Changing your locks is actually a very easy process. It is also a thing you should do when you move into a new home. We’ve broken down the process into easy steps for you, so don’t sit back. Go get your screwdriver!
Tools for Changing Your Locks
You should only need a phillips screwdriver. However, sometimes things don’t cooperate, so you may need a hammer and some elbow grease. I do not recommend using a power drill because the screws that come with door knobs are usually more decorative than sturdy. There’s a good chance you will strip the heads and then have a very hard time removing the screws.
Remove the Old Knob
To begin removing the existing knob, you need to find the two screws that are holding it all together. If you’re dealing with a keyed entry door knob or handle, these screws are inside your house. If you’re dealing with a privacy knob, the screws are on the same side as the little hole that is somewhat of a key. It isn’t a huge concern if you don’t know what type of door knob you have. Just find the screws and remove them.
Once you’ve removed the two screws, the knobs on both sides should slide right off.
Remove Latching Mechanism
The latching mechanism is the guts. Take them out. They need to go! Every door knob works slightly differently on the inside, so you need to remove the old stuff to ensure your knob works properly.
In addition to removing the mechanics, also take off the plate on the door and the plate on the door frame. Your new knob should have come with these new plates. If you like the one on the door frame, it is less important to remove that one than the one on the door.
Set all these parts aside. You probably won’t need them, but on the chance your new door knob doesn’t work, you will want these.
Install Mechanics
If anything in this process was to go wrong, this is where it would happen. This is the meat and potatoes portion of changing your locks. There are three very important things to keep in mind when you’re installing the mechanics of a door knob:
- Have you installed the latch portion the correct way? The slated portion of the latch should face the door frame so that it can be pressed inwards when you close the door.
- Is the latching portion the right length? Unfortunately, there are a couple of standard depths for door knobs still. Most door knobs you can buy today account for this and allow you to adjust the length so that your knob works no matter how deep it needs to be.
- Are the plates lined up so that the door closes and latches? This is the part where you can be off by a very small amount and still be wrong. I found using masking tape to mark exactly where the door latch was when I closed the door was the best approach. I could be wrong, but it was easy enough to make adjustments that way.
You’ll install the mechanics the opposite way you took out the old things. First, insert the latch facing the correct direction. If it isn’t going deep enough, take it out and adjust it so that it can reach all the way to the hole where the knobs are fed through. Once it is in place, secure the plate on the door with the provided screws.
Another note, these face plate screws need to go in straight. Crooked screws may block your door or scratch your door frame.
Install the Knobs
Regardless of if you’re using a knob, handle, or lever, you install the knob portion the same way. You’ll have one knob with an extended axel running out of it. Feed this axle through the mechanics. Then you add the other knob onto the axle as well.
At this point, check to make sure the knobs open the latch. If you’re installing a new door knob, this should be very smooth. If not, you have something causing friction.
Once you have the latch opening smoothly, attached the screws to connect the outside and inside knob portions together. You should ensure that your screws are on the inside of your house. That’s how you know it is installed correctly!
Aligning the Plates
Now that you have the knobs installed, you have to make sure the latch and plates are aligned. Test opening and closing the door (from the inside at first). If the door doesn’t latch properly, you’ll need to move the plate on the door frame side to a position where the latch catches it easily, but is not too far inside that there is a gap between your door and the frame.
Once your door opens and closes well, you’re done! Congrats!
Deadbolts
You install deadbolts exactly the same way as a new keyed door knob, but tends to have a wider latch with its own plate. They’re also typically installed above an existing keyed entry door knob. Occasionally, you’ll run into a plate (either on the door or frame) that combines the deadbolt and door knob. They’re more common on factory-installed doors and frames.
Changing Your Locks Is Easy
Congratulations on installing a new door knob or lock in your house! You’re now a pro at changing your locks!
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