Archive

How to Maintain Your Garage Door for Optimal Performance & Lifespan

Garages are a crucial addition in every home, and a garage door is perhaps one of the largest and most moved doors on a property. Because of its importance and usage, garage doors in Seattle, or any other place for that matter, must be maintained well to ensure their optimal performance and increase their lifespan. We at Seattle Garage Door Experts have organized a list on how to maintain the garage door. Check it out.

Maintaining Your Garage Door for Optimal Performance and Increased Lifespan

  1. DASMA, which stands for Door and Access System Manufacturers’ Association, recommends that the garage doors must be inspected at least once a year by a professional. An ill-maintained or damaged garage door can be dangerous for your family, kids, cars or home projects. So, get it tested every year.
  2. Consult the owner’s manual for recommended maintenance of the garage door model that you are using. We at Seattle Garage Door Experts suggest that you should do a few monthly checks, such as a check for the door’s reversal mechanism and manual operation of lifting irrespective of which door model you own.
  3. To test the reverse feature of your garage door, start by noticing the balance of the door. If it seems to be properly balanced, proceed and place a thick piece of wood on the center. Now, press the remote for automatic closure. A garage door working well will reverse its motion as soon as it detects the object. If it doesn’t, call a professional for help.
  4. To maintain the garage door, always keep it regularly lubricated. Moving parts should be lubricated every few weeks. But make sure that you don’t lubricate plastic idler bearings. You can contact professionals to guide you through this simple maintenance procedure.
  5. Visual inspection is an important part of maintenance. Look at the door springs, pulleys, door hardware, cables and rollers to note for any signs of wear and tear.

5 Reasons why Concrete Slab is a Better Garage Floor Option

Do you want to renovate your home or increase the overall value of your property? If your answer is a yes, then you need to start home improvement right through your garage. For one, swap that monotonous, old, non-functional garage door with fully functional, automatic garage doors. Doors made from fiberglass to steel with automatic features and excellent safety capacity will not just protect your valuables in the garage, it will also add beauty to the exteriors of your property. And when you take up a garage improvement project in Seattle or anywhere else, ensure that you also change the slabs on garage floor. And you can easily choose concrete slab for the same.

If you are wondering why concrete slab is a better garage floor option for you, then here is what you need to know-

It’s spill proof- Imagine, you have a swanky, stylish garage door, but your flooring is covered with spilled grease and oil marks. Wouldn’t that reduce the beauty of your garage? Well, it would. That’s why you should have concrete slab or covering on the garage floor. It ensures that your garage is cleaner and spill proof. Stains can be hard to remove, but not when you have concrete.

Harmonizes garage door and flooring- Concrete slabs are versatile. Their availability in wide range of styles and designs in Seattle ensures that you can blend the theme and overall style of the floor with that of your new, stylish garage door. This also helps in keeping the garage maintained.

Dust Prevention- Garage doors are one of the most used doors in a home. And they are designed to be hardy, to last for years. But sometimes, too much dust buildup on garage floor can result in functioning issues for the door as well. A clean garage floor will ensure that the door is fully functional. At the same time, it increases the longevity of your garage, reduces the need for hassled maintenance.

Temperature maintenance- It is pivotal that the garage temperature is maintained. Insulation and maintained temperature can increase the durability of garage door, reducing humidity, moisture or mold buildup in and around the area. That’s why you should opt for concrete slab. Concrete comes with insulation properties, which maintain temperature, keeps the garage and garage door dry and maintained.

Adds smoothness- Concrete Slabs, when complemented with epoxy for some type of coating can add smoothness to the flooring, allowing your garage door to function well. Unlike wood and other types of flooring, which may swell up due to humidity and cause closing problems with garage doors, concrete slabs don’t swell. Therefore, your door operates well for longer.

How to Minimize Garage Door Spring Replacement Costs

Garage doors are great utility devices that are used every day. Most Seattle homeowners use them as secondary entry doors to their homes and also for storage, protection and home project purposes. Therefore, proper care and servicing of the garage doors is essential to ensure their smooth functioning and your safety. But most people don’t pay much attention to the door, leading to a decline in its optimal performance and overall life. This results in huge replacement costs.

A garage door functions using torsion springs which stores energy to raise and lower the door carefully. This hardware tends is subject to a lot of wear and tear due to low maintenance. To avoid high costs on door spring replacement, try these simple maintenance tips.

Things You Need

  1. A sturdy aluminum ladder
  2. A file
  3. A small can of multipurpose machine oil
  4. A paint brush
  5. Household Cleaner (optional)Few Maintenance Checks

    Before performing any of the checks, first disconnect the garage door opener from its power source and detach it from the opening mechanism.

