Do your kids love playing with your garage door? Learn how to childproof door from the experts at Door Power.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

Garage Door Security 101

Even the most modern garage doors can be vulnerable to evildoers seeking to do your family harm. Garage Door Doctor would like to impart to you some practical wisdom to keep your home and garage safe, secure, and out of harm’s way! You’ll be thanking yourself for taking these precautionary measures. Don’t let garage security be something you wish you’d have done! With that said, here are our best recommendations for keeping your garage locked up tight.

Keep Your Garage Locked Up Tight

Hold it right there, we just said that twice! That’s right, because it’s that important. If you have an old garage door that you need to manually open and close (first of all, hello from the future! We have automatic doors now!) it goes without saying that you need to lock it up when not in use. That being said, however, even modern garage doors are not immune to being opened by someone with ill intent. If you plan on going out of town for an extended period of time, it may not be a terrible idea to place a padlock on the inside of your garage door that would inhibit it from opening. Even if your garage door sustains damage from someone trying and failing to pry it open, that will be a favorable alternative to someone making off with all of your tools.

Assess Your Garage for Burglary Potential

Something handy that you can do is to take a few moments and take on the role of burglar. Look at your garage and think about how somebody could try to break in or take advantage of a weak spot. If you could think of a way in, rest assured that someone who makes a living out of theft can think of it too. You might just see a crack in the armor if you take a moment to assess your property. 

Do Not Leave Garage Doors Open Unattended

Imagine removing an entire wall of your home, free for anyone walking or driving by to see all of the things you’ve stored away, and just letting it sit there for hours, unattended? That is essentially what you’re doing if you leave your garage door open unnecessarily. We’re sure you’ve seen this before around Indianapolis — someone was taking the groceries in and forgot to close the garage door, or somebody was working in the garage, then ran out to get something that should only take “a minute or two.” You would be surprised how easy it would be for a passersby to casually walk up to an open, unattended garage, and pick and choose from your belongings like it’s a buffet. Always be aware of the state of your garage door!

Update Your Old Garage Door Opener

More recent models of garage door openers are difficult to take advantage of, but older models can be vulnerable to tampering. If you’ve had the same garage door opener for years, have never changed the code, or aren’t even sure how it works, you need to call your friends here at Garage Door Doctor. We can determine the safety value of your garage door opener, and recommend a replacement if we think it is necessary. There are several smart garage door openers available today that let you remotely control your garage doors, making it easy to check the status of your garage from your smartphone! Now that is handy. 

Pro Tip: Consider using a garage door opener that attaches to your key-chain. Leaving a garage door opener in your car is just about as safe as leaving the keys to your house on the front porch. 

Invest in Appropriate Exterior Lighting

Having exterior lighting around your garage can be an incredibly simple deterrent for potential thieves. Motion-activated lights behave like little sentries that you can set around your home, making your house a less-likely target for exploitation. You’ll want to install these lights high enough that a burglar couldn’t simply walk up and unscrew them, defeating their purpose. 

Replace Damaged Garage Doors

If you’ve been living with a damaged garage door, then you really need to give us a call! Garage Door Doctor has been serving the Indianapolis area for years, and we love taking care of our neighbors. Having a damaged garage door only puts you at risk for a burglar having a free-for-all in your garage. If you notice any gaps or openings around your garage door, contact us today, and we’ll come out to your home for a free inspection and estimate on getting you fixed up with a new garage door. 

Be Careful of What You Store in Your Garage

We know, it’s incredibly tempting to store things willy-nilly in the garage for the mere convenience of it. However, if you’re storing something very valuable in the garage, even if you leave valuable items inside of unlocked cars, they become prime targets for break-ins. If you have something particularly valuable, try to consider a better place to store it than in the garage.

