How to Remove a Deadbolt

Deadbolts are fairly easy devices to remove from a door or whatever other place that they have been installed. All in takes are a few screwdrivers, some patience and a few minutes of your time. Once you have exposed the two screws that hold the locking device together, the rest is easy.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Phillips screwdriver
• Slotted screwdriver

1. To begin the rather simple process of removing a deadbolt from a door, you will first have to turn the deadlock bolt to the open position and then swing the door open.

2. Once the door is open, then turn the key or knob in the opposite direction until the bolt mechanism is completely extended.

3. Remove the cover to the locking mechanism, which will be located on the inside of the door. Once this doughnut-shaped cover plate is removed, you can then remove the two metal screws that hold the lock tight together. Sometimes the heads of the screws are exposed on the inside of the door, and thus your task will be quite simpler. All you need to do in that case is to remove the two screws.

4. More likely than not, there will be a small brass-like plate that covers the head of the screws and the rest of the lock. It will be shaped a bit like a doughnut, because there will be a whole in the middle. Once this brass cover is popped off, then you can continue with taking the lock apart. The most common scenario is that you will find a small slot along the edge of the brass plate that is just big enough to accommodate the tip of a straight-edged screwdriver. Just insert the tip of screwdriver into the slot and pry off the brass cover. On rare occasion you may have to rotate the brass cover until the slot lines up with an indentation on the plate that is located beneath the brass cover. Then you can insert your screwdriver and pop the plate off.

5. Once the cover is off, the remainder of the task is fairly simply. First unscrew the two screws that hold the locking device together. Then, completely remove the two screws and set them aside.

6. Remove the two small screws that hold the little faceplate to the edge of the door. They will be attached directly to the door. Set them aside with the two longer screws that you have already removed. Pull the faceplate out first and then the lock mechanism should come right out. All you should have left now is a large circular whole in the door that is about two inches wide and another smaller hole that leads to the narrow edge of the door.

7. The last thing you need to do is to remove the strike plate that is still attached to the doorjamb. Back out the wood screws and remove the plate.

Tips & Warnings

• Sometimes the brass cover that hides the two screws can be twisted by hand and then removed. Try this method before you pull out the screwdriver and start prying.
• Be careful when you remove the smaller brass faceplates that are inserted into the door and also the doorjamb. Do this slowly, so as not to chip loose a piece of wood. If you do chip loose some wood, the piece can usily be glued back in place.