Garage Door Safety Tips For An Accident-Free Home
Garage door safety is a topic most homeowners gloss over when purchasing, repairing or installing a new system. That’s because so many products today come with built-in safety features. But there’s still quite a bit of precaution to use around these convenient home entryways. While the number of fatalities related to their operation is quite low, it’s still an unnecessary statistic. And it doesn’t begin to speak to the garage door-related injuries that might occur. Garage Door Safety In the following article, we’ll be discussing the top garage door safety tips for ensuring your home, property, and health is protected. Let’s begin! Safety Sensors First Safety sensors are standard features on most new garage door openers. And they’re especially worth it if you have children living in your home. They’re also beneficial when protecting your automobile as they will not allow the door to close if anything is blocking the sensor path. This ensures your car’s body is protected at all times. It also gives you the convenience and peace of mind of closing the door before exiting the vehicle. Protect Your Passwords Many enjoy purchasing password-protected garage doors. These ensure you can get in and out of your garage regardless of access to a garage door opener. Be careful with these, though. They usually follow the limited security oversight of a numeric keypad. Numeric keypads are bothersome for a couple of reasons. These are: We tend to be lazy changing passwords of any kind We also tend to go with the most obvious numerical combinations, thus making a password incredibly easy to figure out (i.e., 1234, your four-digit birthday including month and day, etc.). Many often share their passwords with friends and family members. Since most invasive crimes are committed by someone you know, you may want to reconsider. Teach Children To Respect The Door For children, door safety is about more than simply avoiding having the garage door close on them. There’s also the action of the door as it ascends and descends. The segments of the door create a possibility for serious injury should a child get their fingers too close to the crevices. Parents, watch your small children closely as they toddle towards a door-in-motion! Keep Remotes In A Safe Place Remote controls are incredibly convenient for garage door openers. But if you lose or misplace one, it can be distressing. For starters, you don’t know who’ll end up with it. They certainly provide easy access to your home for residential burglars. Secondly, losing your remote creates a major annoyance. This is especially true when you don’t have some outside point-of-access (such as a keypad). Test The Safety Features Most doors are to come with a garage door auto reverse feature. This enables the owner to stop downward momentum if something or someone too small for the sensor ventures underneath it. The auto-reverse mechanism should be tested regularly. Doing so can pinpoint any obvious signs of malfunction as they occur. Read The Owner’s Manual Like a car, each garage door does different things. To understand the full capabilities (and the full vulnerabilities), it’s important to read up on yours. The downside of this is that many people fail to keep physical copies because they just assume the door will work at all times. Fortunately, many manufacturers will allow you to access specific makes and models on their website should you lose or misplace yours. Check Garage Door Parts For Wear And Tear Looking at the entire garage door, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the sum of the parts. But the functionality is controlled by a system of brackets, cables, and pulleys. If just one thing goes wrong, it can impede the entire system. And the more issues a garage door experiences, the more likely it is to become a safety hazard for anyone near it. Mind The Age Of Your Garage Door As doors age, they’re more vulnerable to part malfunctions. Older doors are likely to not be equipped with the latest safety features or standards. For a complete list of the signs your door is wearing out, check out these 10 tips from one of our previous blog posts. Never Leave A Garage Door Partially Open One safety issue that isn’t necessarily indicative of a faulty door but still worth mentioning is the partially or fully open door. Criminals will often case neighborhoods looking for an easy mark. It doesn’t get much easier than a wide-open garage door. Plan For Vacations Your garage door likely has a long-term safety feature for those moments when you’re going to be gone longer than a typical workday. A manual latch keeps the door locked regardless of who has garage door opener or password access. You also should consider a backup mechanism like motion lights, not just for vacation time but every day. Criminals get spooked into moving to an easier target when they see one cut on, and it gives the impression you’re home even when you’re hundreds of miles away. Keep The Entry Door Locked Just In Case If someone does breach access to your garage, don’t make it easy for them. Keep the entryway door into your home locked at all times to guard against the unexpected visitor. Obscure Visibility In Your Garage Garages can sometimes become museums for high-priced fitness equipment (i.e., bicycles, Bowflexes, etc). If you are keeping anything of significant value in your garage, make sure there’s no visibility from the street. High-value objects attract all types of wrongdoers. Lock Your Cars Anyway Lastly, even after taking every precaution you can against a garage intruder, assume they’ll get in. And treat everything — including your automobiles — as if they’re vulnerable. It’s especially important to do this if you keep your garage door opener inside your car. Crooks aren’t above breaking in once to quickly gain access to the door opener, then coming back later when you’re not around to clean house. Proper Garage Door Safety Keeps The Rest Of The Home Safe If
