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Rekey the house, keep the locks.

Older homes in Rivertown and newer ones near the lake, rentals and first houses: rekeyed so the old keys stop working, with humid-weather door problems fixed too.

Every key you can't account for

New owners, new renters and anyone who has lent keys to contractors or neighbors faces the same question. Rekeying changes the pins inside each lock so all the old keys stop working at once, and the hardware stays put. If you would rather have codes than keys altogether, see smart lock installation.

Doors that fight the humidity

Swollen doors and shifted frames make deadbolts bind. While the locks are being rekeyed, the strikes and hinges are adjusted so every door locks easily.

Mortise lock on a storefront door in Kenner, LA
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Rekey on moving day

All outside doors and the one from the garage.

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Doors that bind

Strikes and hinges adjusted in humid weather.

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One key for all

Front, back and side doors keyed alike.

Lock cylinder and new keys during a rekey, LAKeypad deadbolt installed on a front door, LA

Rekeying, in four parts

Usually a single visit. Once the house is rekeyed, extra copies for family and neighbors are on our key duplication page.

  1. The doors

    How many outside locks, and any gate or shed.

  2. Ownership or lease

    ID and closing papers or a lease; the landlord's OK for rentals.

  3. Pins swapped

    Every lock rekeyed on its door.

  4. Keys tested

    Each new key tried in its lock with you.

Before storm season, a quick check that every exterior door locks properly is worth it. Storm shutters and swollen frames can both stop a bolt from reaching the strike.

Older houses, newer houses

Older houses near the river often have original hardware that's worn but sound; rekeying works, and anything too worn is replaced. Newer houses near the lake come with builder locks and builder keys, and rekeying is the quick way to start fresh.

Either way, you hear which locks need what before any work starts.

Houses that have been in a family for years often have keys spread among relatives, former tenants and neighbors, plus a spare or two nobody remembers giving out. A rekey is the simplest way to start over, and it's quick when the locks are sound.

Older homes and humid doors

Every exterior door on a list, carport and garage entries included, plus any side gate. Bring proof you own the place or a lease, and if you rent, your landlord's go-ahead.

If a door is sticking because of the humidity, mention it; the strike and hinges can be adjusted on the same visit so every door locks easily.

The visit ends with one set of keys for the whole house, every old key out of the picture, and a short list of any lock worth replacing. Families moving into older Kenner homes near the river often find a mix of locks, and putting them on one key is a common part of the visit.

Codes instead of keys

A keypad deadbolt ends the hunt for keys after a trip and lets sitters, family and contractors in with codes you control. Pick one rated for humid weather; moisture is hard on electronics.

It's mounted in the existing holes whenever possible and programmed with you, and you hold on to the backup key.

Rekey questions

Should I rekey after buying a house?

Yes. There's no way to know how many keys the previous owners handed out to family, sitters and contractors. Doing it before moving day means nobody else's key will open the door when you move in.

Can all the doors use one key?

Usually, when the locks are compatible. Older houses often have a mix of brands; a matching cylinder brings the odd one in.

My deadbolt only locks if I push on the door.

Humidity has shifted the door or swelled the frame. The strike is adjusted so the bolt slides freely again. Leaving it too long can wear the bolt and the strike.

Do renters need permission?

Usually the landlord's OK; we'll need it before starting, and many landlords want a copy of the new key. Some leases forbid tenants from changing locks, so check before calling.

Are old locks worth keeping?

If they turn smoothly, yes; rekey them. Worn or damaged ones are replaced. Many older locks are sturdier than new ones, and a rekey keeps them in service.

Should we rekey after a hurricane evacuation?

If keys were left with neighbors or contractors while you were away, yes. Keypad codes shared with neighbors or crews should be changed too.

Can you rekey the carport storage room?

Yes. Storage rooms and sheds can go on the same key as the house if the locks are compatible. Older storage room locks are often rusted; those are replaced.

Can you install a keypad lock?

Yes, on most exterior doors. Pick one rated for humid weather. Keep the backup key somewhere other than under the mat.

What proof do you need?

ID and closing papers or a lease, or the owner's written OK. For an inherited house, the executor's or the family's OK works.

Is the estimate free?

Yes. You hear it before anything starts. It covers each lock, one line apiece.

Locked out right now?

One street name and a tech is rolling.

Call now
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