Door Lock Replacement - What You Need to Know
If the locks on your door begin to exhibit signs of wear and tear it's a good idea to replace them. These signs can include things like having trouble turning the lock or finding a key that doesn't fit.
Fortunately, putting in new hardware for your door locks is surprisingly easy. All you have to do is follow these simple steps.
Deadbolt
The deadbolt is the primary protection of your door against forced entry. It is stronger and more secure than the latch that activates the lock, therefore you'll need to ensure your new deadbolt is strong enough to meet your requirements. If you can, select the deadbolt made of case hardened steel that does not have visible screwheads on its exterior to prevent unauthorized drilling. To enhance security, the inside of your deadbolt must be mortised into the door frame.
During installation, be sure that the bolt on the new deadbolt slides smoothly through the strike plate while you close and lock the doors. If it does not, use a wood chisel to make a mortise for the bolt hole in the strike plate and then install the deadbolt. Make sure the latch on the doorknob meets the deadbolt hole when you close and lock the door, too.
Check whether the new deadbolt is compatible with the old one before installing it. The majority of door locks come with an illustration of how high the bolt should be located above the doorknob. However, it is always recommended to speak with an expert in the field for advice if you're not sure what backset measurement you need for your doors. They will be able to direct you in the direction of models that work with your doors and the existing deadbolt opening.
After you've confirmed that your new bolt assembly is the correct length, insert it into the hole of the door. Screw the faceplate of the latch into place if your new deadbolt has one. It's a good idea to attach the latch faceplate to the frame using the screws recommended by experts, in addition.
Some lock sets come with an attractive or "dummy" bolt, which allows you to install the keyed-deadbolt while still having an operational latch. If you're given the option that the dummy bolt is installed, it must be installed using the same screws used to mount the faceplate for the latch. This will ensure maximum security.
Some deadbolts are only accessible through a thumb-turn some have two cylinders that allow both keyed and non-keyed access. Regardless of what type you choose it's best to buy a commercial grade lock for the best security. They're typically tested to last for 250,000 cycles of open and close before being sold to homeowners.
Latch
The latch is the part that retracts the bolt when you open or close the door. It is usually secured with screws on the sides, but can be attached to the strike plate of the jamb. It is crucial to replace the door latch with the right one for your current hardware. You can either hold the latch against your existing hardware or examine the label on a new. Dunn Lumber offers a wide variety of brands. However, lock replacement upvc door to select a brand that matches your existing hardware. This will ensure that the latch you purchase will fit correctly.
Some doors feature a hasp instead of a latch. A hasp is made up of a strap with a slot punched into it that can be placed over the staple. The staple is then attached to the door frame or door using a nail. When the door is closed and the strap is pulled, it is pulled down and secures it in position. Hasps are typically used in commercial buildings because it's less expensive than deadbolts.
Like all mechanisms with moving parts, a lock can wear out from repeated use over time. Sometimes, the internal mechanism can begin to "stick" and be difficult to turn, requiring to replace the entire lockset. Other times the exterior doorknob or handle will simply break, making it necessary to replace it also.
If your lock is stuck, you can put some graphite in the keyhole. You can either spray it on the key or sprinkle it onto the interior side of the lock. Then operate the lock a few times to work the graphite into the mechanism. You can also employ a screwdriver for the removal of the knob, which will reveal the interior components and allow you to be able to see what's going on inside the.
Once you've removed the knobs, locate the two or three cylinder setscrews on the outside of the cylinder. Tighten them by turning clockwise. The faceplate should be removed and replaced. Surface-mounted rimlocks have an additional set cylinder setscrews on the back case that must be removed as well as the faceplate.
Strike Plate
The strike plate, which is connected to the door frame above the holes that accommodate the deadbolt or master key bolt of the system, reinforces and improves the security of the locking mechanism. It helps keep intruders out by ensuring the latch of the lock is secured in the plate when the bolt is engaged. In addition to increasing security, a good strike plate can also enhance the life of the lock.
A standard strike plate looks like a flat plate of metal with an opening or set of holes cut into it. It is anchored, typically with screws, onto the frame of a doorway to give the latch a place to sink into when it is closed. The strike plate needs to be aligned precisely with the lockset in order to give the greatest protection against burglaries.
If the strike plate on the door is damaged you should replace it as soon as possible. This will ensure that your door can close and latch properly. When replacing a strikeplate, you must first ensure that it is correctly aligned with the bolthole in the doorjamb. One way to check this is to place a piece of tape in the bolt hole, and then test the latch by closing and opening the door. If the latch does not catch, you should remove the tape and chisel out the area to ensure that the strike plate will be flush with the doorjamb.
After the area has been chiseled it is vital to use a larger bolt to anchor the strike plate. They should be at least 3 inches in length to ensure that they are anchored securely into the stud behind the trim board. If you don't use the screws that are longer, the wood in the doorjamb could split during a kickin attack by a burglar, making the door vulnerable.
A professional locksmith can quickly replace a damaged or worn out strike plate. They can also put the new strike plate onto the door that hasn't had one before. In addition, they can upgrade existing strike plates to increase the security of a building and enhance its appearance. This can help property owners attract tenants who want a safer living space and peace of mind.
Keys
The key cylinder inside your lock is the part that accepts the key to move pins so that the inside handle can rotate. The key cylinder is the most crucial part of your door lock, because it fulfills the function for which locks were created - to protect your family, you, and your possessions. It is for this reason that many people choose to prefer to have their locks reset instead of being replaced.
It is more difficult to replace the lock than simply switch out the existing handle and deadbolt. Changing the entire lock requires removing the old cylinder and hardware from the door (including the handle when you have a knob lock combo) and putting a brand new one in its place. There are a variety of DIY-friendly kits that can be used to replace the door lock. However, it is recommended to call a locksmith to make sure the work is done correctly.
It is important that you have the correct key before you install your new lock and cylinder. A key that is a duplicate will not function properly and could even cause the lock to fail completely, making it impossible to open. A professional with experience can help you avoid this by ensuring that you have a genuine, functional key for your home.
The next step is to remove the faceplate and latch plate. You will need an screwdriver to take out the screws which hold them in place. If the new plates are going to be identical to the previous ones, you may want to hold them in place to make it easier. If you are required to replace them, make sure you don't tighten screws too much as this could cause them to lose their grip.
After removing the plates, you'll have to determine the proper measurement for the new lock. It is crucial to know your door's dimensions before you go to the hardware store. Although many locksets can be used today to fit in a standard door's thickness, it's best to get them in advance. Doorknob locksets tend to be different sizes from deadbolt locks, commercial models might have a larger latch or bolt.