    • Monthly Inspection – Monthly inspection is one of the best ways to keep your garage door in check. Close the door and inspect all its elements such as springs, cables, rollers, pulleys and other mounting hardware for any signs of wear and tear. In case you find any signs of damage such as worn out cable, loose mounting hardware or anything else that does not seem upright, get it checked by a trained professional. Ensure that you don’t try to change anything or repair anything on your own. Cables and torsion can be dangerous
    • Door balance test – Lift the door manually to check whether it lifts smoothly and remains fully open or not. If it doesn’t, then your door is out of balance and requires servicing. Also, notice whether it is lifted straight. Similarly, while automatically closing the door, ensure that it moves in a straight line.
    • Force Setting Test – A force setting test is done to see whether the door’s reverse mechanism works automatically or not. This is particularly beneficial in case of an emergency when the door is accidentally closed and something (a car, a toy etc) is directly below the door. For the test, keep a wooden plank (about 1 foot) below the door and close it. If the door doesn’t reverse after sensing the plank, call a professional.
    • Lubrication – Ask a professional garage door maintenance company about the best lubricants that you can use for your garage door in Seattle. Regularly lubricate the hinges, tracks, bearings and rollers to ensure that they function smoothly.

10 Homeowner Tips for Garage Door Safety

Garage is important for parking the car securely in a home. In fact, they are needed for all kinds of reasons - from storing objects, to doing home projects, playing apart from simply keeping the car. Perhaps that’s why garage doors are designed to be sturdy and effective. However, garage doors can also be dangerous. That’s why we at Seattle Garage Door Experts would like to share simple tips for garage door safety for Seattle residents.

First and foremost, keep it safe. Ensure that the garage door opener is always out of the reach of small children. You don’t want them to be trapped inside.

  • Seattle Garage Door Experts recommend that you get garage doors inspected at least once a year by a professional.
  • Explain the right way to operate garage doors to older children or teens. If you are using an automatic garage door, ensure that your children don’t play with door remote controls.
  • A number of garage door accidents are caused due to garage doors closing over someone or something. The best way to avoid this is to invest in a door opener with reverse mechanism.
  • To protect your property and for the safety of your children, always check the door’s release mechanism at least twice a month. Test it manually, by lifting off the door through the handles. In case you witness a resistance, call a professional.
  • The door opener’s reversing mechanism should be checked every month. For this purpose, place a 2×4 board in door’s path. If the door doesn’t reverse upon contact, call a professional at Seattle Garage Door Experts to get this sorted out.
  • Garage door should be inspected every month. Check if the springs, cables, pulleys or rollers are working fine. Look for any kind of wear and tear on your garage door in Seattle.
  • Test garage door openers’ emergency release feature at least once a month. This can be beneficial if someone attempts a robbery or is stuck inside.
  • Avoid damaging the opener. Before operating it, ensure that the door locks are disabled and no ropes or cables are in the way.
  • When you are going for a vacation, unplug the garage door opener unit. This will make the door un-operational through remote and therefore, no one would break-in.
  • In case of damage to cables or springs, always call a professional since improper handling can cause breakage or injury.

Remodeling Plans ? - Think New Garage Doors !

Real Estate is booming in Seattle. It is high time you remodeled your home to increase its overall value. In fact, one of the best ways of increasing the curb appeal and the value of your residential property is to opt for new garage doors. Efficient new garage doors in your Seattle home will add functionality and fashionable style to its exteriors. At the same time, if your regular garage door is sagging, old or difficult to lift, getting a new one will ensure safety and ease of operation. So, think of new garage doors with the following considerations while investing in one.

  • Choose from Different Materials - If you are looking for manual glass doors, wood is a good option because it can be customized and has a natural beauty. But it isn’t long lasting. So, those who are remodeling their homes to make it last longer should opt for steel or other resistant materials, because they are strong and low on maintenance. Fiber-glass, vinyl and aluminum are some other options.
  • Be Rescued through Technology - Most of the garage door companies and installation professionals in Seattle give you the option of seeing how different types of garage doors will look on your residential property. However, only the best company would offer the widest range of garage doors. You can send upload your photo, contact a representative and ask them about the possibilities.
  • Choose from different methods - A variety of construction methods are used for designing garage doors in Seattle. You can choose between single layer construction, which have negligible insulating value but are low cost and lightweight, or select between double layer and premium. Double layer has more rigidity and insulation, while premium construction has high quality of steel, wood or fiberglass. They also have maximum stiffness and insulating levels.
  • Shop from different styles - From flush to long-raised panels, a variety of options are available in the market. For Victorian styled homes, get short raised panels, while long raised will add to the overall depth of the home. You can also opt for painted panels to add a contrasting touch to your garage doors.

Always purchase the door and get it installed it by a professional garage door expert company to ensure its optimal maintenance and durability.

