Lost keys: when to change the lock
If you lost your keys along with anything that shows your address, or they were stolen, change the lock cylinder the same day. If they went missing with nothing linking them to your home, a change is still sensible, just less urgent. In most cases replacing the cylinder is enough; the whole lock is only changed when it is worn or damaged.
I have lost my keys: do I need to change the lock?
It depends on what went missing with them. The question that matters is simple: could whoever finds these keys work out which door they open?
Keys lost with your address
A wallet with documents, a bag with letters or bills, a key ring with your street name on it. Whoever finds the keys has your address too. Change the cylinder the same day, ideally before nightfall.
Stolen keys
If the keys were stolen, especially with a bag or a car, assume the thief knows where you live. Change the cylinder the same day and report the theft to the police.
Keys lost with nothing to identify your home
They fell out of a pocket on the metro or at the beach, with nothing linking them to your address. The risk is lower, but you do not know who picked them up. If they do not turn up within a few days, a new cylinder is how you know again who has a key to your door.
Other times a lock change makes sense
Losing keys is not the only reason. In each of these cases the immediate answer is the same: change the cylinder, the part the key goes into, which decides who can open the door.
- You have just moved in and have no idea how many copies of the key are out there.
- A former tenant, a cleaner or an ex-partner kept a key and never gave it back.
- A key snapped inside the lock, or the lock is stiff and catches the key.
- There was a break in or an attempt, and the door or the lock shows marks.
Changing the cylinder or the whole lock
People often say "change the lock" when what they need is a new cylinder. The cylinder is the part you put the key into. The lock is the mechanism inside the door, with the latch and the bolts. When keys go missing, a new cylinder is in most cases the quickest and cheapest answer.
The whole lock is only replaced when it is worn, damaged or the door has been forced. The technician checks this on site and tells you before starting. We work on wooden, aluminium, PVC and armoured doors.
Is a security cylinder worth it?
Since you are changing it anyway, you can choose a security cylinder. It resists bumping, pulling and snapping, the three methods used to force a closed door. We explain the difference on site and the choice is yours.
If you rent, or live in a building
If you rent, speak to your landlord or letting agency before changing the lock. The lock is part of the property, and you will want to agree who arranges the change and who keeps a copy of the new key. If it is urgent, as with stolen keys, explain that to them straight away and keep the invoice.
If you also lost the key to the building’s front door, that lock is shared by every resident. Speak to the building administration, the administração do condomínio, first.
When to call a locksmith and how the job goes
Searching for key smiths or someone to change the locks on a house near you usually starts right after the keys go missing. If you are now locked out, the door has to be opened first, and for that we always ask for proof that you live there. If you can still get in, the change can be booked for a time that suits you.
A locksmith in Porto from our team comes to you anywhere in Porto and Greater Porto, at any hour. We carry cylinders and locks with us, so the door is not left open waiting for an order to arrive.
You call or send a message
A person answers. We ask for your address, the type of door and, if possible, a photo of the lock from outside. We agree the time and how you would like to pay while still on the phone.
We look at the door and give you a quote
The technician checks the lock, tells you whether a new cylinder is enough or the lock needs changing too, and gives you the quote before starting. It is free and nothing goes ahead without your approval.
We change it and test it with you
Once it is fitted, we test the new keys in the door from inside and outside, in front of you. The old keys no longer open it. If a special part has to be ordered, we tell you how long it will take rather than inventing a date.
You keep the invoice and the new keys
The invoice lists the work and the materials separately, and that document is your guarantee. Give copies of the new key only to people who really need one.
Lost keys questions
I lost my keys. Is changing the cylinder enough?
In most cases yes, and it is the quickest and cheapest answer. The lock itself is only changed when it is worn or damaged.
Would copies of my remaining keys not be enough?
No. Copies give you more keys, but the lost one still opens the door. Only a new cylinder stops it working.
Will you change a lock at night?
Yes, at any hour, every day of the year. If the keys were stolen or there was a break in, it makes sense not to wait until the next day.