Merry Christmas to All

May Your Days Be Merry and Bright!

Merry Christmas

From

Precision Door Service

Sometimes, who you do business with says a lot about your company.

Yes indeed superior quality does mean superior value.

At Precision Door Service we are proud to feature some of 2011’s “top 5” best products as voted by the industry leading Professional Door Dealer magazine.

• Best Custom Doors: Amarr Garage Doors
• Best Customer Service: Amarr Garage Doors
• Best Residential Operators: Marantec Garage Door Openers
• Best Access Controls: Marantec, LiftMaster
• Best Garage Door Security: Marantec
• Best Garage Door Hardware: Arrow Tru-Line
• Best Commercial Operators: LiftMaster
• Best Gate Operators: LiftMaster
• Best Green Products: LiftMaster, Amarr Garage Doors
• Best Innovative Products: Arrow Tru-Line, LiftMaster
• Best Website: Amarr Garage Doors

Congratulations to all the award winners! We look forward to another great year of providing our customers the very best products and services available!

 

Give your garage a gift this New Year!

It's winter and homeowners are spending more time in their garages these days. If you want to make it a more comfortable space; consider an insulated garage door. Purchasing an energy-efficient, insulated garage door will help keep the warmth in the garage and help keep energy costs down in the new year.


Second, we find customers appreciate a quick open and close of the garage door, without having to get out of the car, even more in the winter months than they usually do. Adding a new garage door opener can be a priceless time- and hassle-saver. With many new technologies being introduced, you can even operate many garage doors with your smartphone.

So consider giving your garage a gift this Holiday season and ring in the new year!

Dealing with Common Garage Door Problems

There are many reasons for keeping garage doors in good working condition. Garage doors that are in poor working condition or garage doors that are not secure enough often serve as an easy entry point for the burglars. Many break-in incidents could have been easily avoided by home owners if only they had paid attention to their garage door repair problems promptly.

The most important rule: Don’t ignore your garage door repair problems. Address the problems at their first sign and by doing so you will be able to save a lot of time and money on expensive garage door repairs. Garage doors have many moving parts that are subjected to daily wear and tear; you should expect regular maintenance (at least once per year). Regardless of the brand of garage door you have it will have limitations on life span. Don’t think just because you have installed the best brand garage doors, your garage doors don’t need any maintenance. That’s like never changing the oil in your car.

Just like your car; the majority of problems common to your garage door start with lubrication problems. Keeping your garage doors well lubricated means you will not run in to unnecessary garage door repair problems. Well lubricated garage doors will give you better life. Regular use of a silicone base lubricant will help. You should also call your garage door repair company for regular lubrication and annual maintenance. They will be able to identify any problems early and avoid any bigger problems.

Electric garage door openers are very common today. Do not attempt to repair them by yourself because it requires a skilled technician to assess the problem and address any issues. Many attempted DIY repairs end up aggravating the problem. So it is best to call for professional help from your local garage door repair company.

Garage doors are, physically, very heavy. The weight of the door is offset by its’ spring system. If your garage door does not remain open but continues to fall/close; it is most likely a spring problem. Garage door springs have very defined lifecycles and yours may need replacement. Do not attempt spring repairs or replacements on your own! 30,000 people a year end up in emergency rooms attempting it… Call your garage door professional immediately.

When you do call your local garage door repair company for assistance, make sure that you are dealing with the most trusted service provider. Your garage door repair company should possess adequate experience in dealing with different types of garage doors and the associated problems. This will help you get the most cost effective and lasting solutions. Choosing professional service providers you will be able to get dependable and timely assistance in addressing your garage door repair problems. Ensure that your garage door is always fully functional and secure for your own convenience and security reasons.

If you more questions about your garage door, there are many answers available here.

Yes, It's Cold - Don't Warm-up Your Car in the Garage

Yes, we know - it's getting cold out and on those frosty mornings it's really tempting to start the car up in the garage.

DON'T DO IT!!!
You're literally playing Russian Roulette with your life. It takes less than two minutes for gas fumes to reach lethal concentrations in a garage where a car is being warmed up—even if the garage door is open.

Don’t ever warm up a car in an enclosed space. Having a warm car on a cold winter morning just isn’t worth the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Always open the garage door before starting your car. Once it’s started, immediately drive out and away from the garage, and close the garage door.  According to a study from Iowa State University, large concentrations of gas still remain trapped inside a garage even after the car is driven out. If, like mine, your garage is attached to the garage, fumes can quickly spread into the house and remain for hours.

Carbon monoxide poisoning can result in illness and even death. Carbon monoxide reduces the oxygen supply to the brain and is particularly dangerous because it is a colorless, odorless and tasteless gas. Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning can include headaches, dizziness, tiredness, flu-type symptoms, nausea and loss of consciousness. Poisoning can happen to anyone, but children, the elderly and those with health concerns are especially susceptible.

Precision Door features a great Carbon Monoxide Alarm that will trigger your garage door and open it when harmful levels of CO are detected.

Batteries are Important When Using Garage Remotes

We get many calls about problems with a garage door remote control. Often the problem is a simple one... an old or weak battery. Yes, batteries are important when it comes to garage door remotes.
Here's a check list for solving many problems:


Replace the battery first!
• Old batteries cause a large percentage of the problems experienced with garage door remotes. Many remotes use standard 9-volt batteries or round watch-style batteries that can often be found around the house or at the local drug store/camera department.

• Even if the remote is relatively new, it is still important to try replacing the battery. Some remotes sit on warehouse shelves for a long time.

• To access the battery on some remotes, you may have to split the case in half. This is typically the case if you notice a small round indentation on the edges of the remote. The attached visor clip can usually be removed and works great for this. If the clip is not available, or the remote is not a visor-style remote, a dime or a penny usually works fine. Place the end of the visor clip or the coin into the indentation and twist. The case should snap apart. Other remotes have a small sliding door to access the battery, similar to a TV remote control.

Reprogram the Remote
If replacing the battery does not solve the problem consider reprogramming it.

• If the remote has a row of small switches inside, make sure the position of the switches match the position of the switches on the back of the garage door opener.

• If the remote is programmable, follow the programming steps found in the owner’s manual for the garage door opener.

