How To Remove a Broken Key Inside a Lock

Have you ever experienced the frustration of trying to unlock a door only to find your key stuck inside? It’s an all-too-common home maintenance issue and one that can be tricky to fix. But with a little bit of time and patience, there may be no need for you to call a locksmith anymore. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1

Squirt spray lubricant into the lock to help grease the key. This will make the key easier to remove.

Step 2

Stick the tips of a pair of needle nose pliers into the keyway and attempt to grasp the key. Pull slowly, wiggling the key slightly when you feel resistance. If the key will not budge, continue to the next step.

Step 3

Slide in a small jigsaw blade or other narrow metal object that is capable of latching onto the cuts of the key. Pull the blade down and toward you. When you feel the blade snag the key, pull it out slowly. If the key won’t budge, turn the blade in the lock to move the tumblers, then try again to draw out the blade and key piece. Source: eHow

Additional Tips

If you don’t have access to the tools you need because they’re inside and you’re locked outside, look at where the key snapped. If only half the key is stuck in the lock and the rest is in your hand, no one will be able to pick the lock while you’re out finding tools. If all the key cuts are still in the lock, anyone can turn it with a screwdriver, so have someone you trust stand guard while you get the things you need — or find something narrow and flat and use it to turn the lock yourself, so you can get inside and access your tools. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate

Of course, if you’re still stuck after trying all of these fixes, rest assured you have given it your best shot—this job is truly one for the professionals. You’ll need to call a locksmith to either retrieve the key or replace the lock altogether. Then, going forward, save yourself the sticky situation! Aim to keep a spare handy to switch into your keychain if your primary one begins to bend with wear—a warped key is more likely to stick down the road than a straight key. Also, give your locks a quick squirt of lubricant every few months to dissolve any gunk and keep the locking mechanisms moving freely. With this minimal effort, you may never have to wrestle with a stuck key again. Source: BobVila

If you don’t have the skills or tools to do this job, don’t hesitate to call us. We’ll get your lock fixed in no time!

 

Contact:

Prime Locksmith

(778) 868-4628

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Choosing the Right Tiles for Your Patio

Planning to work on your patio once the winter is over? The sheer number of options can make picking the perfect tile seem overwhelming. But don’t worry, here are some of the top choices to consider:

Slate

Slate is one of the better choices for natural stone in outdoor patio locations. Slate is a metamorphic rock formed under great heat and pressure. It is very hard and durable, and also very resistant to water. And unlike some other natural stones, you can select a product with a natural texture that prevents it from being as slippery as some other natural stone. Many people think of slate as a dark gray or black stone, but it is actually available in a variety of colors, including purple, green, and orange. Source: TheSpruce

Quarry

The name Quarry is a misnomer these days. Quarry stone is no longer mined from natural quarries. Instead, they are processed from dense unglazed clay. Quarry is extremely strong and works well as a paving material for patios.

Quarry was, in fact, created specifically for outdoor applications in courtyards and patios. In contrast to ceramic and porcelain, quarry is only available in a limited range of colors.

Quarry tiles help create a Mediterranean look highly prized by many homeowners. Even though this tile comes unglazed, quarry tiles have incredible water resistance, and their texture makes them slip-resistant. Quarry stone is not good for climates with freezing winter temperatures. Another downside to this material is it stains easily. But in the right climate, quarry is one of the best choices for patio application. Source: Homedit

Granite

Granite tiles are the hardest natural stone tiles, so you’ll find them very durable and resilient to the elements. It is one of the best outdoor tile options if you are looking for natural stone. Consider granite if you live in a part of the country that experiences significant weather shifts from season to season. Granite tiles are also available in a range of colors, from striking white to moody black. Source: BuildDirect

If you need help choosing the right tiles for your home, or if your flooring needs repair, don’t hesitate to give us a call!

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Tips To Consider When Hiding Your Spare Keys

When an emergency arises, keeping a backup set of keys nearby can be convenient and time-saving, but it can pose a security risk. Fortunately, there are many creative ways to hide your extra keys without compromising safety. In today’s blog post, we will explore a few ideas to help you find the ideal location for securing your spare keys.

