The Story Behind Replace Door Lock Can Haunt You Forever! How to Replace Door Locks

Door locks are your primary security measure against unauthorized entry into your home. The locks may need to be replaced due to wear and tear or other events such as moving into a new home or a burglary.

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

Deadbolt

Installing a deadbolt can be a ideal way to secure your door against intruders. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe it makes it harder for an intruder through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt is activated by a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn piece on the interior. A deadbolt is only effective only if it's correctly installed however.

You will first need to find out if the door has a hole that is suitable 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 by using the template supplied with your lock installation set. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this measurement on the door's edge, and then use a speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark that you made for the bolt hole.

Then, use a drill to drill this area until the hole reaches the other side of the door. This may take some time. Sand the hole and edge of the door to smooth it. It's also recommended to paint or stain the door at this point.

When the door is in place remove any screws visible on the deadbolt. This will reveal the front and rear assemblies of the deadbolt, as well as its bolt inside. Then, unscrew the bolt and replace it with a brand new one that matches the door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from the setplate. After that, you'll have to chisel the area on the door frame for the strike plate.

If your strike plate is not aligned, it's likely because the previous installer didn't properly mortise it or a weatherstripping popped up and changed the strike position. You'll need to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt itself to correct this problem. Close and lock the deadbolt after you've completed this process. Make sure that the bolt is extending into the strike plate, and then test the key to ensure it is able to open and close effortlessly.

Knob

It could make your home or business less secure if the door knob is worn. It can make it more difficult to open or close the door, making it a good idea to replace the knob. It shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes. Use pliers or a screwdriver to remove any old knobs or handles. Be careful not to damage the other components of the door.

Before starting, you'll want to spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant on the mechanism of the door knob. This will assist the new lock to move smoothly when you turn it. It's important to use the best knob and handle that matches the doors you currently have to ensure proper operation. If you don't already have a doorknob that matches and handle, you'll need to purchase a new one.

To begin the replacement process, first examine the old knob or handle to determine what screws are holding it in place. If there are no screws then you can use the screwdriver to wedge the cover plate into the screws plate hidden behind it.

Once you've removed the old knob, examine it for signs of damage or rust. You'll have to scrub it up if there are any marks or dents however, you shouldn't need to do anything when the knob is in good condition.

Now it's time to install the new one. First, examine the two new knobs to make sure that you're choosing the right one for your door. You'll need to choose one that has an extending rod that's designed to lock into the second knob's rod mechanism. Once you've put the new knob into the hole and then put it in the latch.

Test the spring by pressing down on it repeatedly. The latch should then spring back up each time. Install the second knob, and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Attach the other long screws from the knob's interior through the hole in the cylinder of the exterior doorknob and secure it.

Latch

A latch is a piece metal that extends through the door jamb to keep it shut. The latch is operated by a handle or knob on the inside of the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. A deadbolt is a device used to secure a latch and keep burglars from piercing the glass of the door. It also offers protection from the accidental or deliberate closing of the door by pets or children. The latch can be fitted using single cylinder deadbolts or double cylinder deadbolts depending on the security level you prefer.

Installing a latch follows the same steps like installing a deadbolt but there are a few differences. First, you must measure the setback of the doorjamb using a tape measure to be sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb up to the center of hole for the latch plate. The standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a greater setback, you may need to purchase a larger latch at a hardware store or locksmith.

Then, replace door lock 'll need to make a hole for the latch plate in the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel and make the mortise for the latch. Make sure the hole's depth is enough to allow the faceplate to be flush with the doorjamb. Place the strikeplate on the floor to ensure it is positioned properly.


If the strike is positioned too high, the door could be pushed into or pressure applied to it with a crowbar or tire iron. This can cause cracks to the doorjamb. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb and then removing the core from the previous one.

Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be done by screwing the new plate over the existing screw holes. Then apply wood putty to cover the screw holes that were previously used and the bolt hole that will not be used. Once the putty has dried then sand it to a smooth finish.

Strike

An electric strike is the metal piece where the deadbolt and latch engage when the door is closed. It is an essential part of the lock's overall security because it prevents the door from opening and gives an additional level of resistance to force or kicking. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened by a key or the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.

Traditionally the installation of an electric strike meant cutting a section of the doorjamb to remotely remove the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket within the strike. This is an inconvenience in terms of the appearance of an opening and also exposes the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to unauthorized users.

Recently, a variety of electric strike manufacturers have created a "No Cut" type of strike that doesn't require a cutout in order to operate. The strikes use a unique design to allow the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without marring the faceplate of the doorjamb.

The strike has an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper when it receives a signal from the 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 stays extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.

Installing an electronic strike is a simple process, particularly when you're replacing an older strike. However, if you're upgrading to an electric strike to use with an access control system, you'll have to ensure that your new system is compatible with the model of lock you have installed. You will also have to make sure that the strike is properly connected to your access control system and is set up to function in a fail-safe manner.

Upgrade your strike plates to heavy duty strike plates to stop unauthorized entry. The plates utilize four to six three-inch screws instead of the two three-fourth inch screws that are typically used in regular strikes. These screws are longer, making it more difficult for anyone to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single deadbolt cylinder.