every stack to exactly the right level, and the cylinder can turn.
To rekey, we take the cylinder apart, remove the old pins and put in a new set sized for a different key. The new key is cut to match. The old key now lifts the pins to the wrong heights, so it can slide into the lock but can no longer turn it.
What happens to the old keys
The short answer is that the old keys become useless for that lock. They may look the same and still fit into the keyway, but they will not turn the cylinder. That is the whole point of the job.
You do not need to collect old keys back for the lock to be safe. Anyone who still holds one, whether a past tenant, a former contractor or a lost spare, no longer has working access. We still suggest keeping the old keys together until you are sure the new ones work from every door.
When to rekey
There are several common moments when rekeying makes sense. The most obvious is a new home, because you cannot know how many copies of the old keys exist. It also makes sense after a move out, a breakup, a change of roommates or a key that went missing.
It is also a good idea when you want one key for several doors. Rekeying a front door, back door and side door to the same key means fewer keys on your ring. Our page on lock rekeying lists the services we offer for homes and businesses.
- You just bought or moved into a home
- A key was lost or not returned
- A tenant, roommate or worker moved out
- You want several doors on one key
- You suspect extra copies are out there
Call Pro Locksmith at (954) 406-8266. Tell us what you are dealing with and we will explain what it needs before any work starts.
Rekey versus replace
Rekeying is usually the right answer when the lock is in good shape. The deadbolt turns smoothly, the finish is acceptable and the hardware is sound. You keep what you have and change only the key.
Replacing makes sense when the lock is worn, damaged or poorly matched to the door. It also makes sense when you want a stronger grade or a different look, or when you are moving to a keypad or smart lock. In that case a visit for deadbolt installation and repair or a talk about keyless entry may suit you better.
What the visit looks like
We start by checking each lock to see what type it is and whether it can be rekeyed. Then we remove the cylinders, change the pins, cut the new keys and put everything back. After that we test each lock with the new key and make sure the old key no longer turns it.
The pieces you see during a rekey, such as the old keys, the deadbolt and the door hardware, can look like a lot. In fact, the cylinder is the only part that really changes. A tidy job leaves the door as it was, with a lock that now answers to the new key.
After the rekey: keeping new keys under control
Once your locks are rekeyed, keep control of the new keys. Decide how many copies you need, who gets them and where the spares live. Avoid hiding a key outside, since that is the first place anyone would look.
If you have a few doors, ask us to key them alike so you carry fewer keys. If you are managing a rental or a small business, consider writing down who holds each key. That habit makes the next change simple, and a lost key becomes a small task instead of a worry.
Common questions
Will my old key still turn the lock after a rekey?
No. After a rekey, the pins inside the cylinder match only the new key. The old key may still slide into the lock, but it will not turn it. We test this at the end of the visit so you can see the result.
Is rekeying the same as changing the locks?
Not quite. Changing the lock means removing the hardware and installing new parts. Rekeying keeps the same hardware and changes the inside of the cylinder so that it accepts a different key. Both stop old keys from working, but rekeying keeps your existing locks.
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most standard residential pin tumbler locks can be. Some very worn or damaged locks, or certain specialty locks, may not be worth rekeying. We check each one on site and tell you plainly if replacement makes more sense.
Should I rekey after buying a house?
We recommend it. You cannot know how many copies of the old keys exist or who holds them. Rekeying gives you a clean start, with keys that only you and the people you choose can use.
Can I put all my doors on one key?
Yes, in most cases. We can rekey several locks so one key opens them all, which is called keying alike. Tell us which doors you want included, and we will set up the cylinders and cut the keys.
Call Pro Locksmith at (954) 406-8266. Tell us what you are dealing with and we will explain what it needs before any work starts.