Lock Rekeying in Audubon, PA

A roommate moving out can leave you unsure who has a copy of your house key.

In Audubon, we rekey existing locks by changing the small pins inside them, so the old keys stop working and a new key opens the doors. The visible hardware stays in place, as does the rest of the lock. Rekeying is also an option when you move into a home or lose a key and want to change who has access.

You can choose which doors to include, such as the front, back and side entrances, rather than changing every lock on the property. If the outside doors in your Audubon home have compatible locks, we may be able to set them to work with one key. If they are not compatible, you can keep separate keys or consider replacing some hardware to make a matching set. Replacement also gives you a way to change the appearance or function of a lock, or address one that is worn or damaged. Rekeying changes access, but it does not repair those problems.

We first look at the locks on the doors you want to include and check their condition and compatibility.

If you have moved into a home in Audubon, you may not know who still has a copy of an old key. We explain which entrances the work will cover and which will keep their existing keys. Before starting, we also point out worn or damaged hardware that may make replacement a better choice.

You may want one key for all your outside doors or separate ones for certain entrances. A shared key is possible only when the locks are compatible. If they are not, we explain which ones would need replacement to use a single key. Rekeying changes the internal pins but leaves the existing hardware in place. Once the work is complete, we check the new keys with you, turning each one and checking that the door latches properly. If an old key is available, we also check that it no longer operates the rekeyed lock.

Once rekeying is complete, try your new keys in every outside door they are meant to open.

They should turn smoothly, and the door should latch securely. If an old key still works where you expected rekeying, call us so we can check it. An entrance left out of the work may still accept its previous keys.

Keep spare copies with someone you trust rather than hiding them outside, and avoid putting your address on their tags. If one begins to stick or bend, do not force it. Use only a lock lubricant recommended by the manufacturer, and keep paint and household oil out of the opening. Call us if the lock becomes difficult to turn, the door no longer latches, or you lose track of a copy. We can check what is going on and explain your options.