Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm Blog

Every homeowner wants to feel safe. And in a large, growing city like Phoenix—where homes in neighborhoods like Maryvale, South Mountain, and Deer Valley are prime targets for property crime—taking simple, proactive steps to protect your home can make all the difference.

One of the most affordable, overlooked security upgrades?
Rekeying your locks.

Rekeying your home’s locks in Phoenix not only keeps old keys from working—it can stop potential intruders in their tracks.

Let’s break down how rekeying works, why it’s effective against break-ins, and how to know when it’s time to do it.


How Break-Ins Happen—and Why Locks Matter

When most people think about break-ins, they picture a burglar smashing a window or kicking in a door. But the truth is, many home invasions happen with zero force.

In fact, one of the most common ways intruders enter a home is:

  • Using a lost, stolen, or copied key
  • Walking through an unlocked door
  • Exploiting a low-quality or worn-out lock

We’ve seen this play out across Phoenix—from older homes in Garfield to newly renovated rentals in Roosevelt Row. Intruders don’t always need to break anything if they already have access.


What Is Rekeying—and Why Is It So Effective?

Rekeying changes the internal pins of your lock so it works with a new key and disables all previous keys—even if someone still has a copy.

It keeps your existing lock hardware and door handles but gives you:

That’s why homeowners in neighborhoods like Encanto, Paradise Valley Village, and Arcadia Lite trust rekeying as a first defense.


When Rekeying Can Prevent a Break-In

Here are common situations where rekeying makes a direct impact on your home’s safety:

🔐 You Just Bought a Home

Even if the previous owner gave you keys, you don’t know how many copies were made—or who still has one. Rekeying ensures that only you have access.

🔐 You Lost a Key

If your keys were lost in public or during a car break-in, someone could trace them to your home. Rekeying eliminates that risk instantly.

🔐 After a Divorce, Breakup, or Roommate Change

Emotions can run high—and access abuse is more common than you think. Rekeying protects your space after any major personal transition.

🔐 After Contractor or Service Access

Did you lend a key to a contractor, house cleaner, or dog walker? Even trusted professionals can lose keys—or duplicate them without your knowledge.

🔐 You Haven’t Rekeyed in Years

Over time, keys change hands. If it’s been 5+ years (or if you don’t remember who has a spare), it’s time for a security reset.


Why Rekeying Is Better Than Replacing Locks (in Most Cases)

Unless your locks are damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade hardware, rekeying is the better move.

FeatureRekeyingReplacing Locks
Cost✅ More affordable❌ Higher material cost
Time Required✅ Fast (under an hour)❌ More labor involved
Disables Old Keys✅ Yes✅ Yes
Updates Hardware Style❌ No (uses current locks)✅ Yes (new hardware look)
Effectiveness✅ Very secure✅ Very secure

If security is your top priority and the locks work well, rekeying delivers maximum impact with minimal cost.


Signs Your Home May Be at Risk

Even if you haven’t had a break-in, here are some red flags to watch for:

🚩 You’ve had multiple guests, handymen, or tenants with keys
🚩 A lock feels loose, sticky, or misaligned
🚩 You’ve had a mailbox or package stolen recently
🚩 Someone tried to jiggle your door handle or test the lock
🚩 You’ve seen unfamiliar people walking near your driveway or yard

Any of these situations means it’s time to re-evaluate your home security—and rekeying is a great first step.


Rekeying + Smart Locks = Maximum Protection

In tech-forward neighborhoods like Midtown and Biltmore, many homeowners use smart locks—but these often still include physical keys.

If your smart lock hasn’t been reset or your app still shows old users, you could be vulnerable.

We help Phoenix homeowners:

  • Rekey smart lock cylinders
  • Reset digital access codes
  • Remove previous user logins
  • Sync physical and digital security into one system

Real-Life Example from Central City

We recently helped a homeowner in Central City South who had just moved in. They assumed the locks were “new” because the hardware looked modern. But within two weeks, a stranger entered through the garage side door—using a key that still worked.

The homeowner hadn’t rekeyed. A family friend of the previous owner still had a copy.

Thankfully, no one was hurt. But that family now rekeys every time they move—and tells all their friends to do the same.


What It’s Like to Rekey with Affordable Security in Phoenix

Here’s what to expect when you rekey your home with us:

✅ Fast scheduling – often same-day
✅ Mobile service across all Phoenix neighborhoods
✅ Clear flat-rate pricing per lock
✅ Expert locksmiths who work clean and fast
✅ New keys cut and tested on-site
✅ Lock and door checks for proper function
✅ Optional key matching (1 key for all doors)

Learn more about our rekeying service here or call now for a quote.


Bonus: Rekeying Your Gates, Garage, and Storage Doors

Your front door isn’t the only place that matters. We also recommend rekeying:

  • Side gates
  • Garage entry doors
  • Outdoor storage units
  • Sheds
  • Casita or guest house entries

Any door with a key should be considered part of your security system.


Don’t Wait for Something to Happen—Rekey Before It Does
Phoenix homeowners: your locks are the first line of defense. Rekeying is a fast, affordable way to block unauthorized access and sleep better at night—whether you’ve had an issue or just want to prevent one.

Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com

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Call 602-854-2776

For more than 25 years, Affordable Locksmith Service has established itself as the first choice of Phoenix, AZ

Our mobile locksmith service is available in the following areas:

Anthem | Apache Junction | Buckeye | Casa Grande | Carefree | Cave Creek | Chandler | Coolidge | El Mirage | Florence | Fountain Hills | Gilbert | Glendale | Gold Canyon | Goodyear | Laveen | Litchfield Park | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Peoria | Phoenix | Queen Creek | San Tan Valley | Scottsdale | Sun City | Surprise | Tempe | Tolleson