How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your primary line of defense against unauthorized access to your home. Signs of wear and tear as well as instances like moving into a new residence or burglaries, could trigger the need to replace your lock.
To begin, determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the center of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will allow you to purchase the right-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 that is 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 can be activated using a key on the exterior, and a thumb-turn device that is located inside. A deadbolt is only effective only if it's correctly installed, though.
You will first need to determine if the door has an existing hole for a deadbolt or if you'll need to drill it. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on top of the door using the template included with your lock installation set. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Then, mark this height on the side of the door and use a speed square to draw a straight line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Next, use a power drill to bore out this hole until it extends to the opposite side of the door. This may take a while. Then, sand the hole and the edges of the door until it's smooth. It's also a good idea to stain or paint the door at this point.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt, as well as its bolt inside. Then, loosen the bolt and replace it with a new one that matches your door hardware. The bolt is often attached to a set plate that you need to unscrew. After that, you'll have to chisel the area on the door frame for the strike plate.
If your strike plate is out of alignment It could be due to the previous installer didn't mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping changed the strike position. patio door lock replacement 'll need to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt itself to fix this issue. Once this is completed, test the deadbolt by closing it and locking it. Be sure the bolt extends into the strike plate and then test the key to make sure it opens and closes effortlessly.
Knob
If the knob on your door wears out it could make your home or business less secure. It can make it difficult to open or close the door, making it recommended to replace it. Replacing the knob is an easy DIY project and shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to complete. Use a screwdriver or pliers to remove any knobs or handles. Be careful not to scratch other components of the door.
Spray WD-40, or a different dry lubricant, on the mechanism of your door knob before you begin. This will let the lock to move smoothly when you turn it. To ensure proper operation it is essential to select a knob and handle that match your existing doors. If you don't have a doorknob that is compatible and handle, you'll need to buy a replacement.
To begin the replacement process, examine the old knob or handle to determine the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't any screws to hold it in place, you can use a screwdriver to wedge the cover plate between the screws plate that is hidden.
After you have removed the knob take it apart and look for signs of rust and damage. It's important to clean it off if you notice any marks or dents, but you shouldn't have to do anything when the knob is in good condition.
Now is the time to put in the new knob. First, examine the knobs you've chosen to make sure that you're selecting the correct one for your door. You'll need to select one with an extended rod that will interlock with the rod mechanism of the second knob. Once you've put the new knob into the hole, slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws downwards and test the spring by pushing down repeatedly. The latch should spring up each time. Install the second knob and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws from the interior doorknob into the holes for the cylinder on the exterior knob, and fix it in the knob's position.
Latch
A latch is a piece metal that extends into the doorjamb to hold it closed. The latch can be operated via a knob or handle on the inside of the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. A deadbolt can be used to secure a latch and prevent intruders from breaking through the glass of the door. It also helps protect against intentional or accidental closing by animals or children. A latch can be set using a single cylinder deadbolt or double cylinder deadbolts depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a deadbolt can be the same as installing a latch, but there are some differences. To make sure that the new lock is compatible, first measure the setback on the doorjamb with a tape measure. The setback is the distance between the edge of the doorjamb to the center of the hole for the faceplate for the latch. A standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is higher, you may need to purchase a latch that is longer from a locksmith or hardware store.
Next, make a hole for the latch plate in the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel to chisel out the latch mortise making sure it's large enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to sit in a flush position with the doorjamb. Place the strikeplate on the floor to ensure it's placed properly.
If the strike is positioned too high, the door could be pushed in or pressure put on it using a crowbar, or tire iron. This can cause cracks to the doorjamb. To correct this, the strike could be lowered by drilling a new hole into the doorjamb and cutting out the core of the previous hole.
The last step is to put in the new strike plate which can be accomplished by screwing it over the existing screw holes. Use wood putty then to fill in any old holes for screws or bolts which aren't going to be used. When the putty is dry, sand it smooth for a professional finish.
Strike
An electric strike is the metallic part where the deadbolt and latch engage when the door is closed. It is a vital part of the lock's overall safety, as it prevents the door from opening and gives additional resistance to force or kicking. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened using keys or the control unit which controls its electrical impulses.
In the past, installing an electronic strike required cutting off a part of a doorjamb, which would remove the latchbolt on a cylindrical lock from the pocket within the strike. This is not only undesirable however, it also exposes the mechanism for the latchbolt and keeper to uninitiated users.
Recently, a number of electric strike manufacturers have created a "No Cut" kind of strike that does not require a cutout for operation. The strikes use a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the strike pocket without marring the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike is equipped with an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper when it receives a signal from an individual reader. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt raises them on the ramp, which locks the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a straightforward procedure, particularly in the case of replacing an existing strike. If you are upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, it is important to ensure that the new system is compatible. It is also necessary to ensure that the strike is connected to your access-control system and set up to operate in a fail-safe manner.
One way to protect against access by unauthorized persons is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a high-quality strike plate. These plates use four to six three-inch screws instead of the two three-fourth inch screws commonly used in regular strikes. The longer screws make breaking the frame to reach the thumb turn piece on a single deadbolt cylinder more difficult.