• If you cannot locate your owner’s manual, check the manufacturer’s website. Most garage door openers manufactured in the last five to 10 years have manuals that can be found online.

Replace the Remote Control
• If the above steps did not resolve your problem, you may need a new remote control.

How to Avoid Carbon Monoxide Poisoning

It seems like everyday we read another story about someone going to the hospital or worse from Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Just today in the Seattle are two men died - sitting in their car in the garage.

The vast majority of these accidents are just that - accidents and can be avoided with a little care.
1) Don't run your car inside the garage. I know it can be cold but open the door and back it out!
2) Shut the car off before closing the garage door. CO builds up quickly and it doesn't take much to make you sick.
3) Consider a Carbon Monoxide Alarm.

Note: Precision Door offers a unique CO Alarm that also opens the garage door automatically.

Please Please Please - be safe out there!!

Simple Change Dramatically Improves Curb Appeal

Sometimes we get caught up in trying to improve our homes' curb appeal by focusing on the wrong things. For example, recent research suggests that a major Kitchen remodel (perhaps the most common and most expensive option) returns only about 53% of the investment.

Here's a question. What part of the home makes up the most curb appeal real estate? The garage door!

In many homes the garage door represents as much as one-third of what people see from the curb. That is the definition of curb appeal and, a new garage door returns over 86% of the investment. 



Before and After - Great New Curb Appeal



Take a look at this picture - it's the same home same neighborhood - just a new dramatic look with garage doors.

It's a simple change that dramatically improves the curb appeal.

JELD-WEN Garage Doors Discontinued

JELD-WEN announces that they are are no longer producing Garage Doors.
On the company website JELD-WEN says:

"Thank you for your interest in JELD-WEN garage doors. We have discontinued producing our garage door product lines as of October 6, 2011. If your inquiry is warranty related, please see the links below. If you have other questions, please call 800-JELD-WEN".

Contact information is available at:  http://www.jeld-wen.com/pro-centerwarranty-information/384

Garage Door Openers and the Military

Yes... as this story from the Everett Herald points out - when military (ships, planes etc.) are actively using their radio frequencies - garage door openers and remote controls tend to not work properly.

Not too much that a garage door company can do for now... so if you live near a base, make sure you know how to operate your door manually.

Jeld-Wen exits garage-door business

Jeld-Wen exits garage-door business, focusing on core products after Onex deal


Published: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 4:35 PM Updated: Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 5:56 PM

By Richard Read, The Oregonian The Oregonian

The Oregonian’s continuing coverage of the developments at Jeld-Wen and its plan to sell a majority stake to Onex Corp.Jeld-Wen Inc., the Klamath Falls company recently acquired by a Canadian firm, still makes windows and doors -- just no longer garage doors.

A Jeld-Wen spokeswoman confirmed Wednesday the company was leaving the garage-door business, saying managers decided to focus attention on primary products. Garage doors accounted for about 1/10th of 1 percent of Jeld-Wen sales, said Teri Cline, company communications director.

"Although we are phasing out one product offering, Jeld-Wen has averaged 350 new products or enhancements annually over the last three years," Cline said. "We are constantly researching new materials, features and production techniques."

Exiting garage doors will reduce Jeld-Wen's work force in Iowa by five. The company, which once employed more than 24,000 worldwide, has about 19,700 workers, including 2,500 in Oregon, Cline said.

Onex Corp., a Toronto-based private-equity firm, recently invested $871 million for a 58 percent stake in Jeld-Wen, Oregon's largest privately held company.

Curb Appeal!!

Whether you're looking to sell your home or just "spruce" it up... you're thinking about Curb Appeal.

The crown jewel of curb appeal is that often forgotten - Garage Door!

Before and After a New Garage Door!

All garage doors open and close. But yours should do more than that. In addition to protection and insulation, it should add style and beauty to your home. After all, it's often the most visible part of your home.

Take a look at what a new door does for this home...



Watch Your Fingers

Watch Your Fingers! If your garage door lacks pinch-resistant joints, adding lift handles or gripping points on the inside & outside of the door can save a painful pinch! Even if your door has automatic opener, there are times (power outages etc.) when the door must occasionally be operated manually. Never place your fingers between the door sections. If you manually open or close the door, use the lift handles or gripping points!

Carbon Monoxide Alarm Now Available in Seattle Area

Protecting your loved ones from carbon monoxide poisoning just got easier in the Seattle area.

Every year hundreds of family members suffer from carbon monoxide poisoning - most often from a car left running in or near the garage. Now available in Seattle the Precision Door Service Carbon Monoxide Detector is the only alarm that “reacts” by opening your garage door to immediately provide ventilation and decrease deadly CO levels!

What makes this detector so unique? Most carbon Monoxide detectors are designed to operate inside the home. These detectors are not built to withstand the extreme temperature variances and the high humidity levels found in garages. Even if the were, they do not do anything other than sound an alarm if unsafe levels of carbon monoxide are detected. The PDS branded detector is designed for the harsh conditions found in garages and is tied into the electric operator. (In fact, it is tested and approved under UL2034 which is the rating used as the standard for recreational boats!)

 If unsafe levels are detected, a signal is sent to the electric operator and the door is automatically raised to allow for proper ventilation. It can also be tied into the home security system for extra peace of mind protection!
 
Available in Seattle at www.GarageDoorSeattle.com

How do I release the door from my opener so I can open the door by hand?

It's amazing how many people are unsure how to open they're garage door by hand. We're so used to pushing that button and having the door open...  but when the power is out or there are mechanical issues you need to get the door open. Here are simple instructions:
With the garage door fully closed, pull the red release cord down toward the floor. Always take special caution whenever you release the garage door opener if the door is not in the fully closed position, since the door may want to slam closed when released. If at all possible do not release the garage door when open, except for emergency or security purposes and close the door with caution. Some older openers may not have a red release cord and may need to be released by pulling down a handle or a spring loaded clip. If you do have an older door that is difficult to disconnect you may want to replace the opener with a new garage door opener that has an easy pull red release cord.

Got Squeeky Garage Door Springs?

Garage Door Springs can squeak and be noisy. This is caused by normal use and doesn't necessarily indicate a problem. Before calling a garage door systems professional, coat the springs with a spray-on (silicone based)  lubricant recommended especially for garage doors. This will often solve the "squeek". If the noise persists, call a certified door technician for service.

