How to Replace Door Locks Replacing your door lock can be a difficult task. It is essential to keep your home secure from intruders, and to replace locks if you move in with an occupant change or you are letting out your home. The majority of modern locks are designed to fit standard door widths. If your door is more thick, you will need a "thick-door" kit that has longer screws and longer tail pieces for deadbolts. Remove the old lock If you're changing the lock on your door you must take the old lock off the door. This can be accomplished with the use of a few tools, but you need to be careful not to harm the door or frame. Using the correct tools will save you money on future repairs. Begin by removing the screws that hold the handle and trim. You can use a screwdriver accomplish this. After the screws have been removed, you can remove the trim. Then, you can access the screw that secures the trim and handle to the door. After you have removed the screw, you can lift the handle and remove the lock cylinder from the door. If you are unable to move your key inside, this is an indication that the lock is failing. This is due to the tumblers wearing out and eventually stopping their movement upwards or downwards, causing the lock to cease to function. You'll need to have the lock changed by a locksmith if this occurs. Start by removing the screws holding the faceplate in place. If your kit doesn't include new screws, buy them from a hardware shop. If you're installing a mortise lock, you must also take out the screws that hold the external rose plate to the door. After removing the screws, remove the plate as well as the dead bolt. Next, look for a pinhole on the handle trim inside. If you find one, insert straightened safety pins into it. You can also try using a flat screwdriver in the slot or depression. This should release the lock handle and expose screws which can be removed in order to remove the entire lock from the door. Installing the new lock Installing a new lock could be done with ease regardless of whether you wish to replace your lock following a break-in, or you just want to improve your door's appearance. It is essential to measure your door prior to purchasing a lock to make sure it fits. This is especially crucial for deadbolts, as they must be a certain size to fit into the bolt pocket and strikeplate. Contact your local hardware store for assistance if you aren't sure what measurement to take. If you're replacing mortice locks, you can take the centre rail of the lock as a reference for the positioning of the new mortise lock. After you've marked the location of the lock, you'll need to drill holes on the centre line that are the same width of the lock. Then, chisel the wood until you have a rectangular space to accommodate the mortice lock. After that, insert the lock and outline the faceplate using an outline knife. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/chelmsford-window-lock-repairs-near-me/ and drill screw holes to secure the faceplate into the correct position. When rekeying locks, you can save money by purchasing a starter kit that includes keys that can be re-keyed as well as a key blank. These kits are available from many online retailers as well as home improvement and hardware stores. They also come with a set of instructions that should assist you in completing the task. If you're renting, be sure to check the lease agreement prior to changing locks. It could require you to give the landlord a key to the new lock. If so, you may be required to remove the old lock and replace it with a standard lock. You can buy a basic lock at the hardware store near you or you can purchase an advanced lock that connects to your home's WiFI network and lets you to lock and unlock the door from a distance. Schlage Smart Lock is compatible with all knobs and levers. It can also be linked to your smart home security hub which allows you to receive alerts whenever your door is opened or unlocked. Installing the new lock A broken lock is an enigma for security, which is why it is essential to replace it immediately. Luckily, replacing locks for doors is a simple project that anyone can tackle. The first step is to disengage the lock that was used to secure the door. This is done by unscrewing the screws that secure it and then removing it. You may need a screwdriver or Allen wrench, depending on the kind of lock you own. Save all the components of the lock that were used and store them in a secure place. Then, insert the new lock onto the door. Most kits include a cardboard template that shows how the lock will fit on the door. If the template doesn't line up with your door you can trace around the template with a pencil, or use a chisel to remove any extra material. Be sure that the inside latch plate is aligned with the mortise hole after the new lock has been installed. Be careful not to overtighten the lock when you install it. This could cause the lock to squeak or even break. If you have a keyed lock ensure that the spindle is in alignment with the hole in the knob. If it's not, make use of the screwdriver to push through the lock into the knob. Install the baseplate with the design that comes with the lock once you've installed it. If the lock doesn't come with base plates you can buy one that matches the hardware. The final step is to test the new lock to make sure it works. You can do this by inserting the key into the lock and turning it until you are sure that it opens. If this doesn't work, you must seek out a locksmith. You can also prevent break-ins by having an expert change the locks' keys. This process involves changing the internal lock tumblers so that it will not accept your old keys. This will allow you to feel safe and secure in your home. Test the new lock When you are installing a new lock, you must ensure that it works as intended. It is crucial to follow the directions. If you don't, you might not be able to open your door. You can call an expert locksmith for help if you are unsure of what to do. A locksmith can also offer suggestions on the most suitable locks for your home. If you're having difficulty opening your lock, it could be a problem with the handle or latch. Try lubricating the latch with graphite or spraying it with WD-40. In some instances, this will fix the issue. However, you may need to replace the latch completely if it's no longer functioning properly. Another possibility is that the lock has been installed incorrectly. The handle clip inside the door can be broken or gone from the new lock. In this instance, you should grab the handle from the inside and insert a plastic retainer clip. After that, you can connect the handle to the lock and test the operation of the lock. After you've replaced the lock, it's crucial to test the keypad to be 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. Examine the deadbolt to be sure it's working correctly. If it's not then you must remove the latch and loosen the Phillips head screws on the sides of the door to open it. Replace the old deadbolt with the new one. Be sure to align and load the deadbolt lock in the correct way. Another method to test the new lock is to use the spindle test, which can be done by putting the spindle with a screwdriver. This test should be carried out prior to reinstalling a lock to ensure that there aren't any mistakes.