5 Ways to Retrieve Keys Locked Inside a Car

Finding yourself locked out of your car is a nightmare, especially when you’re not only locked out, but your car keys are locked in as well! That’s a terrible, frustrating situation that so many of us have experienced at some point in time, but there are quite a few ways to retrieve car keys that have been locked inside a car, like the following five you’re advised to try next time you’re locked out! 

1. Call an Auto Locksmith

As most of us would struggle to retrieve keys in a car using a shoelace or another item (and who carries around a Slim Jim but a car thief anyway?), your best option here is to call an auto locksmith and have them retrieve your car keys for you. Action Lock are leading experts who can help you with all your auto locksmith needs, including retrieving car keys that have been locked inside the car.

This is also the best option because it’s the least likely to cause any damage to your car, which is something that you’ll need to consider if you’re going to try one of the other methods listed here. 

2. Use a Shoelace

As this method only works on locking mechanisms that unlock the door by pulling up the mechanism inside (vertical mechanisms), unless your car is at least twenty years old, this method, which was once the best method to use, won’t work at all. 

3. Use a Coat Hanger

Twist the coat hanger, insert it in the window and jiggle it around until you find the locking mechanism and can release it. Unlike the shoelace method, coat hangers work on locking mechanisms that are horizontal as well as vertical. 

 

4. Use a Rod and Screwdriver

Chances are you won’t have a rod and screwdriver on you unless you’re at home, but if you are, this is an easy method to use. However, you need to be very careful as you can damage the window and the door using this method if you’re not careful. 

5. Use a Slim Jim

Really, who carries a Slim Jim around? If you’re a car thief perhaps, but who else has one? You can, however, use something similar, like a long metal ruler or you can find a piece of steel around the same size and thickness. If you can find something suitable that resembles a Slim Jim, this could be the key that you’ve been looking for.

These are five ways to retrieve car keys that have been locked inside a car. While these are five of the best ways to open a car without the keys, most people will struggle to do so, and as that’s the case, the first method discussed, which was to call auto locksmiths in Perth and have a professional open your car, is your best option However, if you’re feeling lucky, you can try the other four, which were: use a shoelace, coat hanger, rod and screwdriver or a Slim Jim – if you have one handy!

How to Correctly Prune a Tree

As leaves start to fall from the trees each autumn, branches which were formerly shrouded in a canopy of dense foliage, decide to reveal themselves once again. To be honest and given the choice, many good people would prefer not to have to deal with the ensuing mess; while there are others out there who enjoy this time of the year, because of the opportunity to examine each tree canopy. One important observation you may like to make is to make a note of any branches that may need to be removed.

To Prune and Not to Ruin

• Limbs of trees can be pruned for any number of the following reasons; 
• They are diseased or dead
• They are inward growing or in competition with other branches and one has to go
• They are crossing or rubbing another limb and damaging it
• To raise or open the canopy, for providing more vertical clearance or to allow more light to reach the ground

As with most operations, there is a right and wrong way to do the job. If cut correctly, trees will quickly recover, if cut wrongly, it can create chaos.

Steps, 1, 2 & 3

The Professionals Would Suggest Using a Three Step Approach to Cut Tree Limbs

• Step One - Make the first cut about 30 to 60 centimetres away from the tree trunk. This cut starts on the underside of the limb and goes into it, but only about a third of the way. Take note that this is a very important step in the operation.

• Step two - Make the second cut away from the tree and the first cut, another 30- 60 centimetres. This time cut all the way through the branch. The branch should break away as you saw through the limb, and because you’ve already made the first cut on the underside and closer in, the bark will not continue to rip down into the tree trunk. (If you had not made the first cut, the branch would have broken away with the weight of the limb. This would have included the attached and uncut bark going with it, and tearing that from the tree as well. That would create a big potential problem, producing a large open wound with the possibility of allowing an entry point for pests and disease. Definitely a no-no for anybody contemplating tree lopping.)
• Step Three - The third and final cut is right where the branch meets the trunk. Look for the flared area and make the final cut so that the flare is still there afterwards. If cut in the correct way, this flare will heal over and after a while will fill in with new bark and scar tissue. You’ll know when the tree is healing because you will notice what looks like a doughnut shape forming where you made the cut. Should you be lucky enough to be living in W. Australia, Perth Arbor Services are tree surgeons in Perth who will get the job done in the most professional way. Be sure to check them out. 

