byAlma Abell

After buying a house, it’s a smart idea to have all the door locks rekeyed or entirely replaced. Unless the house is brand new, it’s impossible to know how many other people might have keys to the place. The previous owners might say they never lent keys to anyone, but that may not be completely true. They may have let a pet sitter borrow a key many years ago, for example, and then forgot all about it. In fact, they may still have keys to the house and not realize it. Even if the place is new, the contractor who built the structure might have provided keys to subcontractors such as plumbers and electricians. A locksmith in Chicago can change the interior mechanism of the doorknobs, door handles and deadbolts for rekeying or replace the hardware altogether.

Rekeying by a Locksmith in Chicago is a suitable choice if the new homeowner is comfortable with the security of the features but doesn’t want old keys to work any longer. The locksmith leaves the hardware in place and only modifies the interior parts to fit the notches in a new key. If the homeowner wants better security features or a different design, replacing the hardware is the most appropriate option. The locksmith removes the entire knob or handle and puts in a new one.

If the house currently doesn’t have any deadbolts, a locksmith from a company such as Amazing Lock Service Chicago can install them at all the doors. High-quality deadbolts are very useful for keeping unwanted people out and even for deterring would-be burglars who look for an easy entry. Some deadbolts are opened with the same key as the doorknob uses, but a more secure system has two separate keys.

High-quality, heavy-duty locks are best for people worried about security. Many doorknobs have push-button or turn-button mechanisms for locking that only deter the most casual of potential entrants. This is a primary reason why it’s better to have a professional locksmith install the security features instead of buying some at a hardware store or discount department store and making this a do-it-yourself project.