All Questions
445 questions
2
votes
3
answers
26k
views
How so I fix a loose Kwikset deadbolt faceplate?
We have a kwikset deadbolt on our main door and the faceplate has come loose. There are no visible screws on either side of the door, so I am assuming they are under the brass plate on the inside of ...
- 113
2
votes
2
answers
865
views
Microwave door latches in wrong position
I have an AEG KM8403101m Micromat combi oven. During cleaning last week the door switch got locked in the closed position (even though the door wasn’t closed at the time).
The microwave now shorts out ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
850
views
How to lock inward opening window in place?
So I have a window that opens inwardly, however I can't figure out how to lock in place.
I can close the window just fine, but once open it won't stay in one spot, especially if it's windy outside.
I'...
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Using "interior" door lever on an exterior door
I'm replacing the doorknob on my front door; I like the look of this lever, but it's described as
For use on interior doors requiring no locking functionality, such as hallway or closet doors.
(...
- 167
2
votes
1
answer
431
views
How to remove this broken latch and handles?
I am trying to remove this door handle and latch, but I cannot figure out how to. I have removed all the screws, and I think the thing still holding it in place is the lock.
The lock appears to have ...
- 121
2
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Front door is stuck on a stopper
I have a double door front entrance. The second door(the one not frequently used) does not easily open because it catches in the groove for the vertical lock. I usually need to unhinge it with a ...
- 175
2
votes
1
answer
875
views
Hollow Deadbolt
I was looking at a door look recently and noticed the deadbolt had a hole through it so that it was hollow (the hole was only .5 inches wide or so). Also there appeared to be a plastic plug in the ...
- 123
2
votes
1
answer
2k
views
Options for replacing mortise lock with keyless lock
The main door to my apartment has a Baldwin interlocked mortise deadbolt/lockset combination... basically one of these:
I would like to replace this with some kind of electronic, keyless system, but ...
- 1,691
2
votes
3
answers
185
views
Which parts are missing from this vintage lockset?
I'd like to get this lockset back into working order on a vintage 1-3/8" interior door with 2-3/8" backset, but do not know which parts are missing. Here is what I do have:
Also, either the door has ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
4k
views
How to remove this door knob on the mortise lockset?
I have an old mortise lockset that I want to replace. And I already removed all the visible screws and the cylinder. However, I am not able to figure out how to remove the knobs. I could loosen the ...
- 189
2
votes
3
answers
159
views
Are entry door systems with lock release secure?
I am renovating my recently bought house. It currently has a entry door system with a lock release on the yale lock so that you can release the door from one of the handsets. something like this.
I ...
- 287
2
votes
2
answers
10k
views
Replacing garage door lock barrel
Since I moved into my house, I've not had the key for my garage, so I'm looking into how I can get a new one. I've found what I think I need to replace on eBay, but there are a lot of variations on ...
- 273
2
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Need to replace lock on car top carrier
I have a Packasport fiberglass car top carrier with a cylinder lock (outside view above). The key has been lost. I ordered a new lock/key set from Packasport but am unable to remove the old one - ...
- 121
2
votes
1
answer
775
views
what parameters should I look for when choosing an electric deadbolt?
I am looking for electric deadbolts for external steel doors - to place several of them on a door - one on each side (top, bottom, left, right) for extra security.
I want to buy just the deadbolt ...
- 259
2
votes
1
answer
177
views
Can I repair and rekey this salty security door?
I bought a new house that has an awesome security door that's missing the latching mechanism. It has a lock but I don't have a key for it, so I'd also like to rekey it. I started trying to take the ...
- 21
2
votes
2
answers
157
views
How to remove this lock in order to change the door knob?
I am trying to change a door knob but first I need to remove the lock. There seems to be a kind of nail that is visible on both sides of this piece (see pictures), but it is stuck. I tried to hit it ...
- 131
2
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Jack and Jill bathroom locks
What kind of locks do I get for a jack and jill bathroom so that you can have privacy in the bathroom as well as in both bedrooms?
