When Rekeying a Lock Is the Right Choice
Rekeying changes the key that operates a compatible cylinder while keeping the existing lock hardware. It is useful when access must change but the lock remains serviceable.
Good reasons to rekey
Consider rekeying after moving into a property, an unreturned tenant or contractor key, employee turnover or a lost key with an unknown location. Compatible locks can sometimes be keyed alike to reduce the number of keys in daily use.
What rekeying does not fix
It does not repair a sticking latch, misaligned door, loose hardware or badly worn cylinder. Those conditions need adjustment, repair or replacement. Rekeying also cannot combine unrelated or restricted keyways without compatible hardware.
Plan access before the work
List the doors, who should open them and how many keys each group needs. For a business, decide who may approve future duplicates. For a home, identify any door that should remain on a separate key.
Rekeying after a stolen key
Changing the operating key prevents the old key from turning the rekeyed cylinder. It does not address other access methods such as garage remotes, electronic codes or copies held for a different lock.
Review home rekeying or business rekeying for service-specific details.