And there you go. Not that difficult is it? Just be careful if you’re up a ladder, and make sure the only limbs being affected are the trees, and not your own! Remember - make sure to prune, and not to ruin!

Why You Should Be Sleeping Underneath a Cotton Duvet Cover

Your bedroom is one of the most important rooms in your home. It should be a place that calms you, restores you, and rejuvenates you after a long day at work, running around attending to various errands, and living life in general. There are many ways that you can make your bedroom a tranquil and relaxing space. Interior design experts suggest soft colors as paint choices to create an atmosphere of calm and serenity in the bedroom. You can add lavender to your bedside table to induce a well-deserved and deep sleep. Duvet covers as your main source of bedding are on trend and keep you super warm in the winter and cool in the summer but what you use to cover your duvet also is equally important. If you aren’t already sleeping underneath a cotton duvet cover here’s what you have been missing. 

Cotton Breathes

If you have an amazingly high quality hotel style duvet and you cover it with a polyester or synthetic material, you are doing yourself an injustice. Cotton is a naturally occurring plant that is one of the best materials out there that are available for bedding. Cotton duvet covers are 100% breathable and allow you to breath better while sleeping. Sleeping with synthetic duvet covers can cause discomfort and allergic reactions in some people disrupting your sleep cycle and leaving you groggy the next day. Cotton duvet covers, sheets and pillowcases free you from these issues and are the healthier choice. 

Cotton Types & Thread counts

Not all cotton is created equal. There are different kinds of cotton on the market and some are better quality than others. For example, Egyptian cotton is regarded by many as the number one type of cotton due to its high-quality fibers and thread counts. Thread counts can range anywhere from 200-1000 and even higher in some cases. Pima cotton is made from lower grade level fibers but is still soft and considered of good quality. The higher the thread counts, the softer and more comfortable your sheets and pillowcase will be. Same goes for your duvet cover. Choose high quality materials and invest in a bedding that will have you sleeping like a baby at night.

Easy to Clean & Store

Most cotton duvet covers are super easy to clean and are often machine washable. Unlike their polyester blended or other synthetic made counterparts you do not have to worry about expensive dry cleaning bills every time you want to clean your duvet cover. Simply pop it into the washer and you are good to go. Cleaning your bedding shouldn’t be a huge chore every week and having high quality cotton bedding can save you money in the long run since you won’t have to be shelling out money for their care and maintenance. If you are changing out your duvet covers seasonally cotton also stores easily as the fabric breathes thus reducing yellowing and the harboring of dust and allergens.

To a relaxing night!

10 Things you Need to Know About Welding

Welding is such an integral part of modern life, every vehicle you drive, every building you enter, every device you use, will have been put together by welding metals, and let’s not forget the millions of machines that incorporate this method of fusion. To become a competent welder takes many years of training, and armed with a sound knowledge base, lots of patience, and a whole lot of practice, the apprentice can finally carry out the work to the required standards. The average person knows little about this trade, apart from the fact that it involves heat, so for those who are interested, here are some of the things you never knew about welding.

1. There are Many Ways to Weld – Modern welding enables a range of methods, each with its own specific properties, and they include:

• Gas welding
• Arc welding
• Flux cored welding
• Metal cored welding

2. Welding Uses a Range of Energy Sources – A welder might use a gas flame, an electric arc, an electron beam, a laser, or even ultrasound. If you are in Western Australia, and are in need of some quality work, Diverse Welding in Perth are experienced in working with a range of industries.

