How to Replace Door Locks It can be difficult to change your door lock. It is essential to protect your home from intruders. You should also replace your locks when you have an additional housemate or if you lease out your home. The majority of new locks are designed to fit standard door widths. If your door is thicker you'll need a "thick-door" kit with longer screws and longer tail pieces for the deadbolt. Remove the old lock It is necessary to remove your old door lock from the door before you install the new lock. This can be done with a few simple tools, but make sure not to scratch your door frame or door. Utilizing the right tools will help you avoid costly repairs in the future. Take off the screws that are the trim and handle. You can use a screwdriver to do this. Once the screws have been removed, you can remove the trim. Then, https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/southend-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ can gain access to the screw that binds the handle and trim to the door. After you have removed the screw then, you can take off the lock cylinder as well as open the handle. One of the most obvious indicators that your lock is going bad is when you cannot longer wiggle the key inside. This is due to the tumblers wearing out and eventually stopping moving upwards or downwards, causing the lock to stop working. If this happens, you'll have to bring the lock to a locksmith in order to be reset-keyed. If you're ready to replace your deadbolt, begin by stripping the screws that keep the faceplate in place. If your kit does not come with new screws, you can purchase them at a hardware shop. If you're installing a mortise lock, you should also remove the screws that hold the external rose plate to the door. After taking off the screws, you can remove the plate as well as the dead bolt. Then, search for a hole in the handle trim inside. If you find a pinhole you can insert a straightened safety pin into it. You can also test a flat screwdriver against an opening or slot. This should open the lock handle and expose screws which can be removed to remove the entire lock from the door. Fitting the new lock Installing a new lock could be done easily regardless of whether you need to replace your lock following an attack, or simply want to update your door's appearance. It is essential to measure your door prior purchasing a lock to ensure that it is suitable. This is especially crucial for deadbolts, which require a specific size to fit into the bolt pocket and strikeplate. If you're not sure of how to measure, you can seek help from your local hardware store or locksmith. If you're replacing mortice locks, you can use the existing centre rail to guide you in the placement of the new mortise lock. Once you have marked the location of the lock, drill holes along the centre line the same size as the lock. Then, chisel away the wood until you have a clean rectangular space for your mortice lock to sit in. Place the lock in, and then outline the faceplate with a marking blade. Mark and drill screwholes to fix the faceplate. When rekeying locks you can save money by purchasing a starter kit that includes keys that can be re-keyed and a blank key. The kits are available at a variety of online stores as well as hardware and home improvement stores. They also come with a set instructions to help you complete the task. Make sure to read your lease agreement if you're renting prior to changing locks. You may have to give the landlord the keys to the new locks. You may need to replace the lock with a more standard one if you are required to do this. You can purchase a basic lock at your local hardware store, or you can purchase a high-tech smart lock that connects to your home's Wi-Fi and allows you to lock and unlock your door remotely. Schlage Smart Lock is compatible with all knobs and levers. This lock can be connected to an intelligent home security hub to provide alerts whenever your door is unlocked or opened. Installing the new lock A damaged lock poses a security risk, so it is essential to replace it as quickly as possible. It's easy to replace the door lock. The first step is to remove the lock that was previously used. The screws holding the lock in place are removed and the lock is removed. You may require a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, depending on the kind of lock you own. Save all the parts of the lock you have lost and keep them in a secure location. Next, install the new lock on the door. Most kits come with a cardboard template of how the lock should fit on the door. If the template doesn't match your door, use a pencil to trace around it or use a chisel for extra material removal. Make sure the interior latch plate is aligned with the mortise hole after the new lock is installed. Be cautious not to over tighten the lock when installing it. This can cause the lock to squeak or even break. If you have a keyed lock ensure that the spindle is in alignment with the knob's hole. If it's not then you can make use of a screwdriver to push the spindle through the lock and into the knob. After you've installed the new lock, you can now install the decorative base plate that is included with it. If the lock does not come with an appropriate base plate you can buy one that matches your hardware. Test the new lock to make sure it is working. You can do this by inserting the key into the lock and turning it to make sure that it is able to open. If it fails then you should contact a locksmith. Rekeying your locks with a professional can also aid in preventing burglaries. This involves changing the internal lock tumblers to make it unreceptive to your old keys. This will ensure that your home is secure and give you peace of mind. Testing the new lock Installing a new lock is a great way to ensure that it will work according to the specifications. This is why it's important to follow the instructions carefully. If you don't follow them, you could not be in a position to open your door. If you're unsure of what to do, seek out a professional locksmith help. A locksmith can offer advice on the best locks for your home. If you're having trouble opening your lock, there may be a problem with the latch or handle. You can try lubricating the latch with graphite or spraying it with WD-40. This may help fix the issue. However, you might need to replace the latch completely if it isn't working correctly. The lock could have been installed incorrectly. The handle clip inside the door is usually damaged or missing from the new lock. In this situation it is recommended to grab the handle from the inside and insert an additional plastic retainer clip. The handle can then be connected to the lock, and the lock tested. It is important to test the keypad after replacing your lock to make sure it functions properly. You can test it by inserting the key in and turning it. If the keypad functions properly, your door should be able to open and lock. Check the deadbolt to make sure it's functioning properly. If it isn't it's time to remove the latch and loosen the Phillips head screws on the sides of the door in order to unlatch it. Remove the old deadbolt and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align and load in the deadbolt lock properly. Spindle testing is a different method to test a new lock. This can be done by inserting a screwdriver into the spindle. This test should always be carried out prior to reinstalling a lock to avoid any errors.