It's common to believe a door lock will always work. Even hardware store-quality locks can operate for decades, depending on the amount of usage. Most residential locksmiths agree the average lock's lifespan is about seven years.
Every 7 years
Over time, they will need replacing so that they can function correctly, without any problems and to the latest home security standards. It is recommended that you change your locks at least every 7 years, however, you can change them more frequently for your peace of mind or to simply upgrade.
Most locksmiths advise that a door lock should be changed once every seven years.
Like all mechanisms with moving parts, a lock eventually wears out. Jamming the wrong key into a lock or just the repetitive movement of locking and unlocking the door over time can damage the internal mechanism, resulting in a key that sticks or is difficult to turn.
In most cases, doorknobs have a minimum lifespan of around seven to ten years. Such a lifespan will likely happen to doorknobs that are not correctly installed but of the wrong grade. The best way to prolong your doorknob would be to check it regularly, at least once in a few years.
Weather stripping is one of the most common reasons for a malfunctioning door lock latch or a broken lock. It can cause misalignment of the lock and prevent it from working properly. Weather stripping causes erosion of the exterior paint. The resulting decay causes the door lock latch to get destroyed from the inside.
A good door handle will last 25 years or more. But there are components that do wear and occasionally fail without proper attention.
When you move into a new home, you should change the locks on your house. You have no idea how many copies of the house keys are floating around out there from the previous homeowners, so changing the locks will keep your new house more secure. Tom recommends changing the locks whenever a new home is purchased.
The average cost to hire a locksmith is $157. You can expect to pay between $98 and $217, depending on the type of service. For example, to change locks for your home, the cost can run anywhere from $50 to $200, depending on how many locks you have, the level of security, and the kind of lock you want.
A locksmith will recommend you change your door locks if you lose your keys as a security prevention. Changing your locks after losing your keys will stop anyone from accessing your home who does not have permission to.
You should only change your locks if you want or need new ones because it's generally more expensive than simply having your locks rekeyed. For example, if your locks are old and wearing out, changing them will be a better option than rekeying them.
When to Rekey Locks at Home
For residential homes, locks should be changed at least every three years.
A deadbolt lock will secure your door from would-be thieves. Every exterior door should have at least two locks to deter them.
Should I use WD40 to lubricate door locks? The simple answer is you should not use WD40 to lubricate locks. WD-40 is one of the solvent-based lubricants and does not contain any lubricant and over time can make your lock even stickier by gumming the lock up.
Rekeying your lock is almost always cheaper than replacing a lock. This is because of the cheaper price of the key pins inside the locks, whereas when you replace a lock, you are paying for all brand-new parts.
Deadbolt Type
You can typically purchase a single cylindrical deadbolt for $20 to $70, while keyless deadbolts can cost anywhere from $50 to $200 or more depending on the type you purchase.
Definition of rekey
transitive verb. 1 : to key (something) again There's no sense in rekeying data that you already have in your computer.— Richard O. Mann. 2 : to provide (something) with a new key rekeyed the house/room/door You can take your lock and key to a locksmith and have them rekey it, making it unique. —
Some folks may think it's unnecessary to replace toilet seats, but my point here is to simply remove them. By removing your toilet seats, you can really deep clean under the bolts and hinges where the “yucks” like to hide. Your goal is to make sure your royal throne is YOU-worthy.
What about ALL burglaries— forced and non-forced? Let's do some simple math to find out! That's only 1.36% of TOTAL burglaries that utilize either picking a lock or shimming. Note that I'm not using these numbers to say that malicious lock picking isn't a problem.
Deadbolt and lock all of the exterior doors to the home. Since deadbolts are one of the best ways to secure your home, you will have the peace of mind you need when leaving home. A burglar will not be able to break through a deadbolt with a crowbar or pick them open, which ensures the safety and security of your home.
Signs Your Lock Was Tampered With
If you suspect your lock has been tampered with, start with looking for these common signs: Brute force. Signs of brute force include bent deadbolts or latches, warped doors or door frames, and the presence of small paint circles caused by moving the locking fixture.
A car door handle is an important part of your car, but thankfully, the cost to replace it isn't outrageous. Although the cost varies depending on which handle broke, you can expect to pay around $80-$500 to replace it. For the interior handle, replacing it typically costs between $80 and $200, including labor.