Upgrade Locks

You Have Just Taken Possession of The House

You have moved into a new house and taken possession of the locks that existed before. When building a house from scratch, you know what lock goes into the home but not when the house is pre-built.

Even if the house is sparkling new, the builder may still have the duplicate keys. Would that be a problem? Absolutely! You have no idea if someone has possession of duplicate keys, so it’s best to change the locks.

Some of the builders also use a lock that can be universal, so stop being lazy about changing locks. You may feel that the house is secure, but someone may break in if you are not extra careful.

Since there is no assurance, you might want to change the locks now. Please know that a key can be copied multiple times and anyone might be able to break in. Changing locks doesn’t take a lot of effort from your end, you just need to get a service provider and they will replace the locks and upgrade it to something better.

With this, you will be able to relax and not worry that someone might break in while you are away or taking a shower. Movies are for giving lessons – you may have seen how actors get attacked while they are in the shower simply because someone entered their house and attacked the lead. You don’t want such a nightmare, right?

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Someone Broke Into Your Home Recently

There is a chance your home was broken into while you were asleep or away to some holiday or party.

A house can have precious items like jewellery, expensive tech gear, and cash. While it’s not safe to keep a lot of cash in your home, you need to blame it on the lock system.

Burglaries are an invasion of private space. It can cause mental health concerns and might even cause grief in the family. Let’s not forget that a burglary can also cause a dent in your pocket. If you have experienced this in the past, you might want to act on it now. Burglars may have stolen something expensive and probably they had keys to your home or greater control over the locks. This is why you need to upgrade the locks and go for something sturdy.

Even if there is no cash or expensive jewellery inside the house, you still have people whom you love. You can file a complaint with the cops, but the incident can happen again. Besides having a CCTV system, you need a robust lock else the burglary will keep happening.

The cause for this burglary was an inferior lock system. It can be repeated again. Inferior locks are vulnerable to breakage which is why we recommend upgrading the locks now.

Sure, you have insurance claims, but it’s best to avoid a repeat episode. Isn’t that a better way to avoid burglaries in the first place?

Your Keys Got Stolen And You Wonder Where They Are

Can’t find the keys? This is a serious threat considering that was the only key to the door.

It happens frequently. You may have lost it or it got stolen. If you are not able to find it or found it in the drawer after many weeks, it’s time to upgrade the locks.

Someone may have made a duplicate key out of the original one. Once done, this person may have kept the original key back in the same spot. You need to be careful as some family members or even the help of the house may have ill intentions.

When a key is lost, you also assume that someone else may have access to the property. That can be dangerous simply because anyone can enter the house without your knowledge. On the other hand, a stolen key means that someone has bad intentions which is why they had to steal it.

You could land in serious trouble regardless of whether the keys are stolen or lost. Don’t waste your time and change the lock system immediately.

Ideally, you may want to upgrade the lock system and go for something that isn’t easy to crack or open.

Your Home Was Under Renovation For a Long Time

When a home is under renovation, the keys are in possession of professionals and workers who work inside the home.

This could also mean that the workers or professionals got a duplicate key. You don’t know how many duplicate keys there are!

If you feel that you can trust the contractor then you have little to worry about, but it’s a risky world.

The contractor may be associated with different workers who are not as trustworthy. Why do you want to go through all the pain of having a lock that is not as safe?

You have remodelled the house – it’s not going to take much to upgrade the locks after the completion of the project.

Your Door Locking System is Outdated

If you have an outdated and old-school locking system, it’s best to change or upgrade it to something modern and stronger.

The brand that you may have chosen might be popular in another era, but with passing time, you must change the locks and opt for a newer brand.

People have this thought process that as long as the lock is working, let’s not change it. But when a lock gets outdated and old, there are greater risks. It may have gotten rusted or weak which is why you need to upgrade the locking system and choose something that’s strong.

Your Door Locks Are Inferior in Quality

Let’s face it: you may have purchased an inferior-quality lock.

They do not open or close properly and someone may have broken the lock and entered your property.

You are not choosing the right locks for your house. People tend to think about savings and not about enhanced security. A good-quality lock can enhance the security of your home, but a poor-quality lock can make way for repeated episodes of burglary.

You need to upgrade the locks and get rid of the old and inferior locks in your home. It’s going to take a few extra bucks, but your family members and possessions will be safe.

It’s a small price to pay for your family’s security. Once the lock is robust and advanced, the burglars also don’t put that kind of effort to break it. They are smart enough to understand what’s worth their time.

Your Tenant Has Left The Building

Most people invest in properties to get passive income. It’s possible that your tenant has left, but they have a duplicate key of the property.

The tenant could visit anytime and enter the property without your permission. Although it’s illegal, there are some tenants who indulge in antisocial acts for different reasons.

It’s as simple as this: if the ex tenant is not paying rent, they shouldn’t have possession of the keys.

Most tenants hand over the key, but if you had to terminate the agreement and let a tenant go, they might create a scene.

