Deadbolt locks are among the most secure locking mechanisms available. Deadbolts have been the standard for home security for the better part of a century. Installing one on each external door can make you feel safe. Deadbolt installation is a straightforward process that requires only a few specialized tools and a little know-how.
The following items are required to finish this installation properly:
Lockset with deadbolt
One’s screwdriver
A drill (fitted with a hole saw)
The tool of a chisel
Safety Goggles
Anything that can be used to create marks (lipstick, paint, etc.)
Tape Sandpaper
You must read the deadbolt’s manual before beginning any work. I will outline standard procedures for setting up any deadbolt lock. Depending on the model you purchased, there may be more or fewer steps. Installing a deadbolt is, at its core, no different than installing any other lockset, so if you’re familiar with that process, you’re already ahead of the game.
The first step in installing a lock is to use the template provided with the hardware to mark the door’s edge. Place it no closer than 6 inches or further than 12 inches from the doorknob for maximum effectiveness. Check that the door is plumb and that the holes for the deadbolt set align on both sides. The design includes rough measurement guides for joint door widths and heights. Put some tape on it to make sure it stays put. Mark the door with a pencil or an awl to indicate the desired hole sizes.
You can now mark the door where you intend to drill. To make a hole in the door for the deadbolt, you can use a drill with a hole-saw attachment and a pilot bit. When the pilot bit comes out of the other side of the door, you should pause drilling and go around to the other side to finish the hole. To avoid splintering the wood and ruining the appearance of your door, you should never drill straight through it.
Drill the hole for the bolt using a smaller hole-saw attachment. It would help if you stopped once you have drilled a hole large enough to accommodate the deadbolt. If your power drill has no built-in level, use a combination square to keep yourself level with the door. Some bolts have special drilling requirements, so read the instructions carefully. After this, you can mark the door by placing the latch plate over the bolt hole. Ensure the space you chisel off for the latch plate is level with the door’s edge. My advice is to take baby steps in the right direction. You can always chip away more, but once the wood is gone, you can’t replace it. Once completed, you can sand down the notches and holes around the lock.
The deadbolt should be assembled before being installed. Before you have to work within the constraints of the door, this will give you a decent notion of where items should go. After you’ve figured out how the lock’s moving pieces are supposed to interact with one another, you can install it. Make sure it fits securely in the holes you drilled. You might need some silicone to keep it from wriggling around in the pits.
A strike plate must be attached to the door frame once a lock has been fitted. Ink (or lipstick or paint) on the edge of your bolt is the most reliable method I’ve found for doing this precisely. Keep trying to crank the bolt while you shut the door. When the bolt is released, and the door is opened, the ink will leave a clean strike mark. You’ll be doing your job here.
The strike plate is installed the same way as the latch plate. Place the striking container over the inked outline of the bolt, and then sketch its shape with a pencil. To prepare the door jamb for the bolt, use the same hole-saw attachment you used to drill the hole. This will serve to secure the hole’s perimeter. You can use a standard drill bit to remove the core, and a spade bit, if you have one, will work excellently for this, but it’s not strictly necessary. Make sure the mortise for the strike plate is flush with the door jamb before proceeding with carving it out with the chisel. To install the strike plate to the door jamb, first drill pilot holes for the screws.
Please lock the door behind you now by turning the bolt. If it doesn’t go in quickly, try enlarging the holes for the bolt or the door frame. If it does, then it’s fantastic. You have just increased the safety of your home by installing a deadbolt.
Don’t hesitate to call a professional locksmith if you ever need help because you don’t comprehend a process, don’t have the necessary tools, or for any other reason. They’ll arrive in minutes and see that everything is done correctly. These service costs are low; the professional will likely point out your errors. Free troubleshooting over the phone is an additional service provided by some locksmiths. In either case, you can rest assured that your home’s security has been increased thanks to installing a world-famous lock.
