Common door locks offer a certain amount of security for your home and family. But, they can't protect your possessions against thieves and intruders like a deadbolt lock can.
Whether you're a beginning do it yourselfer, or an experienced hand at it, you can easily install deadbolt locks on all the exterior doors on your house in as little as a day's time. Start this project by assembling the tools you'll need. These include a pair of protective eyewear, a combination square, hammer, wood chisel, an electric drill with a set of bits, transparent tape, a lead pencil and a measuring tape.
Be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's directions in order to achieve the best results. Basically, though, you'll need to first remove the deadbolt lock and its components from its package. Check its components against the included parts list to make sure you have everything you need.
The next step is to mark the spot on the door where the deadbolt lock is going to be installed at. Keep in mind that the deadbolt will need to be placed approximately six inches above the existing common door lock. Remove any slide bolts, chain locks, et cetera, that might be in the way. (You can use wood putty or caulking to fill in any holes that are left in the exterior door.)
Then, find the paper template that was included with the deadbolt. Fold it over at the dotted lines and place it over the edge of the door, per the manufacturer's instructions. Part of the template will reach over the back of the exterior door. Use the combination square to make sure the template is placed over the door straight. Use transparent tape to attach the template onto the door securely.
Use the lead pencil to mark the locations of the cylinder, screws, et cetera, on the door. Remove the paper template, and it's time for you to start the actual installation. Use an electric drill and a bit to bore out the holes for the screws. You'll also need to use a hole making bit to drill out the hole where the cylinder of the deadbolt lock will be placed.
Now that you have the holes drilled, you'll need to put the bottom ring around the cylinder. Place the cylinder into the front of the hole in the exterior door. Slide the assembly for the latch onto the bar on the back of the door. If the latch doesn't set flat against the door, then you'll need to break off part of the bar. It has horizontal lines on it for this very purpose. Just hold it securely in one hand while you use a pair of pliers to break off as much of the bar as needed. Be careful not to make the bar too short! It's better to break off a little at a time, testing after each break. Then, when the cylinder and the latch assemblies finally fit together, use the screws that were included with the deadbolt lock to attach them.
The next step is to close the door. Then, use the lead pencil to mark the location on the door jamb where the bolt hits. Open the door and use the wood chisel and the hammer to carefully make a hole for the bolt to fit in the door jamb. You'll need to open and close the door repeatedly to check the fit of the bolt into the hole.
Finally, use the lever to lock and unlock the new deadbolt to make sure that it works properly. Place the key in the lock and make sure that the door can be unlocked by using it too.
