How to Change a Lock on a Residential Security Door

A security door provides the benefit of allowing light to enter the interior of the home with the home’s door open and the security of a handle lock and a deadbolt. Locks tend to wear over time, making them increasingly difficult to operate. Compounding the problem is the gradual accumulation of dirt inside the lock. Dirty locks can be lubricated with penetrating oil, but the lock will eventually require replacement. Expect to spend about 15 minutes replacing both locks in the security door.

Phillips-head screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Open the door to enable access to both sides of the lock simultaneously.
- 2
  Remove the two securing screws from the interior side of the handle and from the interior side of the deadbolt with a Phillips-head screwdriver.
- 3
  Grasp both the interior and exterior portions of the lock handles and pull both portions away from the door to remove them. Note that the interior handle features a metal rod that slides through the metal plate within the door.
- 4
  Grasp both the interior and exterior portions of the deadbolt and pull both portions away from the door to remove them. Note that the exterior portion features a metal rod that slides through the metal plate within the door.
- 5
  Position the new interior-side handle against the door, ensuring that the metal rod slides through the metal plate within the door.
- 6
  Position the new exterior handle against the door.
- 7
  Insert the two securing screws through the new interior handle and tighten them with the screwdriver.
- 8
  Position the exterior-side of the new deadbolt against the door, ensuring that the metal rod slides horizontally through the metal plate within the door.
- 9
  Turn the latch on the interior-side of the new deadbolt to its full counterclockwise position.
- 10
  Position the interior portion of the new deadbolt against the door.
- 11
  Insert the two securing screws through the interior portion of the new deadbolt and tighten them with the screwdriver.

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