To rekey a lock, you’ll need to complete five steps:
- Take off the doorknob.
- Separate the knob and lock cylinder housing.
- Remove the retainer ring.
- Take off the cylinder plug.
- Reconfigure the pins and springs to your new key.
- Insert the U-Change key that is currently being used into the lock's keyhold. ...
- Slide the change tool into the small slot above the keyhole. ...
- Insert the new key that you would like to use.
How do you unlock a car with a rekeyed key?
Test the re-keyed lock to make sure it locks and unlocks with the new key. Remove the lock from the car. The exact method depends on the vehicle and whether the lock is a door, trunk, or ignition lock. You may need special equipment to remove the lock. Remove the inner lock tumbler.
How do I re-key an old lock?
You can order extra pins if you have more locks to re-key than the kit has pins for. If you have any old locks that are too corroded to keep, take the pins out and keep them before you throw the lock away. Remove the exterior doorknob or lock face. Door knobs are held in place with a clip accessed by inserting a wire into a tiny hole.
Should you change or rekey the locks on your home?
You never know who might have a key to your new front door. Changing or rekeying your home’s locks might be a good idea if you’ve lived in the same house for a while or if you’ve recently had a roommate move out, too. But should you change or rekey the locks on your home? And does your American Home Shield® Home Warranty cover it?
How do you rekey a door knob?
Rekeying a Door Lock Get a rekeying kit for the brand of lock you’re rekeying. Turn the knob counterclockwise to reveal the catch hole. Make sure to unlock the lock before you begin or else you won’t be able to remove it. Insert the catch tool from the kit into the hole to pop the knob out.
Can I rekey my locks myself?
You can re-key a lock like a pro at a fraction of the cost. Re-keying kits are available for most lock brands but they're not interchangeable. You must buy a kit for each brand of lock in your home.
Is it cheaper to rekey or replace locks?
Rekeying your lock is almost always cheaper than replacing a lock. This is because of the cheaper price of the key pins inside the locks, whereas when you replace a lock, you are paying for all brand-new parts.
What is the easiest way to rekey a lock?
How to Rekey a LockStep 1: Remove the Doorknob. The first step is to remove the doorknob from the door. ... Step 2: Remove the Cylinder. ... Step 3: Take Out the C-Clip. ... Step 4: Attach Key Plug. ... Step 5: Dump the Old Pins. ... Step 6: Insert New Pins. ... Step 7: Replace the Plug. ... Step 8: Reattach Knob to Door.More items...
Can you rekey existing locks?
You can rekey all of your locks to match an existing key only when all of the locks have the same keyway. You can test if the locks use the same keyway by taking the key you want to use and seeing if it slides into the keyholes of the locks you want to work using that key.
How long does it take to rekey a lock?
Rekeying a lock generally takes about 15 minutes, but this depends on the type of lock as well as the skills of the person working on it. The most time-consuming part of the process is removing the lock from the door – the actual rekeying is much simpler. If it's simple, should you rekey your lock yourself?
Do you need original key to rekey a lock?
Yes, it is possible for you to rekey a lock without the original key. A locksmith can change your locks even if you have lost or misplaced the original key. In general, it is possible to pick or shim the lock and unlock the door. Then, the locksmith will have a much easier time removing the lock cylinder.
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
Rekeying Home Locks Rekeying locks on your home typically costs $80 to $160. If you call the locksmith to your home, you might pay a trip fee of $50 to $100. The cost to rekey is $30 to $60 per lock, bringing you to that total. Rekeying is different and more affordable than replacing the locks.
How do I get all my locks to use the same key?
To get your locks re-keyed, visit your local locksmith to have them do it for you. Or, just ask the store you're purchasing the locks from to re-key the lock to one you may already own. It's a process that should only take a few minutes.
How much does it cost to have your locks changed?
Cost to Change Locks. The cost to change locks ranges from $75 to $220 for a car, and between $80 and $200 for a house. Smart locks and high-tech locking devices will cost more to replace. Prices depend on the type of technology selected, like a keypad entry or a key with a chip.
Should I change the locks when I buy a new house?
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
What does rekey mean?
Definition of rekey transitive verb. 1 : to key (something) again There's no sense in rekeying data that you already have in your computer.— Richard O. Mann. 2 : to provide (something) with a new key rekeyed the house/room/door You can take your lock and key to a locksmith and have them rekey it, making it unique. —
Can I change the locks on my house?
Yes, you can change the locks on the house if the property is legally owned in just your name, but not if it is owned jointly with another person. If you own the house with your former partner, then you will need their permission to change the locks and you are obliged to give them a key if they ask for one.
How much does it cost to rekey locks?
