15 Shocking Facts About Door Lock Replacement The Words You've Never Learned

Door Lock Replacement – What You Need to Know It's a good idea you to change your locks when they begin to exhibit signs that they're worn out. The signs could include things like having trouble turning the lock or the lock not fitting a key. fit. The good news is that installing new door lock hardware is actually very easy. All you need to do is follow these steps. Deadbolt The deadbolt is the door's primary defense against forced entry. It is stronger and more secure than the latch that opens the lock. Therefore, you'll want to make sure that the deadbolt you choose to purchase is compatible with your requirements. If you can, opt for deadbolts that are made of case hardened steel and has no exposed screw heads on the outside to prevent drilling that isn't authorized. To ensure security, the inside of your deadbolt must be mortised into the door frame. During the installation process make sure that your new deadbolt's bolt extends smoothly into the strike plate once you shut and lock the door. If it doesn't, use a wood chisel to make a mortise for the bolt hole into the strike plate and put the deadbolt back in place. Make sure that the doorknob's latch aligns with the hole in the deadbolt when you shut and lock the door, too. Before you install your new deadbolt, make sure that it matches the size of the previous one. Most door locks come with a design that tells you how high above the doorknob that the bolt should be, but it's best to talk to an expert at a hardware store if you're not sure which backset measurement is appropriate for your doors. They will be able point you to models that are compatible with your door and deadbolt opening. Screw the bolt assembly into the door hole after ensuring it is the correct length. If the new deadbolt comes with an opening faceplate, you can screw it in place and secure it, too. It's an excellent idea for you to attach the latch faceplate using the screws recommended to the frame. Some lock sets have some lock sets have a “dummy” or decorative bolt so you can put in the keyed deadbolt and still have a functional latch. If you have the option to use a dummy bolt, it should be installed using the same screws that are used to attach the faceplate of the latch. This will ensure the highest security. Some deadbolts are accessible only by thumb-turn from the inside some have two cylinders that allow keys and non-keyed access. It is best to select an item that is commercial grade to ensure the highest security. They've been tested to withstand up to 250,000 cycles of opening and closing before being sold to homeowners. Latch The latch is the part of the lock that retracts the bolt to open and close the door. It's usually held in place by screws on the side of the lock, but it may also be fastened to the strike plate or the inside of the door jamb. When replacing a door latch it is essential to ensure you choose the correct one that matches the hardware you have. You can verify this by putting the latch up to the hardware you have already, or you can look on the label of a replacement. Dunn Lumber carries a variety of brands, but it's generally best to stick with the same brand of your existing hardware to ensure that you get an appropriate latch that fits correctly. Some doors are equipped with a hasp in place of the latch. A hasp is a strap that has a slot inside it that allows it to be placed over the staple. The staple is then fixed to the frame of the door or door with nails. When the door is closed the strap pulls down on the staple and locks into place. Hasps are typically used in commercial buildings because it is cheaper than a deadbolt. Locks can wear out over time like any other mechanism that has moving parts. Sometimes, the internal mechanism can begin to “stick” and be difficult to turn, making it necessary to replace the entire lockset. Sometimes, the exterior handle or doorknob will break, and it is necessary to replace it also. If your lock is sticking, you can try using some graphite inside the keyhole. You can either dust or spray it on the key, and then turn the lock a couple of times to draw in the graphite. You can also make use of a screwdriver to take off the knob that will expose the internal components and allow you to see what's going on inside. After you've removed the knobs, look for the cylinder with two or three setscrews that run along the edges of the cylinder and tighten them by turning them clockwise. The faceplate should be removed and replaced. Surface-mounted rim locks come with an additional set of cylinder setscrews located on the rear of the case. These must be removed, as is the cover plate. Strike Plate The strike plate is a way to strengthen and upgrade to a locking system. It is attached above the holes for the deadbolts or master key systems bolts. It assists in keeping intruders away by ensuring that the latch of the lock is caught in the strike plate when the bolt or latch is engaged. A top-quality strikeplate can enhance the life of locks as well as increase security. Standard strike plates are flat pieces of metal with holes, or a series of holes, cut into them. It is fastened, usually with screws, onto the frame of a doorway to provide the latch with an area to sink into when it is closed. repairmywindowsanddoors is crucial that the strike plate is precisely aligned with the lockset to ensure maximum security against break-ins. If a door's strikeplate is damaged, it should be replaced as soon as it is possible to ensure that the door will shut and latch properly. The first step when replacing a strike plate is to make sure that it is aligned properly with the bolt hole in the doorjamb. This can be done by placing a piece adhesive tape over the bolt hole and then attempting to test the latch. If the latch does not catch then take off the tape. Then chisel it to make the strike plate level with the doorjamb. Once the area is chiseled out it is crucial to use a larger screw to secure the strike plate. They should be at least 3 inches long in order to ensure they are securely anchored into a stud which is behind the trim board. If you don't use the longer screws, the wood in the doorjamb may split during a kickin attack by a burglar, leaving the door vulnerable. A professional locksmith is able to quickly replace the strike plate that has been damaged or worn. They can also put an entirely new strike plate on a door that has never had one before. They can also upgrade existing strikeplates to increase the security of a building as well as its appearance. This could help property owners attract tenants who are looking for a safe and secure living environment and greater peace of mind. Keys The key cylinder of your lock is the part that accepts the key to move pins so that the internal handle can rotate. The cylinder is also the most crucial component of your door lock as it fulfills the purpose that locks were made to protect you, your family members and your belongings. Rekeying locks is a more cost-effective alternative to replacing them. It is more complicated to change the lock than simply switch out the existing handle and deadbolt. The old cylinder, hardware and handle (if you have a knob and lock combination) must be removed from the door before the new lock can be installed. There are numerous DIY-friendly tools that can be used to replace a door lock. However, it's recommended to call a locksmith to ensure the work is done correctly. Before you can install a new cylinder and lock it is crucial to have the right key for your home. A duplicate key won't perform as expected and could cause the lock to fail which makes it impossible for you to open. A professional with experience can help you avoid this by making sure you have a genuine, functional key for your home. The next step is to take off the faceplate, and then the latch plate. You will need an screwdriver to take out the screws which hold them in place. You may want to keep them in place if new plates are similar to the original ones. This will save you time. If you need to replace them, be careful not to tighten screws too much as this could reduce their grip. After you have removed the plates, you will need measure for the new locks. It is crucial to know the dimensions of your door before visiting the hardware store. While many locksets can be used today to fit in a standard door's thickness, it is best to get them in advance. Doorknob locksets are often different sizes than deadbolt locks and commercial models may have a bigger bolt or latch.