Help Your Neighbors By Being a Good Neighbor

Can we agree that we’re all in this together? If you notice anything suspicious about a neighbor’s garage, live up to the high expectations set by the great people of Indianapolis and communicate with them! When a garage door has been open for hours on end, with nobody in sight, give your neighbor a call or go knock on their door and make sure everything is okay. You would hope that your neighbors would do the same for you, right? Of course, if something seems fishy or dangerous, don’t put yourself at risk, but use discretion, and be a good neighbor. That’s what we’re all about at Garage Door Doctor. 

Call Us For a Free Inspection!

If you need a new garage door or just want to make sure that your current garage set-up is optimized for safety, give us a call and we’ll come out for a free inspection. We love serving Indiana with superior garage door repair, maintenance, and replacement. We look forward to hearing from you, and stay safe out there neighbors!

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

Like most of your hardware that is exposed to the elements, such as your cars and other machines, you need to perform regular maintenance on your garage doors to ensure they are in working order before winter hits. If you do not regularly maintain your hardware, it will break down quicker than it is supposed to, which can end up costing you more money in the long run. Here, our expert contractors at Bluff Country Garage Door Service will discuss maintenance you should complete before winter hits.

Look For Any Damage

One of the first things you should do is inspect the hardware in and around your garage door. If you notice loose rollers, brackets, bolts, or more, you should tighten or replace these parts. Additionally, if your door is making strange noises, sounds like it is grinding instead of moving smoothly, or it is noticeably jerky, you should have a licensed contractor come in to investigate the issue. By doing this, you can ensure your door is in proper working order before the cold and snow hit. The last thing you want is your garage door to malfunction when you are in a rush.

Test The Balance

One of the easiest ways to prepare your door for winter is to test its balance. While this may sound difficult, it is rather easy. All you need to do is pull the cord that hangs from your garage door. By doing this, you can manually move your garage door without damaging the mechanisms. If you manually move the door halfway up, you will be able to notice the balance. If the door is well-balanced, it will not move after you have it situated halfway up. However, if its balance is off, your door will move forward. If this is the case, you should contact a professional to rebalance your door.

Get New Weatherstrips

Over time, your weatherstrips will eventually crack, break, or warp. If that is the case, you should have them replaced immediately. This is especially true if your garage is connected to your home. The last thing you want is cold air seeping through your garage and hiking up your energy bills. If you suspect your weatherstrips have been damaged, contact a professional to fix the problem.

Clear The Tracks And Lubricate The Joints

If you are preparing your doors for winter, one of the things you should do is clear any debris off the tracks and clean them, so your door moves without issue. Additionally, one of the most beneficial things you can do for your door is to lubricate the joints. By taking just a few minutes a couple of times per year, you can enhance the length of your garage door for years to come. You can go to virtually any hardware store to find spray lubricant, which you can then use to treat all moving parts and joints on your garage door. Once that is done, your door should move without fail in the winter. The cold affects everything, so if you fear your garage door freezing up or not working efficiently during the winter, you should spray your door and even get it checked by a professional to be thorough.

Contact Bluff Country Garage Doors Today

If you are in Southeastern Minnesota and searching for a reputable garage door installation and repair contractor, contact Bluff Country Garage Door Service today. Based in La Crescent, Minnesota, we are able to provide service to all of Southeastern Minnesota, Southwestern Wisconsin, and Northeastern Iowa. To learn more about our services or to request a free estimate, give us a call at 612-226-4721 or message us on our contact page today.

This post first appeared on http://www.bluffcountrygaragedoor.com

The cost of having a professional replace garage door springs is either $200 or $270, depending on whether you need one spring or two. As a leading provider of quality garage door repair near Murray, UT, Affordable Garage Door Repair understands the importance of being familiar with the state of your garage door components. Take a look at this infographic for some common garage door spring problems and their average cost of repair, and continue reading to learn more about when to call a professional to have your springs repaired or replaced.

What’s the Difference Between Extension Springs and Torsion Springs?

