How to Replace Door Locks
Your first protection is your door lock. It can stop unauthorised entry into your home. Signs of wear and tear as well as instances like moving into a new residence or break-ins, can necessitate the necessity of replacing your lock.
You can determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance from the center of the knoblock cylinder to the adjustment screw. This measurement will enable you to buy the right lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is safe from burglars, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe it makes it much more difficult for an intruder to break through the door. A single-cylinder deadbolt can be activated with a key on the exterior and the thumb-turn mechanism located on the interior. A deadbolt is only effective if it's installed correctly however.
You will first need to find out if the door has an existing hole for a deadbolt, or if you need to bore it out. Mark the position of the hole for the deadbolt on the surface of the door using the template that came with the lock installation set. Utilize your tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this height on the door edge and use a speedsquare to draw a straight line across the mark you made to mark the bolt hole.
Next, use a power drill to bore out this spot until the hole extends to the opposite side of the door. It could take a few minutes. Sand the hole and edge of the door to smooth it. It's also a good idea to stain or paint the door at this point.
When the door is in place remove any screws that are visible on the deadbolt. This will reveal both the front and rear assemblies of the deadbolt and its bolt inside. Then, remove the bolt and replace it with a new bolt that matches your door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from the setplate. After that it is time to chisel the area for the strike plate that is on the door frame.
If your strike plate is misaligned, it's likely because the previous installer didn't correctly mortise it or a weatherstripping came along and changed the strike's position. It is necessary to re-mortise the strike plate and possibly even the deadbolt to correct this problem. Once you have completed this, test the deadbolt by closing it and locking it. Test patio door lock replacement by closing and locking it once the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
When a door knob wears out, it can make your home or business less secure. It may make it more difficult to open or close the door, so it's a good idea to replace it. Replacing a knob is a relatively easy DIY project and shouldn't take more than 30 minutes to complete. You can use a screwdriver or pliers to get rid of the knob or handle that was previously used, but be careful not to damage any other parts on the door.
Spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant on the mechanism of your door knob before you begin. This will allow the new lock slide smoothly when you turn it. It's essential to select a quality knob and handle that match the doors you currently have to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't have a matching doorknob and handle, you'll need to purchase a new one.
Before you begin replacing the knob, look over the knob you replaced to determine which screws are that are holding it in place. If there aren't screws, you can use the screwdriver to secure the cover plate between the hidden screws plate.
After you have removed the knob, inspect it for signs of rust and damage. You'll have to scrub it off if you notice any marks or dents however you don't need to do anything major If the knob is in good working order.
Now it's time to install the new one. You must first study the two knobs to make sure that you are choosing the right one for the door. You'll need to choose one with an extended rod that's designed to lock into the rod mechanism on the second knob. After you've inserted the new knob into the hole, slide it into the latch.
Test the spring by pressing down on it repeatedly. The latch should spring back up every time. Next, install the other new knob and connect it with the rod mechanism on the first knob. Thread in the other long screws from the interior knob through the hole for the cylinder on the doorknob on the outside and lock it in place.
Latch
A latch is a piece metal that extends into the doorjamb to hold it shut. The latch is operated either via a knob or handle on the inside of the door, or a thumb-turn on the outside. A deadbolt can be used to secure a latch and stop intruders from breaking through the glass of the door. It also provides protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by children or pets. You can choose to install a latch with either a single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt, depending on your preferred level of security.
Installing a deadbolt can be the same as installing a latch but there are some differences. First, you must measure the setback of the doorjamb using a tape measure to make sure that the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb up to the middle of the hole for the latch plate. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If your setback is higher than that, you might need to purchase an extra-long latch from a locksmith or hardware store.
Then, you'll need to make a hole for a latch plate into the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel and cut the mortise of the latch. Make sure the hole's depth is enough for the faceplate to be flush with the doorjamb. Put the strike plate into place to make sure it's in the right position.
If the strike is too high, you could knock the door down or apply pressure using the tire iron or crowbar. This could cause the doorjamb to crack. This can be repaired by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb, and cutting the core from the old one.
Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be accomplished by fixing the new plate to the screw holes that are already in place. Then you can use wood putty to cover the holes from the previous screws and the bolt hole that won't be used. Once the putty has dried then sand it to an even finish.
Strike
An electric strike is the metal part where the latch and deadbolt engage when the door is closed. It is an essential component of the lock's security, as it prevents the door from opening and provides an additional level of resistance to force or kick. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it can be opened by using an entry key and a control unit that controls its electrical impulses.
Traditionally, installing an electric strike required cutting a small portion of the doorjamb to release the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket within the strike. This modification is not just unattractive and unattractive, but also exposes the latchbolt mechanism and the keeper to intruders.
Recently, several electric strikes manufacturers have created a "No Cut" kind of strike that doesn't require a cutout for operation. The strikes have a unique design that allows the latchbolt and keeper to slide into the pocket without causing damage to the doorjamb's faceplate.
The strike has an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt and keeper when it receives an electrical signal from a reader or controller. The latchbolt and keeper are pushed up the ramp due to retraction. When the door is shut the deadbolt remains at a lower position and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike can be an easy task, especially if you are replacing a strike on an existing door. If, however, you are upgrading to an electric strike for an access control system, you'll be required to ensure that the new system is compatible with the type of lock you've chosen to install. You will also have to ensure that the strike is connected to your access-control system and set up to function in a fail-safe manner.
Upgrade your strike plates to high duty strike plates to stop the entry of unauthorized persons. These plates can be fitted with up to six screws of three inches instead of two screws of three-fourths inch. These longer screws make breaking the frame to reach the piece that turns the thumb on a single deadbolt cylinder more difficult.