3. Multi-Environments – Welding can be carried out underwater and in space, making it a very versatile form, and there are specialist companies that provide specific welding services for a range of industries.

4. Robots Can Weld – Automated welding is a major part of car manufacturing, and other industries also use machines that can weld to a higher level of precision than a human.

5. Glass Can Be Welded – Metal is not the only material that can be fused together by heat, glassblowing is a form of welding, as many of the products are several pieces welded together.

6. Plastic Welding – Many types of plastics are seamed together by welding, namely thermoplastics, which have a much higher melting point than normal plastic. Welding is critical for many industries, and if you happened to need welding in Perth, or any other city, an online search will put you in touch with an established company in your area.

7. Welders Must Wear Protective Equipment – All forms of welding present a degree of risk for the welder, and the eyes must be protected from the harmful infrared that the bright light emits. Not only that, small particles of hot slag could fly into a person’s eye, so welding goggles or a mask is recommended.

8. Welders Must Know the Theory – A welder would need to have a sound understanding of physics and chemistry, and this is learned during the first year of apprenticeship. Typically, a welder undergoes four years of training, and may go on to learn more about one specific kind of welding.

9. Welders Use Solvents – Sometimes when working with thermoplastics, the welder will use a solvent to fuse the two sections, rather than heat.

10. Welders are Highly Paid – If you are thinking of becoming a welder, it is a good career move, as the salaries are definitely in the upper bracket, and the more specialised the work, the higher the hourly rate.

Most people take welding for granted and think it is a job that anyone can do, when in fact, it is one of the most skilled trades, and with new technology surging ahead, the days of hand welding may be soon be behind us.

7 Ways to Get Your Dream Kitchen for Less Money than You Think

You need to make sure your home is your own palace because it’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought. Your home is your fortress, the place that provides shelter from the elements and protection from those who want to steal your stuff. More importantly, your property is there to provide you with a private utopia in which you can relax with the family, catch a good night’s sleep and cook delicious meals. However, you won’t enjoy cooking unless your kitchen looks amazing, but revamping a kitchen can be rather expensive.

Fortunately, a Perth kitchen renovation can be less expensive than you think, especially if you get hands on and do some work yourself. There are many ways you can improve the overall look of your kitchen without having to buy very expensive furnishings. However, if you’ve had the same kitchen for years and have a little money saved in the bank, you might be more open to the idea of changing every aspect of your kitchen, but you should only choose experienced professionals for such a big revamp if you want to feel confident that only high-quality materials and items are used.

For the reason above, many homeowners turn to Kitchen Capital WA when they want a revamp because that’s a company that has already transformed thousands of kitchens in Australia. However, with a focus on saving cash, this article will detail seven fantastic ways you can give your kitchen a makeover without a big investment.

Top Tips for Kitchen Makeovers

While you’re saving for your next big kitchen revamp, you can inject a new lease of life into the room by taking the following tips on board:

- Change the lighting – It may sound small, but you’d be surprised by how much changing the lights could transform your kitchen. Make sure you don’t forget about the lights under the cabinets.

- Change the drawer handles – Swapping old and damaged handles for new luxurious ones could make your kitchen feel brand new, and they don’t have to cost too much money.

- Buy a rug – Maybe you’re bored of your kitchen because it feels too bare, in which case the simple addition of a rug could make you feel happier about the room’s appearance.

- Change the faucet – You use your kitchen sink on a regular basis, and old and dirty faucets may depress you. Upgrade the faucets, and the cleaning up won’t be so boring.

- Add more storage space – Perhaps your kitchen always feels cluttered because you don’t have enough room to store everything. Resolve the issue by installing wire shelves in your cabinets.

- Buy a dish rack – You’ll feel happy about your presentation skills with an attractive dish rack.

- Cover old countertops – Changing countertops is a big job, but you could temporarily hide them with a large cutting board.

Be Proud of Your Kitchen

If you don’t currently have the money to completely revamp your kitchen, you can make it feel fresher by taking the tips above on board. Just make sure that when you’re ready for a revamp you only utilise professionals who will finish the job to a high standard.