As an owner of the property, you should have full possession of the home and if you want that kind of control, it’s best to upgrade the lock.

Nobody wants needless issues! As the owner of the property, you don’t want to take additional stress.

You Went Through a Rough Divorce or Separation

Your ex-partner has left for good or you are undergoing a painful divorce. The ex may have access to the property because they have the keys. If things ended on a bad note and you don’t want them to enter your property, it’s best to upgrade the locks.

You want to be cautious that they are not entering the property while you are not there. It’s possible that your ex was toxic and used to beat you up.

Nobody wants their ex to enter the house when things end on a bitter note. Instead of changing the lock, upgrade it into something stronger and advanced.

You Are Living with a Disability

Living with a disability is hard. You may have issues while opening certain locking systems.

Speak to a locking system provider. They can suggest a lock that is suitable for you. You shouldn’t be having a hard time entering your own home.

These days you have smart locking systems that are sophisticated and easy-to-use. Let the lock system provider know about your disabilities – they will know what’s best for you.

You Just Want To Change The Style of the Lock

You feel that your locks are looking dull and old. Sure, all of us have different goals, priorities, and preferences. You may want to replace or upgrade the locking system.

It’s your home, so you choose what goes in and out.

There are different styles of locks, but most importantly, you find advanced features these days that are hard to miss.

Choosing The Best Door Locks For Your Home

We’ve sure given you plenty of reasons to upgrade the lock and connect with a locksmith near you.

Now, you must also know the different types of door locks that you could purchase for your house.

1 5 Lever Mortice Deadlock

These locks are fitted in a wooden door that locks and unlocks from inside and outside.

The locksmith will fit it within the door and not on the surface. A nightlatch is fitted just to add an extra layer of security.

There is a 3 lever mortice deadlock too but it is less secure than the 5 lever one.

2 5 Lever Mortice Deadlock that Conforms to BS3621

This one has been tested and is more secure. Kitemark is also engraved on the faceplate which means that it is better than most locks that do not conform to BS3621.

3 Multi-Point Locking System

These are mostly found on UPVC, Patio, and French doors. The key fits into the body of the door, and it only takes one cylinder to lock the whole door.

One more advantage is that you may need only one kind of key to open the doors to your home. Moreover, it’s easy to install, so you can connect with a locksmith nearby.

4 Rim Automatic Deadlatch with a Key-Locking System

It’s installed at the inside of the door. You can lock or unlock the door from any side by putting the key in one cylinder.

The best part about this lock is that the door locks automatically once you turn the keys.

4 A Euro Cylinder Lock

A Euro Cylinder Lock is the most common one in UK homes. You can easily operate these and the keys can be alike for all the doors. You can also get master keys for these locks.

Despite becoming accustomed to seeing locks as a means of basic security, locks serve an important function. You should upgrade locks to prevent theft and break-ins and install locks that are both robust and hard to break into.

Upgrading your locks is an excellent way to make your home or business more secure. More modern locks can have features like keyless entry and smart technology, which give you more control over who gets in.

Aside from making your home safer, upgrading new locks can even stop intruders from attempting to break in. Investing in better locks can provide you with greater security and peace of mind.

In today’s post, we will discuss reasons to have a locksmith upgrade locks to ensure security. Let’s dive in.

The Reasons to Upgrade Locks With Locksmiths

Frequently, customers ask about the benefits and necessity of upgrading their locks. Upgrading your locks, even if they’re secure, can be a good idea for several reasons. Here are some reasons why you should upgrade locks.

You Have Lost Your Keys

Unfortunately, this happens all too often. There’s nothing worse than losing your keys. Locked out and calling a friend or family member with a spare key is a real pain.

The cost of having a locksmith come out and unlock it is also high. Your keys going missing is a completely different story. The chances are someone else has your keys if yours go missing.

When keys are stolen, criminals have them so that unauthorized entry can happen anytime. There is only one way to ease your fear of being violated when keys are stolen.

You should upgrade locks if you’ve accidentally lost your keys or your best security device has been stolen. It is not a good idea to wait to find your keys, hoping to get them back to you. Upgrade with new locks now before the cost goes up.

Moving Into a New Home

You don’t know if anyone else has copies of the keys for your brand-new house’s front and back doors. It might also involve master keys.

Construction companies typically use standard construction locks. Throughout construction, these utility locks stay on the doors and get reused.

Subcontractors and suppliers working on the project get service keys to the construction locks so they can access the building daily.

Contractors need to replace temporary locks with permanent ones that you can access, but you need to find out who else might have a key.

If you buy a home from the current owner, security risks are still involved. You may receive the keys to the new home once the sale is complete.

No one knows how many people copied those keys before the previous owner. It includes residents, visitors, and potential renters.

It doesn’t mean your locks are automatically safe just because you’re buying a new home. Upgrading locks on your doors is a small but worthwhile precaution, especially if you’re sleeping or bathing.

