How to Replace Door Locks Replacing your door lock can be a difficult task. It is crucial to secure your home from burglars. It is also advisable to change your locks when you get new housemates, or if you rent your home. The majority of modern locks are designed to fit standard door widths. If your door is more thick and wider, you'll need to purchase a "thick door" kit which has longer screws as well as a longer tail piece for the deadbolt. Remove the lock from the old one. You will need to remove your old lock from the door before you install the new one. This can be accomplished with some basic tools, but it's crucial to ensure that you don't damage the door or frame. Using the right tools will help you avoid costly repairs in the future. Remove the screws that hold on the handle and trim. This can be accomplished with a screwdriver. After the screws have been removed, you can take the trim off. Then, you can gain access to the screw that binds the trim and handle to the door. After removing the screw you can lift the handle and take out the lock cylinder from the door. If you're unable to turn your key inside, this is an indication that the lock is failing. This is because the tumblers wear out and eventually stopping moving upwards or downwards, causing the lock to cease to function. If this happens, you'll need to bring the lock to a locksmith for it to be reset-keyed. Start by removing the screws holding the faceplate to its place. If the kit you purchased doesn't come with new screws, buy them from a hardware store. If you're installing a mortise locking, you will also need to remove the screws that attach the external roseplate to the door. After taking off the screws, you can remove the plate as well as the dead bolt. Next, look for a hole in the interior handle trim. If you spot a pinhole you can insert a straightened safety pin into it. You can also make use of a flat screwdriver to press against the depression. This will release the handle and expose screws which can be removed to take the entire lock case from the door. Installing the new lock Installing a new lock could be accomplished easily regardless of whether you wish to replace your lock following an attack, or simply want to update your door's appearance. It is important to measure your door prior buying a lock in order to ensure that it is suitable. This is especially crucial for deadbolts, as they require a specific size in order to fit in the strikeplate and bolt pocket. If you're not sure how to measure, ask for assistance at your local hardware store or locksmith. If you're replacing a mortice lock, take the centre rail of the lock as a reference for the positioning of the new mortise lock. Once you've marked the location of the lock, drill holes along the centre line the same size as the lock. Then, chisel the wood away until you have an area that is rectangular enough to accommodate your mortice lock. After that, you can insert the lock and outline the faceplate using an outline knife. Mark and drill holes for screws to fix the faceplate in the correct position. When rekeying locks you can save money by purchasing a starter kit which includes keys that are re-keyable and a key blank. These kits can be purchased from numerous online retailers, as well as home improvement and hardware stores. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/christchurch-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ come with a set instructions that should help you complete the task. Make sure to read your lease agreement if you're renting prior to changing locks. It may require that you give the landlord keys to the new lock. You may need to replace the old lock with a standard one if you are required to do this. You can purchase a basic lock at your local hardware store, or you can get a high-tech smart lock that connects to the Wi-Fi of your home and allows you to lock and unlock your door remotely. An ideal choice is a Schlage Smart Lock, which is compatible with all door levers and knobs. The system can be linked to a security hub for your home so that you can receive notifications whenever your door is not locked or opened. Installing the new lock A broken lock can be a security threat, so it is essential to replace it as quickly as you can. It's simple to replace locks for doors. The first step is to remove the lock that was previously used. This is accomplished by removing the screws that hold it in place and then removing it. You may need either a screwdriver or an Allen wrench, depending on the type of lock you have. Save all the parts of the lock that were used and store them in a secure location. Install the new lock in the door. The majority of kits come with a cardboard template that shows how the lock will fit onto the door. If the template doesn't match up with your door, you can trace it with a pencil or use a chisel remove any extra material. Be sure that the inside latch plate is aligned with the mortise opening once the new lock is installed. When you install the new lock, be careful not to tighten it too much. This could cause the lock to squeak or even break. If you have a lock keyed, check that the spindle is in alignment with the hole on the knob. If it's not, you can make use of the screwdriver to push through the lock into the knob. After you have completed installing the new lock, it is now time to install the decorative base plate that is included with it. If the lock isn't equipped with a base plate with a design, you can buy one that is compatible with the hardware. Test the new lock to ensure it functions. This can be done by inserting the lock key and turning the lock so that it opens. If it isn't working then you must contact a locksmith. You can also prevent break-ins by having professionals rekey your locks. This involves changing the internal tumblers on your locks to make it insensitive to the keys you have previously used. This will help you to feel safe and secure at home. Testing the new lock When you are installing a new lock, you must ensure that it works as intended. This is why it's essential to follow the instructions carefully. You may not be able open your door if you don't. If you're not sure of what to do, you can contact a professional locksmith for help. A locksmith can offer guidance on the most suitable locks for your home. If you're having trouble opening your lock, it might be a problem with the handle or latch. You can try lubricating the latch with graphite or spraying it with WD-40. In some cases it will resolve the issue. However, you may have to replace the latch completely if it's no longer working properly. The lock may have been installed incorrectly. The inner door handle clip could be damaged or not present on the new lock. In this case you must remove the handle from the inside and then insert a plastic retainer clip. The handle will then be linked to the lock and the lock will be tested. After you've changed the lock, it's important to test the keypad to make sure that it's working correctly. You can test the keypad by inserting it and turning it. If the keypad functions properly, it should unlock and lock your door. It is also advisable to check the deadbolt lock to see if it's functioning correctly. If it's not working, remove the latch from the door and take off the Phillips-head screws. Replace the deadbolt you have used with the new one. Make sure to orient and load in the deadbolt lock correctly. Spindle testing is another way to test the new lock. It can be performed by inserting a screwdriver into the spindle. This test should always be performed before reinstalling the lock to ensure that there aren't any mistakes.