The easiest and most ignored advice for extending the life of your garage door.

What is the easiest and most ignored advice for extending the life of your garage door?
Get Professional Service.


Just once year, have a professional come to perform some simple maintenance on your system. It should cost about $100 to have a garage door company inspect the system and adjust both the opener and spring system if needed. In addition to any work done on the springs and opener, this type of service will typically include a check for wear and tear, as well. Some companies provide the option of a service plan, which can also help reduce the cost. The springs are the heart of the counter balance system, and can relax over time. An improperly balanced spring system can damage the opener, and pose a safety hazard.
Yep, it's that simple - had you garage door maintenance yet?

3 Common Garage Door Problems You can Test

Garage doors are the most heavily used entries to your home or business. So much so, that they have been called "The Other Front Door", so it’s understandable that they require repair or maintenance every once in a while. While some common issues can be fixed by yourself, others require the expertise of a garage door professional. Here are three of the most common garage door issues you’ll run into, and how to solve them.


1) Door will not close and Automatically Reverses.

Perhaps more than any other issue with garage doors occurs when the door starts to close and almost immediately reverses itself. 95% of the time this is caused by damage or misalignment of the photo electric sensors. These "safety eyes" are mounted on both sides of the door frame toward the bottom. The sensors are designed to reverse the closing door if there is something or somone in the doorway. To function properly; the sensors must be aligned with each other. When the sensors are not aligned properly or there is something in the way, the lights will be flashing. Slowly adjust the sensors until they are aligned and the lights are no longer flashing.  If this does not solve the problem contact your garage door professional.

2)  Difficulty Opening or Closing the Door

A common problem with residential garage doors is difficulty operating the garage door properly. This is sometimes caused by a poorly lubricated door. Use a silicone based lubricant never WE40 etc. Then, try unhinging the door from your garage door opener by pulling the emergency release cord. If the door moves more freely with the opener disengaged, then the problem is related to the opener and will require professional repair.

3) Noisy or Jammed Door Springs

Garage doors are opened by high-tension door springs that help the door open or close easily. However, these springs need to be properly maintained to ensure proper tension. If the spring is jamming or makes excessive noise, then call a garage door repair professional to service it. Never work on garage door springs yourself—they are extremely dangerous and can cause serious injury.

Garage Door Panel Repair

You are not alone! Yes... other have bumped their garage door with their car...

What many garage door repair customers do not know that a damaged or broken garage door panel doesn’t always mean they need a whole new garage door!

There are many different reasons to need a new garage door panel including hitting it with your car, wind or hail damage and even multiple hits with a basketball. If you have a newer garage door and there is only damage to one or two panels, repairs can be very successful. Your Precision door professional can generally order your replacement panels from the manufacturer in order to make sure that the whole door looks great when repairs are complete.

However, if your garage door panels have extensive damage or have warped over time, it may be time to replace your old garage door with a new one. Older garage doors (and openers) may not be as safe for your family or pets and, especially if they are damaged, may need to be replaced.

Ask your Precision Door Professional for a Free estimate.

One home improvement project that nearly pays for itself

Did you ever think that a new garage door could almost pay for itself?

Garage door replacement ranked No. 2 in "cost recouped" on a list of 35 common home remodeling projects in Remodeling Magazine's 24th annual Cost vs. Value Report. Only steel entry door replacement ranked higher.

The average midrange garage door replacement cost was estimated at $1,291. Resale value of the project averaged $1,083 - an 83.9 percent return on investment (ROI) at resale. In some cities, such as Charleston, W. Va., Honolulu, Providence, R.I., and San Francisco, the ROI for a new garage door was more than 100 percent.

Upscale garage door replacements were estimated to provide a 69.8 percent ROI - No. 4 among the upscale projects listed in the survey.

What does that mean to homeowners? You can have your cake and eat it, too. A new garage door can add to the beauty of your home as you live in it and enjoy it today, while also providing a high level of payback - nearly 84 cents of every dollar spent on the garage door replacement - when it's time to sell.

What's more, garage door replacement was one of the least expensive projects listed in the survey. That means a new garage door may be the quickest, easiest, and least expensive way to enhance your home's appearance and get a great return on your investment.

Fast fix for the facade

In addition to providing a great ROI, a stylish new garage door can add to the beauty of your home. If you have a front-facing attached garage, a new door adds instant curb appeal. An attached garage can make up a third or more of the front of the home. Replacing a garage door can be the difference between a "plain vanilla" home and a stylish, attractive home.
Visit GarageWowNow.com, a non-commercial home improvement website dedicated to garage doors and garage door openers. There you will find dozens of photos of the latest in new garage door styles. Those include carriage house doors - one of the most popular styles on the market today. Modern homes can benefit from a new range of contemporary door styles with a range of bright colors, metallic finishes and opaque glass. Even the classic raised panel garage door style offers new looks and finishes that add elegance.

But the real proof comes in viewing GarageWowNow.com's before and after photos. Did you ever drive down a street you've driven down hundreds of times before and notice something "different" about a house that has enhanced its look? Could it have been a new garage door? That's what you'll see in these images of real homes from across the United States.

GarageWowNow.com also includes details about the latest in garage door openers. If your opener was installed prior to 1993, you're missing out on some important safety features that provide protection from entrapment. You're also missing out on some "wow" features such as battery backup (when a storm or blackout knocks out the power, you still have access to your home via the garage door), surge protectors to guard against voltage spikes or fingerprint-activated keyless entry pads.
Not a handyman special

If you're seriously thinking about a new garage door, here's something else to think about: once you've picked the model and style that's right for you, sit back and leave the installation to the professionals. This isn't a job for the weekend warrior.

A garage door is the heaviest moving object in your home. It is actually a system that includes springs, cables, rollers, tracks and other hardware. Some of the elements of this system are under high tension. If improperly installed, this system can cause injury or even death.

Proper installation and even repair projects are best left to experienced professionals.

What is the Life Expectancy of My Garage Door Springs?

How long a garage door spring will last depends on how often the door is used and the cycle rating of the springs. In todays' modern garage doors Torsion springs provide over 90% of the lift needed to raise a garage door so they are critical to your doors' operation and broken springs are one of the most common garage door repairs needed.