Garage Door Installation Checklist
10 Not So Obvious Signs That It’s Time To Replace A Garage Door
Have you noticed your garage door isn’t working as well as it used to? Are you starting to suspect there’s a serious issue with your garage door? Has it been a while since you had your garage door repaired or replaced? Knowing the most common indications you need a new garage door is essential—even if your door is working well now. After all, while proper garage door maintenance matters, sometimes a new one is the best option. In this post, we’ll fill you in on the top 10 signs you need to replace a garage door. Acting quickly—and getting in touch with qualified professionals—is an important step when it comes to preventing injury or even death due to a faulty garage door. Subtle Signs Your Garage Door Needs Replacing If you notice any of these signs, don’t delay. Reach out to an expert and get the issue fixed immediately. It Suddenly Reverses Direction One of the most obvious signs you need a new garage door? It starts to close, but then it reverses direction. Many people incorrectly think the problem is with the garage door opener, but it’s usually not the case. First, make sure there’s nothing underneath your door as it may be reversing due to some kind of obstruction. If that’s not the issue, you may be dealing with old sensors, worn pulley systems, or even an extension spring cable that needs replacing. In some cases, a repair may not be enough. You may need to replace a garage door instead. It Opens Incredibly Slowly Patience may be a virtue, but a garage door that takes what feels like forever to open is a sure sign of trouble. You may need to click your garage door opener several times before you see any response. But even then, you feel like things would be faster if you just pushed your garage door open on your own. In most cases, this signals a broken torsion spring. It Closes on Its Own If your garage door closes without warning, you need to replace your garage door immediately. This is a serious safety issue that could lead to injury, partial paralysis, and potentially even death. It doesn’t matter if your garage door slams shut or closes slowly without warning. Don’t ignore this issue. It’s a sign that your springs are worn down and need to be replaced. Tell family members to avoid the garage until this is fixed. It Opens Unexpectedly Is your garage door opening on its own? If so, this is as much of an issue as a door that closing suddenly and without any use of the garage door opener. In some cases, this could be caused by a sensor that isn’t aligned properly. There may also be an issue with the springs. Remember that burglars can easily sneak into your home through an open garage door. In other words. this is a problem you need to fix at once. You Spot Track Misalignment Especially if your garage door is a bit on the older side, you may be able to spot track misalignment on your own. This isn’t something you can fix yourself as it’s incredibly dangerous. It’s also a sure sign you’re in need of a replacement. The Garage Door Doesn’t Close All the Way You definitely need a new garage door if yours doesn’t close all the way. Maybe it closes on one side but not on the other. Perhaps it just stops halfway down. Even if you notice a slight gap between the ground and the bottom of your garage door, you need to act quickly. There’s likely an issue with the torsion spring or cable. It Makes Strange Noises Is your garage door making grinding noise that seriously grates on your ears? It is squeaking and scraping? If so, this is a sure sign of a problem. In some cases, parts of it just may be in need of a bit of lubrication. You shouldn’t attempt to do this on your own, however, as you can easily make the problem worse. If you hear scraping sounds, the issue is likely with your bearing plate. You may also have an alignment issue on your hands. These unpleasant noises clearly signal a problem—so call in the professionals as soon as you can. The Temperature Isn’t Consistent Have you realized your heating and cooling bill has gone way up lately? Are you able to stay cool in one part of your garage but feel like you’re burning hot in another? Do you just feel as though your garage isn’t properly insulated? You shouldn’t have to be uncomfortable. Call a professional. The Door Is Seriously Warped Because your garage door is constantly exposed to light and humidity, it can quite easily become warped. This can also happen because the door isn’t balanced correctly. In most cases, you can’t fix this issue. A total garage door replacement will be necessary. There’s a Delay in Response You’ve pressed your garage door opener numerous times, but nothing is happening. Maybe your garage door does eventually open or close, but there’s a serious lag in the overall response time. This is yet another sign it’s time to get a new garage door. Need To Replace A Garage Door? Have you experienced any of these signs that you should replace a garage door? If so, don’t entrust your garage door’s safety and functionality to anyone less than the best. Whether you need to repair your garage door or replace it completely, we’re here to help. Get in touch with us to learn more about what we do, and don’t spend another moment operating an unsafe garage door!
