30,000 people annually are injured by faulty garage door systems
Your garage door is essentially a movable wall and when combined with an automatic garage door opener, it is the largest and perhaps the most dangerous moving object in your home. Reports from the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate that over 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems every year. It’s also important to note that these statistics count only those injuries that required medical attention while many other injuries go unreported.
The proper installation, maintenance and testing of these two pieces of equipment are necessary to provide you with safe, trouble-free operation. An improperly adjusted garage door or automatic opener can exert deadly force when the door closes. This could lead to serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from being trapped under the door.
Take a few minutes to inspect and test your garage door system and make that inspection and testing a part of your regular routine. Garage Door Safety is everyone's business. If anything is suspected to be unsafe or in need of attention, contact a garage door professional ASAP.
Testing and maintaining your garage door.
Review your garage door owner's manual. It will provide you with important information on your doors’ specific needs. If you do not have a manual, look for the manufacturer's name and model number on the back of the door or the lock handle. Request a manual from the manufacturer. You should perform routine maintenance steps once a month.
Visual Inspection
Look at the garage door springs, cables, rollers, pulleys and other door hardware for signs of wear. If you suspect any problems contact your garage door service professional.
Garage door springs and cables are under very high tension. If handled improperly, they can cause serious injury and death. Only a certified technician should adjust them. Do not attempt to repair or adjust springs yourself.
A safety cable should be installed on all extension springs (the springs mounted above the track) to help contain a spring if it breaks.
Never remove, adjust or loosen the screws on the bottom brackets of the door. These brackets are connected to the spring system by the lift cable and are under extreme tension.
Lubrication
· Like all mechanical systems, garage doors need regular lubrication. Lubricate the moving parts of the door with a silicon based spray only. However, do not lubricate plastic rollers and plastic bearings. Consult the garage door owner's manual for the manufacturer's recommendations
Door Balance
· Periodically test the balance of your garage door.
o Start with the door closed
o If you have a garage door opener, use the release mechanism so you can operate the door by hand when doing this test.
o You should be able to lift the door smoothly and with little resistance. It should stay open around three or four feet above the floor. If it does not, it is out of adjustment. Have it adjusted by a certified technician.
Precision Garage Door Service is proud to serve you in western Washington, Salt Lake, Tucson, Spokane and Albuquerque. Contact us at 888-822-4691
Garage Doors for Every Taste
April 30, 2010
April 21, 2010
Garage Doors: The Crown Jewel of Curb Appeal
All garage doors open and close. Yours should do more than that. In addition to protection and insulation, it should add style and beauty to your home.
A garage door provides you with much more than just functionality. It is often one of the most prominent street-facing sections of a home, and gives homeowners the change to enhance their curb appeal with a few simple style choices. In many homes the Garage Doors represent 30% or more of what people see from the street and how it looks spells "curb appeal".
As a Homeowner you have a lot more choices these days when it comes to garage doors. They are now automated, designed to exacting industry standards, and come in a range of styles, strength and durability options. The internal structure of most garage doors is made from steel panels, and their exteriors from polyurethane and wooden finishes. Some are solid wood or composite.
These exterior finishes are essential to the overall appearance of your home. Garage doors come in a variety of materials and colors, from country to contemporary, and should blend with a home's overall style. Windows and tiles can add elegance to a garage door, while crossbeams and oak or pine slats can give it a homey, country look. Leaving exterior woods can make a garage door rustic, and choosing classic white with a simple pattern can give a door a minimalist, clean style. Start by thinking about your homes' architectural style.
Most garage doors use automatic openers, too, adding convenience to function. Most come with remote controls, making driving home a pleasure instead of a hassle. In fact, garage doors are now the most commonly used entrance into the typical home, surpassing even your front door.
As you search for the right garage door for your home, remember that style matters, and have fun choosing from the many door designs available today. One way to test ideas is through garage door design software.
A garage door provides you with much more than just functionality. It is often one of the most prominent street-facing sections of a home, and gives homeowners the change to enhance their curb appeal with a few simple style choices. In many homes the Garage Doors represent 30% or more of what people see from the street and how it looks spells "curb appeal".
As a Homeowner you have a lot more choices these days when it comes to garage doors. They are now automated, designed to exacting industry standards, and come in a range of styles, strength and durability options. The internal structure of most garage doors is made from steel panels, and their exteriors from polyurethane and wooden finishes. Some are solid wood or composite.
These exterior finishes are essential to the overall appearance of your home. Garage doors come in a variety of materials and colors, from country to contemporary, and should blend with a home's overall style. Windows and tiles can add elegance to a garage door, while crossbeams and oak or pine slats can give it a homey, country look. Leaving exterior woods can make a garage door rustic, and choosing classic white with a simple pattern can give a door a minimalist, clean style. Start by thinking about your homes' architectural style.
Most garage doors use automatic openers, too, adding convenience to function. Most come with remote controls, making driving home a pleasure instead of a hassle. In fact, garage doors are now the most commonly used entrance into the typical home, surpassing even your front door.
As you search for the right garage door for your home, remember that style matters, and have fun choosing from the many door designs available today. One way to test ideas is through garage door design software.
April 16, 2010
Garage Doors – 3 Most Frequently Asked Troubleshooting Questions
Homeowners have plenty of questions about their garage doors and openers but most involve one of the following three issues.