Springs are one of the first components you or a professional should check when your garage door is not functioning correctly, as springs tend to malfunction more commonly than other parts of the door. Springs raise and lower the door using one of two methods: torsion or extension. 

Extension springs, the more traditional (and less expensive) method, sit above the door’s horizontal track. Since these springs have more exposed parts, they are more likely to break than tension springs. That’s why they must have safety cables for support if they break.

Tension springs, on the other hand, work by twisting spring coils around the shaft while the door moves. These springs can handle more weight than extension springs and do not have as many exposed parts, resulting in a longer lifespan.

How Do I Know If There’s Something Wrong With My Garage Door Springs?

The most obvious sign that there may be something wrong with your springs is if your garage door won’t open. You can also look for signs of wear or damage by standing inside your garage (with the door closed) and inspecting your components. While springs may be in good shape, other worn-out components can put stress on your springs, increasing the likelihood of eventual damage. As for the springs themselves, check if there’s a separation in the spring or a loss of tension. 

The bottom line is, repairing and replacing garage door springs is a dangerous job that is always best left to the professionals—which is why we are here to help! We’re happy to inspect and service overhead garage doors throughout Salt Lake County, so contact Affordable Garage Door Repair today!

The post How Much Does It Cost to Replace Springs on a Garage Door? appeared first on Affordable Garage Door Repair | affordablegaragedoorfix.com.

This post first appeared on https://triplebgaragedoors.com/

Garage Troubles Getting You Down In Indianapolis?

If you’re reading this, we’re betting that you’re in the middle of dealing with a garage door that is misbehaving. When this happens, it’s a literal roadblock in your day. Luckily, Garage Door Doctor is here to provide residents and commercial businesses with the absolute best, friendliest, and high quality garage door repair services in Indianapolis. We’d like to provide you with a rundown of some of the most common repairs that we encounter around our great city, so that you know that you’re not alone in your garage troubles and that there is a fast solution — Garage Door Doctor! Contact us if you’re experiencing trouble with any of these situations.

Garage Door Opener Failure

This one can really get your goat. You’ve pulled up to the house, you’ve got a van or car full of kids, you hit the garage door opener and… nothing. You push it again. Still nothing. You now have an expensive bendy wall between you and getting your family inside after a long, busy day. You may even notice the door making a valiant attempt at rising, only to limply fall back into place, exhausted. In most cases, this is a mechanical failure of the garage door opener. The fix for this could be as simple as adding lubrication to reduce friction; however, the problem may go deeper, in which case, it’s time to call your friends over at Garage Door Doctor.

Garage Door Fails to Close

This one is fun if you want your home to look like a nutty person lives there, with a garage door askew, open just enough to admit neighborhood cats or raccoons so they can shelter in your garage. In some cases, it may not even want to close at all, leading your neighbors to believe you’ve decided to throw an impromptu garage sale. This could be caused by several factors. Sometimes, the safety sensor is being tripped inadvertently, which will make the garage door refuse to close. Alternatively, the rollers could be jammed, or there could be another mechanical failure that a professional may have to diagnose — professionals like us at Garage Door Doctor! We know you love Indianapolis as much as we do, but you’d probably rather not have your garage door stuck open for all of the city to see. Give us a call if this is happening to you.

Remote Failure

In most cases, remote failure is due to a.) being too far away, or b.) the batteries are dead. If this is the case, we recommend the following strategic actions.

1. Move closer to the garage door.
2. Put new batteries in the garage door remote.

All joking aside, it is true that what mostly affects the performance of remotes are distance and power supply. However, this isn’t necessarily always the case. There could be a problem with the antenna that communicates between remote and opener, or your remote could have a malfunction that merits a replacement. If common sense solutions to remote malfunction have proven fruitless, then it’s time to involve your friends at Garage Door Doctor! We’re experts at determining the mysterious causes to remotes failing. We even usually have batteries with us, just in case.