Choosing the Best Garage Door Opener For Your New Garage Door
Did you know the average garage door opens and shuts 1,500 times per year? This makes choosing the best garage door opener even more crucial. Every garage door needs an opened to function. Keep reading for reviews of the top models, and to learn how to choose the best garage door opened for you! How to Choose the Best Garage Door Opened for Your New Garage Door Having a reliable garage door opener means that you are able to open and close your garage door whenever you need to use it without worrying about it breaking down. Before we chat about some of the best garage door openers lets learn about the different types. There are four basic types and they all have one thing in common. They all are made up of a motor that moves a trolley. The trolley which is connected to the door moves the door up or down when it’s activated. 1. Belt Drive This type of opener usees a rubber belt to slide the trolley when the door is activated to either open or close. The trolley moves over rubber instead of metal making for a smoother and quieter motion. Running on a belt drive means less vibration than a chain drive opener. Since there are less moving parts these openers require less frequent maintenance. They are great for any type of home but recommended for garages that are next to a bedroom or living area or right below a bedroom. Belt drive benefits include: Quiet Low maintenance 2. Chain Drive This type of door opener a metal chain drives the trolley that moves the door up or down. This is usually the least expensive type of door opener making it the most commonly used. Chain drives can be noisy because of the chains which aren’t popular among noise-sensitive people. These are best for garages that are detached from the home or away from any bedrooms. Chain drive benefits include: Inexpensive 3. Screw Drive This type of garage door opener a threaded steel rod is responsible for the movement of the trolley. This type of opener has less moving parts making it have fewer maintenance issues. These openers are similar to belt drives with the fact that they are quieter than chain drives. These are also ideal for all type of homes because they have a vibration-free movement. Screw drive benefits include: Quiet Low Maintenace 4. Direct Drive This type of garage door opener is the least complicated of all opened types because the motor itself moves the trolley. This removes needing a belt, chain or threaded steel rod to move the trolley. This simplifies the process and makes it a quiet operation of moving up and down. This door opener is great for any type of home as well. Garage Door Opener Reviews Let’s check out some reviews of a couple of different garage door openers. Chamberlain PD612EV 1/2 HP MyQ Enabled This opener is a great budget option and reliable. Its motor is equivalent to 1/2 horsepower. Its a chain drive system that is quick and easy to install. With this opener, you have the option of connecting it to the MQ technology to use with your smartphone. Chamberlain offers a 10-year motor, 2-year parts, and 1-year accessory warranty. Chamberlain WD83KEV Whisper Belt Drive This garage door opener is the best overall in reviews. This model has an exclusive Motor Vibration Isolation System which eliminates vibrations, in turn, having less noise. It also allows you to monitor and control the opener via your smartphone with the MyQ enabled technology upgrade option. It has the option of setting a timer to close the door in either one, five, or ten minutes and the built-in sensors won’t close the door if something is in the way. Chamberlain PD512 This opener has a powerful 1/2 horsepower reliable and rugged motor. This model has a 100-watt bulb giving you overhead light when the opener is activated. The PD512 comes with a pre-programmed remote that can be used to open and close the door over a long range. It has sensors preventing the door closing on anything or anyone if it’s in the way. A unique feature this opener has it its Patented Security + 2.0 rolling code technology and PosiLock anti-theft protection. Genie SilentMax 750 This door opener is a belt drive making it extremely smooth and quiet. It uses a 3/4 motor making it capable of lifting a garage door weighing up to 500 pounds in weight. This model comes with a wireless keypad and dual remote controls to ensure that you have the only access to that garage door. If you are worried about losing the remotes or “keys” it’s compatible with a few different in-car remote systems which you can keep at home as spares. Genie Excelerator 1 HPc Direct Screw Drive DC This is a great option if you’re looking for a fast garage door opener. This model has a direct screw drive making it stable and fast while opening and closing your garage door. This opener comes with two remotes and a wireless keypad giving you the option to open the door with a pin. There is the option to have this opener smart-enabled you just have to buy the kit separately. A unique feature this opener has is the Safe-T Beam. It uses an infrared beam that prevents accidents by opening or closing the door if a car is getting too close. Ready to Upgrade? When you choose your garage door opener it’s helpful reading reviews from other consumers. Knowing the difference in types of garage door openers and reviews on different models should have you feeling more knowledgable and confident in choosing your garage door opener. Looking to replace your garage door for a more reliable one, or grab the best garage door opener for you? Contact us for a complete list of our garage door services.
