What You Need To Know
- Despite their purported simplicity, it’s easy to go wrong when fitting new internal door locks
- Even the simplest of installations requires precision, patience and a little bit of trial-and-error
- The most common mistakes you’ll run into include overly tight screws & misfitted spindles
- You might also run into problems with the strike plate, which needs to be properly aligned
- Get the job done right the first time of asking to avoid problems with DIY jobs or client callbacks
Are you in the process of installing new internal door locks? Then you might, like many others, find that this ‘easy’ DIY task is a little more complicated than first assumed. Sadly, despite how many ‘1-2-3 DIY guides’ you find for this job, fitting even a basic door lock and key can be a bit of a headache.
Most of the time, the problems you face come down to simple mistakes that can be corrected quickly. Even the most basic internal lock installation requires precision, which is why we recommend you review this quick guideline. We’ll provide you with insight direct from security lock professionals locksandhardware.co.uk.
As specialists in the field of door security, they are the best people to listen to when it comes to fitting any internal door locks. From door locks for bedroom doors to client requests for door locks in their home or business, use these simple insights to avoid falling afoul of typical mistakes in installation.
Even The Simplest Internal Door Locks Can Become A Headache
Look, we know how easy it is to get seduced by the simplicity of a DIY installation. You can find countless videos online showing you how to ‘easily’ install a door lock and key system.
However, these videos are often overly simplified, leaving little room for nuance. That’s where the problem can start to emerge!
Whether you are a professional new to lock installation or you are doing this in your own home, our guide is a great place to start. Follow these insights to find simple causes and solutions for problems faced when fitting internal door locks.
Remember: precision is essential during any lock installation. A failure to fit the lock properly can lead to issues with door function, lock stability, door condition, and – if you are fitting these for a client – your professional reputation.
Frequent Errors To Avoid When Installing Internal Door Locks
It does not matter if this is your first internal door lock installation or your fiftieth; problems can emerge that you do not expect. The ‘good’ news is that, most of the time, the problems can be quickly fixed. You just need to know the cause so you can apply the required solution.
In our experience and in the insight of Locks & Hardware, the most likely problems you’ll face include:
Misaligned Strike Plates: A Serious Issue Not To Be Ignored
The first problem you are likely to face is that you have misaligned the strike plate during installation. Don’t be embarrassed; the metal plates can be surprisingly hard to get accurately fitted!
The strike plate is, of course, the metal plate that goes onto the door frame. When the door is closed and the lock is engaged, the door’s latch fits into the strike plate. That’s what keeps the door secure and shut over, even if someone tries to open it.
How do you know if your strike plate is misaligned? Go and grab a waxy lipstick or, if you don’t have any, a dry-erase marker. Now, colour the edge of the latch bolt on the lock mechanism. Close the door over; open the door, and look for the wax mark. This is where your latch hits when in place.
If the lipstick is higher, lower, or wider than the strike plate, you now need to adjust. The goal here is always to ensure the latch goes smoothly into the strike plate; adjust as needed until you find this spot. Most of the time, this is caused by sagging door hinges; tighten your hinges to raise the door into place.
Spindle Misfits
The next most common issue is that your door handle spindle is not the correct fit. That can come from using the same spindle as the old door handle (if you changed handles) or incorrect spindle drilling. If you have made the hole too small, expand the hole so the spindle fits snugly. If the hole is too loose, though, you might need to re-pack it until the spindle fits properly.
A misfit spindle means that the door handles on both sides of the door do not interact as they should. Always make sure that your door handle spindle is the same size as the handles on both sides. Adjust the spindle hole until you get a snug, perfect fit: too loose or too tight is not enough; it needs to be precise!
Overly-Tightened Screws
The easiest problem to fix is that you have over-tightened the screws on the lock mechanism. Start by checking that each screw is not too tight; try loosening each screw one by one by a half-turn. Take your time, and test after every screw adjustment. This can be time-consuming, but it is worth trying.
If the screws on your new internal door locks are too tight, it can make the lock a little too rigid. That can stop it from moving properly, or it can cause the door to stick a little. Start by loosening the screws; in theory, you should be able to fix the issue quickly.
Again, test in small increments to avoid going the other way and making the screws too loose!
Small Corrections Save Big Repair Jobs
Starting with the above trio of problems should help you fix the most common issues with internal door locks. These are small changes to make and should not take you too long to get right. If you try to fix the above issues and you still have issues with your internal door locks, the problem is more advanced.
At that point, if this is a DIY fitting, you might be better off contacting a professional to review your work. If you are having trouble on a job for a client, ask a fellow colleague or start researching the specific internal door lock type you have installed; the problem might be unique to the door’s configuration.
Remember – small adjustments mean avoiding major repair jobs. Boost the trust in your own handiwork, or the trust your clients place in you, by testing for these potential issues before finishing the job. Now that you know to look out for these problems, you should find it easier to fit internal door locks!
