Help and Advice

How to Replace a Mortice Lock

A mortice lock is secured using two screws one at the top and one at the bottom of the lock. These screws are visible on the locking face of the door. Unscrewing these will allow you to remove the lock and forend plate. If the lock is a sashlock this means that it operates with a handle then the handle also has to be removed. A door can have a independent handle and therefore not have a sashlock, and examples of sash and deadlocks are shown in the pictures below. It is then important to measure your lock, measure it from front to back it will either be 2½” or 3” typically a lock adjacent to glass panel will be 2½” and 3” otherwise, but you should check. Your new lock should fit the hole the old lock was removed from (remember to screw the forend plate on at the same time as securing the lock). If you have a deadlock you should now be finished if you have a sashlock you need to make sure the spring loaded latch is a the top as you secure the lock so you can refit your handles. You will notice you will still have a striker plate or box striker left in the packaging. Generally you will not need this as the one fitted will be adequate. If however if the lock will not work then you will need to fit the new striker as well. To do this, remove the screws that attach it to the door frame and remove it. The reason the lock will not be working will be that old striker is not deep enough so it is likely you will either have to drill, rout or chisel the hole it sits in deeper. It is recommended you check the fit of your new striker before you attempt to deepen the hole. If fitting a sash lock make sure that the curved edge of the striker points the same way as the face of the door when it is open so it closes properly. Secure your new striker and you are finished.

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