Need your help regarding these two issues (Missing Keys)

[im_nightrider20]

Hello Everyone

I am a new home owner and I have two issues both are similar need your opinion

1) The storm door in the front had a dead bold and key to that dead bolt is lost by previous owner. I want to use it because it provides extra protection. What are my options? Do I need to replace it or there is a way to get a key for the same. The lock is something like 50 bucks in lowes.

2) The garage door key which locks the dead bolt is also lost, what do I need to do so I have peace of mind that garage is locked safly. Please let me know.

Thanks and have a great weekend.
NightRider. :wall:

[schiejr]

Welcome to the forum NightRider!

Depends on the lock for the screen door. If blanks are available that fit, you could remove the lock and bring it to a locksmith who can make you a key. This avoids the trip charge and would be the cheapest way to go, short of a new lock. (Trip charges in my town are running up to 60 bucks, the last I heard)

Blanks should be readily available for your garage dead bolt. Remove and have a key made again. If it is a cheapo generic lock, may be best to just get a new one if you do not want to upgrade, especially if it is older and has seen some use. On the other hand this may be an opportunity to consolidate keys, if desired, if the keyways between your house and garage are compatible.

[im_nightrider20]

I got the lock for the garage door. We have automated garage door opener. What precautions I need to take when I install the new lock. As you mentioned it is generic and I was able to get the lock cylender for 8 bucks from lowes.

Thanks for your advice and help.

Regards
Nightrider. :D

[cuedude]

Hi Nightrider,

Sorry it's taken me so long to see your post, we had a huricane today, and I was pretty busy. Anyway, I think the most important thing here is whether the keys for both locks are compatable. (The key for your garage will go into the front door lock.) If they are, as already said, it's really easy to have them keyed alike.

As far as your front door lock is concerned, if ou can remove it and take it to the locksmith, it will save you some money.

One thing I just thought of is something that is really common here in the Keys is the house and garage keyed using only one key. It will fit all the locks you have. (Master keyed.) And if you have gate(s), those can be keyed with their own key which will not fit the house. Those are usually given to Gardners, or pool people, and the like. (Even though the house key fits the gate(s). It's easy to do, and for what it can save in the long run, it's worth the extra cash to set it up.

Hope this gives you a start as to which way to get by your delema.

cuedude

[schiejr]

"We have automated garage door opener. What precautions I need to take when I install the new lock. "

Is this the lock in the large garage door itself, or an entrance door which I thought originally?
With an opener on the large door, it is not locked.

If you have a whole brand new lock (the cylinder is typically only the part the key goes into, not the whole lock), for an entrance door, most have adjustable backset to match residential applications. The main thing is to make sure the it will fit in the existing hole, which may vary for deadbolts. Knob locks are typically 2 1/8 inches in diameter.

[im_nightrider20]

Thanks schiejr, This is a lock for main door which is a typical sliding / remote controlled door. You are right its a totally new lock that I will replace existing lock. I was concerned because its a automated garage door and I wanted to make sure I take all precautions when I replace the lock.

Thanks and regards
nightrider.