Lock Rekeying Explained

Lock rekeying is a term that describes the process of having a lock’s internal parts altered in order to function with a different key. In most cases, but not all, rekeying an existing lock might be more affordable than replacing a fully operational lock. A lock rekeying service is perfect for those individuals only needing their keys changed. Homeowners and businesses frequently call us to rekey their locks for some of the following reasons: misplaced keys, a move or change in ownership, employee termination, breakups, or keys not returned by dog walkers or house sitters.

Professional locksmiths are able to rekey locks by using the tools found within rekeying kits. Purchasing all the tools required to rekey a lock, as well as gaining the necessary skills to do so, would be much more costly and time consuming than hiring an expert lock and key company in the first place. Professional locksmith companies offer quick and inexpensive lock rekeying services to customers at their location, and they also include guarantees of work.

How Residential & Business Locks Work

In the United States, most home and business locks use pins, or tumblers; they are called pin tumbler locks. One of the most important parts of a lock is the “plug”, which is the cylinder like circle that the key is inserted into. When the plug is turned, the lock is unlocked or locked via the small metal piece called a tailpiece located on the back of the lock plug. When a correct key is inserted, the plug will spin freely to lock or unlock, however, when an incorrect key is inserted, the lock will not operate at all. The inside of the lock contains a housing area for the driver pins; driver pins are pushed down into the plug from the above area. Their function is to prevent the lock from freely spinning. These driver pins are spring loaded, meaning if no key is inserted into the lock, the driver pins will be partially inserted into the plug.

The shear line refers to the top part of the plug where the tiny gap sits between the plug and the rest of the lock. When a key is inserted into a keyway, the pins will line up on the cuts of the key. If a correct key is inserted, the shear line will not be blocked and the plug will be able to rotate freely. Take a look at some of the example pictures below to learn more.

Did you know that the basic principles behind pin tumbler locks date back to 2000 BC in Egypt?

No Keys

When there are no keys interested in the lock, the driver pins (blue pins) will be pushed all the way down into the plug, preventing the lock from operating. The red pins are cut to height and intended to match the cuts of the correct key. When no key is inserted, they hang in the keyway.

Wrong Keys

When the wrong key is inserted into the lock, the shear line will still be blocked because the pins won’t correspond to the correct depths cut into the key. This is the reason wrong keys won’t open locks; correct operation has everything to do with a flush shear line that allows smooth plug rotation.

Correct Keys

When the correct key is inserted in a lock, the plug will spin freely because the shear line won’t be blocked. Because the shear line is so small, it’s easy to understand how it could become gunked up and sticky to operate over time. If this becomes the case, a lubricant like Dry Lock Lube might be a good idea.

Lock Rekeying

Rekeying a lock is the process of taking the lower pins (red pins) and replacing them with different ones that match a different key. This process doesn’t ruin a lock’s functionality and can be most cost effective to those individuals only looking for new keys for their still fully functional locks. Rekeying a lock is both quick and affordable.

Lock Rekeying Services In Northern Colorado

Locksmith Services Longmont is a mobile locksmith company that provides services to the Northern Colorado area. Our technicians are on call 24/7 to assist with all types of lock rekeying solutions. Appointments can be made online through our booking page or directly through our dispatching number at (303) 900-0549. Our technicians can rekey deadbolts, doorknobs, levers, commercial locks, and much more. We regularly work with individuals and businesses that require new keys for their locks. We offer both same day and future date services that are honest, quick, and affordable. Ask us how we can help with lock rekeying in Northern Colorado. We service areas such as: Longmont, Denver, Boulder, Estes Park, Greeley, Fort Collins, Loveland, Brighton, and more.