Most garage doors open and close 3-5 times a day, 300+ days a year. Multiply that by by 10 years. The reason they use 10 years is because that’s the average life of a garage door. The standard non-coated springs are rated at 10,000 cycles meaning they should last between 7 and 10 years.

Precision Garage Door Springs are heavy-duty, powder-coated to resist rust, and rated at a minimum 33,000 cycles to ensure a longer life expectancy for the entire garage door system. That means they will last two to three times as long before you'll need to worry about them.

It's Back to School Time... Have you checked your Garage Door?

Did you know your kids are more likely to use the garage door when coming and going to school than any other door in the house? That’s right, the garage door has officially become the most used door in the house.

That also means “Back to school” is a great time to make sure your “other front door” is working properly. If you're not sure yours is working properly – Schedule your annual Back to School Garage Door Maintenance now - your kids will thank you!

Garage Doors Need Tune-ups too!

I've said it before - Garage Doors need tune-ups just like your car. I recommend a garage door tune-up every year. Why? Garage doors are big and have lots of moving parts that can gradually work themselves out of alignment over time. That can mean getting stuck at home some cold morning. The technician will balance the door and its lifting spring system, center it in the opening if needed, tighten all the hardware, adjust the opener and lubricate everything. This is not a DIY project! Garage doors are dangerous, and they can injure you without any notice.

Watch Your Fingers!

Many older garage doors lack pinch-resistant joints and that can end in a very painful accident for your or your children. The easy fix here is to add lift handles or gripping points on the inside & outside of the door.  Even if your door has a automatic garage door opener, the door must occasionally be operated manually.

So quick tips: 1) Never place your fingers between the door sections. 2) If you manually open or close the door, use the lift handles or gripping points! If this becomes a constant issue.... consider a new garage door.

Here's to pinch free future!

Enjoy a Happy and Safe 4th of July Weekend

Happy Birthday America!!! from Precision Door

Don't Be the Victim of a Preventable Crime

If you're like me.. or many of your friends and neighbors... you have a lot of "stuff" in your garage.
Usually there's enough that you can't get a car inside. If this sounds familiar, please pay close attention and answer this question.  Where do you keep the remote control for your garage door opener?

I can tell you that most people keep it in their car parked in front of that very full garage and that is exactly where a growing number of thieves are looking for them. A quickly broken car window and your garage door is open.

OK so not everything in the garage is super valuable - but... very few of us lock the door between the house and the garage and once in the garage thieves have free range of your home.

The solution? get a key fob style garage door remote that goes inside with your keys or get a keyless entry pad installed outside your garage door. These are simple, quick and not very expensive options available from your garage door professional that will insure you won't be the victim of a very preventable crime.

Springtime in Your Garage - Starting to notice things?

The weather is getting better and you're in and out of the garage a bit more now. So, here's the question.... Did you happen to notice some little things you hadn't noticed before or that (not you) you've been ignoring?

Notice how the garage door track is beginning to sag ever so slightly or how the door doesn’t seem to make it all the way to the ground now? Maybe you’ve had the garage door just stop half way down sometimes when you’ve hit the close button so you’ve had to open it all the way again and try a second time to get it to close? Hint... those are not going to get better on their own.

Whatever garage door problems you’ve encountered, just give Precision Garage Door Service a call and let their service and repair professionals come and take a look for you.

Vacation Tips for your Garage Doors

OK - you're ready for the family get-away. But have you thought about your garage door?
Here are a few tips that can save you a lot of aggravation.
• While on vacation or away from home for extended periods of time, unplug the garage door opener unit or use a wall vacation lock console security switch, which is an optional accessory to most openers.

• Never leave the remote control in the car or with a parking attendant. It should be treated like a house key.

• Always lock the door from the garage to the inside of your home. It’s a small inconvenience for safety and security.

• If your opener doesn’t have a rolling-code technology system, be sure to change the manufacturer’s standard access codes on the operator and remote control. By using the standard factory settings, your garage is vulnerable to break-ins by anyone with the same brand of remote control.

• Consider purchasing a garage door opener with rolling-code technology, which changes the access codes each time the transmitter is used to prevent code-grabbing.

• Wireless keypads, which activate the garage door opener with a personal identification number (PIN), are available for most garage door openers. This allows family members to open the door without the use of a key or remote.

• Never disclose the PIN or leave it written down. Any mounting location for a keypad or wall button must be in direct line of sight with the door.

If you're unsure, give your professional a call - they're happy to answer your questions.
Now, go enjoy your vacation.

June is Garage Door Safety Month

At Precision Door Service safety is job #1 - We hope the following safety tips will help protect you and your family from any potential harm.

• Do not stand or walk under a moving door!
• Garage Doors & Openers are NOT Toys. Do not let children play with remote controls, always placing them out of the reach.
• Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety. Discuss garage door safety with your children and explain the danger of being trapped under the door.
• Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door and to keep their hands & fingers clear of section joints, hinges & other door parts.
• Do not play "beat the door" (ducking under a closing door) - It can result in serious injury.
• Know how to use the emergency release,(read cord/handle) in case someone is pinned by the door.
• When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving.

We hope these few simple precautions prove helpful . If you have additional questions, refer to your garage door & opener's manual for details specific to the model you own or contact us.

June is Garage Door Safety Month - Let's teach our Children well!

More Safety Information

Garage Door Safety - Don't Let this Happen to You!

Yes, this is a graphic picture - and ample evidence that garage doors and garage door springs in particular can be VERY dangerous. Since June is garage door safety month, let's get real for a minute. This accident was caused by an ambitious DIY repair on a torsion spring and he is lucky he didn't lose the hand!


Injury from DIY Garage Door Spring Repair



Reports from the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicate that over 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems every year!

Here are a few safety tips to pass on to your friends and family.

Remember: Safety is Everyone's Business

A few simple precautions can protect your family & friends from potential harm. Refer to your garage door & opener's manual for details specific to the model you own. Then check the operation of your garage door & automatic opener.

