Lock Rekey in Kent & Sussex County, DE

A rekey situation usually begins when a homeowner wants to make an existing lock work with a different key or to stop an old key from operating the latch. It can follow a move, a lost key, a roommate change, or just a desire to reduce the number of keys on a ring. On arrival in our van, you will often point to a deadbolt, a knobset, a mortise lock, or a garage-side entrance that uses a keyed cylinder. The lock itself often shows whether it has been well maintained or neglected. Homes in Georgetown, Lewes, Milford, Millsboro and elsewhere in Kent and Sussex County vary from wooden doors with a standard 1 3/8-inch bore to metal exterior doors with 2 1/8-inch bores and multi-point hardware. We work on familiar brands like Schlage, Kwikset, Baldwin and Yale as well as older unbranded cylinders.

On site we start by identifying the cylinder type and confirming you own or control the property. We explain that rekeying changes the internal pins so a new key will operate the lock and the old one will not. If the cylinder is removable we take the cylinder into our van workshop when necessary, or we open it carefully at the door and swap pin stacks right there. For some locks we use a plug follower to keep the plug from dropping as we remove it, then we replace pin tumblers to match the new key code. We test the new key in the lock multiple times, then reassemble the cylinder and check the latch and strike for smooth operation. We carry replacement hardware when a broken or corroded cylinder cannot be serviced on the spot.

Whether a rekey job is simple or awkward depends on the hardware condition, the door construction, and any complicating features like security plates or aftermarket rim locks. A standard bored single-cylinder deadbolt or residential knobset on a plywood door is usually straightforward when the cylinder turns freely and screws are accessible. A job becomes awkward when the cylinder is corroded, the retaining screw is stripped, the door has a welded security plate, the lock is a mortise unit with an integral case, or the house has an older rim cylinder or wafer-style lock. For attached garages, keyed-alike overhead door operator cylinders or vehicle entry cylinders near the handle can introduce additional steps. We assess these factors before starting and adapt our methods to the situation.

After rekeying we leave you with the new keys, a brief demonstration of operation, and advice on which doors share the same key if you requested multiple locks keyed alike. We check that deadbolts extend fully into the strike, that latch bolts retract cleanly when the knob or thumbturn is used, and that thumbturns inside are reachable and functional. We label keys when requested and confirm with you that the old key no longer opens the lock. Before we close up, we run the new key several times and inspect screws, strike plates, and weatherstrip for any adjustments needed so the lock will continue to operate reliably. We serve every town in Kent County and Sussex County from our mobile workshop based in Georgetown, Delaware.