Rekeying Home Locks Rekeying locks on your home typically costs $80 to $160. If you call the locksmith to your home, you might pay a trip fee of $50 to $100. The cost to rekey is $30 to $60 per lock, bringing you to that total. Rekeying is different and more affordable than replacing the locks.
How much does it cost to replace locks?
Expect to pay $80 to $300 per lock, depending on quality, and up to $200 more for professional installation. Many door locks, however, are DIY-friendly and come with installation instructions. Rekeying door locks. In apartment complexes, this is now the most common way of changing locks on a door.
How much does it cost to have locks changed?
Cost to Change Locks. The cost to change locks ranges from $75 to $220 for a car, and between $80 and $200 for a house. Smart locks and high-tech locking devices will cost more to replace. Prices depend on the type of technology selected, like a keypad entry or a key with a chip.
Should I change the locks after buying a house?
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
How much does it cost to rekey a lock?
A locksmith will usually charge a set rate for a service call (often between $40 and $100) and then charge you an additional fee (potentially $10 to $30) for every lock you want rekeyed.
How to replace a lock?
When to Replace a Lock Versus Rekeying 1 If you’ve lost the key that opens your existing lock (s), you won’t be able to disassemble the lock for rekeying. First replace the lock. 2 Rekeying won’t fix a worn or damaged lock. You’ll probably have to replace the lock with a cracked or warped locking mechanism soon, anyway, so consider doing so first. Then, if your goal was to change the locks so that you have the only key, you’re set; you only need to rekey if you want multiple locks to share one key. 3 When rekeying multiple locks to fit a single key, all locks must first have been made by the same manufacturer. For example, if your front door lock is a Schlage, the other locks you want rekeyed to match must also be made by Schlage. You cannot rekey a Kwikset or Sargeant lock to open with the same key as a Schlage lock, because different brands of locks have different size keyholes that only accept their own keys. If you’re dealing with multiple lock brands, you’ll need to decide on one and replace the others to match this brand before rekeying.
How much does a rekey kit cost?
A rekey kit for a single lock typically costs between $12 and $25 dollars, depending on the brand and type of lock. Hardware stores carry rekeying kits for some of the most common lock brands, but they can also be ordered from lock manufacturers and large online retailers like Amazon. Advertisement.
What is a pin and tumbler lock?
A pin and tumbler lock—the kind of lock found on locking doorknobs and deadbolts—contains a steel cutaway that holds a cylindrical plug and a number of springs and pins that allow a specific key shape to turn in the lock. In order for a key to turn the locking mechanism, the configuration of the pins must match ...
Can you rekey a Kwikset lock?
For example, if your front door lock is a Schlage, the other locks you want rekeyed to match must also be made by Schlage. You cannot rekey a Kwikset or Sargeant lock to open with the same key as a Schlage lock, ...
Can you rekey a Schlage lock?
You cannot rekey a Kwikset or Sargeant lock to open with the same key as a Schlage lock, because different brands of locks have different size keyholes that only accept their own keys. If you’re dealing with multiple lock brands, you’ll need to decide on one and replace the others to match this brand before rekeying.
Lock Rekeying 101
What does the term “lock rekey” mean? It applies to a pin and tumbler lock, the type of lock found on deadbolts and doorknobs.
When You Should Replace Your Lock
When should you rekey a lock? Locksmiths get called out to homes all the time to “replace the locks.” In many cases, however, rekeying them proves a smarter and more affordable solution.
When You Should Rekey Your Lock
Rekeying locks involves the removal of springs and pins in the lock cylinder. These components then get replaced with a new set of springs and pins associated with a different key.
Other Reasons to Rekey Your Locks
Besides increasing the security of your house’s locks, there’s another compelling reason to rekey your home that often gets overlooked. Streamlining access to your locked assets.
What You Need to Know About How to Rekey Locks
With a rekeying kit, you can save money and ensure your family’s safety. A variety of kits exist, manufactured by different lock brands.
Assemble These Tools Before Rekeying Your Lock
Ready to become a DIY lock changer? Start by assembling the right tools and components:
Should You Go DIY or Call a Locksmith?
While the process outlined above isn’t overly complicated, it requires some know-how and plenty of manual dexterity. For a variety of reasons, many consumers prefer to let a professional handle this process.
When Should You Choose to Rekey Locks?
If you don’t know who has copies of your keys, rekeying locks is the easiest and most cost-effective solution.
Pros and Cons
If you want to significantly increase your home’s security, replacing the locks can be beneficial.
When Should You Choose to Replace Locks?
If you want a strong upgrade to home security, it is recommended to replace your locks.
What type of lock do you rekey?