How Does a Hot Water Heater Work?

Everybody needs to make sure their home provides a great place to enjoy some relaxation, which is why modern properties are fitted with a wide variety of complex systems. For example, though it’s easy to take for granted, homes are filled with electrical appliances that can be plugged into outlets in the walls which are connected to a complex wiring system. Electricity is fed to the home via the national grid, and we all know how difficult life suddenly becomes when a power cut occurs and for just a short space of time, we no longer have access to any power. It’s strange to think that it wasn’t that long ago when no homes had any electricity at all and yet people survived regardless.

Similarly, plumbed amenities are taken for granted, such as showers and toilets. However, even running water isn’t enough to make us happy unless it’s hot because we’ve simply become accustomed to our nice relaxing showers and baths. Of all a sudden, when you have no hot water to have a nice shower before work, life feels like hell. The only reason hot water on demand is even possible is because households are fitted with hot water heaters. However, everything runs into problems at some stage or another, and that’s when you need to get hot water repairs in Perth.

There are many reputable companies that provide hot water repairs, such as the professionals found at http://ift.tt/2hmlipn. However, though it’s easy to have our hot water systems repaired, most of us don’t know how they actually work in the first place. Below, this article will give you some insight into what makes your water hot.

An Insight into Hot Water Systems

In this day and age, in a developed country like Australia, it’s hard to imagine where we’d be without hot water. However, to help you appreciate just how lucky you are, here’s a brief guide to how a hot water system actually works:

- The tank – Most water heaters are either electric or fuel-fired. Fuel-fired tanks usually use either natural gas or propane to heat the water and feature a vent pipe at the top of the tank to get rid of waste gases. Those fumes can be hazardous to your health, but thanks to modern hot water systems, you never even come into contact with them.

- Electric heaters – Electric heaters, on the other hand, simply connect to the grid or your solar panels via a power cable and use electricity to heat your water. Like with the fuel-fired tank, the electric hot water system features pipes to both retrieve water from the grid and deliver it to you.

- Insulation – Another fascinating thing about water tanks is the fact they are well insulated to keep hot water warm when you’re not using it.

Don’t Take Hot Water for Granted

It’s easy to forget how lucky we are to live in the modern world where we have things like electricity and hot water at our disposal. However, you still need to remember that all equipment will run into problems once in a while, so make sure you have the contact details for a dependable plumber saved for when issues arise.

8 Top Reasons Why You Should Install Window Tinting at Your Home

When most people hear the words “window tinting”, the majority of them will immediately think of car window tinting. Not that many realise that the benefits of vehicle glass tinting can transfer over and be applied to their homes. Residential window tinting can help protect the health and comfort of your family, help safeguard the interior of your house, improve finances by the saving of energy, guard your privacy and make your home simply look more attractive.

The Decrease in Heat

Window tinting for the home or office is now the most popular and efficient way to reduce unwanted solar heat transference going out through windows. It can contribute to an almost 80 heat reduction compared to untreated glass, while managing hot spots, and cooling down sun-drenched areas in your home or office.

Reduces Fading and Helps Maintain Your Health

Window tinting for your home or office will block around an astonishing 99%* of UV rays, while also undoubtedly reducing heat. This definitely will help to protect your lovely furnishings from fading and provides a screen for your skin against the harmful effects of the sun’s rays.

Cuts out Glare

Whatever the reason, be it direct sunlight, reflections from snow, water, or surrounding buildings, there is the perfect window film solution to help cut out any annoying glare. If you’re on the lookout and interested in window film in Perth, do yourself a favour and contact the best out there.

Energy Saving Benefits Galore

The reduction of temperature imbalances created by extreme sunlight is the reason these days, why so many designers, architects and building engineers are leaning towards window film. Reducing the loss of heat will increase HVAC efficiency and lower energy bills.