9 Tips for Winter Garage Door Maintenance
You’re sitting at home with a cup of hot chocolate and a movie when suddenly you feel a draft. This is either because you have the AC down too low or something is wrong with your garage door. A broken garage door isn’t just an inconvenience, it also leaves your home open to harsh winter elements. When cold weather hits there are several things you need to do maintenance on your heater, roof, and even your garage door. You need to clean dirt off the track, tighten the hardware, and lubricate all the parts. Winter Time Garage Door Maintenance In this article, we’re going to go over these and other garage door maintenance tips for the winter so it doesn’t break down on you. Look and listen The first step to stopping a problem before it occurs and gets out of hand is to look and listen for them. Observe your door every time that you use it. Does it move a little jerky when it opens and closes? Is it struggling to open? Is it scrapping when it opens and makes unpleasant sounds? These are all signs that you have a larger issue going on. Wipe down the weather stripping and check for cracks As you’re probably aware, your windshield wipers can stick to your car’s windshield. This is a pretty common occurrence during the winter actually. Well, the same thing can happen with your garage door. It is possible for your weather strip to get frozen to the pavement. If this happens, you’ll have more than a little trouble opening the door. This is especially true if there are any cracks in the stripping. So, take the time out of your day to dry your weather stripping to avoid this issue. If you notice that it’s cracked then you’ll want to have it fixed right away. Clean dirt from the door, track, and rollers As you use your garage door, dirt and grime will build-up on it, the track, and the rollers. It might not feel like a big deal now, but you will want to clean this dirt off before winter sets in. The reason for this is that the dirt will trap in moisture and this moisture will freeze. When the moisture freezes, you get the same issue as the one above. Lubricate all moving parts Once you’ve done the steps above, take the time to lubricate anything on your door that moves. During the winter months, they can get cold and stick. The lubrication will keep them from doing this. Make sure that once you lubricate it to wipe off any access oil. Too much will do just as much harm as not enough. Tighten up the hardware Garage doors move up and down thousands of times a year. When you do the same thing day after day, you wear out after a while and the same thing can be said of your garage door. The parts will wear out and start to loosen up. If you don’t tighten these parts periodically, you’re faced with the problem of the parts falling off. Go in with a socket wrench whenever you get the chance and tighten up any brackets and bolts. Test the door balance If your garage door balance is off, the opener will be forced to work harder which means you’ll probably have to replace it sooner than you would like. Disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle. This will allow you to move the door about halfway up. If it doesn’t stay in place then there is a problem with your balance and you will have to call in a professional to get it fixed. Inspect and replace your rollers No matter what material your rollers are made out of they need to be inspected at least twice a year and replaced after seven. These numbers go up if you rely on your garage door a lot. When you inspect your rollers and notice that they are cracked or chipped, you will need to replace them immediately. It’s not too difficult to do. You just remove and then reinstall any roller brackets that aren’t attached to the cable system. Replace the weather stripping If you notice that your rubber weather stripping is cracked or dangerously close to doing so, you’ll need to replace it ASAP. If you don’t you’ll just leave your home vulnerable to the winter elements. Weather stripping is also something that is really easy for you to replace. They sell it by the foot at a majority of garage stores. You just have to cut it to size and then insert it where the old one was. Check your cables Broken cables are easy to look for but you should never replace them yourself. They have enough force to kill you easily so it should be left up to the professionals. Check for any broken strands or damage near the bottom roller bracket. If you notice any obvious damage, it’s time for you to get on the phone and hire someone to fix it before someone gets hurt. Garage Door Maintenance That Won’t Leave You Out In The Cold A broken garage door is more than a slight inconvenience. It can make your home vulnerable to the harsh winter elements. Make sure you keep up with proper garage door maintenance so you won’t be left out in the cold. Do you need to have a new garage door installed? Look no further! Contact us for a complete list of our services.
