How to Replace Door Locks
Your first security measure is your door lock. It will prevent unauthorized access to your home. The locks may require replacement due to signs of wear and tear or other circumstances such as moving into a new house or a break-in.
To begin, you must 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 buy the right lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is secure against burglars, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. The bolt extends into the strike plate that is on the doorframe when locked, making it more difficult for a burglar to gain entry into the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated with an exterior key on the side and a thumb turn part on the inside. A deadbolt is only effective only if it's correctly installed, though.
First, you must determine whether the door already has an existing hole for a deadbolt or if you have to drill it. With the template included with the lock installation kit, mark the spot of the deadbolt's hole on the door's surface. Utilize your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Then, mark this high point on the outside of the door. You can then use a speed square to draw a straight line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a power drill to bore out this spot until the hole extends to the other side of the door. This could take a while. Sand the hole and the door edge to make it smooth. It's also recommended to paint or stain the door at this point.
Remove any screws that are visible from the deadbolt. This will reveal the back and front assemblies of the deadbolt, and also the bolt inside. Remove the bolt and replace it by the new bolt to match your door hardware. The bolt is often connected to a setplate which you'll need to unscrew. Then, you'll need to chisel the area on the door frame to accommodate the strike plate.
If your strike plate is not in alignment It could be due to the previous installer did not mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping changed the strike's location. It is necessary to re-mortise the strike plate and perhaps even the deadbolt to correct this problem. After this is done check the deadbolt by closing it and locking it. Test the deadbolt by closing it and locking it once the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
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, making it a good idea to replace the knob. Replacing a knob is a relatively simple DIY project that shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to get rid of the knob or handle that was previously used, but be careful not to damage any other parts on the door.
Before starting you'll need to spray WD-40 or some other dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the knob for your door. This will let the new lock slide smoothly as you turn it. It is essential to choose the best knob and handle that matches your doors currently in order to ensure proper operation. If you don't have a matching knob then you'll have to purchase a new doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, first examine the old knob or handle to see what screws are holding it in place. If there aren't any screws, you can use a screwdriver to wedge between the cover plate and the plate with hidden screws and then remove it.
Once you've removed the knob that was previously used, look it over for any signs of rust or damage. You'll need to clean it off if you notice any marks or dents however you don't need to do anything major when the knob is in good working order.
Install the new knob. You must first study the two knobs to ensure that you've selected the correct one for your door. You'll want to pick one with an extending rod that's designed to lock into the second knob's rod mechanism. After you've placed the new knob in the hole in the door and then carefully slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down and test the spring by pushing down several times. The latch should spring back up every time. Next, install the other new knob and connect it to the rod mechanism on the first knob. Thread the long screws of the interior doorknob through the holes for cylinders on the exterior knob, and lock it into the knob's position.
Latch
A latch is a piece metal that extends into the doorjamb to hold it shut. It is operated with a knob or handle on the interior side of the door or a thumb turn on the outside side of the door. The latch can be secured with deadbolts to prevent intrusions from piercing the glass. It also provides protection from the accidental or deliberate closing of the door by children or pets. A latch can be set with one cylinder deadbolt or double cylinder deadbolts according to the security level you prefer.
Installing a latch follows the same steps as installing a deadbolt, however, there are a few distinctions. To make sure that the new lock will fit, first determine the setback of the doorjamb with the tape measure. The setback is the distance between the edge of the doorjamb, to the center of the hole that will be used for the faceplate of the latch. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a higher setback, you may need to purchase a larger latch from a hardware store or locksmith.
The next step is to drill an edge bore hole in the doorjamb for the latch plate. Use a chisel and cut the mortise of the latch. Make sure the depth is enough for the faceplate to be flush with the doorjamb. Place the strike plate in place to ensure that it is positioned correctly.
If the strike is placed too high, the door can be pushed into or pressure imposed on it with a crowbar or tire iron. This can also cause the doorjamb to break. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb and then removing the core from the old one.
Installing the new strike plate is the final step. This can be accomplished by fixing the new plate to the screw holes that are already in place. Then, use wood putty to fill in the old screw holes and the bolt hole that is not used. After the putty has dried, sand it smooth for professional results.
Strike
The metal piece that engages the deadbolt and latch when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is a vital part of the lock's security because it prevents the door from opening and gives additional resistance to force or kick. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can be opened using an entry key or the control unit which controls the electrical impulses.
In the past, putting in an electronic strike was as simple as cutting a piece of a doorjamb in order to release the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket inside the strike. This change can be a drawback in regards to the appearance of openings and also exposes the mechanism of the latchbolt and keeper to unintentional users.
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 require an opening in the doorjamb to function. These strikes have a unique design to allow the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without damaging the faceplate of the doorjamb.
The strike has an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives the signal of an individual reader. replace door lock of the keeper and latchbolt causes them to rise on the ramp, thereby locking the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in retracted and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a straightforward procedure, particularly when you're replacing an older strike. If you're planning to upgrade an access control system to an electric strike, you must ensure that the new system is compatible. 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 way.
One method to guard against unauthorized access is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a heavy-duty strike plate. These plates use up to six screws of three inches instead of the standard two screws of three-fourths of an inch. The longer screws make breaking the frame to reach the thumb turn piece on a single deadbolt for a cylinder more difficult.