We recently received a call from a new homeowner in Southaven, MS 38671 who had a unique issue with their security door. After moving in, they discovered that their front storm door didn’t come with a key. The situation with these ornamental doors is tricky—without a key, you don’t know who else might have one. The client wanted us to rekey the existing lock and create a new key from scratch for peace of mind.
Once we arrived, we inspected the rod iron door and discovered that it had a Profile Lock—a style commonly used in storm doors and some screen doors. We had two options: attempt to pick the lock open or drill out the cylinder to remove the lock completely. Naturally, we prefer the non-destructive approach of picking the lock since rekeying is much cheaper than installing new hardware.
After 20 minutes of trying to pick the lock, we made an interesting discovery: it was a factory-sealed cylinder, the type that cannot be rekeyed. These are rare but do pop up occasionally. We explained the situation to the client, and the only solution was to install a brand-new profile storm door lock.
Next, we installed the new lock on the door, but the key wouldn’t actuate the latch on the mortise lock body. Upon closer inspection, we found that the lock had been in the locked position while someone had forcefully pulled on the door, bending the latch. This prevented the key from smoothly moving the latch into the strike plate. We attempted a repair to keep the rod iron door lock functional but, given the extent of the damage, a full lock replacement was necessary.
This is one of those scenarios where a homeowner wouldn’t have known about the problem until getting a locksmith involved. In this case, the previous owner likely avoided getting a new key because they knew the lock was faulty and didn’t want to pay for proper repairs. Our client was thrilled with how we handled the situation. We explained each step, were transparent with pricing, and showed them exactly what was wrong. We even had the right lock on hand, something most locksmiths don’t carry regularly.
The Installation Process:
To fit the new lock into the rod iron door, we had to retrofit it. This involved custom drilling new holes to match the diameters of the modern lock, a task that requires a lot of skill since Pado-style locks are no longer commonly sold. Fortunately, we have our sources and keep a range of storm door, ornamental door, and screen door locks in stock.
Some Tools We Used:
- Flathead and Phillips screwdrivers
- Rekeying kit
- Vice to hold the cylinder cores during rekeying
- Allen key set
- Marks lock in profile style
- Lock body
- Drill bits and router bits for drilling into both aluminum and iron doors
- Lock picks for non-destructive entry
After a successful installation, the new lock worked flawlessly. We provided the client with freshly made keys, leaving them relieved and happy with the outcome.
If you’re in Southaven, MS, or nearby areas like 38651, 38654, or 38672, and need assistance with your security door, storm door, rod iron door, or screen door, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime. We are your #1 Emergency Mobile Locksmith!
📸 Check out the images below to see the completed job and the tools we used!