1. Why does it reverse or open back up instead of closing?
This is, most likely, the result of your safety eyes are out of alignment, or something may be blocking the path of the garage door. The safety sensors need a clear line of sight between each other in order for the opener to close completely. These small units are usually black, and attached at the base of the tracks on either side of your door opening. Each should have a small LED light that remains lit when both sensors are properly aligned. If bumped out of place, they can be adjusted by hand so that they are pointing at each other again. It’s also fairly common for the lenses on the safety eyes to become obscured by dirt or other debris, as well. Just make sure the "eyes" can see each other for smooth operations.
2. Why is my garage door so heavy?
Garage doors are usually the generally the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of 8′ wide and 7′ high. Regardless of the type of material used, they will be heavy. That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it easy for you or your Garage Door Openers to handle easily. However, springs do break and/or relax over time, making the doors feel heavier. Stripped openers gears are often caused by this type of problem. It’s a good idea to have some maintenance done about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.
3. Why won’t it go up? / Why is it stuck in the down position?
Take a look at the springs located on the wall above the garage door. There should be no break, or separation in the coils. Springs generally last for about 3-5 years, depending on the amount of daily usage. Again, these provide the force for balancing out all that weight. When one breaks, it can make things too heavy to lift, causing it to seem stuck in place. If one of yours is broken, you’ll need to call a professional as this is not a DIY project. If the springs don't appear to be broken, try pulling the emergency release. This will allow manual operation, without the motor. It may be that your springs have relaxed to the point that the opener can’t lift the weight anymore.
Hopefully, this answers some of your questions. If you still have issues that weren’t covered here, you may want to take a look at the FAQ section of our website. We also have links to a number of manufacturers and owner’s manuals.
1. Why does it reverse or open back up instead of closing?
This is, most likely, the result of your safety eyes are out of alignment, or something may be blocking the path of the garage door. The safety sensors need a clear line of sight between each other in order for the opener to close completely. These small units are usually black, and attached at the base of the tracks on either side of your door opening. Each should have a small LED light that remains lit when both sensors are properly aligned. If bumped out of place, they can be adjusted by hand so that they are pointing at each other again. It’s also fairly common for the lenses on the safety eyes to become obscured by dirt or other debris, as well. Just make sure the "eyes" can see each other for smooth operations.
2. Why is my garage door so heavy?
Garage doors are usually the generally the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of 8′ wide and 7′ high. Regardless of the type of material used, they will be heavy. That’s why there are springs and a counter balance system to take all that weight, and make it easy for you or your Garage Door Openers to handle easily. However, springs do break and/or relax over time, making the doors feel heavier. Stripped openers gears are often caused by this type of problem. It’s a good idea to have some maintenance done about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.
3. Why won’t it go up? / Why is it stuck in the down position?
Take a look at the springs located on the wall above the garage door. There should be no break, or separation in the coils. Springs generally last for about 3-5 years, depending on the amount of daily usage. Again, these provide the force for balancing out all that weight. When one breaks, it can make things too heavy to lift, causing it to seem stuck in place. If one of yours is broken, you’ll need to call a professional as this is not a DIY project. If the springs don't appear to be broken, try pulling the emergency release. This will allow manual operation, without the motor. It may be that your springs have relaxed to the point that the opener can’t lift the weight anymore.
Hopefully, this answers some of your questions. If you still have issues that weren’t covered here, you may want to take a look at the FAQ section of our website. We also have links to a number of manufacturers and owner’s manuals.
April 7, 2010
Energy Tax Credit Still Available in 2010
The federal government has approved garage doors as qualifying for the energy tax credit for any garage doors purchased in 2010. Now is the time to replace that old door with one that will increase your home’s curb appeal while providing lower energy costs. Call Precision Door Service today for a FREE ESTIMATE on a new energy efficient overhead garage door.
April 5, 2010
5 Things to Look for in a Garage Door Repair Company
Want to know what to look for when shopping garage door repair professionals? Read on to see why I think these are key things to look for and remember the next time your garage door goes on the fritz.
Experience: Look for a company that has been around for a while and gives you service the same day you call while offering all day and night service.
Value: While many would ask only about the best rate/lowest cost. I think it’s the one with an unbeatable value. They are specialists and do their job well. If there are parts needing to be replaced they replace them rather than getting you a whole new door and, the parts are high quality with a great warranty.
Professional technicians: The tech listens when you are telling him about what the problem is and gives you tips on how to make sure it does not happen again.
Service: Do they provide superior service? How's their local reputation? Do they work with customers to make sure that work is done right and that it stays that way. What more could you want?
24/7: Finally, when you need a place to call in the middle of the night are they there when you need them twenty four seven;. While most of companies will charge you an arm and a leg for coming out on nights or weekends, these guys have no extra cost. Now, that is top quality.
There you have them. All in a row are five reasons to select your garage door service company.
Precision Door Service hits a home run on each and every one of these. Give them a call next time your garage door is not working properly!
Experience: Look for a company that has been around for a while and gives you service the same day you call while offering all day and night service.
Value: While many would ask only about the best rate/lowest cost. I think it’s the one with an unbeatable value. They are specialists and do their job well. If there are parts needing to be replaced they replace them rather than getting you a whole new door and, the parts are high quality with a great warranty.
Professional technicians: The tech listens when you are telling him about what the problem is and gives you tips on how to make sure it does not happen again.
Service: Do they provide superior service? How's their local reputation? Do they work with customers to make sure that work is done right and that it stays that way. What more could you want?
24/7: Finally, when you need a place to call in the middle of the night are they there when you need them twenty four seven;. While most of companies will charge you an arm and a leg for coming out on nights or weekends, these guys have no extra cost. Now, that is top quality.
There you have them. All in a row are five reasons to select your garage door service company.
Precision Door Service hits a home run on each and every one of these. Give them a call next time your garage door is not working properly!
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