How to Replace Door Locks
The first line of defense is your door lock. It will stop unauthorized access to your home. Locks might require replacement because of signs of wear and tear, or other situations such as moving into a new residence or a break-in.
You can determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance from the center of the knoblock cylinder to the adjustment screw. This measurement will help you buy the lock that is right for you.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is safe from intruders, it's a good idea to install deadbolts. The bolt extends into the strike plate that is on the doorframe when locked, making it more difficult for burglars 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. Deadbolts can only function when it is properly installed.
The first step is to determine if the door already has a hole to install deadbolts, or if it has to be bored. Mark the position of the hole for 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 measurement on the door's edge. Use the speedsquare to draw a straight line across the mark that you made to mark the bolt hole.
Then, using the power drill, drill through the hole until it reaches the opposite side of the door. This could take a while. Sand the hole and edge of the door to make it smooth. It's also recommended to paint or stain the door at this point.
When the door is in place take off any screws visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the front and back assembly of the deadbolt and also the bolt inside. Then, remove the bolt and replace it with a brand new one that is compatible with your door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from the setplate. After this, 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 that the previous installer didn't correctly mortise it or a weatherstripping came along and altered the strike position. You'll need to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt to correct this problem. Once you have completed this Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Be sure the bolt is extending into the strike plate, and then test the key to make sure it is able to open and close effortlessly.
Knob
It could make your home and business less secure If the knob on your door is worn. It can also make opening or closing the door more difficult, so it is a good idea for you to replace it. It shouldn't take you longer than 30 minutes. Make use of pliers or a screwdriver to take off any knobs or handles. Be cautious not to scratch other parts of the door.
Before you start you'll need to spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the knob on your door. This will allow the new lock to move smoothly when you turn it. It's essential to select a quality knob and handle that is compatible with your current doors to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't have a matching knob you'll need to purchase a new doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, look over the knob or handle to determine what screws hold it in place. If there are no screws, you can use the screwdriver to insert the cover plate into the screws plate that is hidden.
After removing the old knob take it apart and look for evidence of damage or rust. You'll have to scrub it up if there are any scratches or dents, but you shouldn't have to do anything major when the knob is in good condition.
Install the new knob. You should first examine the two knobs in order to make sure that you are choosing the correct one for your door. You'll want to pick one with an extended rod that's designed to lock into the second knob's rod mechanism. Once you've positioned the new knob over the door's hole and then carefully insert it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down, then test the spring by pushing down on it several times. The latch should spring back up each time. Then, you can install the new knob and lock it to the rod mechanism on the first knob. Thread the long screws from the doorknob's interior through the holes for the cylinder on the exterior knob and secure it in the knob's position.
Latch
A latch is a piece of metal that extends through the doorjamb to secure it closed. It is operated by a handle or knob on the inside of the door, or a thumb turn on the outside side of the door. A deadbolt is a device used to secure a latch and keep intruders from breaking through the glass of the door. It can also guard against the accidental or deliberate closing by children or animals. A latch can be set with single cylinder deadbolts or double cylinder deadbolts depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a deadbolt is exactly the same as installing a latch, however, there are some distinctions. To make sure that the new lock will work, first measure the setback on the doorjamb with the tape measure. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb up to the middle of the hole for the latch plate. A standard setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If your setback is greater, you may need to purchase an extra-long latch from a locksmith or hardware store.
The next step is to drill an edge bore hole in the doorjamb to accommodate the latch plate. Utilize a chisel to smooth out the mortise of the latch, making sure it's deep enough for the faceplate of the new latch to be in a flush position with the doorjamb. Put the strike plate into place to make sure it's placed correctly.
If the strike is too high, you can knock the door down or apply pressure using an iron tire or crowbar. door lock replacement repairmywindowsanddoors can also crack the doorjamb. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb, and chiseling the core out of the hole that was previously made.
The last step is to put in the new strike plate which can be accomplished by screwing it in place over the screw holes that are already in place. Then, use wood putty to fill in 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
The piece of metal that is inserted between the latch and deadbolt when the door is closed is an electric strike. It is an important part of the security of a lock, as it helps keep the door shut and also provides additional resistance to force or kicks applied to the door. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can only be opened by keys or the control unit that controls its electrical impulses.
Traditionally, installing an electric strike required cutting a small portion of the doorjamb in order to remotely remove the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket in the strike. This change can be an issue in regards to the appearance of openings as well as exposing the keeper mechanism and latchbolt to unintentional users.
Recently, several electric strike makers have come up with a new type of electric strike dubbed the "No Cut" strike that doesn't need cutouts in the doorjamb to operate. The strikes use a unique design that allows the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without marring the doorjamb faceplate.
The strike is equipped with an internal ramp that lifts the latchbolt and keeper when it receives an electrical signal from a controller or reader. The latchbolt and keeper are lifted higher on the ramp thanks to the retraction. When the door is shut, the deadbolt stays extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike can be an easy process, particularly in the case of replacing an existing strike door. If you are upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, it is important to ensure that your new system is compatible. Also, you must make sure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is set up to operate in a fail-safe way.
One method to guard against intrusions by thieves is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a robust strike plate. These plates can be fitted with up to six screws of three inches instead of two screws of three-fourths of an inch. These screws are longer, making it harder for people to break the frame and then reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single cylinder deadbolt.