Moving into a new home comes with the promise of new experiences. One cannot help but feel a sense of happiness and relief, especially if the moving process was less of a hassle. However, the experience of moving into a new home will heighten if you remember the crucial step of changing the locks on your new home.
Why Should You Change The Locks?
The primary reason you should change the locks on your new home would be for security purposes, especially if you were not the first owner of the house because the previous residents or the real estate agent you used might still have the keys to your home. As such, it would be prudent of you to take precaution by changing your locks.
Other than that, you can consider changing the locks to ones with more security features if you feel the current locks are not secure enough. In so doing, you will increase the security profile of your home and the internal satisfaction that comes with knowing you are safer than before.
How Then Do You Change Your Lock?
These are the two ways you can go about this. First, you can seek the services of a professional locksmith. Most Wisconsin Movers have locksmiths they work with whom they can recommend to you. So feel free to ask should you choose to go down that road. Secondly, you can choose to Do It Yourself (DIY). This method is often frowned upon, but with the right guidance and a willing mind, you will soon be locking and unlocking new locks on your door all whilst brimming with pride on your achievement. Here is how you can do it.
What You Will Need?
The first step in a home DIY project is to gather all of the necessary tools. Here’s what you need:
A Tape Measure. A measuring tape is essential as you will use it to get the measurements of the lock, as well as the area which you will fix the lock. Once you have the measurements, you can head to a hardware store to select then purchase locks that suit your security and design preferences.
New locks. You can opt to buy a new lock that’s the same make, model, and manufacturer as the lock that you’re replacing. This step will guarantee that your new locks fit right. You can also choose to change the make, model and manufacturer of the lock.
A Screwdriver. Now that you have your lock, you will need a screwdriver which will help you unscrew the current lock as well as fasten in the new locks. The screwdriver you need should be determined by the screws which come with the locks. Therefore, you should purchase this last if you do not have one in your home toolbox.
How Do You Change Locks?
Now that you’ve purchased the locks that will fit into your home, it’s time to change the lock in your home. Here are the steps you should follow:
Remove the old locks. This part is pretty effortless. You will use the screwdriver to unwind the screws holding your lock-in. Once loosened, proceed to remove the bolt and place it aside cautiously. One piece of advice would be for you to be modest in your efforts and not use to much force in unscrewing a removing the lock.
Insert your new lock. Take your new lock and fit it where the old one was. Once the lock is in place, place the screws to hold it in then use the screwdriver to fasten them in until the lock is in place.
Test Your Locks. It is prudent to test your locks to ensure they work. To do so, make sure that it locks and unlocks effortlessly. If you are satisfied, give yourself a small part on the back before proceeding to change the other locks.
Final Advice
Now you can rest easy knowing fully well that you have sole control of the locks in your new home. Do not forget to split the keys. Place the extras in strategic locations or give a set to those in your household, to ensure that you have a backup should you unknowingly forget, lose or misplace your set of keys.