The Best Garage Door Materials For Your Climate
Out of all of the types of repairs that can add value to your home, repairs to a garage can bring back almost as much as you spend. When you’ve got a garage door to repair, deciding on the right garage door materials can be confusing especially if you’re in an extreme weather location. If you’re not well versed in the types of materials that garage doors are made of, you could find the whole affair daunting. Which Material Is Right For You Here are some of the most common garage door materials and why you might want to choose them for your climate. Reasons To Choose Steel Steel garage doors are probably the most common type of garage door materials you can find anywhere around the country. They’re inexpensive and require very little effort to maintain them. And while they might seem like a limited choice, you can get them in just about any color imaginable and have them finished to match a mostly wooden garage. On top of that, you can add some window panels to a steel door that will allow natural light to get in. If you’re going to be working out, finishing projects, or having band rehearsal all year round, windows will make it seem less claustrophobic. You can have a common steel door and still have something that looks unique. The thing about steel is that it’s not a material known for insulating from the elements. However, with layers of galvanized steel that garage doors are made from, insulation can be added to make things feel more insulated. If you’re in a very cold climate, steel might be difficult to keep a garage warm with. But with added insulation, you can reduce noise and even lower bills from other materials you can’t add insulation too. Why You Should Choose Fiberglass If you want to have a natural look, good insulation, and avoid any kinds of maintenance related to corrosion, rust, or decay, fiberglass is the best solution. Fiberglass doors are made out of a steel frame with fiberglass built on top. This makes for a sturdy door that can be great for hotter climates where you want to keep the inside of your garage liveable. It’s hard to do a quick oil change or a little bit of cleaning of your vehicle when it’s oppressively hot so your fiberglass door should make it easier. Because there are so many colors and styles available, you can match your home easily with a fiberglass door. Without having to worry about the maintenance that other doors require, you could have a strong and distinctive weatherproof door. Reasons For Choosing Wood Wood brings a lot of gravitas to any kind of home or decor. When you choose wood, you choose to bring in the feeling of a natural elegance that is classic and won’t ever be out of style. The qualities that wood brings with it also come at a price. Wood is sensitive, can deteriorate over time, and will need constant protective coating and maintenance. What you trade for your time is great beauty. If you can keep your door from incurring a lot of sun, weather, or water damage, you’ll have a strong and lovely door that will last for years. If you live in a moderate climate, good is a great choice. However, you can’t expect a wooden garage door to bring you the insulation you get from fiberglass. While you’ll get plenty of reliable functionality, one of the main reasons to choose a wooden door is to maintain the look of the garage or to match the material that your garage is already made of. Sun-drenched or hot climates can be rough on wood, breaking down the finishes on your wood, making it harder to keep it looking good against the elements. Considering a Glass Garage Door While it might sound like a strange choice for a garage door, glass is a great way to maintain the views of home overlooking a lovely vista. It’s also an option for keeping high-end design covering every element of your home. If your living room or your adjoining room has a largely glass external wall, adding a glass garage door can make the design cohesive. If you have a home that’s made chiefly of glass and metal, adding a fiberglass door to save money could undermine the design of your home. You want to make a design statement with every choice you make, so why overlook what your garage door could be bringing to the conversation? If privacy is important, you can have your glass garage door panels frosted or tinted. You can also add safety glass or acrylic to make it more secure while not interfering with natural light. Why You Should Choose Vinyl If the other doors on the list don’t cut it or if you’ve got tight budget constraints, vinyl might be the obvious choice for you. While they might seem like a budget conscious solution, they look great on oceanfront property that could face degradation from salt and sand. Rather than worrying about corrosion or deterioration, vinyl can outlast the elements. If you want insulation, vinyl doors are a great choice. They’ll look good for years because of their ability to resist UV exposure. They may not be able to match the finish of your garage but could make up for it greatly with the savings you’ll see to your energy bill. You might even be surprised at how well they complement your home’s exterior. Garage Door Materials Can Determine How Long They Last If you’re trying to decide the right garage door materials for your next garage door, you need to balance out the needs of your climate. Making the wrong decision could leave you with a door that needs to be replaced in just a year or two. If you’re trying to repair your door on your own, check out our guide to avoid common pitfalls.
