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How to Change Front Door Lock

delta — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 08:44:44 +0000

To make sure that your home is protected against the threat of an experienced burglar, be sure you have a reliable front door lock. These 10 steps will guide you in how to replace your door lock. Make sure you gather your materials, match and measure your new lock up to your old one, keep the door open as you work, and line things up exactly so that you are successful in changing your front door lock. Be sure to test it out during installation so that you know it works properly when you have finished.

Step 1: Gather Materials

You will need a metal lubricant, a Phillips screwdriver, a power drill, a Phillips bit, a hole bit, and a wood chisel. You should also have safety goggles to wear when using the power drill or chisel.
Step 2: Match Your New Lock to Your Old Lock

Your new lock doesn’t have to be the same exact lock; however, it will help to match them as closely as possible to be sure that they are the same size. Check the brand, style, and features and try to match these as closely as possible so that you will not have to modify the door itself during the lock change process. Be sure to measure the size of both locks as well.
Step 3: Open the Door and Unlock the Lock

Keep your door open and the lock unlocked.
Step 4: Remove the Door Handle

This may not be possible or necessary, but in many cases it is beneficial and provides better access to the locking mechanism. Release the springs that hold the doorknob in place and unscrew the cover that holds the doorknob in place.
Step 5: Remove the Lock

Remove the lock by unscrewing the screws and lock plate. Be careful not to let the door close.
Step 6: Install the Lock

Set the new lock into place with the latch facing inward, and try turning the latch to make sure that it works in its new location and position. If it doesn’t fit snugly, remove the latch and lock and use your wood chisel to remove extra wood so that it will fit cleanly.
Step 7: Install the Lockset

Set the lockset into place with the keyed section facing outward. Make sure everything lines up exactly and insert the mounting screws, tightening them to hold them down. Be sure not to overtighten any screws, which could strip the threads or interfere with the lock’s function. Use the metal lubricant to lubricate any moving metal parts if necessary.
Step 8: Test the Latch and Locking Mechanism with the Key

Test everything out with the door open so that you can see if all is in working order.
Step 9: Replace the Door Knob

Replace the door knob and all other parts in their proper places. Make sure that everything is properly lined up, as all the pieces will fit together like puzzle pieces. Readjust as necessary until the pieces fit flush against the door.
Step 10: Test Everything Out One Final Time

Make sure that everything is in working order before you complete your project.

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How To Lock a Door Without a Lock?

delta — Wed, 23 Dec 2015 10:17:34 +0000

Not all doors are fitted with locks, interior doors which are not designed to be locked for example, other times it may be that the lock does not work properly. There are ways to “lock” such doors, at least in the sense that they cannot be opened from one side until you allow it. In this blog post we bring you some practical ideas as to how you can lock a door without a lock.

Using Wedges to Stop Doors From Being Pushed Open

One way to keep people out is by using some kind of object to act as a wedge placed between the bottom end of the door and the floor. This of course is only an option if your door opens inwards so that it must be pushed open from outside.

Use door wedges you can buy designed to be used in order to keep doors from being pushed open any further than you wish them to be, you can use such wedges to lock a door shut from inside.
If you need to, you can improvise and use the ends of shoes, coins or even clothing as wedges.

Chair Against the Back of the Door Technique

It is something you see in movies but it really does work.

Take a sturdy enough chair, place the top end of it under the door handle and two of its legs firmly on the floor. It will then act as a diagonal beam holding the door in place.
Make sure the chair is firmly in position and will not budge an inch.

Removing Door Handles

Many doors have handles which allow the door to be opened only when they are pushed down or twisted.

Remove the handles to make it harder for others to open the door.
Since you have the dismantled handles at your disposal you will be able to work the door easily when you want to open or close it.

Add On Locks

There are a multitude of add on locks and latches you can fit onto a door which does not have a lock and thus turn it into one which you can firmly lock from one end. Some such products need no installation, others are quite easy to install. Make sure you choose an add on door lock or latch that will fit onto your door and door frame.

Barricading a Door

If you want to barricade a door shut you can simply position heavy objects, such as cupboards, behind it. Another common way to barricade doors is by securing a wooden beam across the door with both its ends secured (by nails for instance) to the door frame, wall or a piece of heavy, unmovable furniture.

From the tips we brought it becomes apparent that doors without locks can quite easily be kept from being pushed open. It is much more difficult to keep one from being pulled open, if this is what you need to do you should opt for a long term solution such as fitting the door with an add on lock or, better still, replacing the door with one that is designed to be locked.

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The Impact of Cold Weather on Your Locks

delta — Sun, 15 Nov 2015 14:25:54 +0000

Winter is coming everybody! And now is exactly the right time to read our review about the impact of cold weather on your locks, and more importantly, what to do about it when it happens and how to prevent it from happening.

The sooner you will be aware of the impact that cold weather has on your locks, the better. Remaining oblivious might result in finding yourself stuck outside your house in the cold, wet weather, with no way of getting inside, other than breaking in, which most people prefer avoiding.

What Is the Problem?

There are two main problems which are caused by the effects of cold weather on your locks. The first is the possibility that your locks will freeze. Door locks, car locks, window locks, and garage door locks can get exposed to cold air which can cause them to fill up with an icy layer which, in turn, will block the key slit.

A second common problem that occurs during the winter is contraction of locks due to low temperatures and cold air. This may cause the key not to be compatible with the lock anymore, and prevent you from being able to open said lock.

Here Is the Solution

Regarding the frozen locks congested with ice, there are several alternatives of lubricant spray that are designed to dissolve the congestion with air pressure and oily fluid. That is a very common and productive solution for frozen locks. Another solution that may help in case of frozen locks is to preheat the key a little before you insert it into the lock. That way when you put the warm key in the lock and gently turn it back and forth, it might melt away interrupting ice and release the lock once again.

