Question about deadbolts

[Alex45ACP]

This is probably a pretty stupid question to anyone who knows anything about locks, but...

I live in an apartment with a storage space that has a deadbolt on the door. I know the maintenance staff has master keys and would like to keep them out of the storage room because I keep stuff in there that I don't want walking off.

Today I took the lock apart to see how it worked, and I noticed that the part you actually insert the key into slides out of the door, and there is a rod that goes thru the door and connects to the other side of the lock, the side that you can open without a key.

You can see what I mean in this picture: http://professional.schlage.com/whats_new/SchlageDeadbolt_exploded.jpg

Once you take out the long screws on the "inside" part of the lock (the part you can lock/unlock without a key), the whole section with the key and the rod just slides out.

My question is, could I just buy a new lock and replace the current lock's key section with it, and then have a lock that the maintenance people can't open with their master key? If it is the same brand and model, would that work? I don't see any reason why it wouldn't, just want to make sure before I go to the hardware store.

 

[Thernlund]

You can leave the bolt and replace the lock if that's what you mean. Should work with any standard deadbolt.

If you mean replace the tumblers, why? If you're going to buy an entire new lock anyway, just replace the whole thing.


-T.

 

[Alex45ACP]

Right, that's what I mean. Just replace the lock section, and then switch it back when I move out.

 

[V1K1NG0]

If it is a master key and you use the same brand lock I would think it would open it as well unless the master key is specific to their series of locks.

 

[Alex45ACP]

If it is a master key and you use the same brand lock I would think it would open it as well unless the master key is specific to their series of locks.

That was one of my concerns

 

[SUWANNEE MAN]

I had a Schlage deadbolt re-keyed at Home Depot for 7 bucks. Cheaper than a new lock or anything. Plus, the lock itself would look exactly the same. The only thing they change (I watched them do it) is the little pins inside the tumbler and gave me a new key matching the new pin order/code. it was pretty easy and took about 10 minutes.

You may want to check though that your lease does not forbid this type of action.

 

[Gottahaveone]

I know the maintenance staff has master keys and would like to keep them out of the storage room because I keep stuff in there that I don't want walking off.

Is it a wooden door? Get one of the keychain remote controls that let you turn a lamp on and off remotely and wire the 120vac to the deadbolt on the inside. When you want in, click off. See which maintenance guy is suddenly sporting a frizzy hairdo

I guess liability laws are going to require that I say "Just kidding" at this point.....

 

[btg3]

If it is a master key and you use the same brand lock I would think it would open it as well unless the master key is specific to their series of locks.

If this is so, then does a master key allow a master key to open this brand of lock all over the country? Pretty good incentive for theives to get on the maintenance staff!

I would think a master would only work for a series of locks specific to that apartment complex.

The guy at Home Depot that re-keys could tell you for sure. That's probably going to be a good $14 solution if your lease allows it. ($7 to re-key it now... and again when you leave -- if you remember.)

 

[Thernlund]

($7 to re-key it now... and again when you leave -- if you remember.)

You can't rekey is back without the original key code (which isn't likely to be on the complex-provided key). Getting the lock rekeyed is, for all practical purposes, permanent.


-T.

 

[CWL]

You can do anything you want, but the Apt. Management can do whatever they need to get it changed back. This may include drilling-out your new lock and billing you for the cost. If anything becomes missing during this process, I'm sure that you'll be SOL because you violated the fine print of your rental agreement.

For me, I'd keep anything I value inside the apt. -preferable locked into something and well insured.

I wouldn't keep anything too valuable in external storage lockers that is accessible to management or thieving neighbors.

 

[nambu1]

I was a vender for a service company that did hardware and locks. A locksmith "mastered" the locks for the landlord, which means that the landlord payed alot for the lock that is installed. It means that 2 different keys can unlock the same lock by setting the tumblers or pins in the lock cyclinder. If you change the lock, it may be as CWL stated. If the items that you want secured are small enough, I would put in a lockable storage chest.

 

[wrc]

I would think a master would only work for a series of locks specific to that apartment complex.

Master keying is indeed unique to the group of locks that are set up to work that way. In pin-based locks, like Schlage commonly sells, it is based on specific pins in the lock being split to keep each lock openable by a unique key and a common (master) key.

Google will yield technical details for those interested.

 

[vicdotcom]

Once you learn how locks really work, your sence of security about them usually drops a lot lol. Thats why the best locks cost a lot of money. But even they can be compromised. Its all about how long it takes to compromise the lock.

But you can replace the cylinder as you pointed out and have your own key that the apt wont be able to use their copies to open. But honestly, for all that you might as well replace the entire lock! Its a lot simpler that way and it will ensure that everything fits right.

But once the apt complex finds out, they will probably re-replace it. Under most leases they have to have access into your apt for things like fire-extinquisher checks, maintenence access etc. One time the apt opened my door when I wasnt home because my neighbors upstairs had a bad pipe leak that could only be accessed though my ceiling.

 

[Alex45ACP]

I just went to the hardware store today and got a new lock for $12. Took out the cylinder, swapped it with the cylinder that was in there. Worked fine, took less than 5 minutes. You can't tell that anything's been changed by looking at it, and I will switch it back when I move out.