How to Replace Door Locks

Your first line of defense is your door lock. It will prevent unauthorized access into your home. Locks might need to be replaced due to signs of wear and tear, or other situations like moving into a new home or a burglary.

To begin, determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will allow you to purchase the correct-sized lock.

Deadbolt

If you’re looking to ensure that your door is safe from burglars, it’s a good idea to install deadbolts. The bolt extends into the strike plate on the doorframe when it is locked, making it much more difficult for a burglar to break in through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt is activated using a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn piece on the interior. A deadbolt will only work if it is installed correctly.

First, you must determine whether the door already has an existing hole for a deadbolt or if you need to drill it out. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on the exterior of the door using the template that came with the lock installation set. Utilize your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this high point on the door’s edge. Use the speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark you made to mark the bolt hole.

Next, use a power drill to bore this spot until the hole extends to the other side of the door. This could take a while. Then, sand down the hole and along the edge of the door so that it’s smooth. At this moment, it’s a good idea to stain or paint your door.

When the door is in place, remove any screws visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then unscrew the old bolt and replace it by the new bolt to match the door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from the setplate. Then, you’ll need to chisel the surface of the door frame to accommodate the strike plate.

If your strike plate is not aligned, it’s likely because the previous installer didn’t mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping popped up and changed the strike position. To fix this issue it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. Close and lock the deadbolt after you have completed this step. Make sure the bolt extends into the strike plate then test the key to make sure it closes and opens easily.

Knob

If the knob on your door wears out it could make your home or business less secure. It can also make it harder to open or close the door, so it’s recommended to replace the knob. Replacing a knob is a relatively easy DIY project and shouldn’t take less than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver as well as pliers to remove the knob or handle that was previously used However, be careful not to damage any other parts on the door.

Spray WD-40, or another dry lubricant, on the mechanism of your door knob before you begin. This will allow the new lock slide smoothly as you turn it. It is essential to choose an excellent knob and handle that matches your current doors to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don’t already have a matching doorknob, you will need to purchase a replacement.

Before you begin the replacement process, look over the knob you replaced to see what screws are keeping it in place. If there aren’t screws then you can use the screwdriver to secure the cover plate between the screws plate hidden behind it.

After you’ve removed the knob that was previously used, look it over for indications of damage or rust. It’s important to clean it off if there are any scratches or dents, but you shouldn’t have to do anything when the knob is in good condition.

Install the new knob. It is important to first look over the two knobs in order to make sure that you’ve chosen the appropriate one for your door. You’ll need to select one with an extender rod that is interlocked with the rod mechanism of the other knob. Once you’ve positioned the new knob over the door’s hole, carefully slide it into the latch.

Test the spring by pressing it repeatedly. The latch should spring back up each time. Then, you can install the new knob and connect it with the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws from the interior doorknob through the cylinder holes on the exterior knob, and secure it in the knob’s position.

Latch

A latch is a piece of metal that extends through the door jamb to keep it closed. The latch is operated either by a handle or knob on the interior of the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. A deadbolt can be used to secure a latch and stop intruders from breaking through the glass of the door. It also offers protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by pets or children. The latch can be fitted using a single cylinder deadbolt or double cylinder deadbolts, based on the level of security you prefer.

Installing a deadbolt is the same as installing a latch, but there are some differences. First, you must measure the setback of the doorjamb by using an instrument to make sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. A standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is larger than that, you might need to purchase a latch that is larger from a locksmith or hardware store.

Next, make a hole for a latch plate in the doorjamb’s edge. Use a chisel and cut the mortise of the latch. Make sure the hole’s depth is enough for the faceplate to be flush with the doorjamb. Place the strike plate in place to make sure it is positioned correctly.

If the strike is too high, you could push the door back or apply pressure with a tire iron or crowbar. This can also crack the doorjamb. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb, then cutting the core from the previous one.

The final step is to install the new strike plate which is done by screwing it over the screw holes that are already in place. Use wood putty then to fill in any old holes for screws or bolts which aren’t going to be used. After the putty has dried then sand it to a smooth finish.

Strike

An electric strike is the metallic piece where the deadbolt and latch are engaged when the door is shut. It is an essential part of the lock’s overall safety because it prevents the door from opening and provides an additional barrier to force or kicking. If a door comes with an electronic strike, it can be opened by using keys and the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.

In the past, installing an electronic strike was as simple as cutting off a part of a doorjamb, which would release the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket within the strike. This modification is not only ugly, but also exposes the mechanism of the latchbolt and the keeper to intruders.

Recently, a number of electric strike makers have come up with an innovative type of electric strike dubbed the “No Cut” strike that doesn’t need a cutout in the doorjamb to operate. redhill door lock repairs use a specific design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without damaging the faceplate of the doorjamb.

The strike is equipped with an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt as well as the keeper when it receives the signal of an individual reader. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt pushes them up higher on the ramp, locking the door. When the door is closed, the deadbolt is retracted and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.

Installing an electronic strike is a straightforward process, particularly if you’re replacing an existing strike. If you’re upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, it is important to make sure that the new system is compatible. Also, you must ensure that the strike is connected to your access-control system and set up to function in a fail-safe manner.

Upgrade your strike plates with heavy duty strike plates to stop the entry of unauthorized persons. These plates can be fitted with up to six screws of three inches instead of the usual two screws of three-fourths inches. These longer screws make it more difficult for people to break the frame and reach inside to turn the piece that turns the thumb of a single cylinder deadbolt.