[hdh1470]

Originally Posted by k2at

In a rancher, it is so easy to gain access to a home that I am not sure changing the locks will keep the bad guys out. If it gives u piece of mind, then do it.

You are right so many easy ways to get in.but lets not make it to easy were the use a key and are in so fast and look as they are not breaking in.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by k2at

In a rancher, it is so easy to gain access to a home that I am not sure changing the locks will keep the bad guys out. If it gives u piece of mind, then do it.

So explain!

[OpusX1]

I change locks on every new/preowned home we have bought. That being said locks only keep honest people out. Most of the new locks you buy at the big box stores can be opened by anyone with a small hammer and a blank key. lock safety is all in our heads.

[hdh1470]

Originally Posted by OpusX1

I change locks on every new/preowned home we have bought. That being said locks only keep honest people out. Most of the new locks you buy at the big box stores can be opened by anyone with a small hammer and a blank key. lock safety is all in our heads.

Sorry that is not true,yes some may be by having a key cut a certain way which i will not explain.But most manufactures have starting using different top tumblers that make it harder.I know this because I pick locks every day

[cynkr67]

Originally Posted by k2at

I think that getting a German Shepard will provide u with a lot more protection. Up North a friend of mine has a no trespassing sign on his lawn that says "Dog on grounds. No Trespassing. All SURVIVORS will be prosecuted."

That's funny. I heard another one...a sign with a gun pictured on it that says "We don't bother calling 911"

[jennypatel]

Changing the locks will not cost you so much high. So, if you want the better peace of mind, then you must change the locks. Try to buy the best locks so that it provides the good security.

[taylor111947]

During a recent renovation, I had a keypad lock installed on my back door. I can add/change/delete keycodes very easily. This way I can give a keycode to someone who needs access when I'm not there and delete it when they are gone - no extra keys floating around. Usually I use the last four digits of their phone number so it's easy for them to remember and easy for me to set up. I also had a keypad added to my garage door which is very convenient if I want to get in through the garage.

[JoInTV]

Originally Posted by SALYBOW

I just built a new home. Wewatched the builder chane the locks from the construction key to a new set. Are we safe? I never gave it another thought.

Hi SALYBOW!

Did the builder do this at the closing walk-through? Did he rekey using the tool that hdh1470 described in his post?

Master keys are definitely out there. We were at Floormasters discussing installing tile when they wanted to know when the guy could come out to measure. When I told him that we didn't own the house yet, he said that in that case, he'd go out in the next couple of days and measure as he could get into any of the new houses with his key. Sure enough, a couple of days later I got a call from the salesman at Floormasters that they had gotten in the house and done the measuring for the tile.

We are closing on the house on Monday and that incident got us to thinking that we should have the locks changed. Who the heck else has master keys to all of these new houses??