•Garage Doors & Openers are NOT Toys. Do not let children play with remote controls, always placing them out of the reach.
•Teach Your Children About Garage Door and Opener Safety. Discuss garage door safety with your children and explain the danger of being trapped under the door.
•Teach children never to play under or near an open garage door and to keep their hands & fingers clear of section joints, hinges & other door parts.
•Do not stand or walk under a moving door!
•Do not play "beat the door". It can result in serious injury.
•Know how to use the emergency release, in case someone is pinned by the door.
•When using the push button or transmitter, keep the door in sight until it completely stops moving.


So take a moment - realize that they are dangerous and call a professional!

Want to Extend the Life of your Garage Door? - Lubricate!

Your garage doors are something you rarely think about... until something goes wrong. One simple, inexpensive and easy step to extend the life of your doors is lubrication. Yes, just like your car needs lubrication so do the moving parts of your garage doors. Some aerosol silicone type spray on the moving parts should do the trick. Not only will regular sprays reduce wear and tear, but it can make everything a little quieter, as well. Pay attention to the tracks, rollers, hinges, etc.

Note: Do Not use oils like WD40 these will create problems in the long run.

While you’re at it, give everything a quick once over to check for wear, making sure nothing is loose, no cables are frayed, etc. If there are any concerns, call your garage door professional for help.

Why should I use a professional garage door installer?

I believe that installing a garage door is not a do-it-yourself job. While installation might look simple and straight forward, a garage door is the largest moving object in your home and proper installation is highly technical. Connecting and "winding" the torsion springs can be particularly dangerous and proper installation is critical to the performance of your door. In addition, incorrect installation can void some warranties. A professional garage door technician should be able to install a door in a few hours and both haul away and recycle your old door. Don't mess with DIY installation - get a professional.

7 Questions to Ask: When Hiring Your Garage Door Company

You have a wide range of choices when it comes to purchasing or repairing a garage door. Choices range from huge home supply stores to the local handyman. Consider the following when selecting your company:

1. Selection: Do they have a wide selection of products to fit your needs?
2. Experience: Are they specialists? Is Garage door installation and repair is all they do?
3. Professionalism: Who will do the work? Are they trained/certified? Are they employees or subcontractors?
4. Flexibility: Do they offer 24/7 emergency service and by appointments to meet your schedule.
5. Warranty: What warranties are available? Do they stand behind their work?
6. Reputation: What is their BBB Rating? What do others say about them?
7. Quality: What is the quality of products and Service?

 While these may seem like "obvious" questions - far too few people ask them or even compare garage door companies. You may be surprised at how much companies vary on these basic questions.

3 Things You Should Not Try to Fix on Your Garage Door

Unless you’re a trained garage door service technician, please do NOT attempt to fix any of the following problems. Being able to identify the problem however may end up saving you money by being able to communicate the problem in advance to a service technician.


• Broken Spring – Most springs now contain safety measures in the event one of them breaks. Because of this, it may not be easy to identify the problem. If you notice a broken spring, it’s always best to have it replaced by a qualified technician. The springs are under a tremendous amount of pressure and can seriously injure anyone not familiar with the replacement process.

• The Door Isn’t Properly Balanced – First, disconnect the door from the garage door opener (This is typically a red handle on a rope that hangs down from the opener). The door may start to move up at this point, so it is a good idea to stay clear of the door until you see how the door reacts. Then partially open the door by hand. A properly balanced door should be relatively easy to open, and should stay in place when released. If you find it extremely difficult to open the door, or it falls when released, you should call a service technician to have it properly balanced.

• Roller Off Track – Depending on condition of the door track, this may require that entire sections of the door be removed. Not only is this dangerous for someone who isn’t properly trained, but an untrained person may also do irreversible damage to the door trying to attempt this.

In trying economic times, people often attempt to fix things that they would have otherwise paid someone to fix. If garage doors are maintained properly, they should provide home owners with years of trouble-free operation. Although it’s tempting to fix problems yourself when they arise, consider calling a qualified garage door service company, you’ll be glad you spent the money in the long run.

Why does my garage door reverse or open back up instead of closing?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions garage door companies get - and, in most cases does not require a service technician to troubleshoot or repair.

When a garage door reverses it is, most likely, the result of your safety eyes being 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, one or both lights will be blinking. The sensors can easily 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.

If this simple adjustment does not solve the problem... contact your local service professional.

Why Garage Doors Improve Your Homes' Curb Appeal?

Curb appeal is an important consideration for your home - regardless of whether you're selling or simply upgrading.

First, most people’s homes face the street. That often means their garage door is also facing the street and that the garage doors can claim as much as a third of what people see from the street.


Secondly, first impressions are as important for homes as they are for people. What does your garage door say about your home when someone gives it the once-over from the street or comes up the driveway?

So, if you’re trying to increase the value or saleability of your home or simply impress your neighbors and your garage doors don’t look the part, it will be an uphill battle to turn around a negative first impression.

Finally, according to recent studies - garage doors have one of the highest return-on-investments of any home improvement project.

So, think first impressions and curb appeal - then upgrade both with an updated garage door!

Victorian house's facade converted to a folding garage-door

This is so cool - I had to share it!!

By Cory Doctorow
Here's a clever architectural solution to a San Francisco homeowner's desire to add a garage to an old Victorian home without falling afoul of rules requiring the maintenance of the original facade. The homeowner, architects and engineers figured out how to turn the original bay window into a set of fold-away garage-doors.
Toronto's original city plan called for coach-houses and alleys behind dwellings, rather than garages in the front of the house. In the older parts of the city, these are an institution. Nevertheless, it can be very difficult to get planning approval to replace one of these back-alley garages today. Canny residents and contractors have found a way around this obstacle: it's much easier to get a permit to maintain a coach-house than to tear down a falling-down house and build a new one, so some contractors specialize in building a new coach-house without tearing down the old one, keeping various pieces of the old one intact throughout the building process so that they can credibly claim to be repairing, rather than replacing it.

Corey, a mechanical engineer by education and a problem solver by nature, conceived the idea of converting the walls of the bay window into door panels that would fold into the garage space to allow cars to enter, and then fold back into place, keeping the historic appearance intact. The planning department agreed that this concept was provisionally acceptable. To help him realize this concept, Corey hired fellow problem solver Robert Boles of Beausoleil Architects to devise the details and keep the project in-line with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards. One of the goals of the standards is to keep not only the historical appearance, but to keep the 'historic fabric' - the original wood and glass building materials - intact wherever possible.