You Just Finished a Renovation

During renovations, lots of workers and suppliers need access to your house. People like tile setters, plumbers, painters, and electricians fit into this category. It could be your general contractor.

Although you trust the main contractor, you need to know who the subcontractors are. Nobody can guarantee that shady people won’t make copies of your house keys.

The cost of upgrading the locks on your doors after remodelling is a fraction of the total project cost. A cheap and effective way to improve security is to upgrade old locks with new ones.

Poor Quality or Inferior Locks

In tract developments or older homes, builders typically used the cheapest materials to maximize profits over quality. Regarding locks, the cost-security trade-off might be too big to handle.

It is easy for thieves to pick or break locks of inferior quality. The quality of the locks is the first thing a thief looks for when casing a building. They know all the telltale signs of a faulty lock. It’s easy for them to tell when a lock is good.

Upgrade your old, cheap locks with newer, better locks to discourage break-ins. Considering how difficult it is to break in, they decided it wasn’t worth the effort. As a result, the expense is justified in and of itself.

Break-ins Have Occurred at Your House

Burglaries are incredibly intrusive home invasions. Besides the money, it takes a toll on your emotions too. A break-in makes you think the worst. If you are the victim of a break-in, your keys and locks may be accessible to thieves.

Keep an eye out for your keys, even if you think they are all in your inventory. Your keys may have gotten into the wrong hands. You should upgrade locks if you’re worried they’ll come back to steal your other stuff.

Burglaries often use lock manipulation, lock picking, and other lock-related scams. In this case, you have substandard locks, and the same could happen again. A broken lock becomes weakened, making it easier to break into it again.

It’s important to think about insurance after a break-in. Your insurance company might hold you liable if you don’t take reasonable precautions when thieves steal your keys. You might lose your insurance claim if you don’t upgrade locks.

Want to Change Things Up

Putting this together with a home renovation is natural. It probably reflects a change in your style that motivated your makeover. Locks are the little things that add to a big and beautiful plan.

Maybe your locks aren’t your favourite brand or were made in a different era. Instead of bright brass, maybe you prefer brushed nickel. Alternatively, you could have them in bright chrome.

It is a good idea to upgrade locks based on your preferences. You may need help picking the best design among so many options. But The best part about redecorating is figuring out how to fix things.

Old and Worn Out Locks

Eventually, locks will get old and wear out. Eventually, locks wear out from regular use, just like any other product with moving parts. You’ll constantly wear out a lock by twisting and turning a doorknob.

Be on the lookout for signs of stress in your locks. Here, tarnish, or rust may be the culprit. Depending on the situation, they can be tight or loose. You can’t be sure if your locks are on the verge of failure.

Locks with flimsy, old mechanisms are easy to break. That’s why intruders take advantage of it. Locks these days are very secure and hard to pick, so you must have the key to get in. So, the security of your property relies on upgrading locks for your old lock system.

You Have Experienced a Divorce or Separation

You have to upgrade locks under this horrible circumstance. Your basic safety may depend on it, not merely your sense of security.

When the significant other leaves, upgrade locks and watch who else has access to the house. Many people who are separated from their marriages have to deal with unwelcome visits from their ex.

Among the most important defensive strategies is to prevent them from entering in the first place.

Roommate or Rental Agreement Ended

It’s one of the most common reasons to upgrade locks. It’s common to sublet a room or an apartment to increase your income. In the contract, you’re supposed to give them the keys.

Returning the keys is a logical next step after the agreement ends. Most tenancy or roommate arrangements end amicably with all keys returned. It doesn’t always work, so you may have keys floating around.

Also, roommates and tenants might share keys. It may happen without your knowledge or consent. It’s always a good idea to upgrade locks after a tenant moves out, even if you have a new one.

Adapting to Disability

Many people will experience disability at some point in their lives. Depending on who lives with you or visits you frequently, it could signify a serious health problem.

It may be difficult for disabled or older people to open standard locks. Many people need help inserting a key, turning it, and twisting a door handle. Depending on the person, this may seem like a far-off possibility.

People with disabilities can easily fix handicap accessibility issues with door locks made specifically for them.

You shouldn’t rely on the standard lock and key. High-tech access control systems now use coded technology and smartphone apps. An upgrade to a smart lock system lets you open your door without a key and distribute restricted access codes.

 
THE TAKEAWAY

That’s all we have for today’s round-up about why it’s a good idea to upgrade locks. Rekeying or upgrading locks is the easiest way to address security concerns. Both are expensive, but each has its advantages and disadvantages.

The most effective solution is, however, to upgrade locks. Rest assured that your new product will last as long as possible and will withstand any thieves’ attack. Getting new locks will refresh your entrance, giving it a clean, revitalized look your guests will love.

If you want to get the best value for your money, you should upgrade locks rather than rekey them.

Call or Text Andy on: 07721876571
Email: theleedslocksmith@gmail.com