Garage Door 101: Knowing Your Garage Door Type

Garage doors are the largest working part of a home in Seattle and most parts of the country. At times they turn out to be the most prominent feature of a home. So, it is very important that you select your garage door very carefully. Here are a few ideas that may help you to choose the right garage door for your home.

Types of Garage Doors

There are four basic types of garage doors;

  • Swing Out
  • Swing Up
  • Roll Up
  • Slide to the Side

For all those who want a distinctive and clear ceiling, swing-out carriage-house doors or sliding barn doors can be preferable options. But for the rest of you living in Seattle, the best option is the sectional roll up garage door.

Choosing the Appropriate Style

While choosing the style for your garage door, keep in mind that it should complement your home’s exterior. Choosing attractive windows and window panels is your best bet for adding style to your garage door. In case, you don’t like it, you can even opt for the panel pattern. There are mainly 4 panel designs from which you can choose.

  • Flush Panel – They are flat and slightly textured. Mainly intended to complement the surrounding wall area.
  • Long-raised panels – These panels add to the overall appearance of your home while adding depth to your door.
  • Short-raised panels – They are similar to long raised panels, but intended especially for Victorian style homes.
  • Painted panels – These are contemporary looking panels, which can easily go with all sorts of home décor.

Common Garage Door Materials

Wood – Wood is the commonly preferred material among people looking for mid-price or very expensive garage doors. The prices vary depending on the kind of treatment the wood has gone through. The only setback with wooden doors is that they involve frequent repainting or refinishing.

Steel – If you don’t want a lot of maintenance work without compromising on the quality, steel is a better choice than wood. Steel doors offer better insulation and durability.

Fiber-glass doors - For all those who are looking to buy inexpensive hardy garage doors, fiber-glass doors is your best choice. They are rugged, rust proof and durable

A Peep into Garage Door Repairs and Maintenance

Garage doors are mechanical devices that usually don’t need much attention, but require timely servicing for sustaining efficiency of use. While homeowners are expected to get their garage doors inspected once a year, a recent study in Seattle shows that most people don’t. A staggering majority of people are quite negligent when it comes to repairing or maintaining their garage doors.

As a homeowner, it is crucial to ensure that the garage door is maintained properly. Follow these simple tips for garage door repairs and maintenance in Seattle that you may try yourself. However, it is important that you get professionals to maintain it.

Basic Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Weather changes and harsh climates are some of the main reasons for garage doors maintenance in Seattle. However, regular maintenance is needed anyway to avoid usual wear and tear. On your own, you can do these simple checks-

  • Check the garage door thoroughly for dents or other damages. You can use a rubber hammer to pound out blotches. In case, you notice some major damage, get the tracks replaced altogether.
  • Leveling and the alignment of the garage doors tracks is another important thing that should be checked. If the tracks are not aligned properly, loosen the mounting bracket and tap the tracks so that they plumb with each other, while slightly slanting towards your garage’s back.
  • Ensure that the rollers, tracks and the pulleys of your garage doors are lubricated properly. This could save you from spending on frequent maintenance or repair jobs. Nowadays, a wide range of lubricant sprays and powdered graphite are available in the market that can be used with ease for this task.
  • Between months, don’t forget to check the nuts, bolts and fasteners. Keep them lubricated and tighten anything loose.
  • Keep the tracks clean. Use a large paintbrush to remove dirt and dust followed by a deeper cleaning, using a household cleaner.

Professional Garage Door Repair

While you can do the basic maintenance tasks on your own, it is recommended you get in touch with a garage door repair company in Seattle for any moderate to major fault. Professionals will ensure that your garage door is repaired without a fuss. It will also help you avoid any expensive costs on garage door maintenance.

Those who have installed automatic garage doors in Seattle and face troubles in their safety reversal features should call a repairman straightaway. Do not attempt to fix it yourself, as it may cause damage to you, your family and your car. Unsafe DIY operations can cause physical injury. Why risk it?.

If the central spring of your garage door is not functioning properly, never attempt to repair it yourself. Since these springs are in high tension, removing or repairing them can severely injure you.

5 Quick Steps to Garage Door Opener Repair

Garage door opener is a heavy duty hardware that is used on a daily basis. Even though they are supposed to run hassle free for years, they do need a little repair sometimes due to unavoidable damages. In case of damage, don’t get it replaced in a panic. Instead, you can try some basic garage door repair techniques that are safe for a layman.

Just grab some common household tools to start repairing your garage door repair. However, bear in mind that it is full of risk to try any kind of difficult repair job that should be left to the professionals. If the task seems too difficult, call in a trusted garage door repair service in Seattle immediately. You should be very careful when trying even simple garage door repairs on your own.

Start by knowing your Garage Door

Before you attempt any of these DIY fixes, keep these precautions in mind.

