You get two keys when you move in. That tells you how many you've received. It doesn't tell you how many are still out there.
A spare may have gone to a neighbour, a cleaner or someone who watered the plants three summers ago. Nothing has to be wrong with the lock for you to want a fresh start. It's your home now. Knowing which keys open it is a reasonable place to begin.
We're Bayview Moore Locksmith. For 20 years, we've worked in the locksmith business, helping with the locks people depend on at home and elsewhere. Our residential work in Toronto includes rekeying, lock repairs, replacement hardware and help with house lockouts. You can book a visit for one troublesome door. You can also have us look at the locks as part of moving in.
Changing every piece of hardware isn't always needed. A sound lock may be suitable for rekeying, which changes the key that operates it. The handle and main hardware stay. The old key no longer opens the rekeyed lock.
That can be a useful choice when you like what's already on the door.
Replacement makes more sense when the lock is damaged, badly worn or wrong for the job. You may also want a different finish. Or you simply hate the handle. Fair enough. Before choosing a new one, check the size of the old fittings and any marks they may leave behind. A smaller fitting can leave a patch of the door exposed.
If you're sorting out keys after a move to Leaside, Moore Park or elsewhere in Toronto, include the doors you actually use. The front entrance may look fine while everyone comes and goes through a side door with a very tired lock.
Most households have their own small system. One person uses the front door, another parks at the back, and somebody carries a key ring heavy enough to make a hole in a pocket. A lock change is a chance to tidy up that system.
Start with who needs access. A daily key for a family member serves a different purpose from a spare lent out for a week. If you're considering a keypad, think about who would use a code and how you would manage it. The right setup should be easy for your household to keep track of.
Three things worth sorting out together:
There's no prize for having the most complicated lock on the street.
A plain, suitable lock that everyone can use comfortably may be exactly what you need. Try the grip and the turning action when choosing hardware. Small knobs and stiff thumbturns can be awkward for some hands. A handle that looks good in a photo still has to work for the person carrying groceries through that door.
Perhaps the latch misses its opening in the frame. Or the deadbolt only slides across when you push hard against the door. These are reasons to inspect how the door sits, as well as the lock itself. Fitting a new cylinder won't, on its own, put a misaligned door back where it belongs.
This is where a repair visit can be useful. We can assess the lock and the way the door closes, then discuss the work needed. Explain when the fault happens. Every time? Only when the door is fully shut? Details like those help narrow it down.
A key that's starting to bend is worth putting aside. If you have a sound spare, keep it handy for the visit. And resist the urge to add more force every morning. Once a key snaps, you have another problem to sort out.
For smart lock installation, we start with the door and the lock you're considering. Fit matters. So do the power source, the way you get in if the battery runs down and the people who will use it. A feature that sounds handy in the shop might be one nobody at home wants to manage.
A keypad can be useful when family members come home at different times. It still needs a plan for codes and routine upkeep. Bring those questions into the choice of lock, while there's time to compare options.
Count the locks when planning a rekey. A front door with a keyed knob and a separate deadbolt may have two cylinders to work on. Saying "one door" doesn't always describe the whole job.
A useful quote should be clear about which locks are included, how many keys will be supplied and whether any hardware needs replacing. It should also account for the visit, labour and tax. Where a fault needs an inspection first, establish what can be quoted now and what still needs checking.
Check the rules for your entrance before buying a lock or arranging a change. The owner or building management may need to approve the hardware and the work. A unit door and a shared entrance also involve different permissions. Getting that settled early saves having a locksmith arrive for a job that can't yet go ahead.
Bayview Moore serves homes around Bayview Avenue, Leaside, Davisville, Moore Park and the wider Toronto area, including North York. For a local locksmith visit, the address and the number of locks are helpful starting points. If you're booking for a parent or a tenant, arrange who will meet us and who can approve the work.
Already locked out? We offer 24-hour locksmith help. Explain whether the keys are inside, missing or no longer turning. We'll check availability for your address and discuss the next step. We also need to confirm that you have the right to enter or authorise work on the home.
Before a planned door job is finished, use the lock yourself. Have the person who normally struggles with it try it too, if they're there. Close the door properly, turn the key and check it again from inside. An awkward catch is much easier to point out while we're standing beside you.
