Rekeying Your Locks Is Easy and Cost-Effective Many people are tempted to repair their own locks, rather than hiring a professional locksmith This can cause more issues It can also make things much more difficult for professionals when they finally do reach out to assist you The thieves are often insecure and will seize every opportunity to gain entry into your home A professional locksmith can put in better locks to stop this from happening Rekeying If you're a homeowner wanting to increase your security, or an owner of a business concerned about the possibility of burglaries, rekeying your locks is an easy and cost-effective method of doing this Rekeying is the process of changing the operating key in a lock, without the need to replace an entire lock cylinder Rekeying involves changing the pins inside a keyhole to make it so the old key can't operate it This can be done in a variety of ways - either replacing the pins in the current one with different length ones or by completely replacing the keyhole with one that is sized to accept a new key The lock is made up of two pins the driver pins, and the keypins When keys are inserted into the lock into the lock, the pins are pushed up and down at different heights The key manufacturer codes the pins to indicate the length Zero is the shortest, and 9 is the longest When rekeying, the pins are removed and replaced with a new set of pins to ensure that they are in line with the cuts on the new key Rekeying can be a good option after a break-in or burglary, if want to limit access of anyone who has a duplicate key It's also an excellent idea for rental properties or businesses where several people could have keys Rekeying can be accomplished by a professional locksmith however it's also a easy task to perform yourself with the proper tools You'll require a rekeying set that matches the brand of your lock It will include a range of tools that will assist in the removal of the lock and an assortment of different-sized pins to replace the old ones Utilizing the tools included in the kit and following the color-coded chart for placement, you'll take out the old pins and install the new ones Once they're set you'll need to test the new lock using the new key to ensure it works properly There are some instances where rekeying isn't a good idea and you'll have to change the locks instead This is the case when keys have been lost or stolen or if there are indications of wear on your lock Lock Installation If you're looking to enhance your home's security, then a new lock is a great option There are a variety of locks to choose from Smart locks can be controlled remotely They can also be used to track and monitor a door's activity However, it is important to be sure to select a reliable locksmith These experts can help you select the best lock for your house and also install it properly To begin to begin, you'll need some measurements The first step is determining the backset This is the distance between the edge of the handle or knob and the middle of it Most doors come with an average backset, however it's best to measure your door prior to purchasing a lock Once you have the measurements, purchase your lock and drill holes After that, you can mount the exterior and interior plates https//wwwrepairmywindowsanddoorscouk/stevenage-windowrepair/ 's a good idea place a small piece of wood in the gap between the floor and the door to prevent the plate from shifting Once you're finished, you can secure both the lock cylinder and deadbolt using the screws provided Make sure that the new lock is compatible, and also whether the strike plate on the jamb of the door is still in place If not, then you will need to purchase a new strike plate and install it The most common strike plates have screws that are 3/4-inch but you can change them for screws that are 3 inches The longer screws are more durable and make it harder to open a door While it's tempting to try and save money by installing your own lock, you could end up risking your safety Many thieves are opportunistic, and will take advantage of any weakness you have This can be avoided by removing tools like screwdrivers and crowbars Secure your doors prior to when you leave Also, don't post information about your vacation on social media - thieves could use this information to plot their attacks If you're concerned about the security of your home, call a professional locksmith Stevenage to install locks of the highest quality Lock Repair If you have a lock that doesn't work correctly, it could be a major issue It's not just frustrating, but it could also make your home less secure There are several solutions to the problem One method is to tighten the screws The majority of people can do this task If you don't know where the set screws are or the proper tools are, you'll need to let this job to an expert Another common problem is that the lock is blocked This is usually due to dust and dirt have accumulated in the keyhole This can also happen if your old key is not working properly If you're experiencing this problem it's crucial to contact a locksmith as soon as you can Otherwise, you may be at risk of further damage to your lock Thieves are generally opportunistic and they'll seek out any opportunity to gain entry into your home This is especially true when they notice that the locks are not working as they should If you are unable to access your key to your door, they may try to break in using tools like screwdrivers chisels, and crowbars It's also an excellent idea to grease the lock regularly This will help it move more smoothly and stop it from getting stuck Sprays can be used such as WD-40 or dry lubricants, such as graphite powder The wrong type of lubricant can cause damage to your lock It's important to know what type of lubricant to apply Screws that are loose could be a major issue It is because they can easily escape from the door, making it more difficult for a burglar to steal your keys and open the lock It's easy to fix this issue You only need to tighten the screws If the screws are loose, you can buy the replacement from a hardware store This is a cheap and effective solution that will ensure that your office or home is secure Car Key Replacement It is easy to lose, or even break a car key It is also expensive to replace If you have a classic key that has been damaged or lost, it's possible to be duplicated at the hardware store or locksmith however, more recent models will require a dealership for cars to create a new key Certain of the latest automobiles combine the traditional mechanical key with a security chip within the head of the key These chips communicate with the immobilizer of the car to ensure that a genuine key is in the car when the ignition is turned This could add cost to replacing a key, particularly when the new key is laser cut with a thinner shank, and less serrated edges, which are easier to duplicate Older mechanical keys can be found at most locksmiths, or at many hardware stores, but they're not compatible with modern vehicles without a special key fob which connects to your vehicle via Bluetooth This is a distinct component that needs to be programmed in order to function, so you should visit a dealer or a locksmith for this kind of replacement Locksmiths are the most cost-effective option for an entirely new car key, however it can take longer to have one made than just going to a dealership If you want to save time, try calling the manufacturer of your car or using a service like roadside assistance However, this could only be a temporary solution, and could cost you more in the end In addition to a car key you'll also need a vehicle identification number VIN to determine what the model and make of the original car is The VIN number is usually found on your dashboard or in the engine bay, and may be listed in your owner's guide or on your insurance or title paperwork The VIN is a unique number that identifies your car and helps identify its parts and accessories A professional locksmith will have the right tools to read your VIN and determine the right parts you need for your specific car