How to Replace Door Locks
Door locks are your first line of defense against unauthorized access to your home. Locks might need to be replaced due to wear and tear, or other situations like moving into a new home or a burglary.
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 purchase the correct-sized lock.
Deadbolt
If you want to ensure your door is safe from burglars, it's a good idea to install deadbolts. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe it makes it harder for an intruder to break through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt can be activated by a key on the exterior side and a thumb turn piece on the inside. A deadbolt will only work only if it is correctly installed.
First, you'll need to determine if the door has a hole to install deadbolts, or if it needs to be bored out. Mark the location of the hole for the deadbolt on the surface of the door using the template included with your lock installation kit. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this measurement on the door's edge and use the speedsquare to draw a straight line across the mark you made for the bolt hole.
Then, use a drill to drill this spot until the hole extends to the opposite side of the door. It could take a few minutes. Sand the hole and the door edge to make it smooth. It's also recommended to stain or paint the door at this point.
When the door is in place, remove any screws that are visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the rear and front assembly of the deadbolt, as well as its internal bolt. Then unscrew the old bolt and replace it by the new bolt to match the door hardware. The bolt is often attached to a set plate which you'll need to unscrew. Then, you'll need to chisel the surface of the door frame to accommodate the strike plate.
If your strike plate is out of alignment it could be because the previous installer didn't mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping changed the strike position. To fix this problem you'll need to remortise the strike plate as well as the deadbolt. Close and lock the deadbolt when you have completed this step. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it after the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
If a door knob is worn out it could make your business or home less secure. It could also make it harder to open or close the door, which is why it's recommended to replace it. It shouldn't take you longer than 30 minutes. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to get rid of the knob or handle, but be careful not to damage any of the other components on the door.
Spray WD-40, or another dry lubricant on the mechanism of your door knob prior to you begin. This will assist the new lock slide smoothly when you turn it. It's essential to select a quality knob and handle that matches the doors you currently have to ensure that the lock is operating properly. If you don't have a match you'll need to purchase an additional doorknob and latch plate.
To begin the replacement process, first look over the knob or handle to see what screws are holding it in place. If there aren't any screws, you can use the screwdriver to insert the cover plate in between the screws plate that is hidden.
After taking the knob off, inspect it for evidence of damage or rust. You'll need to clean it up if there are any scratches or dents however, you shouldn't need to do anything major if the knob is in good shape.
Install the new knob. Begin by examining the new knobs to make sure that you're choosing the right one for your door. You should select one with an extended rod that is designed to lock with the second knob's rod mechanism. Once you've put the new knob over the door's hole carefully insert it into the latch.
Test the spring by pressing it repeatedly. The latch should rise each time. Install the second knob and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Thread the long screws from the interior doorknob through the holes for cylinders on the exterior knob and lock it into place.
Latch
A latch is a steel piece that extends into the doorjamb in order to hold it closed. It is operated by a handle or knob on the inside of the door or by a thumb turn on the outside side of the door. A deadbolt is a device used to secure a latch and keep intruders from breaking through the glass of the door. It can also protect against intentional or accidental closing by animals or children. A latch can be set with single cylinder deadbolts or a double cylinder deadbolt, according to the security level you prefer.
Installing a latch follows the same steps as installing a deadbolt, however, there are a few distinctions. To ensure that the new lock will work first, you must measure the setback on the doorjamb with the tape measure. The setback is the distance between the edge of the doorjamb to the center of the hole that will be used for the faceplate for the latch. A typical setback is 2 3/8 to 2 3/4 inches. If you have a greater setback, you may have to purchase a larger latch from a hardware shop or locksmith.
Next, make a hole for the latch plate into the edge of the doorjamb. Use Repair My Windows And Doors for chiseling out the latch mortise and ensure it's deep enough for the faceplate of the new latch to be close to the doorjamb. Tape the strikeplate to the doorjamb to ensure that it's positioned properly.
If the strike is too high, you could knock the door down or apply pressure with an iron tire or crowbar. This can also cause the doorjamb's to crack. To fix this, the strike could be lowered by drilling another hole through the doorjamb, and then chiseling out the center of the hole that was previously drilled.
Installing the new strike plate is the last step. This can be accomplished by screwing the new plate into the screw holes that are already in place. Then, use wood putty to cover the old screw holes and the bolt hole that is not used. When the putty is dry, sand it smooth for an elegant finish.
Strike
The piece of metal that is inserted between the latch and deadbolt when the door is closed is an electric strike. It is a crucial component of the overall security of a lock since it helps keep the door shut and offers additional resistance to kicking or force applied to the door. If a door has been equipped with an electric strike, it can be opened by keys or the control unit that governs the electrical impulses.
Traditionally the installation of an electric strike meant cutting out a portion of the doorjamb to remotely release the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket within the strike. This modification can be a drawback in terms of the appearance of an opening, and it also exposes the latchbolt and keeper mechanism to any unauthorised users.
Recently, several electric strike manufacturers have developed a brand new electric strike, dubbed the "No Cut" strike that doesn't need a cutout in the doorjamb to function. These strikes utilize a special design that allows the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without marring the doorjamb faceplate.
The strike is equipped with an internal ramp that raises the latchbolt and keeper whenever it receives an electrical signal from a reader or controller. The retracting of the keeper as well as latchbolt pushes them up higher on the ramp, thereby locking the door. When the door is shut, the deadbolt remains retracted, and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electronic strike is a simple procedure, particularly in the case of replacing an existing strike. If you're upgrading an existing access control system to an electric strike, it is important to make sure that the new system is compatible. It is also necessary to ensure that the strike is connected to your access control system and is configured for fail-safe operation.
One method to guard against intrusions by thieves is to upgrade the strike on your doors to a heavy-duty strike plate. The plates utilize four to six three-inch screws instead of the two three-fourth inch screws that are typically employed in regular strikes. These screws are longer, making it difficult for people to break the frame and reach inside to turn the thumb turn piece of a single cylinder deadbolt.