Reasons to Change Door Lock There are a variety of reasons to change your door lock, from upgrading your home's security to re-decorating your entryway. You might also have to change locks if the key gets stuck or is difficult to turn. Changing your lock is a simple project that even beginner DIY homeowners can complete. Begin by gathering the required materials. Remove the lock from the old one. Before installing a new lock it is important to take out the old lock from the door. This is essential if you suspect someone else has access to the home. This is also a good idea after you've moved into a brand new home, experienced a burglary or welcomed a roommate. It is more simple than you think and can be done in just a few minutes. Begin by removing the screws that hold the deadbolt faceplate to the door frame. You'll have to remove the screws on both sides of the door in order to remove the faceplate. This will allow you to observe what's behind it and provide you with a better understanding of how to proceed with the remaining steps. Once you have removed your old faceplate, then you have to remove the bolt and strike plate. Use a screwdriver or a wrench to loosen the bolt and then remove it from the hole in the door. If the bolt is rusted you may have to use a chisel to hammer it. If you use a chisel to remove the bolt, make sure to not damage the door frame. Before you take down the lock that was previously in use, make sure that your new doorknob and deadbolt fit in the existing holes in the door. A lot of hardware stores and big box stores carry a variety of locks and can assist you in selecting the best one. If the lock you purchased does not match your door, take it back and ask for help. Find small depressions or notches inside the handle and around the trim while you remove the old lock. If you find them, slip a straightened safety pin or a flat screwdriver into them to open the handle and expose the screws beneath. After the screw in the handle has been removed, you can now begin to remove the knob from its spindle. To do this, find the set screw located at the base of the knob, and loosen it. Next, you will need to remove the knob from the spindle and carefully remove the spindle from the door. Install the new lock It is a good idea to change the locks on doors in your home on a regular basis, particularly after a break-in or when you move into a new home with roommates. It is easy, cheap and effective to change the lock on your door. With a screwdriver, and a few simple instructions the majority of people can handle it themselves. You might also want to learn how you can rekey your door lock to ensure that only you hold the key. You will need to purchase a new lock that has the same keyway as the existing lock. You will save money if you rekey the lock yourself. The majority of locksmiths charge a fee for this. You can buy a new lock from a hardware store or online. Standard deadbolts will fit the majority of doors. However, you will have to measure the door to ensure that it will fit. Your new lock will often include a template that shows how to put it on the door. You can use it as a guide for drilling the hole, which is much easier than measuring each time. If the template doesn't line up with your hole then you should take it back to the hardware store to purchase a different one. When installing the new lock, you must ensure that it is placed on the right side of the door. Examine the latch. It should be marked with "up" or something similar. Make sure the latch is properly placed within the latch plate then secure it using the screws provided. If you are replacing locks on doors it is also essential to be aware of the type of lock you're using. Most knob locks are left-handed however there are a few that are right-handed. If you're not careful, you could place the knob on the wrong side of the door, which will prevent you from locking it from the inside or outside. After you're done, you should test your new lock to confirm that it's working. It should be able to lock and unlock the door using keys from inside as well as the outside. If you're not happy with the outcome, you can contact a locksmith to fix it. Test the lock A lock that does not open is a nuisance, but it can also put the safety of your family at risk. It's simple to solve the majority of problems with door locks by performing some troubleshooting, and lubrication. Make sure that the key is properly cut and the lock assembly isn't dirty or loose. If this doesn't resolve the problem, try lubricating your door lock actuator using graphite powdered. Check that the door lock switch, the wiring harnesses, and the actuator connector are all functioning correctly. To check this, refer to the manual or wiring diagram to determine the function and color-coding of all the door lock switch wires. Use a test light or digital meter to see if the door lock actuator is receiving power and ground when the switches are activated. If you observe an electric voltage switch on each switch activation, that suggests that the switches are in good condition and it's likely the actuator that requires to be replaced. If the switch appears to be working but the actuator doesn't move when you turn the knob it could be a problem with the cylinder itself. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/chelmsford-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ is equipped with pins that are spring loaded. They prevent the cylinder from turning until the key is inserted which then pushes them up to the same height as the key at the location. In the end, this causes the cylinder to spin and open the lock body and allow the handle to latch. If the door lock actuator is malfunctioning, you can take the switch and wires from the actuator by using a small screwdriver to release the locking bolt and remove the plastic cover which holds the electrical connector. Then disconnect the door lock actuator, and let it fall. You should be able to find the two bolts of 10mm that keep the actuator in place, and remove them. After the actuator is removed and the electrical connector disconnected, you can remove it. black electrical connector. Replace the key Whether you have an unkeyed door knob or deadbolt, if it is not working correctly, you should either change the lock's key or rekey it or replace it completely. It's not difficult to do it yourself and could save you a lot of money. It is best to hire a professional locksmith check the locks for any problems before you start. This will give you peace of peace of mind knowing that your home is secure and safe. To begin, remove the faceplate that is on the outside of the doorknob or deadbolt. There may be screws holding it in place, then use a screwdriver loosen them and then pull the faceplate away. Then, remove the interior faceplate using a screwdriver that has a flat head. After removing the faceplate you can remove the bolt and screw from the lock cylinder. A locksmith can tell you whether you need to replace or rekey the lock. They can also advise you about the best security options for your home. They will also make any necessary adjustments to the door or frame to ensure that it is a perfect fit. They will also offer the guarantee on their work. You must purchase a new lock key before you are able to reset it. It is crucial to use a key that fits well inside the lock. A key that is not properly fitted could damage the mechanism's internal mechanisms and prevent it from working. Insert the key into the lock to test its size. If it fits in a flush with the plug it's the correct size. If the pins extend from the top of plug and are not a good fit, they're too long. You may need to change the lock on your door for a variety of reasons, including: If you're moving into an owner's residence or lose keys, rekeying your lock is an economical alternative than replacing it. It's also less expensive than a full replacement. However, there are certain situations in which rekeying your lock isn't feasible. If the lock has been damaged or repeatedly jammed, for instance, it may be the right time to replace it.