Lock Replacement & Upgrade: getting ready

The lever on the side door droops toward the floor and rattles in your hand. The latch no longer springs back on its own, so the door drifts open behind you unless you pull it shut and check it twice.

Worth answering before the call

Do you own the home, or rent it with the landlord's agreement to change locks? How many keys does the household need, and should copying be restricted? Can you photograph each lock from outside, inside and along the door edge?

Can I replace only the deadbolt and keep my existing knob?

Yes. The deadbolt and the knob or lever are separate locks in separate bores, so one can be replaced while the other stays. The new deadbolt can be pinned to work on the same key as the knob if the keyways are compatible, and its finish can be matched to the knob so the door looks intended. Replacing the deadbolt first is a sensible order, since it does most of the securing.

Can a lever replace a knob on the same door?

Yes, and it is a common change for anyone who finds a knob hard to grip. Levers use the same bore and backset as knobs, so the swap is usually a direct fit. Levers are handed, so the locksmith checks which way the door swings and chooses or adjusts the lever accordingly. A keyed entry lever pairs well with a deadbolt above it, and interior passage and privacy levers complete the set.