🔐 Montreal Lock & Key Issues in Multi-Unit Buildings – How to Solve Them

🔐 MAIN BUILDING DOOR LOCK ISSUES (8+ UNIT BUILDINGS)

If you own or manage a residential building with 8 apartments or more, lock problems are not a matter of if — but when.

High-traffic entrance doors go through hundreds of key uses every day, and over time this creates serious wear inside the lock cylinder.

🚨 COMMON PROBLEMS WITH BUILDING KEYS

Tenants often report:

✔ Key needs to be pulled out slightly to work
✔ Key must be lifted up or pushed down
✔ Key gets stuck inside the lock
✔ Lock works for some tenants… but not others

These are clear signs your lock system is wearing out.

⚠️ WHY THIS HAPPENS

1. WORN-OUT KEYWAY (VERY COMMON IN BIG BUILDINGS)

In high-use locks, the keyway becomes wider over time.

➡️ Result:

• Even the wrong key can enter the lock
• Keys feel loose or sloppy
• Lock becomes unreliable

👉 If a wrong key fits inside — it’s time to replace the lock

2. KEY COPY VARIATION (HUGE ISSUE)

Not all key copies are identical.

Even when copying the same key:

• Each machine has 1–2% variation
• Keys cut at different places (hardware store vs locksmith) are not exact

➡️ Result:

• One key works perfectly
• Another struggles or doesn’t work at all

3. REKEYING ONLY ONE TENANT (BAD PRACTICE)

When you rekey using only one tenant’s key:

• Pins are adjusted to match that specific key cut
• That key will work well
• Other keys may malfunction or fail completely

👉 WHY?
Inside the lock are small pins (often cone-shaped at the tip).
Over time:

• Pins wear down
• They drop slightly inside the chamber
• This causes misalignment

➡️ Result:

• Only the “perfect” key works
• All other copies start having issues

✅ THE RIGHT WAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM

✔ Always use multiple keys (minimum 4)
✔ Keys should be from different sources:

• Locksmith shop
• Hardware store (e.g., Home Hardware)
• Existing tenant copies

➡️ This balances small variations and ensures smooth operation for all users

🔒 LOCK OPTIONS FOR BUILDINGS

🔐 High-Security Locks (Restricted Keys)

Examples: Medeco / Mul-T-Lock / Abloy (ASSA ABLOY group)

• Key duplication is controlled
• Keys must be cut by an authorized locksmith
• Very secure, but expensive

💰 Approximate pricing:

• New mortise lock: ~$300+
• Key copies: ~$30 each

🔐 GMS Restricted System (Best Value 💡)

• Similar concept to high-security systems
• No unauthorized duplication
• Keys controlled by the original locksmith

💰 Approximate pricing:

• New mortise lock: ~$139
• Key copies: ~$12 each

👉 Popular choice in 2023, 2024, 2025

🔐 Standard Locks (Weiser / Schlage / Kwikset)

• Cheap and widely available
• Keys can be duplicated anywhere

💰 Approximate pricing:

• Lock: ~$50
• Rekey: ~$25
• Keys: ~$4 each

⚠️ Downside:

• No control over duplication
• Leads to future key variation problems again

⚠️ IMPORTANT REALITY (ALL LOCKS WEAR OUT)

Even high-security systems like:

• Medeco
• Mul-T-Lock
• Abloy
• GMS

👉 Still wear over time

Because:

• Keys are used hundreds of times daily
• Buildings may have 100–200+ copies in circulation

➡️ After a few years:

• Pins wear down
• Keys and cylinders lose precision
• Problems start again

📞 PROFESSIONAL SOLUTION

At Serrurier Shay Locksmith, we:

✔ Diagnose key and lock wear issues
✔ Provide proper multi-key rekeying
✔ Install restricted key systems
✔ Replace worn commercial mortise locks
✔ Help landlords avoid recurring tenant complaints

📧 Contact Us

📩 info@serruriermontreal.com
📞 514-836-9097

Contact us via online form

⚠️ DISCLAIMER

This content is provided for educational purposes only.

All trademarks, brand names, and logos mentioned (including Medeco, GMS, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy, Weiser, Schlage, Kwikset, and others) are the property of their respective owners.

Serrurier Shay Locksmith is not affiliated, associated, or endorsed by any of these manufacturers.