VIDEO OF THIS UNIQUE DOOR HERE

The Balancing Act - Garage Door Safety

James Migani from Precision Door Service, takes “The Balancing Act” on a tour of the garage to look at smart solutions for a safer home garage door. Learn what you can do to make your home safer and more secure by addressing a few issues surrounding that wall that goes up and down, your garage door! Everything from protecting from thieves, key less entry & carbon monoxide detector protection.
http://www.thebalancingact.com/story/?id=2496

Precision Door Featured on TV's The Balancing Act

Precision Door Service, the nation’s leading garage door service company, will be featured during the hit morning TV show “The Balancing Act.”  The segment will air as part of the April 21st show at 7:00 am (ET/PT) on Lifetime Television.  Discussion will include garage door safety and how routine maintenance can prevent mishaps and injuries.  For repair or service in Seattle, Salt Lake, Spokane, Tucson and Albuquerque

For more information about The Balancing Act  

If You Don't Believe Garage Door Springs are Dangerous - Check this out!

From KXLY.com

MEDICAL LAKE, Wash. -- Spring is officially here in the Inland Northwest and with the warmer weather comes a list of home improvement projects to complete.

Before you start on your projects, a Medical Lake man warns people to be extra cautious when working on garage doors.
"I had no idea, I had no idea that it was dangerous," said Christian Best, who was taken by ambulance Saturday after attempting to repair his garage door.
 
For full story and video
http://www.kxly.com/news/27303956/detail.html

Struggling With Your Garage Door?

If your garage door does not go up and down smoothly and easily, you may have a potentially unsafe condition. Even older garage door systems should operate smoothly and easily. If you're struggling to open your door even when the door is manually operated, you may have a spring system that is out of balance. When a garage door is out of balance it can cause premature wear and tear on other important door parts. We've talked before about the dangers of repairing or replacing garage door spring systems (they can be hazardous) so please have the door looked at by a trained garage door technician.

Garage Door Repair: Thinking about Doing-It-Yourself?

If you're thinking about trying garage door repairs your yourself? Here's something to consider - The U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates 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.

Garage doors can weigh over 400 pounds, and can be potentially lethal. 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.

Most consumers choose to have their doors repaired by trained & certified door technicians. These professionals are trained in the challenging and time consuming task of door repair, and have the tools and background to repair your door properly.

If you're thinking about doing-it-yourself - think again.. and contact a professional!

Check Your Garage Door Cables!

One critically important part of your garage door system are the garage door cables that attach the spring system to the bottom brackets on both sides of the door. Visually inspect these cables at least once a year. If they are frayed or worn, they are at risk of breaking, which can create a potentially hazardous situation. Due to the hazards associated with high spring tension, these cables should be replaced only by a trained door systems technician. Call Precision Door for a full safety inspection.

What Are Eco-Friendly Garage Doors?

Chris Keenan is a writer for Precision Garage Door.


Most people are becoming more conscious of the effects human activity is having on the environment. So, many of us are attempting to live a ‘greener’ life and the truth of the matter is, small changes really can make a big difference. One such change is to choose an eco-friendly garage door, but what are eco-friendly garage doors?

What is an Eco-Friendly Garage Door?

Eco-friendly garage doors are often made from recycled or recyclable materials, which are resistant to weather damage and aging. In addition, the goal of a ‘green’ garage door is to help insulate your home. As you may already know, the garage door is likely to be the largest opening to your house and, if not properly insulated, can lead to increased energy use.

The doors are made from a variety of materials, so homeowners do not have to compromise the style of their home. For example, some eco-friendly garage doors are made from recycled wood fibres. On the other hand, there are many doors made from steel, which is considered ‘green’, because it has longevity and is recyclable.

Why Choose an Eco-Friendly Garage Door?

The most obvious reason to choose an environmentally friendly garage door is to do your bit to save the planet. However, if you need more of an incentive, there are many other reasons. For example, as mentioned above, the improved insulation of a ‘green’ garage door will dramatically improve the energy efficiency of your home, thereby reducing fuel costs.

Moreover, if you select a garage door that is made from composite materials, which will not warp or rot, it will not require the annual garage door repair or maintenance, such as painting or staining, that some older ones do.

In addition, it is worth mentioning the curb appeal of an attractive garage door. In these uncertain financial times, the housing market is a tough nut to crack, so if you want to ensure that your home stands out from the crowd, it is wise to consider the external appeal of your home.

How to Find an Eco-Friendly Garage Door

As with any purchase, it is essential to do some research and shop around for your new garage door. The internet is a great resource for this, as most all manufacturers list the details of their eco-friendly garage door and instructions on how to purchase. Which manufacturer to choose really depends on your location and your own personal preference.

Disposal of Your Old Door

One last thing to keep in mind when making your eco-friendly garage door purchase is what will happen to your old door. While many installers will take your old garage door away for recycling, some will just end up in a landfill, so be sure to ask them what they will do with it. Or, if you are feeling creative, there are a number of clever ways you can recycle and reuse your old garage door.

The Garage Door Parts Most Likely to Fail

Garage door systems have many moving parts and all are susceptible to wear, tear and failure. However, three of these components are the most common to experience a problem.

Springs
Springs, especially torsion springs, frequently fail and are also the most expensive. Many manufacturers and service companies use un-coated springs rated at about 10,000 cycles. (A cycle is one Open/Close). This type of spring is expected to fail 3-5 years. Precision Door uses powder-coated commercial grade springs that resist rust and have cycle ratings of 30,000 or higher, meaning a much longer lifecycle. Always ask about the cycle ratings on all springs when considering replacement.

Rollers
Rollers help guide the door up and down the track. Most companies use a plastic or nylon tire on a steel shaft. These will generally show significant wear within 18 months of normal use. Rollers with bearings are typically better; Ask about the cycle and weight ratings on the rollers your technician recommends.

BearingsBearings are the third most frequent component to fail. A typical garage door should have three sets situated in the middle and both ends of the door. Many doors come with only two bearing sets and one plastic bushing.

