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Changing a Lock With Little Effort
If you have ever wandered around do-it-yourself sites you may have wondered just how difficult the projects are to complete. Many are extremely simple, such as changing a lock. Let’s take a look at how to go about this particular project.
One of the most likely times you think about changing a lock is at the time you move into a new place. Changing a lock at this times makes sense in the added security it will provide you and your family. Other times you may think of changing a lock are in cases of lost or broken keys or a broken lock itself.
The easiest way to go about changing a lock is to look at the present lock. Try to find a replacement of the same brand if possible and this will prevent you from having to make major alterations to your door. By measuring from the edge of the lock to where the keyhole is located, you will be able to judge the size of lock needed.
Once you have purchased your replacement lock, use a screwdriver to remove the screws holding the old lock in place. When changing a lock, you will notice twos sets of screws, ones holding the inner workings together and ones holding the entire unit on the door. Remove the outer screws first to make things easier. Once you have removed both sets of screws, gently pull the old lock apart and set aside.
Hopefully, your new lock will fit the hole already in the door, which will be the case if you have been able to purchase the same brand of lock. If this isn’t the case, you will need to use a drill to carefully enlarge the hole to the correct size. Again, changing a lock will be much easier if you can stick with the same brand.
Once the old lock is off and you have determined that the door hole is the correct size, it is time to install your new lock. A hint here for those changing a lock for the first time: You may want to fill in the outer screw holes and start with fresh holes to make sure the fit is tight, but this is not a requirement. Just make sure the new screws fit snugly.
Position the inner workings on either side of the door and connect them. Make sure the screws are tightly in place and the key works, as it should. Doing this now will save frustration later. You don’t want to go about changing a lock and finding it doesn’t work properly. Now, replace the outer portions of the lock that hold it in place on the door. Make sure the screws are tightened. You have just completed changing a lock! |  |
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