Increases the Security of Your Home

An accident, environmental effects or vandalism can instantly transform a pane of glass into life-threatening shards. Window film at your home or office can act as a safety net by containing the shattered glass together.

Privacy Enhancement

If you are overlooked by neighbours or passers-by, then quite simply window tinting can offer a simple solution that still allows daylight into your rooms. You can enjoy year round privacy because you can see out, but others can't see in!

Aesthetically pleasing to the Eye

Whether it’s a modern building or older, there’s a great selection of window film products that can aesthetically enhance the outside of a home or office building. Looking ‘cool’ on the outside and being ‘cool’ on the inside is as good as it gets! Happen to be lucky enough to be living in W. Australia? Click here and check out the number one, renowned experts in all things regarding window tinting. You won’t regret it!

Installation Doesn’t Take Long

Professional installation is quick and simple. There’s minimal disruption to one’s daily lifestyle or work schedule and you’ll be enjoying the perks of your new home window tint in no time at all.

Before You Dive In: Key Things to Think About Before Installing a Swimming Pool

If you have decided that a swimming pool would be a great addition to your home, it can be tempting to dive in so to speak, and get started on arranging an installation before really thinking things through about what features you want and other important aspects that could make a difference to the end result.

It may well be that a custom shaped concrete pool could be the right choice for your setting and requirements. Whether you have a young family or want to use your pool for fitness as well as fun, these are all things that you need to think about before going ahead with your plans.

The aesthetics of an inground pool

The general weight of opinion would come down in favour of an inground pool, which is very often more aesthetically pleasing on the eye and offer you greater design flexibility than an above ground pool.

It is fair to say that if you decide to go for an inground pool, you have to be prepared to go through the process of obtaining construction permits and be ready for the excavation work required to install your pool.

It is likely that your inground pool choice will be more expensive than one that sits above the ground, for obvious reasons, but the work and expense is often well worth it when you see the end result, and enjoy a potential boost to your house value too.

A matter of perspective

When it comes to swimming pools, size really does matter and is an important consideration.

It can be tempting to go for a pool that is as large as you can make it, as there is an obvious appeal in that, but what you don’t want to do is be over-ambitious with your plans and end up with a pool that might look out of place, only because the perspective in relation to the location dimensions doesn’t work.

A good tip when you are planning your pool, would be to mark out your intended pool area using something like a rope or a non-permanent spray paint. This will enable you to visualize how it might look and whether you might need to scale down your plans a bit to get the right balance.

Work with your theme

Another important consideration when trying to choose the right style, shape and size of pool, is to work out what sort of theme or feel that you are trying to achieve with your garden space.

Swimming pool design options are a virtual blank canvas these days, so you definitely don’t have to make do with a standard-shaped pool of you don’t want to.

Therefore, you can turn things around and work out what sort of theme and ambience you are trying to attain, then look at your pool options to see what works best to fit in with those ambitions.

When your swimming pool is ready you will certainly be itching to dive in, but avoid jumping in at the deep end when considering your design plans, so that you get it just right.

Charlie Read works in the construction business and has worked on his fair share of swimming pools over the years. He started writing articles after an accident left him unable to work for a few months and hasn't stopped since he got back on his feet.

5 Tips On Preventing Winter Pipe Leaks

Another winter season is upon us, and it is about time we started winterizing our homes, especially since weather forecasters are predicting an especially cold winter in the GTA this year. During winter, our pipes are some of the most affected areas in our homes. With the constant changes in the weather, pipes are bound to expand and contract causing stress, cracks, and leaks. Later, when the pipes become too weak for the fluctuating temperatures, they burst and cause a lot of damage. This can be avoided by implementing the following pipe leak prevention tips.

Insulation of Pipes

Insulation of pipes ahead of winter can go a long way in preventing frozen pipes, which later leads to cracking of the pipes. Insulation of pipes can be done easily with the purchase of insulation sleeves from local stores. You can wrap your exterior pipes with electrical insulation while the interior pipes will do just great with a fiberglass insulation. However, if you don’t have the time or energy, you can always call in a professional to give you the results you’re looking for. If you live in the GTA, WaterWorks Canada can help you prepare for a harsh winter with the right tools and professional service.

