Should I Change the Locks in My New House?

If you have recently purchased a new home in the Indianapolis area, there likely are many things already on your mind. But before you get to the fun things like mortgage payments, new neighbors, unpacking, and decorating, you should also assess your home’s security. So, our team at A1 Lock and Key is answering a common question today: “Should you change your locks when you buy a new home?” Although you might feel safe in your new neighborhood, rekeying or replacing your locks is a sensible idea.

Security

Even though the previous owners handed over their keys when you closed on your new house, you can't be sure that those are the only copies. There is no way to know how many copies they may have made and given to family members or friends in case of emergencies. It would be all too easy for someone to break into your house with a spare key that you didn't know existed. The idea of unknown strangers having access to your new home is unsettling, and it's not wise to feel secure until you know your keys are the only usable ones.

Replace Your Locks

Replacing the entire lock is the more expensive and complicated method. You will need to remove the entire lock and replace it with another model. This option is recommended if you don’t feel the current locks are reliable, or if you’d like to upgrade to stronger, more efficient locks.

Rekey Your Locks

If you’re happy with your home’s current locks but you’re afraid extra copies of the key are floating around, you have a simpler option: rekeying. When you rekey a lock, you alter the lock so that it can only be operated by a different key altogether. This is accomplished by altering the tumbler, changing the water configuration, or forcing a new key exchange. After the lock has been rekeyed, the new key will operate the lock and the old key will no longer work.

To have your locks changed or rekeyed, contact A1 Lock and Key today at (317) 775-0332. Feeling secure in your new home is a simple, quick, and affordable process, and the peace of mind is more than worth the effort.