Although there are many different types of locks, today we’re going to talk about rekeying a pin and tumbler lock. This is the most common and one of the easiest types of locks to rekey aside from old-school locks.
What Is Rekeying?
Although there are different types of locks out there, the most common is the pin and tumbler lock. This type of lock works by having different pins, inside of a tumbler, which are different lengths and sometimes thicknesses.
What is a deadbolt lock?
Deadbolt locks are made for external doors to prevent predators and burglars from entering your home. There are single, double, and lockable thumb-turn deadbolts available, all with different security levels.
Why are mortise locks extinct?
Mortise locks are all but extinct in newer buildings due to the invention of cylinder locks. This type of lock requires a pocket to be cut into the edge of the door for the lock to fit into. They aren’t as secure as newer locks.
How to remove pins from a cylinder?
With this, you can push the cylinder plug out which will give you access to the pins that will soon be replaced. When you do have access, you can remove the pins by turning the lock over, using your fingers to remove any stubborn ones.
Why are lever locks used?
Lever locks are often used because they’re easy to use. They can turn easily, making them perfect for privacy in public spaces, such as public restrooms. They also shouldn’t be used as the only means for security.
How to remove a cylinder cap?
If there is a cap then you will need to pop off the cap first by unscrewing it or using the manufacturer’s tool. Then the cylinder will pop out the back with a little pressure. Then you simply remove the C-clip holding the cylinder in place.
What does it Cost to Rekey Locks?
If I was to uninstall my door knob and take it to the locksmith, I was quoted under $20 to rekey the lock.
When should you rekey a door?
If you’ve recently moved in to a home, you should rekey your front door if it’s in good shape and you aren’t planning on replacing the door handle.
How long does it take to rekey a house?
So, we had a professional locksmith come to our house, rekey the locks and provide a few keys. All in all, the process took about twenty minutes.
Can you buy a rekey kit for a Schlage lock?
You can buy Kwikset rekey kits if you have a Kwikset lock as well as Schlage kits for a Schlage lock. I’ll link some options below but make sure to pay attention to whether or not they will work for your particular lock. After my initial research, it looked a bit confusing for how to DIY this project but if one was willing to try, I do think it could be done.
Can you go years without a front door key?
I hope this was helpful for you! I’d recommend not going years without having a front door key (like us), especially now that you know that there are options for having keys made for your existing locks.
Did we rekey ourselves or hire a locksmith?
After researching my options, I decided that it was better (for us) to just have our door locks rekeyed by a professional. Our front door lock is a brand that I couldn’t find much information on when it came to rekeying the lock. It was installed from our local door company so I’m assuming it’s a “to the trade” knob.
Moments When Changing a Lock Is Necessary
We will start with the lock changing option first. First of all, it is important to mention that this option will take you a bit more money compared to the second one. However, the costs often won’t be that big, and they can truly provide you some essential benefits.
Scenarios When You Should Decide on Rekeying
As previously mentioned, both options have certain advantages that you should be aware of. Because of that, we would like to analyze the moments when you should rekey your locks.
What happens when you change a lock?
When you change a lock, you or a locksmith removes the old locking door hardware and replaces it with new hardware. You’ll have all new locks and all new keys, but changing your locks can be expensive and isn’t always necessary.
What to do if you lost your old key?
If you’ve lost a copy of your old key, and you’re afraid someone will find it and access your home, you can rekey your locks so the old key doesn’t work anymore.
How to rekey American Home Shield?
How to make a Rekey service request with American Home Shield: Make a service request online or call 800 776 4663. An American Home Shield contractor will rekey up to six keyholes with four identical keys. Pay the same service fee associated with your American Home Shield® Home Warranty Plan. At American Home Shield, helping buyers feel ...
How many identical keys can you get from American Home Shield?
The contractor will supply you with up to four identical keys. You are, of course, free to make copies of these keys, should you need more. Changing or rekeying your door locks is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home and belongings. American Home Shield has your back.
Can you rekey a lock yourself?
If you don’t know what kind of locks you have, or if you have multiple brands of locks on your home, hiring a locksmith to rekey your home is the best option. If you try to rekey a lock yourself and fail, you could end up ruining it altogether. Fortunately, if you have an American Home Shield® Home Warranty, rekeying service is covered, ...
Do you need a new key to rekey locks?
Instead, a new key will be necessary. In many circumstances, rekeying your locks makes more sense than changing your locks. For example, if all of your locks are of the same brand or have the same type of keyhole but use different keys, you can have your locks rekeyed to operate from the same key. If you’ve lost a copy of your old key, ...
Can you change a door lock without a key?
If you’ve lost the key to a lock , changing it may be cheaper than rekeying it, although a locksmith may be able to rekey it without the key.