Leave Cabinets Open

Most constructions have kitchen sinks located on the outside wall. This increases the vulnerability of pipes to the cold air coming from the outside. To prevent this, it is important that you leave your cabinets open. This allows warm air from the house to enter the cabinets, warming up your pipes and preventing freezing.

Remove and Store your Outdoor Hoses and Insulate your Faucets

Before winter comes, remove hoses and store them in your garage. Leaving them outside will make them vulnerable to freezing. Also, do not forget to turn off your outdoor sprinklers and faucets. For added protection, invest in an insulation for your faucets — even wrapping them in electrical tape will do in a pinch!

Warm Up your House

Keep your house warm at all times. Regulate your thermostat to 30 degrees Celsius. Particularly, if you plan on being away from your home for a long stretch of days. This will keep water, already in your pipes, warm enough, effectively preventing bursting and leaking.

Maintain a Slow Drip

During the winter season, you want to ensure that there is constant flow of water, where even a tiny amount of drippage can mean the difference between healthy and broken pipes. Maintain a slow drip in your hot and cold water pipes to save on pipe repair and maintenance.

As water damage can be costly, winterizing your pipes is the first major step towards protecting your home during winter. Calling a professional plumber to conduct preventative maintenance is the best way to prepare your pipes to weather the winter season.

If you are looking for professional pipe leak prevention services in Toronto, Ontario, start your search with WaterWorks Plumbing and Drains. Offering affordable water leak prevention services, satisfaction is guaranteed, this GTA business only asks you to pay upon completion of the project and only if you are satisfied by their services.

Tastemaking with a Twist-Pop Art Radiators as Home Décor

Nothing can be as boring and mundane as home heating units. Perhaps there is something but from an interior design perspective I can’t think of anything as drab and purely functional, especially here in the United States where baseboard heating has been the most prevalent form of heating for years. Yes, baseboard. There is nothing, absolutely nothing glamorous about baseboard heating and what it does to a room is a totally different story. Until stumbling across Warm Rooms, I had little hope for finding heating options with functionality, efficiency and style.

Pop Art Colors Schemes

What a joy it is to be able to choose from the various vibrant color options that are available in the world of radiators. You can have a room that is literally all white or all black and you can utilize your vertical radiator units as pop art design elements. Vivid hues of red, yellow, blue or any other colors that set your heart and soul on fire breathe life into a dark, drab or otherwise boring room. Pops of colors are a great way to add simple but noticeable design elements to any living space whether personal or business. 

Vertical Design Radiator Panels as Wall Décor

There are some stunning options out there when it comes to radiator units as wall décor. You can literally find vertical radiator units that you can mount on your wall that look as if they are artwork in and of themselves. What a genius way to marry style and function. There are some Italian manufacturers that offer beautiful designs that can fit any style home. From traditional design, to contemporary, modern or combinations, the options online are truly endless. There are different sizes and shapes to choose from as well as all different types of materials and finishes like stainless steel, chrome, and anthracite finishes. From super sleek curved panels, to long and super slim vertical wall mounts there is something for all taste and styles. Having a specific design theme in mind prior to setting out on your search is the best plan of attack. If you have an idea of what you are looking for the selection process will be that much quicker and that much easier.

Choosing Your Colors

This sounds super simple but in reality selecting the right color scheme for your room is not as easy as it sounds. There are so many things to take into consideration such as the color of the existing design elements in the room such as wall décor, throw pillows, area rugs, etc. If you are working with a monotone room choosing a color for your radiators will be simple but if you are already working with a room filled with color you are going to have to select carefully. You don’t want to have the colors of the radiators so overbearing that they take over the entire focal point of the room. A good rule of thumb is to remember that they should be adding pops of color and complimenting the style and other design elements that already exist in your home.