Get Your Garage Door Inspected and Tuned-up For Summer!

As spring turns to summer and we toast Dads and Grads etc. let's not forget that June is also "Garage Door Safety Month" and it's a good time to remind everyone that Garage doors can be Dangerous!

Seriously, the U. S. Consumer Product Safety Commission indicates that every year 30,000 people are injured by faulty garage door systems; and that's just those injuries that required medical attention while many other injuries surely go unreported.

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. Consider that a garage door can weigh over 400 pounds, and can be potentially lethal.  That's not a fair fight, especially when kids are involved.

An improperly adjusted garage door or automatic opener can exert deadly force when the door closes. This can and has (all too often) led to serious injury or death from being hit by a closing garage door or from being trapped under the door.

So, what can you do? The proper installation, maintenance and testing of these two pieces of equipment are necessary to provide responsible homeowners with safe, trouble-free operation. Take a few minutes to inspect and test your garage door system and make that inspection and testing a part of your regular routine. Safety is everyone's business.

Not comfortable doing it yourself or if you suspect that something isn't quite right?  Contact your Precision Garage Door Service professional ASAP for an inspection and tune-up in San Diego, Seattle, Salt Lake, or Spokane!

Proper Maintenance of garage doors is often overlooked by homeowners

Add a garage door tune-up to your “to-do” list

One of the most overlooked items is the garage door.  In a recent study, 50% of respondents stated they have never maintained their door. Like every other mechanical device — your garage door needs to be maintained.  Just as it’s common to have your furnace checked annually, it’s wise to have your door checked by a qualified technician. The experts remind homeowners to use caution when working on or near garage doors. Ensure that children understand that garage doors and openers are not toys. Homeowners can avoid expensive repairs by performing an annual inspection and tune up of their garage door by following these simple steps:

1. Clean the outside of the door with a detergent, sponge and water. Rinse with a garden hose.

2. Check for broken rollers, frayed cables and rusted bottom brackets and replace as necessary.

3. Use a socket wrench to tighten any loose nuts or bolts on the tracks or hinges. Any bolts or nuts that are red or have warning tags should not be tightened or loosened. Only a garage door technician should adjust them.

4. Check the door’s balance, with door in closed position, disengage the opener by pulling the release cord and raise the door to waist level and then let it go carefully. If it lowers or rises, it is out of balance and needs maintenance.

5. Check your electric opener safety reverse.  With the door open, lay a piece of 2 x 4 on the floor in the center of the opening. Push the wall button to close the door. When the door strikes the wood, it should reverse. If the door does not reverse, it should be serviced.

6.  With the door in closed position, clean photo eyes with a soft, dry cloth. Gently adjust photo eyes if they are out of alignment. With the door open, push wall button to close door. Wave a long object, such as a broomstick, in front of one of the photo eyes so it “breaks the beam.” If the door does not reverse, it should be serviced immediately.

7. Lubricate all moving parts with a silicone lubricant spray, never use grease or WD40.

With proper maintenance, your garage door will serve you faithfully for years to come.   

If you'd prefer to have it all done professionally - Contact the pros in Seattle, Salt Lake, San Diego and Spokane.

The light comes on but the garage door opener will not open or close the door.

The light comes on but the garage door opener will not open or close the door. What should we do?

If the light on the garage door opener comes on, the opener is getting power and the problem would be in the electrical or mechanical workings of the opener. NOTE: If your garage door opener is more than fifteen years old you may want to consider replacing the garage door opener to one with the latest safety features.

Need immediate help? - Contact us in  Seattle - Spokane - Salt Lake - San Diego

Garage Door Maintenance tips

The door

Wash and clean your door: Rinse the surface with a garden hose to remove all loose dirt and residue, apply a liquid "Wash 'n Wax car cleaner with a car wash mitt or sponge as you would use for your car, and rinse the surface with a garden hose. Avoid abrasive cleaners, or strong liquid soaps.
 
The use of liquid car wax once a year will revitalize your door, evenly spread a thin layer of wax to avoid wax accumulations in the finish and follow car wax application instructions. If wax accumulations cannot be removed with a cloth, use a soft bristle brush, and gently remove the excess. (Avoid accumulations around window frames and overlays)

Weatherstripping

Most weatherstripping is made of quality P.V.C. and therefore should be cleaned with an all-purpose vinyl cleanser, as you would use on your patio furniture. Lubricate the weatherstripping every three to six months with a silicon-based oil. Do not use petroleum-based oils as this will cause loss of elasticity. Petroleum attacks the rubber and decreases its flexibility.
 
Track, hinges, rollers, springs

Lubricate the tracks, hinges and rollers with a silicone lubricant. This will result in a quieter operation of your door.

How to Purchase New Torsion Springs

Perhaps the most common garage door problem they average homeowner faces is a broken spring. If you've had it happen you either heard a loud bang one day or tried to open the door and nothing happened. 

So... How should you go about replacing your garage door torsion springs?

First, some basics. DO NOT attempt to replace them yourself!

• Yes you can find springs on-line and give it a try.. just remember this... 30,000 people end up in the emergency room every year attempting this repair. 
• HIRE A PROFESSIONAL!

OK.. so what do you need to know and ask when you call a professional garage door repair company. 

Again some basics will help:

How many cycles the springs are rated for?

• Garage door Springs are rated in “cycles” where a cycle is a single opening and closing action. The number of cycles that might occur each day will clearly vary since some seldom use their garage door while others might use extensively, especially if it serves as an alternative main entrance. 
• A reasonable approximate average is 3-4 cycles per day which equates to about 1,100 -1,500 cycles each year. The standard cycle life in the garage door industry is 10,000 cycles. Which means your springs should have an average lifespan of about 5-9 years before repairs will be required..
• Note: Cheaper Springs (rated under 10,000 cycles) are considered overstressed and are not recommended for use.
• By simply insisting on having only parts tested for a higher number of cycles you should expect that your new garage door will operate flawlessly for literally a lifetime. Precision Garage Door uses only commercial grade springs rated at a minimum of 33,000 cycles. 

 What else should you ask?

• Are the springs powder coated? - Powder coating costs a bit more.. but the springs will be virtually rust free their entire life cycle and rust is a major cause of breaking springs. 
• Are the Springs New? Yes, there are companies that recycle springs - Never buy a used spring!
• Should I replace both Springs if only one is broken?
• Any reputable professional will recommend replacing both springs. Both springs have the same life-cycle and if one breaks the other is close behind. Replace them both!

How much should Springs cost?

• New torsion springs will typically fall in a range of between $100 and $200 per spring. 
• No one can properly price a spring over the phone... sizing the proper spring for your door requires a full inspection and weighing of the door. 
• Ask if that price includes Installation?

OK - you're armed and ready... now call a professional - get high cycle, powder coated springs - replace both of them and make sure the cost includes installation.  Problem solved!