Frozen Locks

Spokane weather during these months of the year are not easy to deal with. Snow and ice are conditions that are no strangers to the area along with other things that may be affected by these conditions. One of the things are frozen automotive locks. Not once people that are about to leave  for work in the morning this time of the year and will be unable to unlock the door of the vehicle because the locks got frozen. However, there are several solutions that would help you deal with these types of situations.

The most common solution for a frozen lock is heat. One way to solve this type situation is to deep your key in boiling water or put it somewhere it can heat up quickly. If using boiling water, before attempting to unlock the frozen lock if using boiling water, the key should be wiped clean first. Using a lighter to heat up the key is another way that can be used.

Deicers are another good solution. they can be found almost at any store. Keeping a few cans handy would be recommended since you never know when you are going to need them and in addition they can be used for other applications as well that may have freezing issues. In order to use it on a frozen lock, a straw must be used in order to insert it inside the keyhole. After everything is setup, spray a little from the deicer and wait a couple of minutes for the material to work. Once you insert the key and jiggle, it should free the lock from the ice.

A material most people don't know that can do the trick in overcoming frozen locks is Vaseline. The chemical compound that is often found inside of a Vaseline can easily melt ice. You can dip the key in Vaseline and immediately insert it inside the lock. Before attempting to turn it, you should jiggle it first and do not use any force as the key might break inside the lock. Once you feel the ice was melted, you may attempt to give it a turn to unlock the door.

For information about automotive locking services, contact Premier NorthWest Locksmith Spokane (509) 557-7680.

Interchangeable Core Locks

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Smart Lock Entry Systems

The frustration of losing or misplacing the keys to your home just as you arrive home is very common. Thanks to new technology in the security field, these frustrations now has a solution. Wireless entry lock systems are becoming more poplar nowadays for residential settings where no key is required in order to gain access and operate them. They are mostly come in a form of a smart lock where a connection is created between your smartphone and the lock on the front door of your home and unlock it as soon as you arrive home. There are several models form various lock manufacturers that are available in the market and can be installed and serviced by most locksmith companies.

A lot of the smart locks available in the market are fairly similar, however, some of them come with unique features. The Goji smart lock system for example that works on wireless has the ability to take a pic of anyone that get close to the front door of your home and immediately send an alert to your smartphone. In addition to smartphone access capabilities, the Goji smart lock has the option of setting an access schedule for certain users dictating when they will have access to the property.

Kwikset has also joined the revolution with their Kevo smart lock deadbolt. The Kevo enable you to gain access by tapping the lighted area on the deadbolt itself. This can be done when your smartphone is pre-connected to the lock. However, if your smartphone is not compatible with the Kevo, a key fob remote can be ordered with the lock to be used instead. Another unique feature the Kevo has is the ability to send temporary access also known as eKey to different individuals through the smartphone.

The Lockitron is another cool entry system that was developed to be used with smartphones. What makes this system so unique is the fact that it goes over the existing deadbolt on the front door of your home instantly making it a smart lock that can be controlled from anywhere you are around the world. In addition, the system will send you live notifications each time the door is unlocked. And if you still weren't able to keep up with technology and don't have a smartphone, this entry system works with old cell phones too!

For more info about smart locks, contact Premier NorthWest Locksmith Spokane (509) 557-7680.

Double Cylinder Deadbolt

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Broken Key Extraction

Coming home from work only to be denied access to your home because the key broke inside the lock can be frustrating. In these types of situations, calling a locksmith is highly recommended as further damage to the lock may occur and most likely would need the attention of a professional. However there are some things that can be attempted to resolve the situation before deciding to call a professional.

In case the key broke inside the lock, but part of it is sticking out, you are in luck! There is a good chance you will be able to pull the broken piece out by yourself using your fingernail tips or a pair of needle nose pliers. However, if the components of the cylinder are worn and you had to force the key inside which probably caused the breakage in the first place, calling a professional might be your best bet.

Broken key situations is something that can be prevented a lot of the times with few simple basic maintenance measures. Lubrication of the locks would be the first step. Not only it may prevent from the key to break inside the lock in the future, it will prolong the life of the lock as well. Just like any other mechanical mechanism, if a lock does not get the proper maintenance, it may affect the internal components inside the cylinder which will cause it to malfunction in the future. Spraying a silicone lubricant every few months should be enough.

Often overlooked, but also can be a cause of a broken key situation is the key itself. Keys are often subject to a lot of abuse and can wear out at some point as well. When the keys get worn or damage, trying to operating the lock with such keys may result in them breaking inside the lock. For that reason, it is always recommended to keep a fresh spare handy at all times.

For more information about broken key extraction services, contact Premier NorthWest Locksmith Spokane (509) 557-7680.

Ignition Switch Service

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Deadbolt Types

A deadbolt is a common form of security measure taken by many residential property owners. Although it is not completely "bullet-proof" against burglars, it cannot be beaten easily. If you are inquiring regarding adding or upgrading the existing deadbolt currently installed on the front or back door of your home, know that there are several types and styles available in the market.

The most common type of deadbolt you will find is a single cylinder deadbolt. They are very standard and require a key to lock or unlock the door from the exterior side while from the interior you will have a thumb-turn to control the locking status. Those types of deadbolts can be found mostly on residential applications in which there are no windows or glass near the front door as it may cause a security hazard otherwise.

The next level up in security is a double cylinder deadbolt. With this type of deadbolt, a key is require to control the locking status of the lock from both sides of the door. Those deadbolts will mostly benefit applications where there are nearby glass windows close to the door or glass inserts that are part of it. In such case, an intruder will not be able to break the glass and reach in to unlock the deadbolt from the inside. The only cons from using such deadbolt is the safety hazard it creates during an emergency where fast access out will be needed.

Last but not least is a key-less entry type of deadbolt. With this type of deadbolt, a key is not required at all, but is optional in most cases. Accessibility is gained by entering a code via the keypad or touch-pad interface. The ease of access is one of the biggest advantage this type of deadbolt provides with a minor trade-off which is the price.

For more info on installation and other deadbolt services, contact Premier NorthWest Locksmith Spokane (509) 557-7680.