  • Before rushing off to start repairing your garage door opener, check whether it actually has a problem or not. With the door closed, pull the emergency release cord to see whether it functions smoothly. In case it doesn’t the problem lays somewhere else and not the opener.
  • Always work with the door down and unplug the opener. This saves you from unpleasant mishaps or accidents.
  • Last but not the least, read the instruction manual carefully to know the assembly and anatomy of the device.

5 Quick Steps for Repairing Your Garage Door

  1. After you have unplugged your device, wait for 15 minutes so that the motor cools off. Then test the sensor beam to ensure that it is properly aligned in accordance with the specifications of the manual. Check for blockages, if any. In case you come around something that might be blocking the sensors, clean it and adjust the sensor appropriately.
  2. Look for loose connections. It is possible that the opener’s remote is working properly but the button is not. If that’s what has happened, change the worn out plugs or replace the damaged wires. If necessary, seek professional help. You may want to check the batteries in your remote to ensure that they are fully charged.
  3. Antennas play an important role in the functioning of automatic garage doors. Ensure that it is properly placed and attached. If there is no trouble with either of the devices, check for wear and tear in gears and sprockets too. Doing this requires professional help. So, call professionals in Seattle to help you.
  4. There is a possibility that the garage door opener has stopped working due to discrepancy in frequency settings. To correct it, refer to the instructions manual and reset the frequency.
  5. Functionality issues may arise from obstruction, which may hinder the working of the opener. You can deal with it by increasing the tension of the central spring by adjusting the screws. To activate the automatic switches, adjust the two clips on each opener chain.

How to Minimize Garage Door Spring Replacement Costs

Garage door springs are among the most important parts of the entire door. Without the proper functioning springs, the door will not open. The springs offset the weight of the door using the energy they have accumulated and lift up the door. As such, they are critical with regard to the safety and propering function of a garage door.

Types of Garage Door Springs

You may find two types of garage door springs on your door.

  • Torsion springs

These are the most commonly used types of springs. They are suitable on doors that open in sections and they are above the garage door. They function by twisting around the torsion shaft to lift or lower the door, and have a ‘life expectancy’ of 6-7 years.

  • Extension springs

These are less common and best on the doors that tilt upwards rather than moving in sections. They are lightweight springs that lift doors by stretching. These springs are located above the upper tracks on both sides of the door. They also have a span of 6 years.

Garage Door Spring Replacement Costs

Now that you know what kind of spring you have, you can figure out how to cut down on the costs of replacement.

The first and most apparent thing to do is to avoid frequent replacements through regular maintenance of the springs. Ensure that the professionals within Seattle check them out every year or every season to make sure they are in proper working condition.

The other thing you can do is to get the right spring according to the weight and size of your door. This will ensure that your spring lasts longer and that you will get your money’s worth of service from the door.

Replacing the broken garage door springs is a job for the professionals so you should get one to do it for you. You could use the same company that did the door installation. You can ask for a discount (based on loyalty and all that) or you could take advantage of the warranty if your springs came with them, to avoid paying for both the parts and the labor.

3 Reasons to Choose Experienced Garage Door Installing & Repairing Companies

Experience is golden!

Any homeowner within Seattle has had the experience of working with a garage door company at one point or the other. It may be that you needed a major garage door installation or just a minor tune up to get your garage door going.

Whatever the case, you as a homeowner in Seattle should count yourself lucky if you worked with an experienced garage door company. There are some instances when homeowners employed the services of inexperienced garage door companies and were totally disappointed with their work.

So how do you know that you are not being swindled?

It is easy really. An experienced company will strive to offer exactly what you need. The other lot will tend to sell you products that you do not really need and fail to answer questions on your garage door issues. Garage door systems are highly specialized which is the reason why you should opt for a company that knows everything about them. Anyone can sell you a garage door but is it genuine?

It is important to work with an experienced garage door company in Houston and here is the reason why.

3 reasons to choose experienced garage door services.

  • They have a vast wealth of experience.

An experienced garage door company is usually equipped with skilled workforces. The plus side of this is that they are able to anticipate your garage door issues and thus save you a whole lot of money in terms of major repairs. In addition, their vast knowledge in these systems empowers them to think critically and give you the right advice regarding your garage doors.

  • They are specialized

One of the main advantages of opting for an experienced company is that they specialize in the repair and replacement of your garage door. The experienced garage door professionals will provide you with a tailor made package that will meet your specific needs.

They are dependable

Most of the experienced garage door companies in Seattle strive to provide customer satisfaction. The companies have the required certification and licensing. An experienced company will ensure that the work is completed within the prescribed time for the convenience of the customers.

It is therefore advisable to hire experienced companies within Houston to guarantee quality services for your money spent. An experienced garage door professional will provide you with the best quality service that will keep your home safe and give it a new look.

1 2