The first project that needs to happen in your new house is to change the locks! You don't know who may have the keys that the seller gave you...especially if they rented the house! Candice and I got the locks change in the first weekend....and you can too!
Now you have a couple of options.
- DIY and buy new locks from a store
- Hire a locksmith to install new locks
- DIY and take your locks off the doors, take them to a store (locksmith or even Lowes) and have them re-key your locks for you
Candice and I opted for the first choice simply because we didn't like the color of the locks we did have...and they were old anyway.
Tools you will need:
- Screwdriver
- Maybe a helping hand (I was able to do it myself with a lot of frustration
Difficulty Level: Easy!
This project is very simple. The most difficult part is getting all the inner mechanisms of the locks to fit together nicely while screwing the assembly together from the outside.
Step One: Take those old locks off!
 |
| The old locks. A regular keyed lock plus a deadbolt. |
Taking the locks apart is simple. On each piece there are two screws on the inside of the door. There are also two screws on the edge of the door holding the strike in place (the middle piece which keeps he door closed). Once all the screws are out, the assembly should just come apart.
 |
| No more locks! |
 |
| Another view. |
Step Two: Attach the Strike
The first piece of the lock to get attached is the strike, or middle part. Simple screw it in the place where the old one was. Make sure to align it correctly with the door! Assuming your door opens inside, you will want the smooth side facing the door frame, allowing the door to open and close easily. At this point you may want to screw in the small metal piece which attaches to the door frame (or leave the old one in place)
Step Three: Attach the Handle
Lastly, and the most difficult, you will need to slide the two remaining parts (handles) together, through the strike. Make sure everything fits together nicely. This is the part where you may need three (or more) hands to hold everything together and still get the screws in!
 |
| The new locks completed! |
You may need to adjust the length of the strike assembly. I had two for two of my doors. The locks we bought had two settings...3/4in and 5/8in. Your locks will have instructions showing how to slide the strike assembly to adjust the length to fit your door. For my locks it was as simple as slipping a flathead screwdriver into a slot and then pulling the lock out.
 |
| The disassembled deadbolt. |
 |
| The disassembled lock. |
 |
Other features, such as a keychain,
are simple to install with a power drill. |
No comments:
Post a Comment