Being aware of the garage door components most likely to fail will enable you to make a more informed decision when buying, maintaining or repairing your door system. The result is a longer lasting and smoother operating door.

Precision Garage Door Service is proud to serve you in Washington, Idaho, Utah, Arizona & New Mexico

The 5 Features Of A Garage Door Opener iPhone App You Simply Can’t Live Without

OK, there's so much you can do with your smartphone... why not control the garage door too...

1. Open and Close Your Garage Door

I bet you saw this one coming… sort of obvious I know, but having an app on your phone would let you get in and out of the garage whenever you please. For all you powers walking/bike riding enthusiasts, you no longer have to worry about bringing your keys along! What if I said you even have the ability to open your garage door from China? You got it, read on…

Having the opener ability on your phone will also let you take the remote out of your car permanently. I know it’s tough to imagine, but that garage door opener remote is a big security risk. It’s true, even the worst of thieves know that access to your home is attached to your driver-side visor…

2. Be Alerted When The Door Opens

Okay so you’re on vacation (a really awesome one, let’s say China) and your garage door opens. You find it weird that your door is being used, well, because no one is supposed to be home… “Houston, we have a problem.” Good info to have, eh?

If the garage is used as an entrance, this would also let you know when your spouse or kids gets home from a late night, which is pretty cool. Especially for all of parents out there, to know when your kids get home from a night of “partying” is good information to have.

3. Receive Alerts If You Forget To Close The Door

This one is both surprising and really useful. The app will use GPS and signal If you get a few blocks from the house and the door is still open. How many times have you driven a couple minutes down the road and turn to your spouse and say “Honey, did you close the garage?” Well, now those conversations that almost always lead to classic marital arguments are completely avoidable. Now that you know the garage door is always closed when leaving the house, that only leaves the oven, stove, iron, fireplace, and…well, I suppose a rather lengthy list still remains.

4. Check To See If The Garage Door Is In The Open or Closed Position From Anywhere

Have you ever gotten snuggled into bed, and you’re really comfortable (I mean REALLY comfortable), and then thought, “Shoot, did I close the garage door?” At this point you really don’t want to get out of your bed which has finally reached the perfect temperature after tossing and turning for the past 20 minutes. Wouldn’t it be nice just to reach over and check your iPhone which is right on the night table? I think we can all relate to that one.

5. You Can Now Open & Close The Garage Door From Anywhere

Your kid calls and he’s locked out of the house. Assuming you genuinely like your child and want him to get in the house, all you have to do is open the app… and voila! You no longer have to leave work and open the door for him/her or need to leave a house key with a neighbor. More importantly and all kidding aside, entry in an emergency situation is easily granted no matter where you are…

6. Hardware option: Webcam

Now that you can essentially open/close your door from anywhere, check the status of your door, and be alerted when you leave the door open, you can see who or what is outside your garage door. It allows you to check and make sure the cat is not under the garage door when you close it from who knows where. It would also be nice to get a wave from the kids when they get home from school along with the alert.

By Chris Copyright Precision Door Service

How to Open Your Garage Door When the Power Goes Out

When wind storms cause big power outages, we get a number of call about doors not opening.  While you may not want to go outside, you certainly don’t want to be locked in. Here’s how to open your garage door manually.

First, disconnect the garage door from the automatic opener. Just pull the emergency cord to disconnect. The cord usually has a red handle and will hang down from the center rail of the garage door system.  Note it will make a loud click when it disconnects. Remember to disconnect the door when the door is in the closed position, not when it’s open.

With the door disconnected from the opener lift the garage door straight up until the door is fully open. Make sure the door will remain fully open before leaving it unattended. If the springs are properly balanced, the door will open easilyand stay in place. If it is difficult to open, have a professional garage door service technician check the door as soon as possible as this is a sign of poor spring tension and can lead to damage or safety risks.

Once your car is out of the garage, you can manually close the door. If your door is equipped with a manual slide lock engage it now to fully secure the door.

When the power comes back on remember to reconnect the opener and make sure the door is unlocked. Trying to open a locked door has damaged many a garage door opener.
If you are replacing your opener, you may want to consider one of the many models that includes a battery backup feature. That way, when the power goes out, the garage door will still function using the opener, as will the safety sensors and remotes, plus the garage door will be locked and secured.

Contact Precision Door if you have questions.

Things to do around your home this spring

Everyone has a "honey do" list - here are a few more to consider.
• Organize garage or shed; clean, sharpen and lubricate yard tools.
• Dispose of old paint properly. Add waste paint hardener, available at hardware stores and home centers, to partial cans of latex paint. Cat litter works,
• Clean lint from dryer exhaust ducts and vents.
• Early spring is a good time for interior painting.
• Check the operation of your garage door opener. Consult owner's manual.
• Add a garage door keypad outside for convenience — but be sure to keep it out of reach of young children.
• Consider a surge protector for your electric garage door opener.

Why is My Garage Door so Heavy?

Garage doors are usually the the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of a two car door being 16′ wide and 7′ high. So it should be no surprise that; 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. The second problem with "heavy" doors involves your opener. Stripped gears are often caused by this type of problem.

If your springs are broken or nearing the end of their useful life; consider replacing them. Springs are rated on "cycles" (open & close) and most "Builders Grade" springs are rated at 10,000 cycles and will last (depending on use) about 3-5 years. Precision springs are powder coated spring rated at 33,000 cycles.

If your door is starting to feel heavy, it’s a good idea to have maintenance done about once a year. Have a professional check for proper spring tension, the condition of your entire system, and replace or adjust them if needed.

Best and Worst Home Improvements

Excellent article on what Home Improvements to spend on... and what not to...
From Forbes...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41624719/ns/business-personal_finance/?gt1=43001

A Little Care will Keep Your Garage Doors Working

Most of us have garage doors. But we usually do not think about them much until they need repairing. That is the time that you normally start looking for a garage door repair professional.

The truth is, you will be a lot better off if you do not wait until the doors stop working to call a service company. There is regular maintenance that the company can do to help keep your doors from breaking down. At these appointments, the service technician will inspect the doors thoroughly and look for any possible problems.

Garage doors are pretty simple devices. They operate through the use of springs and a low power motor to guide the open and closing of the door. Simple as they seem, it is still best to call in a professional when they are not working. 

