The Replace Door Lock Mistake That Every Beginner Makes
How to Replace Door Locks
The first security measure is your door lock. It will prevent unauthorized access to your home. The signs of wear and tear, and even instances such as moving into a new home or break-ins, can necessitate the need to replace your lock.
To begin, determine your cylinder size by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the middle of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will allow you to 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 a deadbolt. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe, it makes it harder for an intruder to get through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt is activated using keys on the exterior side and a thumb turn piece on the inside. A deadbolt will only work when it is properly installed.
www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is to find out if the door has a hole to install deadbolts, or if it requires drilling. Mark the location of the hole to install the deadbolt on the exterior of the door using the template that came with your lock installation kit. Then, you can use your tape measure to determine how high the deadbolt needs to be. Mark this high point on the door's edge, and then use the speedsquare to draw a straightline across the mark you made for the bolthole.
Next, use a power drill to drill this hole until it extends to the opposite side of the door. It could take a few minutes. Then, sand the hole and the edges of the door until it's smooth. At this point, it's a good idea also to paint or stain your door.
When the door is open, remove any screws visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal both the rear and front assembly of the deadbolt as well as its internal bolt. Then, unscrew the bolt and replace it with a brand new bolt that matches your door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from a setplate. After that, you will need to chisel the area for the strike plate that is on the door frame.
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 changed the strike position. It is necessary to re-mortise the strike plate and perhaps even the deadbolt to fix the issue. Close and lock the deadbolt when you have completed this step. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it after the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
If a door knob wears out it could make your home or business less secure. It could also make opening and closing the door more difficult, so it's an ideal idea to replace the knob. Replacing the knob is an easy DIY project and shouldn't take longer than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver or pliers to remove the knob or handle However, be careful not to damage any of the other components on the door.
Spray WD-40, or a different dry lubricant on the mechanism of your door knob prior to you begin. This will allow the new lock to slide smoothly as you turn it. It's essential to select an excellent knob and handle that matches the doors you currently have to ensure proper operation. If there's no match 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 find the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't any screws you can use a screwdriver to wedge between the cover plate and the hidden screws plate and then remove it.
After you have removed the knob, inspect it for indications of damage and rust. If the knob has any marks or scratches, you'll have to clean it. Otherwise it shouldn't require any major work.
Install the new knob. You must first study the two knobs to ensure that you've selected the appropriate one for your door. You'll need to choose one with an extended rod designed to interlock with the rod mechanism on the second knob. 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 then test the spring by pushing down on it several times. The latch should pop up every time. Then, you can install the new knob and interlock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws of the interior doorknob into the holes for the cylinder on the exterior knob and fix it in the knob's position.
Latch
A latch is a metallic piece that extends out into the doorjamb to keep it shut. The latch is operated either via a knob or handle on the inside of the door, or by a thumb-turn on the outside. A latch can be secured with deadbolts to stop intrusions from piercing the glass of the door. It can also guard against intentional or accidental closing by children or animals. A latch can be set with a single cylinder deadbolt or a double cylinder deadbolt, depending on the security level you prefer.
Installing a latch requires the same steps similar to installing a deadbolt however there are some distinctions. First, determine the setback of the doorjamb by using an instrument to make sure the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of doorjamb up to the center of hole for the latch plate. Standard setbacks are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If your setback is higher it is possible to purchase a latch that is longer from a locksmith or hardware store.
The next step is to drill an edge bore hole in the doorjamb to accommodate the latch plate. Use a chisel to chisel out the mortise for the latch and ensure it's deep enough for the faceplate of the new latch to be in a flush position with the doorjamb. Place the strike plate in place to make sure it is positioned correctly.
If the strike is too high, you can push the door back or apply pressure using a tire iron or crowbar. This could cause the doorjamb's to crack. This can be repaired by drilling a new hole through the doorjamb, then removing the core from the old one.
The last step is to install the new strike plate, which is done by screwing it over the screw holes that are already in place. Use wood putty afterwards to fill in any existing screw holes or bolt holes that aren't being used. When the putty is dry then sand it to a smooth finish for an elegant finish.
Strike
An electric strike is a metal piece where the deadbolt and latch are engaged when the door is shut. It is a crucial component of the overall security of a lock since it helps keep the door shut and provides extra resistance to force or kicking applied to the door. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it will be opened only by a key and the control unit that regulates its electrical impulses.
Traditionally the installation of an electric strike required cutting out a portion of the doorjamb in order to remotely release the latchbolt of a cylindrical lock from the pocket of the strike. This change can be a drawback in regards to the aesthetics of an opening, and it also exposes the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to unintentional users.
Recently, several electric strike manufacturers have created a brand new electric strike dubbed the "No Cut" strike that doesn't need cutouts in the doorjamb to operate. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without damaging the doorjamb's faceplate.
The strike is fitted with an internal ramp which lifts the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives an indication from an individual reader. The latchbolt and keeper are pushed higher up the ramp due to retract. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains in extended and the latchbolt is retracted into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike is an easy task, especially when you are replacing a strike on an existing door. If you're upgrading an access control system to an electric strike, you must ensure that the new system is compatible. Also, you must make sure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is designed to operate in a fail-safe manner.
Upgrade your strike plates with heavy duty strike plates to stop unauthorized entry. The plates utilize four to six screws of three inches instead of the two three-fourth inch screws typically employed in regular strikes. The longer screws make breaking the frame to reach the piece that turns the thumb on a single cylinder deadbolt more difficult.