Put it in the vent

Stick a magnet to a spare house key using hot glue, and tuck the key up out of sight inside the dryer vent hood. If your vent hood is aluminum or plastic, glue a magnet to the inside of the hood as well as the key. Source: FamilyHandyman

Use a fake sprinkler

The fake rock hide-a-key may be played out, but a fake sprinkler isn’t quite as obvious. Bury it in the ground, leaving just the top exposed, and it looks like the real deal. But instead of watering your lawn, this is just a container that hold your keys. It’s both affordable and inconspicuous … if you actually have sprinklers. If you don’t, this will look out of place. Source: CNET

Place it in the siding

The siding on your house helps protect you from the elements — and now unwanted guests, too. Just tie fishing line onto your key, stuff it into the seams and pull the string in case of an emergency. Source: GoodHousekeeping

Worst hiding spots

• Under a door mat: Don’t leave your spare key under the mat. It’s a cliché, and probably the first place a thief would look. All in all, it’s too close to the door and too easy to check.
• Above the door lintel: Don’t stash your spare key above the door lintel. All a thief has to do to find it is run his hand over the lintel and see if he feels a key. Like the doormat, it’s too easy and too close to the door.
• Under a flower pot: Don’t hide your spare key under a flower pot right near the door. Again: it’s too close to the door, and too obvious. What’s convenient for you is also convenient for a crook, unfortunately.
• In a fake rock: Don’t use a fake rock. Most of them look fake, and they’re a dead giveaway.
• In your wallet: Don’t put a spare key in your wallet. If your wallet is stolen or lost, your license and key will be in it. That means that someone could not only have your address, but also a key to enter your home. Without a swift resolution, you’ll probably find yourself changing locks as well as credit cards. Source: Security

Ultimately, the responsibility is on you to decide the safest place to keep your spare keys. Depending on your family dynamics and lifestyle, you may opt for one of these ideas or something else entirely. However, if you are still having trouble deciding where to hide your keys, don’t hesitate to call us! We have the expertise to help you determine the safest option for your home or business.

 

Contact:

Prime Locksmith

(778) 868-4628

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How to Get Dog Pee Out of Carpet

Are you having trouble removing the lingering dog pee smell from your carpet? There’s hope! Getting rid of those odors and stains isn’t as complicated as you might think. With a few simple steps, your carpet can look and smell great again.

While it’s fresh

• Find the pee! First, track down the source of the smell. And do it quickly. Carpets absorb quickly! The longer the dog pee sits there, the worse it’s going to smell.
• Soak up the urine. Once you’ve located the dog pee spot, you’ll want to use paper towels or wet rags to soak up the urine, absorbing as much as possible. If you’ve got an extracting wet vac on hand, feel free to use that.
• Neutralize the smell Then you’re going to want to douse the spot with an enzymatic cleaner or simply make your own cleaning solution by combining (white or apple cider) vinegar and water in a 1:1 ratio. Because the vinegar is acidic, it will neutralize the bacteria in the dog pee, offsetting its odor. Vinegar is pet safe, effective, cheap, and eco friendly. Let the vinegar solution sit for 3-5 minutes or carefully follow the instructions on the cleaning product’s label.
• Try some DIY baking soda cleaning! Sprinkle baking soda over the vinegar mixture. This is the exciting part because the baking soda will react with the vinegar, creating a sort of foam. This will further aid in neutralizing the dog pee smell. Cover the baking soda vinegar spot with a damp towel for 24 hours, then rinse with clean water and vacuum if necessary.
• Freshen up. For additional freshness, try using Febreze Fabric Pet Odor Eliminator once it’s completely dry. A nice way to end your battle with dog urine in your carpet. Source: HomemadeSimple

When it’s dried

To get dried dog urine out of a carpet, combine one part vinegar with one part water, then pour some of the solution onto the affected area. Scrub the dried urine stain with a soft brush and blot the area with a towel until it is completely dry. Source: MyMove

Tips to prevent it from happening again

Here are some tips for pet owners trying to train their dogs to avoid peeing on carpets:

• Be consistent. Potty training for pets requires regular attention. With time and positive reinforcement, dogs learn good behavior.
• Remove odors. Pet odors attract dogs and suggest that it’s okay to pee there again. Clean any pet urine stains or smells to break the cycle.
• Consult a vet. Talk to your vet if your pet continues to make messes despite regular training. Ask your vet if any medical issues might be the source of your dog’s peeing problems. Source: Masterclass

If the problem persists or you need more assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us. We have all the tools required to get rid of pesky odors and stains on your carpets.