A Homeowner’s Guide to Modern Garage Door Styles and Options
You should appreciate your garage door and give it more credit. Believe it or not, garage doors affect your home’s value, increasing or decreasing its resale price in the market. As a matter of fact, finding the perfect garage door can bring back about 98.3% in terms of ROI. With the changes made with garage door styles and options, now might be a great time to get a replacement. Garage Door Styles And Options To help you in narrowing down the right garage door styles and options for you, here are some things you should know in scouting the right garage door styles for your home. Types of Garage Doors First, consider the layout of the doors and their orientation with the garage. Consider the vehicles you have and the size of the opening to see if it fits well. A popular choice is the classic garage door. These open upwards in a sliding fashion. With these kinds of garage doors, space is not an issue. Classic garage doors are perfect in property areas that are spatially constrained, posing the least amount of disturbance to neighbors. Carriage doors are also great garage door styles. The usual opening setup for these types of doors is of the swing-out variety. With these, you get the aesthetic of having a sort of barn or stable. This is rather rustic and stylistic for your home. While notably lesser in popularity, a carriage style garage door is still an attractive option. Appearance And Aesthetics Each house is different. Some houses carry a modern aesthetic while others are rustic, log cabins. They each have their own styles, some more popular than others. The same is true with garage doors. Remember to go with the general design of the home before picking a garage door. For example, going for a traditional style with a matching wood grain is perfect for a timeless feel on your home. These are still popular and may appeal to a home that also has the same traditional aesthetic. If your home is leaning towards the modern and contemporary design, try a contemporary garage door to match with it. Modern garage doors with steel sheets and sleek black metal would work well in this case. Door Configurations Along with the style and aesthetics, the configuration of the garage door is another that you should consider. You must consider convenience and function. One of the common door configurations is the single bay door. Easy to use due to its size and easier to control, single bay doors are perfect for areas with cold climates or for a subtle appearance to fit your home. It is also a practical choice as it is easier to negotiate when the door opener fails. Another door configuration for your garage is a double door. This is perfect for wide garage openings. As these kinds of garage doors are capable of raising or lowering all at once, large vehicles find ease in traversing in and out of the garage. Double doors are among the garage door configurations that hold the most variety. With this in mind, it is easier to find various kinds under this door configuration. Materials And Maintenance Whether these are decorative garage doors or otherwise, the materials used in their make bring more depth into considering the type of garage door to pick. Aside from appearance and design, you will now consider how to maintain them to last you longer. Wood is one of the more common materials used for garage doors, alongside steel. Its popularity is high due to the charm it exudes in its natural state. Using its natural grain and shade, there is little to no need for paint and works to match well with any home. One thing to remember about wood is that it is prone to chip and age as time passes. To maintain its pristine condition, the doors need repainting or refinishing at regular intervals. Steel doors are also a great option, perfect when you prefer minimal maintenance due to its durability. Painting is also easy to match and execute. The only problem you will have is with how it will dent due to massive trauma. Varieties Of Garage Door Openers Garage door openers reduce the hassle with an automated system with a remote control system to allow ease of use. With these motorized systems, they come in a variety of models that you can choose from. Depending on the door model you used for your garage, there is a garage door opener perfect for use. These normally come in three models: Chain Drive These garage door openers are notably among the most common. It makes use of a chain to push or pull a trolley that will raise or lower the garage door. The advantage of these models is in their affordability and reliability. Although an issue that you would contend with a chain drive opener is noise. Belt Drive Compared to the chain drive, this uses belts to move the door. Noise is not an issue with this model due to how quiet it moves. While a Chain Drive Opener is perfect for a detached garage, a Belt Drive works best with attached garages. Screw Drive Making use of screws as components for the opener mechanisms, it has the advantage of easier maintenance due to lesser moving parts. However, its downside will be the noise it produces is far more than the Chain Drive. Other Models There are other models present with a smart system or a direct drive system. Other specialized openers would be the ones used for carriage doors, configured to open swing-out garage doors. Additional Features There are other features that you have to be aware of in checking out garage doors, increasing the variety and style among them. Insulation is among the few items that you should look into, something that you would consider in areas with fluctuating climates and temperatures. This is a feature to look for if you prefer to have a consistent
The Dangers of DIY Garage Door Repair
