How Often Should You Rekey Your Home? A Guide for Stamford Residents
Keeping your home secure isn’t just about locking the door — it’s about controlling who has access to your property, which often starts with your keys. Have you ever thought about who else might still have a key since you first moved in? It could be the previous owners, contractors who’ve worked on your home, or even the lingering worry about a lost set. While your first instinct might be to replace all the locks with new ones, there’s a simpler and often more cost-effective option — rekeying your current locks. This guide will provide insights for Stamford homeowners on how often this important security measure should be taken.
Rekey vs Replace Locks: Understanding Your Options
Whether you deal with a new home or a lost key, you have a few options to get a new key to secure your home. It might not be easy to choose whether you should rekey or replace your locks, so let’s consider the differences.
Rekeying offers the benefit of a quicker and typically less expensive solution. It involves a locksmith modifying the internal components of your existing lock so that only a new key will operate it while the original lock hardware remains in place.
Replacing your locks, on the other hand, involves removing the entire mechanism and installing new hardware. This process usually costs more. However, it’s often the best choice if your locks are outdated, damaged, or not up to current safety standards.
If you aren’t sure which option is right for your home, a professional residential locksmith can walk you through the pros and cons of both options and help you understand the full benefits of rekeying in your particular case.
When to Rekey Your Home
Rekeying isn’t something most homeowners think about regularly, but certain life events can make it essential. For instance, if you’ve recently moved into a new home, you can’t be sure who else might still have a copy of the old keys. It could be anyone — the sellers, their cleaning crew, a dog walker, or even a neighbor who was asked to keep an eye on things.
Or what if you’ve misplaced your keys? That can be a stressful experience, and while you might hope they just slipped out of your pocket somewhere safe, they can possibly end up in the wrong hands, which is a real security risk, for example, the possibility of a break-in. So, rekeying makes sure the intruder can’t simply use a stolen key to get into your home.
Also, if someone who used to live with you — maybe a roommate or tenant — has moved out under less-than-ideal circumstances, it’s a smart idea to update your locks. Even if none of these situations have occurred, rekeying every few years can still help keep your home secure. If you’re unsure about your current situation, a conversation with a trusted residential locksmith can offer helpful guidance on when to rekey your home.
Recommended Rekeying Frequency for Stamford Residents
The question of how often you should rekey your home is typical for homeowners, especially if none of the major life changes apply. A general guideline suggests rekeying every two to three years to maintain control over who has access to your home. However, for Stamford residents, the answer isn’t always so straightforward.
If you live in one of the beautiful older homes, chances are your locks might be older too, and older locks can sometimes wear down faster, so you may need to rekey more often to stay secure. Homeowners who frequently host guests or offer seasonal rentals are also more likely to have additional keyholders, which increases the need for regular rekeying. Changes in your local area — rising crime rates or new housing developments nearby — can also be a reason to revisit your home security plan.
The best way to determine what’s right for your specific situation as a Stamford resident is to chat with a local locksmith company that truly understands the security landscape of our community. They can offer tailored advice based on your individual circumstances.
Summing Up
Every home and situation is different, which is why there’s no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to security. However, knowing when to rekey your home can help maintain your home’s security, whether you’re moving in, dealing with lost keys, or just keeping things current.
If you still can’t decide what the right move for your home is — rekey vs replace locks — Sure Lock & Key is here to provide locksmith services in Stamford, CT. Contact us anytime for professional support and make the best decision for your home with confidence.