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Not Hiding and in Plain Sight

By
Home Inspector with King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. Home Inspector Lic #207

In the world of tools and items made for the homeowner, one unique gizmo that has been around for many years is the proverbial key rock -- a composite or plastic stone that is hollow with a cover on the bottom. A key rock will hold a few backup keys for those times when a person gets locked out of the house.

But, like any device, the effectiveness of the key rock is largely dependent on the method in which it is employed. A few months back, I saw a standalone rock sitting on an uncluttered back deck. I knew, immediately by the shape of it, that it was a key rock. I am pretty sure that any sneaky person, wanting to break into that house, could figure that out too. Good idea, bad implementation!

 

A key rock need not make it easier for someone to break into a house. A key rock, set in a flower bed or a planter, with lots of foliage and vegetation is hard to find.  In this case,  follow the red arrow. It is unlikely that a burglar would unearth this key rock. 

 

Key Rock

As is the case with so many creations sold today, a careful consumer has to do some thinking about how to make the best use of a given product. In my job, working as a home inspector based in Bellingham, WA, I can attest to the fact that many decent products are incorrectly installed or they are used in a manner that was not intended by the manufacturer.

Posted by

Steven L. Smith

If you enjoy nostalgia and music of yesteryear, click on Elvis' gold record to visit This Day In History. To explore The Stories Behind The Music blog posts click on the electric guitar. 

 

        

 

 

 

 

Comments (5)

William Feela
WHISPERING PINES REALTY - North Branch, MN
Realtor, Whispering Pines Realty 651-674-5999 No.

Yea....we put one in the flower bed and when I needed it I couldn't figure out which one it was.

Aug 17, 2015 09:59 AM
Steven L. Smith
King of the House Home Inspection, Inc. - Bellingham, WA
Bellingham WA Home Inspector

William,

Yes, you had a really good idea there, but you needed to refine it a bit. I have used one for years, sometimes have to hunt it down but always find it.

Aug 17, 2015 10:00 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

I just have a lockbox.  That way if they find it (because it's not in plain sight) they still have to get in it.  

Aug 17, 2015 12:07 PM
TeamCHI - Complete Home Inspections, Inc.
Complete Home Inspections, Inc. - Brentwood, TN
Home Inspectons - Nashville, TN area - 615.661.029

 Good Tuesday morning Steve. Sometimes the best place to hide things is in plain sight of others.

Aug 17, 2015 07:39 PM
Jay Markanich
Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC - Bristow, VA
Home Inspector - servicing all Northern Virginia

I have actually found a few key rocks in my time, in the garden!

In that first photo, you sure that isn't the old key ear plug?

Aug 19, 2015 09:06 AM