Over 20,000 garage door repair related injuries are reported every year. This includes over 7,000 pinching injuries (which can result in finger amputations), more than 2,000 crushing injuries (caused by a falling garage door), and 800 lacerations (from the glass in garage windows). If you aren’t careful, a garage door mishap can even result in death. Overhead garage door repair isn’t one of those home projects you want to do on your own. It only takes one mistake to cause irreversible damages or serious personal injury. 9 Reasons You Shouldn’t DIY Garage Door Repair Torsion springs are dangerous Your garage door has one of two possible spring systems called extension systems and torsion systems. While torsion springs are a common garage door system, they can be incredibly dangerous to repair on your own. These springs sit horizontally above your garage door. When the door opens, the springs unwind and help lift the door off the ground. When you close the door, the cables attached to the bottom corners of the door forces the springs to wind up again. Torsion springs store mechanical energy when they’re wound up, which makes them dangerous if they become damaged. If your torsion springs break, the spring will unwind and shoot in an unpredictable manner. Being hit by this spring could lead to serious injury or even death. You should always call a professional when you’re garage door springs need repairs. You might make the problem worse Because you might not have the right tools or experience, it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re working on garage door repairs. And all it takes is one mistake to make the problem worse. If something goes wrong, you might even damage your garage itself or some of the possessions inside, like your car. You might want to save yourself some money, but doing garage door repairs yourself isn’t worth the risk. You probably don’t have the right tools Most garage door repair requires specific tools. If you don’t already own these tools, and there’s a high chance you don’t, you’ll have to find and buy them. It doesn’t make a lot of sense to spend money on expensive tools you’ll never use again. To get around this problem, some people try to fix their overhead garage door with tools they have lying around. But this can be dangerous. Attempting to use the wrong tools on your garage door repairs can put you in an unsafe situation, damage the door, and ruin your tools. Instead of buying a bunch of new tools for the job, it’s faster and easier to let a professional do the job for you. The garage door might fall Garage doors weight hundreds of pounds. Should yours fall, it could damage itself, the garage floor, any items stored in your garage, your car, etc. You might not think you’d make this kind of mistake, but falling garage doors are a common DIY mishap. And if you, your family members, friends, children, or pets are standing in the way, you could end up with serious injuries as well. You might fix the wrong thing You have to spend time researching your garage door before you can start any repairs. If you don’t understand how the mechanics work, you might “repair” the wrong thing on accident. In some cases, you might only address the symptoms of the problem, not the main problem itself. So you’ve spent your money and your time but haven’t actually fixed your door at all. Garage door professionals already have the right knowledge and experience making these repairs, so they’ll be able to fix the right problems, to begin with. You could use the wrong parts Every garage door has different parts. If you don’t know much about your garage door or how it works, you could end up buying the wrong replacement parts. Though the replacement part may seem to work at first, the problem will eventually come back again. You can spend more money than you’ll save By the time you buy the right tools, the replacement parts, and any other materials you need, you won’t be saving much money at all. Should you make a mistake during your repair, you might have to buy a second replacement part or hire a professional anyway. In other words, you’ll be spending more money than you would have if you just hired professional help in the first place. You also have to be willing to give up a lot of your time if you choose to go the DIY route. Because you don’t know what you’re doing, fixing garage door repairs on your own can take a lot longer than it should. The repair might not be reliable DIYing garage door repairs can leave you with unreliable fixes. Though it may seem like you’ve taken care of the problem, the underlying issues could still be there. This can make your door get worse over time, which can be dangerous. Ignoring these underlying issues can lead to things like property damages, expensive garage door replacements, and personal injury. You could cause permanent damage Your door repairs might just make things worse. If you mess up a single part of the door, even if it’s a small part, the entire thing can malfunction and stop working. You might cause permanent damage to the door or to the entire door system. These damages require some expensive repairs, so you may as well hire a professional from the start. Call A Professional Garage Door Repair Company There are many DIY projects you can do around your house, but overhead garage door repair isn’t one of them. Though you might want to learn new skills or save some money, garage door repair can be dangerous and even deadly. In most cases, you’ll have to shell out more money to fix your mistakes than you would if you hired a professional in the first place. Looking for overhead garage door repair services? Head over to our contact page and let us know how
Before Buying A Replacement Garage Door
A new garage door can increase the curb appeal of your home, reduce energy costs, and increase your family’s safety. Hard to believe you can get all that from a garage door? Replacing your garage door is one of the highest return on investment home improvement projects you can do. Don’t just replace your garage door though, look for ways you can upgrade. There are a few key factors to consider when shopping for your replacement garage door. Get Your Quote “In Person” You may be tempted to go online and blindly order a garage door from a website. This is asking for trouble as every garage door is a little different. A knowledgeable salesperson will check the measurements of the opening size and shape. They will also check the side and head clearance. If there are any issues when installing you will have a support team behind you to ensure proper installation. When you go it alone you may be stuck with a garage door that doesn’t work and no recourse to fix it. The cost of garage door replacement is an investment. Just because you bought one of the best-rated garage doors doesn’t mean its right for your home. Consider the Material it’s Made Out of The material that you choose for your garage door may depend on what size budget you are working with. You may also want to consider current home trends and the climate of the area you live in. Aluminum If you live in a humid or caustic environment then aluminum is a wise choice as it is rust resistant. You could replace some of the solid panels with frosted glass to give the door a more modern