Change every lock that opens to the outside, and do it in your first week. You have no way to know how many copies of the old keys are still out there. Past owners, cleaners, contractors, and old roommates may all still have one. At Nobull Locksmiths, we do this for new Pawtucket homeowners almost every week, and it is one of the cheapest safety wins you get as a new owner.
Start With Every Door That Opens Outside
Walk the whole house and count your outside doors before you do anything else. Most people think of the front door and stop there. Homes around here often have more ways in than you expect. Older houses and triple deckers usually have a back stairway door, a cellar bulkhead, and a side door off the driveway. Every one of those needs a working lock and a fresh key.
You Probably Do Not Need to Buy New Locks
Rekeying is usually all you need. When we rekey a lock, we change the small pins inside so the old keys stop working. You keep the same hardware on your door, and it costs less than buying and installing new locks. We only suggest replacing a lock when it is worn out, damaged, or when you want a stronger one. If you are not sure which way to go, our guide on when to rekey or replace your locks breaks it down.
The Four Locks People Forget
Four locks get skipped almost every time. The mailbox lock is the big one, because bills and new cards land there. The service door on the garage is second, since it often has an old lock that nobody thought about. A shed or detached garage padlock is third. Fourth is the patio slider, which usually has a weak factory latch that is easy to upgrade.
Ask for One Key That Opens Everything
You can have all your outside doors keyed alike. That means one key opens the front, the back, the side, and the cellar. It costs a little more up front and it saves you fumbling on the porch in the rain for years. We handle this during the same visit, and we can cut spare keys for everyone in the house while we are there.
Conclusion
New keys in your first week is the simplest way to know exactly who can get into your home. Start with a walk around to count your outside doors, rekey what you can, and do not skip the mailbox, the garage service door, and the shed. Ask to have everything keyed alike so you carry one key instead of five. If you just closed on a place in Pawtucket or a town nearby, contact Nobull Locksmiths and we will come to you and take care of all of it in one visit.