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How To Keep Your Smart Home Safe from Hacking

Are you a proud owner of an ever-growing smart home? As security systems, alarm monitors, and light controls become smarter, cyber threats are also becoming more sophisticated. Keeping your data and devices safe is essential to enjoying this emerging technology, as even minor breaches can result in headaches. Don’t worry, though! You can take easy steps to protect your smart home from online intruders. Here are some of them:

Create unique log-ins for each device

Using the same password for everything is convenient, but it’s a security nightmare. If one of those accounts is breached and the password exposed, hackers now potentially have the keys to all the other accounts on which you used that password.

Instead, create a unique password that you can remember but that others won’t be able to guess. You may want to use a random password generator to produce hard-to-guess codes and a password manager to remember them all for you. Source: PCMag

Connect smart devices to a separate network

Many home internet routers allow you to sprout a second (guest) Wi-Fi network, which is safely walled off from your main Wi-Fi network. You can use that secondary network as a place to quarantine all of your smart gear so that it lives completely separate from your various computing devices. This way, in the rare chance someone unwanted gains access to your smart devices, the personal data on your laptop, tablet, and so on will remain isolated and safe. Source: NYTimes

Choose trusted brands

Some smart home technologies are expensive and, for many of us, it can be tempting to cut corners and buy the lowest priced product. Consider your options carefully, and keep in mind that choosing based on price alone may come with added risk. You may expect that brand names typically tend to take extra precautions to protect their reputation, which may mean they take security seriously. But even brand names can be hacked. There are no guarantees, so it’s important to research your options appropriately.

When choosing your smart device, consider whether or not it comes with regular software and security updates, and read the privacy policy to understand how personal data on the device might be used after it’s captured. Consider reading customer reviews and conducting research on consumer protection websites. Source: Travelers

Want to prioritize tightening your home’s security this year? We can help you! Give us a call today. 

 

Contact:

Prime Locksmith

(778) 868-4628

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Interior Design Trends to Bid Farewell to This 2023

Are you looking to update the interior of your home this new year? Get ahead of the curve by saying goodbye to some outdated styles and replacing them with new looks guaranteed to leave your living space looking modern and polished.

Mosaic flooring

“Mosaic floors had their moment until people started spending more time at home and opted for creating more consistent, clean, and serene spaces that were low-maintenance and easy on the eyes. Mosaic flooring is being replaced with larger tiles and materials that are easier to clean and blend into the overall soothing and welcoming feeling that a clean space offers.” —Adam Meshberg, founder and CEO of The Meshberg Group in NYC and Miami Source: TheKitchn

Open floor plan

Open concept floor plans seemed to make a lot of sense when they arrived on the scene — especially for those who often entertain. But open concept floor plans can be tricky to furnish, disorganized and noisy.

As lifestyles shifted over the last few years, many people are now yearning for a private office, separate entertaining areas or a quiet den away from the din. Source: FamilyHandyman

Monochromatic minimalist rooms

When it comes to leaving trends behind in 2023, Amy Forshew, owner and principal designer of Proximity Interiors, is “glad to say goodbye to… the overly simple, sparsely furnished monochromatic room.” In her professional experience, she has found that a colorful design scheme allows clients to enjoy “a more custom, unique look that expresses their individual personality” at home. Put simply: If it’s up to Forshew, she’d like the design world to “bring on the color and pattern” for 2023. Source: ApartmentTherapy

If you find yourself in need of a professional’s hand in sprucing up your flooring this 2023, don’t hesitate to give us a call anytime. We’ll help you choose a timeless carpet that will fit your budget and needs.

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2023 Carpet Trends

Out with the old and in with the new! If you’re looking for a way to update your home, why not start from the ground up? Give your floors a makeover with 2023’s hottest carpet trends below.

Neutral color

While carpet trends are showing that we can be going bolder with our colors and prints, there’s also a strong trend for using carpets for their most renowned quality – adding warm, cocooning, comforting vibes to a room. And this coziness is only enhanced with toasty, earthy tones. These rich terracotta and ochre shades are ideal for bringing in deeper hues to a neutral space without overwhelming those softer, paler shades. 

