Reasons to Change Door Lock You can change the lock on your door for a variety of reasons, from improving the security of your home to re-decorating the entrance. You might need to change locks when your key becomes stuck or becomes difficult to turn. Changing your lock is an easy project that even novice DIY homeowners can tackle. Gather the materials needed to begin. Take off the lock that was previously used. Removing the lock that was in place before the door is a crucial step before installing the new lock. This is crucial in the event that you suspect that someone else might have access to the house. It's also a good idea after you've moved into a new home, suffered a break-in or welcomed a roommate. The process is simpler than you imagine and can be completed in a few minutes. Begin by getting https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/manchester-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ of the screws that attach the deadbolt faceplate on the door frame. To remove the faceplate, you will need to take off screws on both sides. This will let you observe what's behind it and will give you a better understanding of how to proceed with the remaining steps. After removing the faceplate you will have to remove the bolt as well as the strike plate and strike plate. Remove the bolt from the door hole with the screwdriver. If the bolt is rusted, you may need to use a chisel and hammer it. If you use a chisel to remove the bolt, be careful not to damage the door frame. Before you remove the lock that was previously in use, make sure that the new doorknob and deadbolt fit into the existing holes on the door. Many hardware stores and large box stores carry a variety of locks, and can help you choose the right one. If the lock you bought is not compatible with your door, bring it back and seek assistance. While you are removing the old lock, search for small depressions or notches in the handle or around the trim. If you can find them, slip a straightened safety pin or a flat screwdriver through them to release the handle and expose screws underneath. Once the screw inside the handle has been removed, you can begin removing the knob from its spindle. To do this find the set screw on the knob's base 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's a good idea to change the locks on doors in your home periodically, especially after a burglary or when you move into a room with roommates. Changing the lock is an inexpensive, simple and effective method to ensure that your home is secure. The majority of people can do it themselves with a screwdriver and some basic instructions. Depending on your situation you might also want to learn how to change the key of a door lock so that only you own the key. To start the process, you'll have to purchase a new lock that is compatible with the keyway on your existing lock. You can save money if you rekey the lock yourself. Many locksmiths charge an extra fee to do this. You can purchase a new lock at an hardware store, or even online. Standard deadbolts are suitable for most doors. However, you'll have to measure your door to ensure that it fits. Most times the lock you purchase will come with a cardboard template that shows the way it will fit on the door. The template can be used to drill the hole. It's a lot easier than having to measure every time. If the template does not align with your hole, you can take it back to the shop and request a replacement. When installing the new lock, you must remember to put it on the right side of the door. You can verify this by looking at the latch, which should be labelled "up" or something similar. Check that the latch is seated correctly within the latch plate then secure it using the screws provided. When replacing a knob lock be sure to be aware of the handing. Some knob locks are right-handed. If you're not careful, you may place the knob on the wrong side of the door, which could hinder you from locking it from the inside or outside. It is recommended to try the new lock after you've completed. It should be able to lock and unlock the door with keys from the inside as well as from the outside. If you're not satisfied with the results you can always contact a professional locksmith to fix the issue. Test the lock While a door lock that isn't able to be opened is a hassle but it could also put your family's security at risk. It's easy to fix the majority of door lock problems by conducting some troubleshooting and lubrication. Check that the key is properly cut and the lock assembly is not loose or dirty. If this doesn't solve the issue try lubricating your door lock actuator using graphite powdered with powder. Make sure that the doorlock switch, wiring harnesses and actuator connector all work correctly. Check the wiring diagram or manual to determine the color-coding and the function of each door lock switch wire. Then, use a test light or digital meter to see whether the door lock actuator is receiving power and ground when the switches are activated. If you see an electric voltage switch on each switch activation, that means the switches are working and it's probably the actuator that needs to be replaced. If the switch seems to work, but the actuator doesn't move when you turn the knob, it could be a problem with the actuator itself. The actuator cylinder has spring-loaded pins that keep the cylinder from rotating until a key is inserted and pushes the pins upward to match the key's height in that location. This causes the cylinder eventually to rotate opening the lock body and allowing the latch to open for the handle. If the door lock actuator is still malfunctioning, you can take the switch and wires from the actuator using small screwdrivers to loosen the bolt that locks and then separate the plastic cover which holds the electrical connector. Then disconnect the door lock actuator and let it fall. Then, you should be able to find the two bolts of 10mm that keep the actuator in place and remove them. After the actuator has been removed and the electrical connector disconnected, you can remove it. black electrical connector. Replace the key Whether you have keys for your deadbolt or door knob, when it isn't working properly you need to either reset the lock or replace it completely. It's not difficult to do this yourself and can save you some money. But, prior to doing this, it's an excellent idea to get a locksmith to examine the locks and check for any issues. This will give you peace of heart that your home is safe and safe. Take off the exterior faceplate of the doorknob/deadbolt. There may be screws holding it in place, so use a screwdriver to loosen them and then pull the faceplate out. Next, use a flat head screwdriver to remove the interior faceplate. After removing the faceplate, you can take the bolt and screw from the lock cylinder. A locksmith can determine whether you require a replacement or rekey the lock. They can also provide advice about the best security options for your home. They can also make any necessary modifications to the door and frame to ensure a perfect fit. They also provide the guarantee on their work. If you decide to rekey the lock you'll need to purchase an additional key for it. It is essential to select a key that fits well inside the lock. A key that's not of the correct size could harm the internal mechanism of a lock and stop it from functioning. To test the size of a key, simply insert it into the lock. If the key is completely against the plug then it is the right size. If the pins protrude out from the top of the plug, they're too long. You may need to replace your door lock for many reasons, including: Rekeying a lock is an affordable alternative to replacing it if you're moving into the home of an owner who has passed away or if your keys are missing. It's also less expensive than a full replacement. Rekeying an existing lock might not be feasible in certain circumstances. If the lock has been damaged or repeatedly jammed, for instance, it may be the right time to replace it.