Many situations call for a lock change – moving to a new house, upgrading security, or remodeling your current home are just a few scenarios where changing your locks is a wise choice. Or maybe you have a rental house with missing keys or an angry former tenant. These are all excellent reasons to consider a lock change on your doors. And, in all these situations, a seasoned Virginia Beach, VA is the best option. But, if you’re curious about the process yourself, keep reading to learn more about changing your locks and why you might want a good locksmith to assist you.
How to Do a Lock Change
On the very basic level, changing the lock on a door is a relatively straightforward process that usually only requires a screwdriver and the ability to read and follow instructions. Before you purchase anything, measure the hole’s diameter in your door where your new lock will go. Then measure the setback (the distance between the edge of the door to the center of your door). Failure to do these crucial steps might result in a lock that is too big or too small.
Head to a hardware store and purchase your new lock. If you’re looking to replace the locks on a couple of doors, look for a double pack of locks or ones that have a “key alike” label. Be sure to choose a lock with a deadbolt. A doorknob with a lock doesn’t provide much security. Remove the old lockset and deadbolt. To do this, you will need to locate the screws on the faceplate on the door’s interior side and remove them with a screwdriver. Once you remove the screws, you can pull the faceplate off the door. Move to the outside of the door and remove the exterior faceplate.
Next, you will need to remove the set plate on the side of the door by removing the screws. Sometimes both the set plate and bolt come out together. If not, once you remove the set plate, the bolt will easily slide out. Of course, if you find the lock change hard to do, then a Virginia Beach, VA, locksmith like Good Lock is a good option.
Now, reverse those steps to install your new lock.
First, you’ll slide the bolt into the hole in the edge of the door and screw the set plate in place. Next, place the exterior faceplate on the outside of the door. The metal bar on the back of the faceplate will go in the center hole of the deadbolt. Last, take the interior faceplate, which should have two long screws in the back. Insert these into the holes on each side of the bolt and screw it in place.
After you have your new lock in place, be sure to test it to ensure that it works correctly. If it doesn’t, check these common mistakes:
- If your door is beveled, be sure that you measure from the side that isn’t beveled.
- Ensure that the bolt is aligned correctly
- Make sure you have the correct orientation of the lock before screwing everything in place.
An option to a lock change is to re-key your lock. Re-keying involves taking your lock apart and re-aligning the pins. The ease of re-keying your lock depends on which kind of lock you are using. There are also re-keying kits that you can purchase.
While you can replace or re-key your lock on your own, you might want to contact a locksmith to ensure it’s done correctly.
Choosing a Virginia Beach, VA for the Lock Change
When it comes to choosing a locksmith, here are some key factors to consider:
- Check the locksmith’s credentials
Virginia requires a locksmith to complete 18 hours of the 25E – Locksmith Entry Level training, certified by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Professional locksmiths are also required to be fingerprinted. Additionally, it would be best to look for a locksmith who is certified by the Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA).
- Find someone local
Finding a local Virginia Beach, VA locksmith not only supports your community but also usually means faster service. Check reviews and get recommendations from friends and family.
- Check what services they offer
If you’re looking to change the locks in your house, you will want a locksmith that does residential work. You will also want to ensure that they will offer emergency service. When you’re locked out of your house at 9:00 PM, you want to know that your locksmith will be there when you need him.
Good Lock Locksmith is your best choice when you’re looking to change your locks. With over a decade of experience, we offer exceptional service for all your auto, residential, and commercial needs. Call us or email at locksmith@good–lock.com to schedule an estimate today.
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