Getting the keys to a home should feel good. And it usually does, right up until someone asks, "Do we know who else has a set?"
You may never find out. The keys handed over on moving day can't tell you how many copies were made before you arrived. Rekeying suitable locks gives you a fresh starting point: the old keys stop working, and you decide who gets the new ones.
That's part of our residential locksmith work at UTD Locksmith. We also repair, replace and install home locks, with around 20 years in the locksmith business behind us. Call 289-270-0256 about the doors you want to sort out, whether you've just moved to Oakville or have been meaning to fix the back lock for years.
There's room for a small job here. One awkward lock is a perfectly good reason to call.
The two jobs solve different problems:
Suppose you've just finished a renovation. The work is done, the dust is mostly gone, and you'd like to retire the keys handed out while people were coming and going. If the locks are sound, rekeying may be enough. You can keep the fittings you chose and start again with a new set of keys.
If the lock is failing as well, we'll explain that. Changing its key won't repair a worn mechanism.
They may be able to, if the locks are compatible. It's worth discussing while you're arranging the work. Having several house keys that look almost identical can turn a quick trip to put the bins out into a small guessing game.
Some locks can be matched; others need different hardware to make that possible. We'll check before promising you one key for everything.
You know how to open it. Your partner knows. Visitors stand outside jiggling the key while somebody calls through the door, "Pull it towards you first!"
It may have become normal in your house. We'd still like to have a look.
A lock repair starts with understanding what's actually catching. If the key turns easily with the door open but struggles once it's shut, the way the bolt meets the frame needs attention. Putting another lock in the same place may leave the same problem. UTD Locksmith looks at the door and its fittings together, including what happens as you close and lock it.
A loose handle, a key that's getting harder to turn or a bolt that doesn't engage properly are all worth mentioning. Those little observations help. You don't need to take the lock apart to give us a useful description.
If one key works and another doesn't, have both available. We can compare them with the lock. A problem with one copy may call for a different answer from a problem that happens with every key.
For a replacement, there are ordinary details to consider before choosing the finish. Will it fit the door? Can everybody in the household operate it comfortably? Is the handle still sound? We'll go through what affects your job. A new lock should be comfortable to use on a busy morning, when nobody has a free hand to fuss with it.
Condo owners may also have building requirements to work around. Before choosing replacement hardware, check whether management needs to be involved or whether the suite lock belongs to a shared key arrangement. Knowing that early helps us discuss suitable work for your door.
When you're wondering how to secure your home, a useful place to begin is with the keys and doors already in use. You might have a perfectly good front lock and a side entrance that never quite catches. Or the locks may work well, but a key has gone missing and you'd feel better knowing it no longer opens the house.
Before a visit, it's worth thinking about:
That last point is easily missed. If a relative drops by to help out during the week, their old key won't be much use after a rekey. There's usually a little handing-out of keys to arrange afterwards.
Call us. Our mobile locksmith service is available 24 hours a day for urgent lock problems. We'll check the arrival estimate for your address and discuss what's needed to confirm your right to enter. If your ID is inside, explain that on the phone.
For planned work, the number of locks, their condition and any new hardware affect the cost. An estimate should explain the service call, labour, parts, tax and any applicable after-hours charge. You can ask about rekeying one door or arranging several together. We'll discuss the scope before you decide.
Our local locksmith service covers Oakville, ON, including Glen Abbey, Bronte and Kerr Village. Call UTD Locksmith at 289-270-0256 to arrange a visit.
When the work is done, close the door and try the key yourself. Then try it again from the side you normally use. If you still have to lift, tug or jiggle anything, we want to hear about it while we're there.
