Changing the Locks In Your New Home

You’ve just moved into your new home and are finally unpacked, settled, in and ready for a good night’s sleep. Moving can be a really tiring process which makes it easy for people to forget and overlook things, like safety. When you move into a new home, you’re handed a set of keys and then you’re on autopilot to get things done. It’s normal for people to not even realize that someone else might still have the keys to the residence. Moving into a new home is a very exciting time but it’s important to make sure that you also remember to make your home as safe as it can possibly be. Change the locks in your new home with this guide from our Oklahoma City local movers.

How to Change the Locks on Your New Home

There’s a lot to get done after you move into a new home, so the Oklahoma City movers suggest adding new locks at the top of the list of things to do. If you have never had to change the locks on your doors, though, check out these helpful tips.

Supplies You Need to Change Door Locks
When you’re changing the locks on your new home, it’s important to make sure that you have all the proper supplies, including:

Measuring tape: Before going to the hardware store, the Oklahoma City residential movers recommend removing the old lock and measuring the opening and screw holes in the door. While most new deadbolts are adjustable, you still want to make sure that you’re getting the right size, especially if the one the draws your eye is a non-standard lock.

New locks: Prioritize new locks for the exterior doors especially because these doors will grant access to the rest of your home, so they should be the first ones to secure for safety reasons. You can buy a standard deadbolt kit that includes each of the lock pieces that you’ll need, including the mounting hardware and the interior turner. If possible, try to buy a new lock that’s the same make, model, and manufacturer as the existing lock. This will help ensure it’s the right fit. If you would like to change the locks and hardware on any of the interior doors, you don’t necessarily need deadbolt locks, but you still want secure locks.

Screwdriver: Check your existing hardware to find out whether you’ll need a flat-head or a Phillips head screwdriver. Depending on the screws in the new deadbolt kit you choose, you may need both types of screwdrivers.

Steps to Change a Door Lock

1. Remove the old deadbolt lock and hardware.

2.Locate the screws on the inside of the lock, they will be on the side with the turner. Then, remove the screws and the turn-plate. Open your door so you can see the side of the lock, you will want to locate and remove any additional screws and remove the rest of the hardware for the deadbolt from the door.

2. When you’re ready to insert the new lock, take the new deadbolt hardware and install it where the old lock used to be.

3. You will then use the provided hardware in your deadbolt assembly kit to mount the lock and secure the hardware in place.

4. Now it’s time to insert your deadbolt. The deadbolt will have slots that fit in both the locking/key part and the turning part of your new lock.

5. After putting these pieces where they need to go, you will want to secure them in place with the screws provided in your kit.

6. Test out your new locks to make sure they work.

It is highly recommended when changing your locks to make sure to test them, instead of just assuming the new lock works. You will not only want to make sure that the new lock locks and unlocks with the provided key, but also that it locks and unlocks with the turner. Contact All My Sons Moving & Storage if you’re planning on making a move to Oklahoma City. Our 20 years of moving experience will make your move the best yet!