Door springs hold a lot of tension. For this reason, it is best and safer to have a professional do the replacement. These are the parts that most frequently wear out. If you are noticing that your doors are beginning to open and close more slowly, chances are the spring replacement will be needed soon.

If you cannot get the door open at all, it is possible that the remote control is the problem. If you cannot see any other problems, try replacing the remote batteries before you call in professional help.

Another potential problem is misalignment of the doors on their tracks. During regular maintenance appointments, your service person will inspect the tracks, as well as ensuring they are properly lubricated. He will look for any loose screws as well as areas that seem like they could cause trouble. An example of this is an area of the track that is becoming misshapen due to constant scraping while vehicles are backed out.

Go ahead and schedule an appointment for maintenance before the door actually breaks down. Precision Garage Door Service specializes in garage door repair, service, sales and installation of garage doors and openers.

Winter means: Prepare Your Home for Power Outages

A recent study found that 93 percent of homeowners reported having experienced a power outage this year alone, with some outages lasting hours or even days. Everyone knows the family should prepare an emergency kit for storms and power outages and keep it in a central location - with items like flashlights, First Aid, Water etc....

But... How many remember the Garage??

Today, more than half of homeowners (55 percent) use the garage door as their front door, relying on an automatic garage door opener to gain access. However, during a power outage, you'll be faced with having to manually lift the garage door, creating security, safety and convenience concerns. Make sure you have backup options when the power goes out.

First - Know how to manually open and close your garage door during a power failure. Test your (and your families) ability to physically lift your garage door, your home’s heaviest and largest moving object. (Note: If the door seems excessively heavy it may need an adjustment from your Precision Professional).

To avoid being blocked from entering and exiting your garage during a power outage, check out a garage door opener with a battery backup system that continues to supply power to open and close your garage door for up to two days when the power has failed. These are available on number of garage door openers.

Finally, If snow is a problem... keep it brushed away from the base of the door prior to opening... that will insure smoother opening and less mess in the garage.

Why an Insulated Garage Door?

How you use your garage impacts the garage door you need. If you have a workshop or do projects in the garage, consider an insulated garage door that protects against both heat and cold, and insulates against sound too.

Garage Door Remote now Working? - Check These Things First

We've all had the experience... you're in a hurry (either coming or going) and you push that magic little button to open/close your garage door and nothing happens....

It's frustrating, but there are a couple of quick things you can do
1. Make sure the power is on! Many people quickly blame the garage door opener as the cause of the problem without realizing that the power is out at their home or neighborhood. If you experience power outages often, it may be worth looking into a garage door opener that has a built-in battery backup. Certain Liftmaster, Chamberlain, and Craftsman branded garage door openers have this feature.

2. If you have another remote control, try it next. If neither one of them work, the problem may not be related to the remote control.
3. Try the wall switch. If the garage door opener works properly when you use the wall switch in your garage, the problem is most likely with the remote. These can be reprogrammed by following the manufacturers instructions.
4. If the wall switch also fails to open the garage door, consider calling your local service technician. The problem may be related to a defective control board in the opener, or it could be related to radio interference. Both of these problems require special tools to troubleshoot.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Signals Garage Doors to Open Automatically

A Florida man has developed a carbon monoxide detector that signals garage doors to open if CO toxins trapped inside the garage reach dangerous levels. John Vole spent more than 20 years developing the alarm after a news story about an accidental death inspired him to build a preventive device.


If CO levels inside the garage reach 150 parts per million, the carbon monoxide detector will sound an alarm within 20 minutes. The alarm prompts the electric garage door opener to open the door to help reduce toxin levels. Units also can be linked to an alarm panel to notify police and fire departments of a possible emergency.

Vole said placing an automatic door opening response system is important because a carbon monoxide detector placed inside a well-sealed home likely will not detect dangerous levels occurring inside the garage.

According to a three-year study released in 2000 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there were 5,376 deaths attributed to carbon monoxide poisoning in stationary vehicles from 1995-1997. Of those deaths, 665 were ruled accidental. Sixty percent of those accidental deaths occurred at home.

Vole’s company, Second Chance, sells the carbon monoxide alarm for $99 on eBay.

Why is My Garage Door so Heavy?

Garage doors are generally the largest moving piece of machinery in your home, with an average size of 8′ wide and 7′ high for a single car door and 16" by 7' high for a double car door. 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. Over time, springs do break and/or relax, making the doors feel heavier. Stripped openers gears are often caused by this type of problem. To check this - occasionally disconnect your door from the opener. Pull down on the Red cord to accomplish this... If the door is "heavy" and/or will not stay half open on it's own... it’s a good idea to have some maintenance done. (Note: Annual Maintenance is recommended). Springs are dangerous - have a professional check for proper spring tension, and adjust them if needed.

Want Wood Looks at a Steel Price?

Many homeowners favor the high-end look of wood carriage-house style doors, but they don't want the upkeep or the price tag that comes with them. Manufacturers now have less-expensive, low-maintenance versions in steel with layered, wood-grain composite overlays or embossed patterns. Unlike wood, a steel carriage house door is easier to maintain and resists both fading and rot due to exposure.

Maintain Your Garage Door

Garage Doors are something we use often and tend to not really think about… until they stop working. Your garage door is very important and like any part of the house it should be regularly maintained as well. A properly maintained garage door will not only look good, but help you avoid accidents and mishaps that can harm your car or risk your health (and life) too! Garage overhead doors related accidents account for thousands of injuries every year (average of 30000 per year).

Don’t ignore your garage door any longer. In an average household a garage door is typically opened and closed around six – ten times per day. Relative to how often your garage is being used, a garage owner may have to replace his or her garage door at least once in its lifetime. If you have an electric door, its maintenance is obviously going to be different from that of a manual garage door. But some things are same for all kinds of garage door.

For most people, garage door installation is something they consider on two occasions- when they don’t already have an electric garage door or when their current garage door is broken. Remember that a single part of your garage door that is installed wrongly can cause serious malfunction. So it is better to let professionals change springs, hinges, rollers, etc. Also use light lubricants to grease your garage door. Heavy oils can cause build-ups so using them for maintaining your garage door is duly discouraged.