Schlage Deadbolt Removal

How Deadbolts Work

• Deadbolts work by sliding a latch into the door frame and securing the door in place. A handle on the inside face of the door slides the latch in and out of the frame, while a key does the same job on the exterior face.The key fits into a cylinder in the central portion of the lock that allows the latch to turn. Screws hold the latch is held on the side of the door and it locks into the central part of the cylinder.

Lock Removal Preparation

• You must open and unlock the door where the Schlage deadbolt is to be removed to gain access to the parts of the lock that you need disassemble. A block of wood placed between the open door and the door jamb will give access to the lock and also prevent the door from closing while you are working on it.

Lock Cleaning

• You should strip any paint covering the outside of the lock. Paints, especially latex paints, can cause make the Schlage lock stick to the door surface, impeding removal. Run a utility knife run around the edge of the lock to cut away any paint between the lock and the door.

Inner Face

• Remove the screws on the inner face of the lock first. These screws are very long, as they need to penetrate through both faces of the locks, as well as the door. A helpful tool in removing these screws is a power drill with a screwdriver bit, which can make short work of this step.Once you remove the screws, you can pull the inner face of the lock off the back of the door.

Outer Face

• Remove the outer face of the Schlage deadbolt after the inner face. A lock face that continues to stick to the door may have to be pried off with a flat bladed screwdriver or sharp knife. If the lock is stubborn and looks like it might take a bit of prying, protect the door face from scrapes by covering it with duct or work tape.

Latch Removal

• The last step in Schlage deadbolt removal is the removal of the latch on the side of the door. Like the deadbolt cylinder, the latch is held in place with a pair of long screws. These latches may be harder to remove than the bolt faces, because they can be tightly wedged into place. The best way to slide these out of the door is by inserting a finger or screwdriver into the part of the latch in the middle of the cylinder, then sliding it to the right to push it out of the door.