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
552
views
Sticky Euro cylinder lock [duplicate]
I have a Euro cylinder lock like below and it has got rather sticky - the key turn isn't as smooth as other locks.
Does anyone know how to lubricate it to make it less sticky? I've read about ...
- 249
2
votes
1
answer
299
views
Is this door striker and lock safe?
This is my first house and I didn't notice little things during the viewing etc. At the time more interested in condition of the roof/furnace/foundation.
Anyway get into it and start noticing little ...
- 21
2
votes
1
answer
849
views
What should I do about a screw jammed in my deadbolt?
So, I recently purchased a new house and went about changing the locks. The doorknob worked well, but not so much on the deadbolt. Installed everything but one screw which wouldn't budge. I ended up ...
2
votes
3
answers
17k
views
How can I lock a sliding door that doesn't have a door lock?
I don't know if this question constitutes a home improvement or life hack but I'll ask here first. We live downstairs for my wife's parents in Japan. My wife's mother occasional invades downstairs. ...
- 129
2
votes
2
answers
120
views
How to secure double doors from a dog
TL;DR: How do I prevent double doors from being easily forced open by a strong push (aka a dog)?
Our basement has double doors that partition a guest bedroom/laundry area from the storage area/dog ...
- 145
2
votes
0
answers
145
views
Which latch should I get to replace the one on my front (storm) door?
The locking mechanism on my front (storm) door got broken, rendering it useless. What I’d like to do now is replace the latch with a new one, but I can’t find any branding on the door, so I’m not sure ...
- 99
2
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Permanently disable auto lock of outside handle
I have a Falcon door lock and handle. I don't have the exact model but I believe the closest current model is the MA series.
When I turn the deadbolt (part 1 in red), the switch on the door (part 2 in ...
- 33
2
votes
0
answers
419
views
How to remove old schlage lock system
There is no exposed screw, there is only a tiny hole in the handle.
Can't figure out how to open it.
- 121
2
votes
0
answers
413
views
Why can't mortise locks be installed upside down?
I purchased a mortise lock for a gate today and the person at the shop told me to make sure I install it right side up — lock on top and handle on bottom — and that a lot of customers install them ...
- 1,068
2
votes
0
answers
4k
views
Using a Dutchman to completely fill a mortise lock hole
I came across a This Old House video that demonstrates how to fill a mortise lock with a Dutchman. The video patches one side of the door.
I want to patch both sides so I can drill it out and replace ...
- 177
2
votes
0
answers
710
views
Apartment entry knob issue
I have been having issues with my apartment door not opening when I turn the knob. The knob is very loose and as a result, it is able to move left and right. Although functionally, turning to the ...
- 43
2
votes
0
answers
2k
views
Don't know where lever is to open top latch on steel cellar door
I recently took over my recently passed Grandmother's house and she has a furnace in the cellar. Of course, the furnace went out, so I need access to the cellar in order to fix it. I moved from out of ...
- 21
2
votes
0
answers
801
views
How do I replace an old-style ("wide screw posts") garage T-lock handle?
My garage features an old-style T-handle very similar to Prime-Line GD 52169 or National Hardware V7643, except that the distance between the hole centers is 1-3/4".
Unfortunately, I cannot seem to ...
1
vote
3
answers
11k
views
How do I remove this door handle from my front door?
I am trying to remove a door handle from my front door but I can't figure out how to get it off.
I have taken the screws off the plate (with minimal force) but I can't pry the plate off:
There are no ...
1
vote
3
answers
314
views
What can I use to return a seized door lock to service?
A few days ago the key to the front door started to malfunction. I used a spray from the store to clean it up. At first it seemed to improve things but later the lock became completely stuck. I also ...
- 113
1
vote
3
answers
6k
views
Which tools to use for changing locks?
I am new Home owner. I want to change locks and do it myself. I have never used a screwdriver set before and do not own one.
If anyone can recommend what tools I will need to change the locks.
...
