Residential locks find the need to be replaced from time to time – for varying reasons. Here’s a list of the most common reasons that locks are changed, as prepared by the lock change experts here at SOS Locksmith.
Worn Out Locks
As time passes, many locks can deteriorate exponentially. Rust and metal degradation can render previously working locks completely ineffective. Make sure to inspect locks to find evidence of wearing or damage that would call for replacement locks – this includes any rusty metal, or if you have any difficulty putting your key inside the lock. Not only do worn out locks pose a security risk to your household, but they can also lock you outside your home.
Phantom Spare Keys
It’s important to always remember exactly who has spare keys to your home – whether you gave it to them or not. Keep track of anyone who has them, and whether they still do. If you find that keys you’ve given to friends to hold on to, or to repair people when you’re not home are missing, choose to change your locks – just to be safe. You can’t put a price on the safety of your household.
When you’re moving somewhere new.
Even if your real estate agent, landlord, or the home’s previous owner gives you their personal keys themselves, it’s pretty smart to have the locks changed anyway. Burglars can be craftier than you think – they can sneak into known landlord or realtor homes or offices to steal their property keys for easy entry.
Brand new Housemates
Even if you were in a good place with your roommates/housemates when they moved out, it’s always wise to change your locks when they move out. There’s no way of knowing if they gave their spare key to a friend, or if any unauthorized copies were made. Trust us, we’ve heard of nightmare situations where former roommates used old homes as mid-afternoon shower pads when they’ve had access to it. Nobody wants that.
If you or your child misplaced your keys.
This is good for peace of mind. You don’t know where your keys went; it just makes it easier to know you’re safe if you’ve changed your locks. Even if you end up finding whatever keys you lost, there’s no way of knowing whether they were clandestinely copied by somebody without your permission or knowledge.
In the event of a Breakup
These situations involve disagreements over ownership of domestic possessions, or access to the home. While it might seem like a drastic move to changeover locks, it can absolutely provide some closure or peace if one cannot peacefully remain in a home with their partner.
After Burglaries
This might be surprising but it’s not uncommon for burglars to return to the scene of the crime to steal from the very same property. Think of it this way – they’re already familiar with the home’s layout, and perhaps they laid their eyes on some valuables that they didn’t have the chance to scoop up the first time. Don’t let this possibility come to fruition.
Even if none of these situations are the case, if you don’t remember when you last got your locks switched, it’s wise to update them anyway. This can be incredibly beneficial – especially if you have old locks, as more modern mechanisms are much better suited for the break-in technology that’s proliferated around today,
