One of the questions we get asked often is How To Reverse The Locks? Well, there are many different approaches to doing it, depending on the locks you have. However, this small step by step tutorial is meant for people who have regular doorknob type locks that are thumb-operated.
The problem with these commonly found locks is that they are so simple to use that many times children will lock themselves in the bathroom or their bedrooms. Not only do kids do this as part of their natural learning process, but it can also be potentially distressing for parents. So, instead of replacing the locking knob with perhaps a closet knob, you can just reverse the knob, by placing the locking end outside. That way, kids aren’t able to lock themselves in.
If you want to reverse the locks of your home, below are the steps you can follow to do just that.
Start by removing the knob
You will want to start by removing the screws on both sides of the doorknob that are holding it together. You should be able to see the screws behind a plate of the doorknob. Just twist the plate, and it should come away from the door. Then look for a small notch in between the handle and the plate. Use a flat head screwdriver and insert it into the notch to release the handle. Once the handle is loose, it can be easily pulled off, and the plate removed to expose the screws.
Then while holding the opposite side of the doorknob, use a screwdriver to remove the screws that are holding the knob to the door and together.
Remove the Doorknob
You then pull the doorknob away from the door and slide the spindle away from the latch. Then push the end of the latch, which should be the parts that protrude from the edge of the door. That should help you remove the entire lock.
Reverse the Spindle
You will want to reverse the spindle towards the backside of the door. You also want to check to make sure that the spindle goes through the latch as well as the screw posts. In most cases, it should work flawlessly, but some tweaking and adjustments may be needed.
Putting it all back together
Start by lining up the screw holes, which should be on the side of the knob you removed. Then insert the new screws through the hole in the knob and screw those into the post. You will want to turn the screw clockwise to secure both sides of the knob. Put the plate back in and push the handle into their respective sides.
Test the lock to see if everything is working fine. If some more adjustments are needed, you’ll need to remove the knobs again. Just make sure that the door does not swing open when closed.