That’s the easy stuff. What happens when locks get misshapen due to extreme cold? In such cases you would be better off calling a pro to take care of the situation without causing any further damage.

How to Prevent Such Effects?

In addition to the ways you can resolve a frozen lock situation and deal with it, we would like to throw a few suggestions your way that will help you prevent this kind of situation from even happening. That way you can be prepared and save yourself time, money, and trouble:

Regularly oil your locks – make sure to oil all locks, including door locks, car locks, window locks, garage door locks, and the like, in order to prevent them from freezing.
Prevent your locks from getting wet – if you keep your locks away from rain, for instance, you can prevent them from freezing when temperatures get low and turn water into ice.
Warm and dry your padlock – if you use a padlock you should remove it from time to time, dry it from moisture, and even warm it a bit in order to prevent it from freezing.

Have a warm and cozy winter people!

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What kind of lock should my locksmith install?

delta — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 13:11:59 +0000

As the technology advances, so with the burglars. These thieves are now getting wiser regardless of how advanced the door locks are installed. They can easily get into someone else’s property through the use of certain tools. In fact, most of them are knowledgeable and skilled with any locks or security systems that manufacturers are producing. Thus, to make sure that you have installed the right locks for your needs, here are the differences between Mortis, Deadbolt and Keyless locks.

Mortise Locks

A mortise lock has a large and rectangular body that fits in a mortise or a similarly shaped pocket carved in the edge of the door. Its lock houses the knob or handle, deadbolt and latch. When looking at a door with mortis lock, one can see a durable metal plate securely installed in place. Its locking device is thick and made of steel bolt that slides when a key is turned. Thus, this kind of lock is popular in upscale residential or commercial constructions. Apart from its various styles, security is also achieved. However, according to locksmiths, the biggest drawback in this kind of lock is the skill required to install it. Since its lock body needs be in place, the door must be carved out with perfection. Familiarity with woodworking is essential in order to achieve a definite fit of the lock. Locksmiths should not only be expert in lock installation but also in woodworking.

Deadbolts

Deadbolts on the other hand is another kind of locks that are more secured than the typical door locks. It is often a secondary option for several homeowners who wish to have an added security feature in their front doors. There are three different kinds of deadbolts – the single cylinder, double cylinder and keyless entry deadbolts. The single cylinder deadbolt has a key cylinder in one side of its lock while the double cylinder deadbolt has key cylinders in both sides. Meanwhile, the keyless entry deadbolt can be operated through a remote control, fingerprint readers and alphanumeric keypad. The only disadvantage of a single cylinder deadbolt is that the burglar can still open the property when there is a window or glass nearby. The double cylinder deadbolt can be a great advantage as well for individuals with children around, but a lost key can bring a lot of difficulties in opening or closing the door. Lastly, the keyless entry deadbolt has a hefty price so buying it can be a great expense.

Keyless locks

From the name itself, keyless locks do not require keys. This has been a popular option to several homeowners because they do not have to worry in losing or bringing the key anywhere. They will just place their fingerprints or go through an eye scanning device to enter the house. Although this kind of lock is expensive, its advancement provides a lot of convenience and optimum security. Burglars who try to gain access to the house will not be successful and homeowners will be alarmed. There are variety of keyless locks available so it is not difficult to choose the appropriate design.

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Best Safes For Home Use

delta — Sun, 30 Aug 2015 12:08:38 +0000

Before we discuss the best safes for home use, and the pros and cons of using each, let us elaborate more on why it is considered a necessity to have a safe in your home.

Safes are ideal places for storing valuable items, like cash, jewelry, keys, and the like. Safes, or safety deposit boxes, are good investments because they’re fireproof, are impossible to carry outside the home in the case of robberies (because of their heaviness), and best of all, can only be operated and/or opened by you.

However, as you may already know, safes are limited in size and can be costly, depending on the kind of safe you’re planning to buy. We’ve listed some of the most common safes ideal for home use and discuss the pros and cons of each.

Electronic Fire Safe

An electronic fire safe is fireproof and uses a digital code combination that you have to input for it to open. Aside from being incredibly heavy duty, electronic fire safes are bigger in terms of space, but they can also be very expensive. Walmart sells a 1.2 cubic foot safe for about $170.

The only disadvantage of using an electronic fire safe is you run the risk of forgetting the code, making it virtually unopenable (unless you destroy it).
Cash Box

A cash box, on the other hand, is a lot cheaper, but as the name goes, is only ideal for storing cash you would otherwise leave lying around in your house. They’re lighter and more portable, and can be opened using lock and key. Walmart sells a 10-inch cash box for $10.

Cash boxes are ideal for storing valuable coins and bills, but that’s just about how far they go.
Combination Fire Safe

The only difference between a combination fire safe and electronic fire safe lies in the way it is opened. A combination safe is opened in the same way you would open a locker and is much cheaper than its electronic version. It’s also fireproof and heavy-duty, and is valued at around $80.
File Chest

A file chest, much like a cash box, can be opened using lock and key, is both waterproof and fireproof, a lot cheaper, and is also heavy-duty. File chests are ideal for storing important documents like marriage and real estate contracts, check books, and other items you wouldn’t want soggy or burned. A 0.62 cubic foot file chest costs $47.

Call Us Now!

Delta Locksmith offers quality locksmith services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to Dallas and Houston residents. All our services are affordable, arrive within 30 minutes, and are installed by licensed and well-trained locksmiths.

For more information regarding our services, or if you have additional comments, suggestions, or concerns, call us using the number below.

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