The lock is probably the most important security element in your home and also one of the most forgotten. You do not need to change it every year, but there are specific moments when it is an obvious decision —and others when it is enough to reinforce what you already have.
Situations that call for a complete change
If you have just moved in, change the lock in the first week. You do not know how many copies are in circulation from the previous owner, former tenants, renovations or neighbours who kept one just in case. It is a small investment to sleep soundly from the very first day.
Another clear case is the loss or theft of your keys, especially if they were on the same key ring as something identifiable (your wallet, a garage remote with the housing estate’s sticker, a document with your address). In those cases it is no longer a question of probabilities: someone has your key and knows where to use it.
Change the lock no matter what if:
There has been an attempted burglary, even if it did not succeed
You have been through a separation or a cohabitation that ended badly
You have lent your keys to renovation or one-off cleaning companies
The key starts to turn without catching or is hard to take out
When reinforcing is enough
If your lock works well and nobody else has a copy, there is no need to change the whole thing to gain security. In many cases it is enough to replace only the cylinder with a high-security one: anti-bumping, anti-drill and anti-snap. A locksmith changes it in half an hour and it multiplies the door’s resistance.
Other reinforcements that do not require a complete change are protective escutcheons, steel plates against prying or additional bolts. They are incremental improvements that, combined, make any attempt at forced entry much harder.
Which lock to fit
Not all locks are the same. Modern locks are classified by security grade (from 3 to 6 in the European standard) and by system: lever locks, euro profile cylinder, magnetic, electronic. For a main home, a grade 6 euro cylinder with an ownership card covers practically any reasonable scenario.
Electronic locks and mobile phone keys are fine for second homes or holiday rentals, where you share access with many people on a temporary basis. In a main home, the advantage is more about convenience than real security.
Some easy signs to spot
There are symptoms that warn you in advance: the key starts to turn with difficulty, the cylinder moves loosely, you notice traces of metal filings on the floor near the door, or the lock sticks and it is hard to close it fully. Any of those signs deserves a professional check before it turns into an emergency at ten o’clock at night.
At Xerux you can request a non-urgent check during normal hours: a qualified locksmith tells you what condition your lock is in, which specific reinforcements they would recommend and how much each option would cost. Choosing with information is always cheaper than reacting when you already have a problem.
