Locksmith in Van Nuys, CA 91401

ZIP 91401 stretches across southern and eastern Van Nuys into Valley Glen, around Los Angeles Valley College and the Van Nuys civic center.

Many homes here are older single-family houses and duplexes, so we fit a lot of new deadbolts and stronger strike plates, and help drivers who have locked keys in their cars near campus and the civic buildings.

Rekeying when people move in or out

Moving into a new place means you rarely know how many copies of the old key exist. Former owners, tenants, agents, cleaners and contractors may all have had one. Rekeying changes the pins inside the lock so only your new keys work, and you keep the hardware you already have.

Several doors can usually be set to one key, which means fewer keys on your ring. Landlords often rekey between tenants for the same reason.

Rekeying is also worth considering after a roommate moves out, a relationship ends or a set of keys goes missing. It is a quick way to take back control without changing the look of your doors.

Master key systems for businesses

As a business grows, keeping track of who has which key gets harder. A master key system gives each person access to the doors they need, while managers carry one key that opens everything.

If your existing locks are compatible we can often convert them instead of replacing them. We start by listing the doors and who needs each one, then key the system to match.

When someone leaves, a well-planned system means you rekey a few cylinders instead of every lock in the building, which keeps costs and disruption down over time.

Securing a property after a break-in

After a break-in, call the police first. Once they are finished, we can repair or replace damaged locks and strike plates, rekey locks if keys were taken, and secure doors so you can stay that night.

We also look at how entry was gained and suggest practical upgrades, such as reinforced strikes, better deadbolts or high-security cylinders.

Take photos of the damage before any repair for your insurer, and keep the receipt for the lock and door work. If keys were stolen with an address, rekeying should come first.

Questions from Van Nuys 91401