How To Change Door Locks - 3 Simple Ways
For the utmost safety in our own homes, it is really necessary to invest in a sturdy front door along with a good quality door lock. Well obviously, no one would want to live in a place that does not have secure doors and locks, be it a home or an office.
One of the most common mistakes some people make is they tend to forget about the lock when purchasing a new door. It is extremely important to change the existing door locks on your exterior doors. You would have no idea who might have had access to the key to your front door. It could be an old property owner, or any property agent, or even the one who did the interior of your home.
HOW TO CHANGE DOOR LOCKS - 3 SIMPLE METHODS
Changing door locks is not as hard as you might think, these days. With just the proper guidance and equipment, you can do it all by yourself. Check out the 3 simple ways to change your door locks all by yourself.
METHOD 1: REKEYING THE LOCK
For rekeying your door lock, you will first require to purchase a rekeying kit from the market. Not all locks and keys are similar, so purchase the rekeying kit according to your door lock’s brand. Remove the exterior part of the door knob using a wire-like tool present in the rekeying kit. Now remove the cylinder from the inside of the lock.
Using the cylinder follower or tweezers in your rekeying tool kit, remove the old lock pins from the cylinder plug. Your new kit will come with new lock pins, instructions to fit them, and a code to activate the lock. With the help of tweezers, insert the pins to the slots to match the code. Once the pins are installed, push the cylinder back into the door knob and tighten the screws.
Additional Tip:
If you happen to see any wear-and-tear or rust on the inside of the door lock, it is advisable to replace the entire door lock instead of rekeying it.
METHOD 2: REPLACING KNOB LOCK
Using a screwdriver unfasten the screws on the side of the door knob and remove each door knob by pulling it apart from the door. If you are facing trouble removing the door knob, you can use the wire-like tool that comes along with the kit. After removing the door knob, measure its diameter and check its lock’s brand. Purchase a new lock with similar brand and dimensions, so that you can install it in the existing holes.
Begin by sliding the new latch into the opening on the door edge. Tighten it with new screws and secure the latch simultaneously. Similarly, fit both the door knobs on both the sides of the door and fasten them with the new screws that came along with the lock.
Additional Tip:
It is advisable not to reuse your old screws as they might be old and weak. If your new lock didn’t come with any screws, purchase new ones that fit your lock and match the colour of your hardware.
METHOD 3: CHANGING THE DEADBOLT
On the side of your door, you will find your deadbolt faceplate with screws attached to it. Loosen and remove the screws to pull the faceplate outside. Now remove the set place and the bolt similarly. If the faceplate doesn’t come out easily, try rotating it counter-clock wise and then pull it outwards.
Remove the cylinder from the deadbolt faceplate and rekey the lock. By now, you would already know how to rekey a lock as we have seen it above already. However, if you do not want to rekey the lock, you can just fit a new one similarly. Assemble the pieces into the available slots and fit them accordingly.
Additional Tip:
It is advisable to always test your locks after fitting them. Instead of just assuming that they will work just fine, test them twice by locking and unlocking your door.
WHEN SHOULD YOU CHANGE DOOR LOCKS
At times when the door lock is not working as effectively as it should, minor repairs could work. However, when the circumstances become critical, you should immediately have your door lock changed before giving it a second thought. It is always advisable to invest in a high-quality door lock for the utmost security of your home.
The most common instances when you would require to change your door locks are can be:
- Move into a new home
- Experienced recent theft or burglary
- Door lock is beyond repair
- Doesn’t pair up with your door
If you love your existing door knobs and don’t want to replace your existing set, rekeying the door lock would be just as fine. But in situations where your door knob is fine and the deadbolt needs to be replaced, changing the deadbolt is much easier than replacing the door knobs.
CONCLUSION
Without a sturdy door lock, a secure and peaceful life will be impossible to achieve. Whether you are looking to enhance your security or you want to keep your loved ones safe, a high-quality door lock will help you be at ease knowing everyone around you is safe.
HOW TO CHANGE DOOR LOCKS FAQS
IS IT EASY TO CHANGE LOCKS ON DOORS?
Replacing door locks is a simple project that you can DIY. If you know how to use a basic screwdriver, you can easily change your door lock in under 30 minutes. A new door lock will usually come with instructions and kit at times.
IS IT CHEAPER TO REKEY OR REPLACE LOCKS?
Lock pins are relatively low in charge when compared to new locks. If you are looking for a cheaper option, rekeying your old lock would be more suitable for you than replacing your door lock completely.
HOW DO I CHANGE ALL LOCKS TO THE SAME KEY?
If you wish to have a single key for multiple locks, purchase the locks that have the same “key alike” number on their packaging. However, you will need to change all the locks to match with a single key.
Alternatively, you can also purchase a rekeying kit with the same serial numbers and set the key similar for all your locks.
SHOULD I CHANGE THE LOCKS WHEN I BUY A NEW HOUSE?
When you move into a new house, it is always advisable to change the locks of your home. This is because you would have no idea how many copies of your house keys would be floating around. There are chances your previous homeowners or any real estate agents might still have a copy of your house key.
MORE RELATED ARTICLES
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SHABANA KAUSER
Shabana Kauser is the dynamic owner of Emerald Doors, the famous door-selling company in the UK with immense knowledge and experience in working with architecture, interior design, and home decor. She continues to share tips and technical know-how of balancing interior elements, door fittings, room aesthetics, and the like. Personally, she loves coffee, always dabbling with several blends.