Orions Key Residential Locksmith Services

• Emergency Open-ups (Lockout)
• Drilling and Prepping for New Locks
• New Lock Installation
• Lock Repair
• Rekeying (matching keyways for single key use, or staggering security levels)
• Resetting Garage Door Remotes and Keypads
• Electronic Locks

Just moved into a new home or apartment? Keep yourself and your home secure by having your locks rekeyed.

Mobile Residential Locksmith services

We provide can match your existing lock by manufacturer, style, function, and finish. Whether you need a new mailbox lock, a different key to operate your home, updated and more secure locks, or service for binding keys... we can accommodate your needs.

Purchasing and Installing your own locks

There are several considerations when purchasing new lock. The obvious ones are style, finish, and function. But different manufacturers may have slightly different variations of these base finishes.
Styles change over time and finding an exact replacement may not be possible.
The function is pretty straightforward: if you want the lock to use a key, then it’s entrance or entry function (there are many different functions for commercial, but residential is usually just this one). If you want a bathroom lock, that you can insert a small screwdriver or paper clip to unlock it if necessary, then it’s privacy function. If you just want a knob/lever/handle and a latch and you don’t want anything to limit access, then it’s a passage lock.

Other considerations:

The keyway, brand, dimensions, and whether your door is prepped for a latch plate or just a drive-in latch. For North America, Kwikset and Schlage keyways make up about 95% of locks and Kwikset takes up the majority of the split. The keyways these two brands are known for are not compatible with each other. So if you have kwikset locks and replace one with a Schlage, or any other brand that’s using Schlage’s keyway, the same key can’t operate all the locks.

Plate and Drive-in Latches and Bolts

When it comes down to the drive-in vs screw-down latch plate, this depends on how the door was prepped. If it has been recessed to allow the plate to sit flush with the door, you can use the plate. If not, you’ll either have to chisel out, have someone else chisel or route the area, or use a drive-in latch or bolt. Most latches (not all) allow for conversion between plate and drive-in. If yours does, you’d just use a small screwdriver to pop off the plate and replace it with the drive-in cap provided.
Schlage typically provides drive-in conversions for their deadbolts as well… but Kwikset does not! Unless a Kwikset deadbolt is special ordered to be drive-in, it will be a factory pressed plate that cannot be removed or converted. These latches can be purchased separately, but you won’t find them in any hardware stores. Dimensions are especially important for lever/pitcher-handle locks, as they use either a screw or more commonly a post that goes through the door on the bottom of the handle to secure it. if the dimensions are incorrect, you may have to drill a new hole in the door and cover up the old one. Aesthetics are another consideration for the exact dimensions of the previous lock, as the new one may reveal indented, discolored, or unpainted areas underneath.

Door alignment issues

Alignment issues are the main reasons why latches and bolts fail. There are several causes: improperly drilled holes, incorrectly positioned strike and latch plates, sagging hinges, bowed doors, excessive gap between the door and frame, or just settling from age. Make sure your alignment is good, as this can cause broken keys, broken latches and bolts, and damage electronic locks.

Latch replacements

Latches typically wear out before the rest of the lock, usually preventing the door from being opened. Kwikset latches fail most often and this is typically due to design flaws and alignment issues. Standard entrance locks use latches with an additional dead-latch mechanism. This piece is should rest on the latch plate, while the primary latch extends inside the plate. If both latches go inside the plate, they can be manipulated to open the door, and they also bind against the back of the latch plate from the pressure of the door. This is what causes the latch to fail within a few years. Don't get locked inside your own house. If your latch is starting to fail, it's time to replace it.
We stock replacement latches for Kwikset, Baldwin, Schlage, Yale, and Master Lock.

Bolt replacements (for deadbolts)

Bolts don’t fail nearly as often, however, alignment issues are the top reason they do. Alignment is especially critical when they are operated by electronic components. Smooth action is required for the small motor to throw and release the 1” lock bolt. Too much binding can prevent the lock from fully engaging/disengaging, overclocking the motor, wear down batteries, and eventually breaking the lock.

Replacement Locks:

• Knobs (entrance, privacy, passage)
• Levers (entrance, privacy, passage)
• Deadbolts
• Padlocks
• Lock Cylinders

Mailbox locks

USPS can typically replace cluster box locks, but oftentimes the wait is in excess of two months. Stand-alone mailboxes are outside of the scope of USPS and often require specialized locks, or modifications to the locking cam to work properly.
Furthermore, many cluster boxes are susceptible to manipulation. This is not the fault of the lock, but rather the shape of the hole in the compartment door. We also install specialized locks to prevent brute force attacks. Call today and have a new mailbox lock installed today!

Rekey

If you've just moved in to a new house or business location, you should absolutely have your locks rekeyed. There's no knowing who has keys attached to the previous owners. Friends, ex's, distant family members, various workers. Rekeying your locks gives you sole access. Standard 5-pin Kwikset locks allow for 7,776 possible key changes (about 5,000 or so usable codes) and Schlage's standard 5-pin allows for 100,000 possible key changes (around 80,000 or so usable codes).

Rather than replacing a functional lock, the combination can be changed. This is a more cost-effective way to regaining access to the door and regaining key control. Typically, residential locks should be keyed alike. This allows you to use a single key to operate all the locks. Bedroom locks would be the common exception to this. But when you have dog sitters, caretakers, or Airbnb situations, you may consider keying the lower lock (knob, lever, or handle) to a different combination than the deadbolt. This gives you sole control over the deadbolt, which is the primary security of the door (if one is present).
The most common reasons you would rekey a lock would be for:

• Lost or stolen keys
• Staff turnover (caretaker, maid, nanny)
• Evictions
• Estates
• Binding keys (worn keys and lock pins)
• New property lease or purchases

Orions Key Residential Lock Options:

• Key-in-knob locks (Brass, Antique Brass, Silver)
   - Entrance function
   - Privacy function
   - passage function
• Key-in-lever locks (Brass, Antique Brass, Silver)
  - Entrance function
  - Privacy function
  - Passage function
• Deadbolt locks
• Gate locks
• Patio door and Sliding door locks
• Padlocks
• Garage door locks
  - T-handle
  - L-handle
  - Knob
  - Lever
  - Deadbolt
• File cabinet, desk, drawer locks
• Replacement cylinders for knobs, levers, mortise locks, gates, and patio doors

We also stock Kwikset, Schlage, Yale, Baldwin, MasterLock, and AlarmLock products.

Special Orders:

Need a special finish, style or function? Any Items not normally stocked typically arrive within 5-business days.

Orions Commercial Locksmith