feel. Steel If you are looking for a ton of options, steel is your best bet as they come in a wide range of color, insulation, and price levels. Basic steel doors will be a single layer and not insulated. High-end steel doors will feature a three-layer system and 2 inches of polyurethane insulation. If you are doing a garage door upgrade then look for a door with multiple layers and insulation. Wood Typically, wood garage doors are made out of a moisture resistant wood such as cedar, redwood, or cypress. Having wood garage doors will require more maintenance long term. Every few years the natural coating of your wood doors will need to be recoated. If you wait too long to recoat them you’ll have to sand them down and start over to get the brand new look again. Composite Wood Faux wood composite looks like real wood but doesn’t have the maintenance requirements of real wood. The composite is moisture resistant so no fear of moisture rot, splitting, shrinking, or cracking. Composite doors can come insulated. You can also paint and stain them just like real wood doors. Consider Insulation Insulation is a smart choice if you live in an especially warm environment. By insulating the garage door you’ll save money in the long term on energy costs. Garage door insulation has an R rating value. The higher the number, the better the insulation. The rating measures the thermal resistance and is a common rating system in the building and construction industry. Thermal resistance refers to the flow of heat. The number rank is based on the thickness of the insulation and the chemical properties therein. Do not assume that a rating of 16 is twice as effective as a rating of 8. For example, a rating of 8 would reduce heat flow by 90%. A rating of 32 will reduce heat flow by 97%. Get Better Springs The springs make your door go up smoothly and go down slowly. The springs that are used are under tension and thusly called torsion springs. The standard springs are designed to last for 10,000 uses. The average family opens and closes their garage door 6 times a day. Using your door this much you’ll need to replace the springs in less than five years. Upgrade the springs and you could double the useful life of your springs. Get a New Opener Too Your opener is going to eventually fail and will have to be replaced. If you are already having someone install the new door, they can easily install a new opener while they are there. Combining the installation can save you money on labor costs. Ask about package deals from the company you purchase your door from. DIY No-No Sure you may be tempted to save yourself the installation cost by putting the door on yourself. However, you probably don’t own the tools needed for winding the springs. If you have never installed a replacement garage door be prepared for a lot of parts that need to be put together. This project could very easily take you all day. Once you get the door in you’ll have to do something with the old door. A professional installer will haul your old door away for you and take about four hours. Choose Your Windows Wisely Choosing to have windows in your garage doors can add style and a source of light to your garage. If your garage is heated you may want to consider insulated glass to reduce the loss of heat. Make sure your windows are placed high up on the door for privacy and safety. You don’t want the windows so low that people can look in. 24-Gauge Steel Lower quality steel doors will use 25 or thinner gauges of steel. With steel the bigger the number means the thinner the layer of steel is. This is especially important if you are going to purchase an uninsulated door. Without the support of the insulation, the thicker steel is needed to help prevent dents. Pick Out Your Replacement Garage Door Contact a trusted company to have a qualified and knowledgeable salesperson walk you through the process of buying a new replacement garage door. They can help you pick the material for your garage door based on climate and budget.
Three Reasons Your Garage Door Won’t Open
We’ve all experienced the confusion and slight amount of panic that happens when you’re in your car, ready to end the day, and your garage door won’t open. It’s okay. It happens to all of us. Nonetheless, it is stressful and incredibly annoying. Here are the three big reasons your garage door won’t open: The Springs On Your Garage Door Are Broken If you happened to hear a loud banging noise just a few minutes earlier, that means your torsion springs – one of them, at least – is broken. It’s okay. That’s what happens to torsion springs, they can only be used so many times, and eventually, they just wear out. One way to check if your torsion springs are broken is by checking to see if the garage door appears slightly crooked and if it appears to be misaligned or oddly proportioned. If this is the case and you do have broken torsion springs, do not under any circumstances, try to fix them yourself. It can be very dangerous to do so, and you should hire a professional who knows what he or she is doing and can fix the problem without too much of an effort. Your Garage Door Is Off Of The Track Every garage door runs on a metal track. This track guides its movements and, with the help of the torsion springs, it’s able to open and close. To fix this – again, this supposes that you can access the inside of your garage – take a look at the track itself and try to see if there are any gaps, bends, or things that may hinder successful movement. To fix this, loosen the screws of the frame, use a mallet to tap the track back into position, and then tighten the screws. A rubber mallet works best. The “Disconnect” Switch Has Been Activated Every garage door comes with a switch that allows you to open up the door manually. This is for power outages and events where you may need/want to open the door by yourself. Some of these switches are electronic, but most of them are manually operated and easy to switch on and off. If you don’t know where the switch is, try to find the garage door and then find a switch that is right by it, often near the ceiling. Pull the switch to back or forward, depending on where it’s at currently, and then try to open the door using your garage door opener. If it works – and chances are, it will work – then you’ve solved your problem! If it doesn’t, that could mean that the springs are broken or something else. In that case, give us a call at (707) 644-5537, and don’t forget, we do emergency services so we’re always there to help!