What Is Required In Changing Door Locks?

While changing a door lock can seem to be a fairly simple and straightforward task, it is important that you contact a professional locksmith to do the work so as to prevent any damage to the new lock or structural damage to the door. The first thing that a locksmith will do when setting out to change a door lock is check to see which brand of lock is currently on the door. The lock type will generally be printed on the lock latch. It is recommended, when possible, to replace the lock with another of the same brand and style. This will help to ensure that the locksmith will not be required to make any modifications to the door itself.

The next thing that the locksmith will do is check the backset of the doorknob and/or the deadbolt. The backset is measured from edge of the door to the center of the doorknob or deadbolt. Most backsets are typically around 2 and a half inches. Many times the front doors will have latches that are somewhat larger then 2 and a half inches and the rest of the doors in a home will have smaller sized latches.

Once the size of the backset has been determined, the locksmith will remove the old doorknob or deadbolt by removing the screws that secure the doorknob or deadbolt to its other half. The aforementioned screws are located on the inside part of the knob. Once the locksmith has removed the necessary screws, they will simply pull the two knob halves apart and away from the door. It is important to remember that once the screws are removed and the doorknob is disassembled not to allow the door to close or the half of the knob with the “blade”, a screw driver or a butter knife will have to be used in order to open the door.

In order to remove the doorknob or the deadbolt, the locksmith will have to first unscrew the two screws that secure it to the door typically located at the edge of the door. If the new lock is the same brand as the old one then the locksmith can typically skip this step. Just to play it safe, it is recommended that the locksmith hold up the new lock to the old one to compare. If possible, it is recommended to not change them. This is for the simple reason that replacing screws will tend to weaken their hold on the door. In the event that the locksmith is unable to have the screws secured in the door, they will have to insert a small splinter of wood into the screw hole and break it off flush in the door. In this way, the screw will catch. An alternative to breaking off a splinter of wood or toothpick in the door is to use longer screws making sure that the screw heads are identical to those provided by the manufacturer.

If you require that your door locks be changed then contact Always Locksmith. The Always Locksmith call centre is available around the clock, each and every day of the year to provide you with the best in locksmith products and services.