All Locked Up (Plus a Giveaway!)

Earlier this week, I shared the new Kwikset SmartKey Deadbolt that I purchased.  Home security is very important of course, so I was happy to install a new deadbolt with top of the line safety features.



It was pretty easy to install this new lock.  First I unscrewed two screws from the back of our existing deadbolt. 



Here’s an important tip, make sure your deadbolt is in the unlocked position before unscrewing the front and back covers.  Trust me on this!  Otherwise you will spend a few minutes trapped in your own house trying to figure out how to open that deadbolt!  Once that little mishap was over, the back and front covers of the old lock were easily removed.



Then I removed the plate that was holding the old deadbolt in place, which allowed it to pop right off.



Once the old lock was removed, I started to install the new lock.  It went on in reverse order from how I removed it.  Make sure to measure the width of the hole in the door, as there were some additional pieces included in the lock that were dependent on the size of the hole in the door.



I won’t bore you with the rest of the installation steps because the instructions that came with the lock were pretty clear to read.  Certain parts even had instructions attached right to them.



The only tricky part was aligning the holes on the back and front of the lock and running long screws through them.  That took me a few tries, but I always have a problem with that part of the installation even when I work on interior doors. 

Now, I’m happy to say I have a top of the line lock protecting my door and my household (including that cute little pup who watched his Mommy the entire time she was installing the lock).



I think I’ll sleep a little better knowing my place is locked up like Fort Knox and even Chuck Norris couldn’t get past my front door!  (Now I just need a fresh coat of paint on the door, my paint is pretty yucky).

If you’re interested in getting one of these locks for yourself, you’re in luck!  Kwikset and Home Depot are sponsoring a $50 gift card giveaway to the Home Depot!  All you have to do is leave a comment on my giveaway announcement post here.

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