- 113
1
vote
1
answer
611
views
What is the type of this window opener?
I know that this is a very old window opener, it has a body like espagnolette window opener except that the working principle is quite different. There are two metal bars passing by the upper and ...
- 13
1
vote
1
answer
564
views
Finding replacement for antediluvian lock
I would like to replace an internal lock on the cupboard door in my flat. The lock is very old and I struggle to find a similar type in B&Q. I can mostly find locks that are to be mounted inside ...
- 157
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
why is a cylinder lock key not symmetrical?
If you look at a mortice lock key from the side (https://tradelocks.co.uk/cylinder-mortice-borg-locks/key-blanks/6-lever-mortice-key-blank.html), it is symmetrical from tip-to-base. This is because ...
- 113
1
vote
2
answers
469
views
What is this type of pin and tumbler lock, and is it more difficult to pick than a Yale lock?
I am changing the locks at my house and considering this one, whose craters seem more difficult to pick than a standard yale lock.
I include only half the key on purpose.
What is the name of the ...
- 181
1
vote
2
answers
209
views
What sort of lock do I need?
Would anybody know what sort of lock do I need based on this pictures? I'll dissemble it if that's impossible, but I wanted to avoid having to do the work twice and just buy the replacement.
I'm ...
- 169
1
vote
2
answers
2k
views
Unable to get bolt out of door
I'm unable to get the bolt out of a door. For a couple days before it was sticky, and you could push in the bolt on the inside of the door frame to functionality "reset" it so that the lock would ...
- 123
1
vote
3
answers
1k
views
Stopping cat from opening corner sliding doors
In my bedroom, I have a pair of wooden corner sliding doors, pictured below:
My cat is banned from entering the bedroom when we're sleeping here, since she keeps waking us up. However, actually ...
- 113
1
vote
2
answers
220
views
Are smaller door lock keys less secure? [closed]
Our owners corporation has recently ordered new keys for our apartment building main doors.
We've just received the keys and it's obvious these keys are smaller than the previous keys. The new ones ...
- 111
1
vote
3
answers
210
views
What is this type of screw head?
Head is similar to a round, slotted head, except where the arrows point is like it was cut out. It is on an old double cylinder deadbolt. Wondering if I’m going to have to drill it out.
- 459
1
vote
2
answers
3k
views
My door was locked but the handle came off, uses non-traditional unlock [closed]
Sorry i'm in a bit of a pickle here.
So this particular lock style uses plastic with metal on the inside. As far as I could see there was no traditional latch mechanism to trigger to open the latch ...
1
vote
3
answers
758
views
Temporary lock for a door
Is there a way to lock a door temporarily without making modifications to the door or its frame; or making minimal modifications like screw holes. I don't want to be cutting big circular holes in the ...
- 6,923
1
vote
2
answers
5k
views
How do you remove a Kwikset keyed latch
I have been trying everything the internet wants me to try to remove this lock. I've stuck a hex bit inside the little hex thing in the picture below and spun in every direction and still the handle ...
- 113
1
vote
3
answers
5k
views
Replacement key for an old sewing machine?
I'm having an old sewing machine with a simple lock, for which I can't find the key.
What's the best way to:
Find a good replacement key for it
If it's not possible, pick the lock so that it'll be ...
- 315
1
vote
1
answer
168
views
Is there a two way lock that doesn't "lock" on both sides?
I have a 135lb rottie that sort of barges into any room(connected to an outside door. All the other doors he cant go through) due to having weak doors. We are working on replacing them, but for now we ...
- 13
1
vote
3
answers
22k
views
Doorknob only turns one way
This doorknob when locked spins either direction without opening. When unlocked, it used to work like a normal doorknob but now will only turn counterclockwise. Is there an easy way to fix this so it ...
- 155
1
vote
1
answer
119
views
Replacing deadbolt
I'm replacing a deadbolt and need help for the next step. I've installed the exterior portion and I'm now installing the interior portion. The photo below shows the view from the inside.
The prong ...
- 377