Homes on a few acres, like many around Berthoud and the rest of rural Northern Colorado, come with more locks than a typical city lot: barns, shops, gates, sheds, well houses and sometimes a detached garage. They are easy to overlook, and they often hold expensive tools and equipment.

Start with an inventory

Walk the property and list every lock: padlocks, gate chains, outbuilding doors and any keyed equipment storage. Note which ones you have keys or combinations for. Anything you cannot open or cannot account for is a candidate for replacement.

Padlocks and gates

Outdoor padlocks take a beating from sun, dust, snow and freeze-thaw cycles. Look for weatherproof models with covered keyways. A shrouded shackle is harder to cut. Keep combination padlock codes written down somewhere other than your phone.

Shop and barn doors

Outbuilding doors are often lighter than house doors and may have only a hasp or knob lock. A proper deadbolt on a solid door with a reinforced strike makes a real difference for a shop full of tools.

Key everything alike

If you are tired of a ring full of keys, many locks can be rekeyed so one key opens the house, the shop and the barn. Padlocks can often be bought keyed alike as a set.

Lighting and visibility

Locks work best with light. Motion lights on outbuildings and gates make it harder for anyone to work on a lock unnoticed.

When you buy a rural property

Previous owners, renters, farm help or neighbors may have keys or codes. Rekey or replace locks on every building, not just the house.

Choice City Locksmith works as a locksmith in Berthoud, CO and across Northern Colorado, handling rekeying, deadbolts and lockouts on homes and outbuildings. Phone (970) 803-1100.