‘The ever-popular and easy to live with greige, beige, and natural earthy tones, which have been so popular for rugs and carpets this year, can be paired with warm, deep hues to add richness of tone while maintaining the calm spaces we still crave.’ explains Lynn Llewellyn-Jones, color consultant for fibre. ‘Add rich shades of terracotta (Italian for burnt earth), deep Ochres; a naturally occurring pigment in clay and sophisticated and richly pigmented pinks to continue the natural theme while adding great warmth and depth to your scheme.’

‘These colors make us feel grounded and secure, optimistic and energetic; ready for a new year, a room refresh or simply to lift us up after a long period of uncertainty. We are set to see more complementary ‘mix and match’ flooring where toning colors are used across multiple rooms to offer a varied yet cohesive feel to the flooring. Using this coordinated variety between runners, stairs, living rooms and bedrooms rather than the same flooring throughout the home can make a subtle statement and allows us to control a flow of energy for different moods in different rooms.’ Source: Livingetc 

Carpet tiles

Carpets covering a whole floor might be something you are familiar with. Shifting from the monotony of a single shade, patterned carpets that replicate a form of tiling can be used to add flair to the space. Carpet Flooring 2023 can extend beyond tiling shapes and get in more decorative designs that can adorn your floors adding a unique character to the space. Source: ArchitecturesIdeas

Natural fibers

Not one to decorate with color? Fear not. “Materials like jute, wool, and sisal will also continue to be a neutral staple,” Wahler adds. “We expect to see our rug designers playing with textural variations and designs a lot more in the new year!” Jen Dallas who runs an eponymous design firm and will be releasing a rug collection next year echoes these sentiments. “Natural fibers like seagrass and jute make great underlay rugs for a smaller vintage rug of choice,” she shares. Source: TheSpruce

If you’re not quite sure where to start or which style would be best for your space, we can help. We’ll work with you to find the perfect carpet for your home and budget. Give us a call today!

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Tips on Keeping Your Smart Lock Safe

Smart locks provide homeowners with an unparalleled level of convenience, security, and control over access to their homes. However, as with any type of security system, smart locks need to be properly maintained and cared for in order for them to serve their purpose effectively. Here are some tips you should follow:

Create unique codes

Individual codes are a great way to not only ensure your safety, but also keep track of who’s coming and going from your home. It’s a good idea not to pass out just one code for friends, family, guests and commercial services. Most locks include the option for at least 10 codes. Some, like the Nest X Yale lock, allow an unlimited number of individual codes.

Consider having a code for each household member, one for guests and one for professional services. Smart lock apps will let you know which code or user unlocked the door in an activity history log in the companion app.  Source: CNET

Keep your Wi-Fi connection strong

You’ll find that you get the best experience with your smart lock when it can easily connect to your WiFi or mesh network. When possible, place your WiFi router or smart home hub close to your lock – about 40 feet assuming there are no metal walls or other obstructions to block the signal. If you can’t move the router or hub, consider a signal extender to improve the connection.

When your lock has a stronger connection to your network, you’ll likely find that your batteries last longer and you can remotely access your lock more quickly. Both of these are important to improving the security of your home with smart locks. Source: Schlage

Do not connect to your app using public Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi networks are not secure because a hacker can monitor unencrypted traffic and send out malware. All online activity is vulnerable, including when you control smart home devices.

For quick commands, like turning on the lights at night or locking your smart lock, you won’t use much data, so it’s better to use your cellular plan instead of a public network.

For more intensive tasks like streaming from security cameras and video doorbells, a cellular network should work fine, but finding a secure Wi-Fi network is ideal if you don’t have unlimited data.

If you must use an unsecured public Wi-Fi network, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to encrypt your data so watching eyes can’t read it. Source: Safewise 

Should you ever have any questions or concerns about your smart lock, don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re always happy to help!

 

Contact:

Prime Locksmith

(778) 868-4628

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Things You Need to Know Before Refinishing Your Hardwood Floor

Are you and your family ready to enter the New Year with a bang? One of the best ways to make that happen is by giving your home a much-needed facelift, starting with some refinishing work on those hardwood floors. Here are some important things that every homeowner should know before proceeding with this project:

Ensure your floor doesn’t just look dirty

Cleaning your hardwood floor is a no-brainer, but here’s something you might not know: Dirt and mud tracked inside don’t just sit on the top of the wood’s surface, they scratch their way into nicks and crevices. This can leave even the floor looking dingy, no matter how many times you clean the surface. 

