What Does Rekeying a Lock Mean?
Rekeying means changing the pins inside a lock cylinder so the old key stops working and a new one operates it, while the lock itself stays on the door. Apex Locksmith rekeys for $25 per cylinder across North Dallas, which is why it beats replacement in most situations: the same security effect at a fraction of the cost. Each lock takes a few minutes once the tech is at the door.
What happens inside the cylinder
Every pin-tumbler lock holds a row of spring-loaded pin stacks that must line up exactly with the cuts on a key before the cylinder turns. Rekeying pulls the cylinder, dumps the old pins, and loads a new set matched to a different key. The old key now hits the wrong heights and does nothing. Nothing about the door, the latch, or the strike plate changes, which is why the job is fast and cheap.
When rekeying is the right move
The classic triggers: you bought a home and have no idea how many copies the previous owners handed out, a key ring went missing, a roommate or contractor moved on, or you are tired of carrying separate keys for every door. That last one is called keying alike, where several locks get pinned to a single key. If the lock hardware itself is failing, that is the one case where replacement makes more sense than new pins.
Related Questions
Can every lock be rekeyed?
Most pin-tumbler locks, which covers nearly all residential knobs and deadbolts. Some cheap or damaged cylinders are not worth the labor, and the tech will say so rather than pin a dying lock.
Do I need the current key to rekey?
Helpful but not required. Without it, the lock gets picked open first, then rekeyed as usual.
Rekeying vs changing locks: what's the price difference?
Rekeying is $25 per cylinder with no parts to buy. Replacement means new hardware plus installation, so it runs several times more per door.
More Quick Answers
Need it handled? Rekeying Locks: full service page, or call (469) 712-5422, open daily 8 AM–8 PM.