How to Replace Door Locks
The first security measure is your door lock. It will prevent unauthorized access into your home. Signs of wear and tear, and also instances like moving into a new home or break-ins, can necessitate the necessity of replacing your lock.
To begin, you must determine the size of your cylinder by measuring the distance between the adjustment screw and the center of the knob lock cylinder. This measurement will allow you to select the appropriate lock.
Deadbolt
If you're looking to ensure that your door is secure from intruders, it's a good idea to install a deadbolt. When the bolt is extended into the strike plate of the doorframe it makes it harder for an intruder to get through the door. A single cylinder deadbolt is activated by an exterior key on the side and a thumb turn piece on the inside. A deadbolt is only effective if it's installed correctly however.
First, hertford front door locks replacement will need to determine if the door has a hole to install deadbolts or requires drilling. With the template included with the lock installation kit, mark the location of the hole for the deadbolt on the door's surface. Use a tape measure to determine the height of the deadbolt. Mark this high point on the door's edge and use speedsquares to draw a straightline across the mark that you made for the bolthole.
Next, use a power drill to bore out this hole until it reaches the other side of the door. This could take a while. Then, sand down the hole and the edges of the door until it is smooth. It's also a good idea to stain or paint the door at this point.
Once the door is ready take off any screws visible on the existing deadbolt. This will reveal the front and rear assembly of the deadbolt and its internal bolt. Then, unscrew the bolt and replace it with a brand new one that is compatible with your door hardware. It is necessary to remove the bolt from a setplate. After this is done then you need to cut out the space for the strike plate on the door frame.
If your strike plate is not in alignment, it could be because the previous installer didn't mortise it correctly or a weatherstripping has changed the strike's location. To fix this problem it is necessary to remortise both the strike plate and the deadbolt. After this is done, test the deadbolt by closing and locking it. Test the deadbolt by closing and locking it once the bolt has been extended into the strike plate.
Knob
It can make your home and business less secure if the door knob is damaged. It could make opening or closing the door more difficult, so it's recommended to replace it. It shouldn't take you more than 30 minutes. You can use a screwdriver and pliers to take off the old knob or handle However, be careful not to harm any of the other components on the door.
Before you begin you'll need to spray WD-40 or another dry lubricant onto the mechanism of the door knob. This will allow the new lock slide smoothly as you turn it. It's important to use the best knob and handle that match your current doors to ensure proper operation. If you don't have a matching doorknob and handle, you'll need to purchase a new one.
To begin the replacement process, first look over the knob or handle to see the screws that hold it in place. If there aren't any screws, you can use the screwdriver to insert the cover plate in between the hidden screws plate.
After you have removed the knob examine it for evidence of damage or rust. It's important to clean it off if you notice any scratches or marks, but you shouldn't have to do anything major if the knob is in good condition.
Install the new knob. Before you do that, look over the knobs you've chosen to ensure that you're selecting the correct one for your door. You'll want to pick one that has an extending rod designed to interlock with the rod mechanism of the second knob. Once you've put the new knob into the hole then slide it into the latch.
Thread the latch plate screws down and then test the spring by pressing down repeatedly. The latch should then spring back up each time. Install the second knob, and lock it to the rod mechanism of the first knob. Attach the other long screws from the interior knob through the cylinder hole on the exterior doorknob and lock it in place.
Latch
A latch is a metallic piece that extends into the door jamb in order to hold it shut. The latch is operated by a knob or handle on the inside of the door, or by a thumb-turn on the exterior. A deadbolt can be used to secure a latch and keep intrusions from breaking through the glass of the door. It also offers protection from accidental or intentional closing of the door by pets or children. You can install an entry point with either a single-cylinder or double-cylinder deadbolt based on the level you prefer for security.
Installing a deadbolt is the same as installing a latch but there are some differences. First, you must measure the setback of the doorjamb with a tape measure to be sure that the new lock will fit. The setback is measured from the edge of the doorjamb all the way to the center of hole for the latch plate. Setbacks for standard latches are 2 3/8 to 2. 3/4 inches. If you have a higher setback, you may need to purchase a larger latch at a hardware store or locksmith.
Next, make a hole for the latch plate into the edge of the doorjamb. Use a chisel to chisel out the latch mortise, making sure it's deep enough to allow the faceplate of the new latch to sit close to the doorjamb. Put the strike plate into the correct position to ensure it's placed correctly.
If the strike is too high, you could knock the door down or apply pressure with the tire iron or crowbar. This could also cause cracks in the doorjamb. This can be corrected by drilling a new hole in the doorjamb and then removing the core from the hole that was previously made.
Installing the new strike plate is the final step. This can be done by fixing the new plate to the screw holes that are already in place. Then apply wood putty to fill in the screw holes that were previously used and the bolt hole that will not be used. Once the putty is dry you can sand it down to give it a professional results.
Strike
The piece of metal that connects the latch and deadbolt when the door is shut is an electric strike. It is an essential part of the lock's overall security because it prevents the door from opening, and also provides an additional level of resistance to force or kicking. If a door is fitted with an electronic strike, it will be opened by using an entry key and a control unit that regulates its electrical impulses.
Traditionally, installing an electric strike meant cutting a section of the doorjamb to release the latchbolt of a circular lock from the pocket within the strike. This is an issue in regards to the appearance of openings as well as exposing the keeper mechanism and latchbolt to any unauthorised users.
Recently, several electric strikes manufacturers have come up with a "No Cut" type of strike that does not require a cutout in order to operate. These strikes have a unique design to allow the keeper and latchbolt to slide into the strike pocket without marring the doorjamb faceplate.
The strike is fitted with an internal ramp which lifts the latchbolt and keeper when it receives an indication from a reader. The retraction of the keeper and latchbolt raises them on the ramp, thereby locking the door. When the door is closed the deadbolt remains at a lower position and the latchbolt retracts into the keeper.
Installing an electric strike can be an easy task, especially when you are replacing a strike on an existing door. If, however, you are upgrading to an electric strike in an access control system, you'll need to make sure your new system is compatible with the type of lock you've chosen to install. You will also have to ensure that the strike is properly connected to your access control system and is set up to function in a fail-safe manner.
Upgrade your strike plates to high duty strike plates to block the entry of unauthorized persons. These plates are fitted with four to six screws of three inches instead of the two, three-fourth inch screws typically used in regular strikes. These screws are longer and make breaking the frame to reach the piece that turns the thumb on a single cylinder deadbolt more difficult.
