Prior to any discussion on how to change locks, it is important to state that it is highly recommended that people always seek the services of a certified locksmith and never perform any lock changes or installations of any kind on their own. The incorrect installation or change of a lock can mean superfluous drilling and the structural compromise of both the door and the lock.
Cylindrical locks are arguably the most common type of lock. As simple as cylindrical locks may appear, they can actually be rather complicated to change. Cylindrical locks do not offer much protection against burglary and are primarily used on interior doors. If your front door has a cylindrical lock, it is recommended that you contact a professional locksmith to have a deadbolt lock installed.
It is important to note that there are a great many differences in the cylinders used among the different manufacturers and even among the different product lines of the same manufacturer of cylindrical locks. It is for this reason that when changing a cylindrical lock, it is important that one have the correct replacement cylinder. Most cylindrical lock manufacturers have their installation instructions posted online on their websites.
The first thing that one must do in order to access the cylinder is to remove the outside doorknob. In order to remove the outside doorknob, one needs the key to the lock and a stiff piece of wire. Next, one must find the peek hole in which to insert the wire. The peek hole can usually be found on the side of the outside doorknob, close to the door. The key is inserted into the lock and turned 90 degrees. Depending upon the way the lock functions, this should retract the latch. Once the key is turned, the piece of wire should be stuck into the poke hole. Just underneath the poke hole, inside the doorknob, there is a pin which must be pressed to allow for the doorknob to detach. Removing the doorknob requires a certain amount of dexterity. To remove the doorknob, one has to tug on the doorknob while using the stiff wire to press the pin below the peek hole and turn the key to 90 degrees all simultaneously.
Once the doorknob has been removed, changing the cylindrical lock is a fairly simple operation. First, one should look inside from the back. The cylinder is readily seen and should either rest loosely inside the doorknob or be held in place by a piece of plastic or sheet metal. Once the cylinder has been found and any plastic or material holding it in place has been removed, the cylinder is taken out.
If one was not prepared with a suitable replacement cylinder then they can find the brand name of the lock readily visible on the edge of the door. With the cylinder in hand and the brand name of the lock, one can easily order the correct replacement cylinder or simply re-key the cylinder as a quick solution.
Cylindrical locks are arguably the most common type of lock. As simple as cylindrical locks may appear, they can actually be rather complicated to change. Cylindrical locks do not offer much protection against burglary and are primarily used on interior doors. If your front door has a cylindrical lock, it is recommended that you contact a professional locksmith to have a deadbolt lock installed.
It is important to note that there are a great many differences in the cylinders used among the different manufacturers and even among the different product lines of the same manufacturer of cylindrical locks. It is for this reason that when changing a cylindrical lock, it is important that one have the correct replacement cylinder. Most cylindrical lock manufacturers have their installation instructions posted online on their websites.
The first thing that one must do in order to access the cylinder is to remove the outside doorknob. In order to remove the outside doorknob, one needs the key to the lock and a stiff piece of wire. Next, one must find the peek hole in which to insert the wire. The peek hole can usually be found on the side of the outside doorknob, close to the door. The key is inserted into the lock and turned 90 degrees. Depending upon the way the lock functions, this should retract the latch. Once the key is turned, the piece of wire should be stuck into the poke hole. Just underneath the poke hole, inside the doorknob, there is a pin which must be pressed to allow for the doorknob to detach. Removing the doorknob requires a certain amount of dexterity. To remove the doorknob, one has to tug on the doorknob while using the stiff wire to press the pin below the peek hole and turn the key to 90 degrees all simultaneously.
Once the doorknob has been removed, changing the cylindrical lock is a fairly simple operation. First, one should look inside from the back. The cylinder is readily seen and should either rest loosely inside the doorknob or be held in place by a piece of plastic or sheet metal. Once the cylinder has been found and any plastic or material holding it in place has been removed, the cylinder is taken out.
If one was not prepared with a suitable replacement cylinder then they can find the brand name of the lock readily visible on the edge of the door. With the cylinder in hand and the brand name of the lock, one can easily order the correct replacement cylinder or simply re-key the cylinder as a quick solution.