Who Else Has a Key to Your House? The Scary Truth About Old Locks

And in reality, your home can be more accessible than you think, probably because you misplaced the spare keys or had earlier occupants.

Who Might Have a Spare Key? 

Sometimes, other people may have copies of your house key, either intentionally or unintentionally. Here are some examples:

Friends and Family

For convenience, parents, adult children, siblings, or close friends often store spare keys. Although their intentions are usually good, unknowingly, the keys might get into the wrong hands, making the home vulnerable.

Neighbors and Service Providers

During an emergency, keys can be shared among the cleaners, landscapers, and maintenance personnel. Even if they are trustworthy, old locks may still make it easier for people with a legitimate copy to gain unwanted access into the home later.

Former Owners

Your house can still be accessed by the previous owner, tenants, or any other. And since most homeowner seldom replace locks after selling, your home may be at risk. So, it is better to take the proper action before moving in.

The Unsettling Reality About Old Locks

Old locks might look strong, but they may have some flaws. To protect your home, start by knowing these threats:

Limited Key Codes 

Most types of older locks have only a few key types, especially those made by major big-box stores. There are also places where two houses that are not related can be unlocked using the same type of key. This restriction really contributes to the risk of unwanted entry.

Wear and Tear

Over time, the internal mechanisms and pins can wear out and become easy to pick or force open after years of usage. Even a burglar with basic tools can discover that a lock that seems to be tight is actually loose. Here, you need to visit a locksmith shop for quick fixes.

For Peace of Mind, Upgrade Your Locks

To regain control, check out these quick fixes by GreenPro Locksmith:

Rekeying:

It is a simple and cheap process of changing the internal pins of your existing locks which render all your old keys useless and dispose of unknown spare keys. Get a locksmith in Lawrenceville, GA to do this swiftly.

High Security Locks:

The modern locks are made of harder material, different key patterns and the locks have an inbuilt mechanism to withstand picking and bumping. For extra protection, contact GreenPro Locksmith for an upgrade.

Professional Advice:

A skilled locksmith can also examine the locks you have and recommend which ones need to be changed and help to make sure that your house is as secure as possible.

Don't Wait Until It's Too Late

One can easily ignore the risks of old fashioned locks and unknown back-up keys until it is too late. And anyone with a copy of your keys could get into your house. For that, the most effective method of securing your family and property is to install new high-security locks or rekey instantly.

With help from GreenPro Locksmith, you’d have peace of mind knowing who can or cannot enter your home.