Genie recalls 18,000 garage door openers

Recall of garage door openers

Feb. 25, 2014 at 2:11 PM   

WASHINGTON, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. regulators announced a voluntary recall of 18,000 Genie automatic garage door openers due to overheating problems. The garage door openers were made by GMI Holdings, Inc., doing business as The Genie Company of Mt. Hope, Ohio. They were sold nationwide and in Canada from August 2011 through October 2012 for about $250.
The units can overheat, potentially starting a fire, the Consumer Product Safety Commission said.
The recall involves PowerMax 1200 and 1500 and Genie Pro models TriloG 1200 and 1500.
The garage door openers are gray and were rated for three-quarters horse power to one horsepower.
Consumers were advise to stop using the garage door openers and contact Genie to receive a free repair kit, which includes a new control board and instructions for installation.
Consumers can call 800-488-9918 for information.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2014/02/25/Genie-recalls-18000-garage-door-openers/UPI-20381393355470/#ixzz2uTAqfxcF

How can I tell if the garage door spring is balanced properly?

How can I tell if the garage door spring is balanced properly?

Open the door halfway by hand (release operator first) and let go of the door. The door should pretty much stay in the same position, although some slight drifting may occur. If the door wants to drop or if it opens on its own the garage door springs should be adjusted by trained and experienced garage door service technicians. To avoid possible severe injuries do not attempt to adjust the springs yourself – Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Tips for Care of your Wooden Garage Door

We service many many older homes that have wooden garage doors. These tend to be well made and have stood the test of time.  However, as they get older they can be more difficult to repair (finding parts etc.) or replace. Whatever type of garage door you currently have you can be sure that there is a garage door to suit every home, use and budget!

If you have an older wooden garage door, the only disadvantage is finding the time to care for it properly and keep it well maintained.  Here are some thoughts that will help your wooden garage door last even longer!

1. Wooden garage doors are extremely versatile and you can change the color or stain as often as you wish – whether you want to match with the neighbors, or complement the rest of the woodwork on your home! Depending on the climate and wear your wooden garage door experiences, you will have to paint or stain it whenever it begins to flake or peel (usually every couple of years). To insure success, make sure you use a good quality product designed for outdoor use and sand and clean the door before you begin.

2. At least once a year you should check all the working parts, including the springs, rollers, hinges and any other components that move when the door opens or closes. Make sure these parts are well lubricated, a simple silicone spray lubricant is best.   Don't use WD40! (this tends to drip on floors and cars and attracts dirt to the areas you're trying to lubricate).

3. You should also check for any loose screws, nuts or bolts. If you do this often enough you should be able to avoid further damage and expensive repairs later on.

4. Inspect the tracks and make sure they are all correctly lined up with the rollers. If they become unaligned it can catch, cause a stuttering and jolting action. This can even cause the door to stick half way. 

5. If you notice that your garage door becomes stiff and difficult to lift over time, it’s likely that the springs are in need of adjustment or replacement. This can be a particularly hazardous job though – so be sure to call in the professional!

Seattle - Spokane - Salt Lake - San Diego

People ask us about increasing the value of their home.. Here's some Seattle area data on a number of improvement projects - Highlighting Garage Doors (Of course)

Project Description:
GARAGE DOOR REPLACEMENT
Remove and dispose of existing 16x7-foot garage door and tracks. Install new 4-section
garage door on new heavy-duty galvanized steel tracks; reuse existing motorized opener.
New door is high tensile strength steel with two coats of factory-applied paint and foam
insulated to minimum R-12 with thermal seals between pinch-resistant panels.
Windows in top panel are ½-inch insulated glass. Hardware includes galvanized steel
hinges and ball-bearing urethane rollers. Lifetime warranty.