When to Replace Your Property’s Locks

The heart of effective security with any property comes down to the quality of its locks. The importance of properly functioning, high-quality locks can’t be overstated. No matter how much you invest in flashy security systems to protect your Atlanta property, it will be ineffective if your locks aren’t up to the job. Ensuring that your locks are in good repair is one of the best and most affordable investments you can make to better protect your home or business. A professional locksmith can assist you in determining the locks that are right for your property, as well as suggesting other helpful security measures.

When You Should Consider Replacing Your Locks

Replacing or upgrading your locks is a small investment that can go a long way toward keeping your Atlanta, Georgia property safe and secure. Worn out or insufficient locks can present a significant risk to your home as they are much easier for criminals to bypass than high-quality locks in proper working order. You should consider replacing, rekeying, or upgrading your locks in the following situations:

• If Your Keys Have Gone Missing:

  All of us misplace our keys from time to time, especially on particularly busy days when we’re distracted and moving from task to task. Usually you find them in the last place that you look. Sometimes, however, you wind up actually losing your keys or worse, they get stolen. In these cases, you should always have a spare key in an accessible location that you can retrieve to open up your doors. However, it’s still important to have your locks replaced as soon as possible. Anyone who is in possession of your key will be able to walk right into your home, whether you want them to or not. It’s always best to have your locks replaced if for nothing else than your peace of mind.

• If Your Locks Are Worn Down or Damaged:

  Even the best locks wear down over time, as they are some of the most frequently used hardware components in your home. No matter how delicate you are when unlocking and locking your doors (and let’s face it, most people aren’t) your locks will still begin to wear down over time as the tumblers inside the lock naturally degrade. Damage to your locks can occur from a bent key, rust, or a break-in attempt. If your locks are showing signs of wear and tear or damage, consider having them replaced as soon as possible. It’s much easier for a criminal to thwart a worn-out or damaged lock than it is for them to bypass a lock that’s in properly working order.

• If You’ve Just Moved Into Your Home:

  It’s always an exciting moment when you receive the keys to your new home for the first time. That’s especially true if this is your first home. You may want to hold on to those keys forever for their emotional significance, but it’s better to take a picture of them instead and have your locks replaced or rekeyed if there’s any chance that anyone else may have a copy of your keys. That applies whether your home had former owners or if there were service workers who may have had keys.

• After a Divorce or Break-Up:

  After a relationship ends on a less-than-perfect note, emotions can be high, causing people to act out in unpredictable ways. Whether it was you or the other party that ended the relationship, there may be hard feelings from the other side. Additionally, if there were any problems with emotional or physical abuse, it’s a good idea to have your locks changed immediately upon the other party vacating to ensure your safety. If you have any reason to believe that your former partner may try to gain access to the property, even if they returned their keys, it’s best to err on the side of caution and change or rekey the locks.

• After a Roommate or Tenant Leaves:

  Another situation in which emotions and motivations can become strained is when you have to evict a difficult roommate or renter. Whether it was someone who was just a bit too free about borrowing everything you owned, or a tenant who didn’t treat your property with care, it’s beneficial to have your locks changed once they leave. Make sure that you check the legalities if they were part of a lease that just expired to avoid any legal issues.

Rekeying vs. Replacement: Which is Best?

If your current locks are in good repair but you need to change them in order to better protect your property, lock rekeying might be an option. Lock rekeying is generally less expensive than lock replacement, although this can vary depending on the type and complexity of the lock. Lock rekeying is a service that consists of disassembling the lock mechanism and rearranging the pins and tumblers that make up the configuration inside to fit the teeth on a new key. Once a lock is rekeyed, the old keys are no longer capable of opening the lock. Most locksmiths are capable of performing this service, so ask whether this is an option for your locks.

For services such as lock rekeying or replacement, the best place in Atlanta, Georgia to turn is a qualified professional locksmith company. Do your research to ensure that you choose a company with a stellar reputation and affordable rates with no hidden fees. There are many locksmith companies local to the area, but not all of them have the same commitment to quality and many hire amateurs or use other tactics to save money and cut corners. It pays to do your due diligence when choosing a service provider to handle something as crucial as your home or business security.

Lock replacement is an important consideration when it comes to an overall commercial or residential security plan. While it may seem basic, effective locks are still the most crucial aspect of keeping your property safe.