To bring your hardwood back to life without calling in the professionals or breaking out the sander, start by deep cleaning your wood. Sweep it thoroughly with a soft bristle broom (harder bristles can add even more scratches!) and then mop with a microfiber cloth and a non-foaming cleanser. 

If it foams, keep it away from wood flooring! It’s important to avoid abrasive cleaners that might just add to the scratch-fest that’s already making your hardwood look so tired. Source: Angi

Find out if a full refinish is necessary

If your floor doesn’t have deep gouges and the finish hasn’t completely worn through anywhere, you may be able to get away without a full refinishing job. Instead, the floor guy will lightly sand the existing finish (a process called screening) and then apply the new finish (polyurethane) right over the top. This is sometimes called a “screen and poly” job, or sometimes a “maintenance coat,” and it might save you about 50% off the cost of full refinishing. Plus, since it doesn’t remove any wood, there is no limit to how many times it can be done to a floor. Source: Money

Consider the season

Trowel filling after sanding is the easiest way to repair deep gashes, dings, and gaps when refinishing your floors. But if done during the wrong time of year, it’s not a long-lasting fix.

Why? In a nutshell, wood compresses during the winter and expands in summer.

When you fill gaps between floorboards when it’s cold and dry, the material used is often squeezed out during sultry weather. That’s why it’s best to fill floors when the humidity is higher during the summer.

But even then trowel filling is not a perfect fix, especially when used to patch small crevices where filler can easily come loose. What to do? Only fill larger gaps. Leaving the smaller ones unpatched will accommodate wood expansion. Source: TheSpruce

Want to know if your hardwood floor just needs a little TLC before saying yes to a refinishing project? Call us!

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Factors to Consider When Looking for Solar Security Lights

Solar security lights have become a popular solution for homeowners who are looking for reliable, cost-effective lighting. In addition to providing reliable illumination during the night, this energy-efficient fixture also enhances security. However, when selecting solar security lights for outdoor use there are certain factors that need to be taken into account in order to get the most from this useful home accessory.

Resistance to the elements

Simply put, an IP rating is a measure of how waterproof or weather-resistant an item is. This is especially important for outdoor solar lights, as they’re going to be exposed to various weather conditions and elements.

“IP stands for Ingress Protection and relates to the amount of protection the fixture will have against solids and liquids,” says Singleton. “A good rating for an outdoor solar light would be IP65. The first number refers to the ability to repel dust and debris, six being the highest. The second number refers to how airtight the fixture is. Level five will [protect] against angled spray, while level eight can be completely submerged in deep water.”

When you see an IP rating with an X in it, this means the product does not offer protection for that category. For example, IPX4 means the device is protected from water splashes in all directions, but not from dust and debris. Source: RealSimple

Brightness

Lumen (plural lumens) is a unit to measure brightness, expressed numerically. For example, floodlights with around 1,000 lumens are a step up in brightness from what you’d get on average from a spotlight; floodlights from 1,000 to 1,500 lumens will likely cover an average driveway or patio; 1,500 to 2,000 lumens is good for mid-size backyards and patios, and longer driveways. Floodlights ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 lumens cover large areas, and anything over 3,000 is generally sufficient for extra-large spaces.

Unless you live in a rural area, you’ll also likely need to consider your neighbors’ tolerance of brightness, and you may want to confirm in advance if the light meets your town’s requirements to avoid needing a permit. Source: PopularMechanics

Duration

The charge time refers to the hours of sunlight needed to fully charge the battery, whereas the run time is how long it will produce light during the night. Various factors may influence the charge and run time such as weather conditions. A charge time of 6 to 7 hours is recommended. A run time of 10 to 12 hours is suitable, however, this may depend on the amount of sunlight your location receives and the power setting you’ve selected on the light.

Look for a device that has manual and automatic settings. This will allow you to activate or deactivate the lights as required and adjust the brightness to conserve battery power. Source: GardenGateMagazine

If you’re looking for more ways to improve your home’s security, give us a call! We’ll be more than happy to help.

 

Contact:

Prime Locksmith

(778) 868-4628

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