Garage Door Automatically Reverses

Many modern garage doors have a built-in safety feature where they will automatically reverse if they encounter an obstruction, like a car, a lawnmower, or your cat. While this safety measure is appreciated and helps to reduce damage or injury to felines everywhere, it can begin happening for seemingly no reason whatsoever. If you cannot discern why your garage door is automatically reversing, it may be time to call in the specialists at Garage Door Doctor. We’re trained in all of the technical know-how that goes into testing your garage door’s auto-reverse safety function. It may be malfunctioning, or it may simply need to be recalibrated. If you’re tired of playing the fun game with your garage door where you try to get it to stay closed, give us a call, and we’ll help you out.

Continuously Running Motor

If you encounter a garage door motor that continues to run long after you’ve finished your business with the garage, it is very likely an electrical issue affecting your motor’s tiny little robot brain. The utmost care should be taken when dealing with electricity, so if you suspect an electrical malfunction, we highly recommend that you call us out to take a look at your garage. Our technicians are expertly trained to deal with electrical situations. The only thing that we want to be shocking is how fast, friendly, and knowledgeable we are! If your garage motor just can’t get enough of running on its own, let us know, we’ll take care of it. Your safety is our number one priority!

Sticky Door

As opposed to garage doors that stop, then reverse, a garage door that sticks and jams is most likely the result of a track misalignment. The rollers on your garage door could get stuck from debris, dust, or any other kind of built-up muck that finds its way into garage tracks. The solution could be as simple as cleaning out the tracks, or you may need to consider calling the Garage Door Doctors, and we’ll get it fixed up in a jiffy. Don’t let your car be rendered inaccessible! We’ll provide you with prompt service in the Indianapolis area and get everything running smoothly again. 

Let the Garage Door Doctor Be Your Cure

We’re a family-owned business here in Indianapolis, and we love our customers. If your garage door is giving you a headache, let us be your remedy. Contact us today, and schedule a free consultation with one of our professional garage door repair technicians. We also specialize in garage door installation and replacement, not to mention 24/7 emergency garage door service. We look forward to meeting you, getting your garage back in order, and letting you be free to go about your day smoothly and without interruption. 

This post first appeared on https://www.garagedoordoctorllc.com

Curious about how you can get the most out of your garage door? Learn the maintenance techniques that will extend your garage door’s life from the experts at Door Power.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com

The post Different Styles of Residential Garage Doors appeared first on AAA Garage Door, Inc. | Husker Door.

Homeowners with an automatic garage door should have it serviced at least once every 18 months. If you’re a business owner, you should get the garage doors on your commercial property serviced roughly once every year.

As a leading provider of overhead garage door repair near Davis County, Affordable Garage Door Repair understands that lots of people assume that after they install their garage door, it’s set in place and will never need work done to it — but that’s not true! Check out this infographic for a few key benefits of getting your garage door serviced, and continue reading for a more in-depth look into how Affordable Garage Door Repair can help you, your home, and your business.

Domestic Garage Doors

Depending on the frequency of use, getting your garage doors looked at by a professional can prevent a big (and possibly costly) fix down the road. While garage door springs are often the first component to fail, there a plenty of other things a specialist can tune-up, lubricate, and re-balance to ensure you and yours are safe. While garage doors are one of our most significant appliances, they can often be the most neglected. Much like a car, they need periodic maintenance to run safely and smoothly. Consult a trusted garage door repair expert to determine when you should have your door(s) serviced, depending on how often you use it.

Commercial Property Garage Doors

Responsible business owners are always adhering to health standards and safety protocol, and garage door service should be no exception. Since garage doors on commercial properties are typically used more frequently than that of a home, they must be appropriately maintained. If not properly serviced, the springs and motors in the doors can become a safety hazard and possibly result in legal action against the establishment.

Why Should I Get My Garage Door Serviced?

Getting your garage door serviced every 12 or so months can help prevent severe injuries and even death. There are around 20,000 accidents caused yearly by garage doors. Making sure yours are in proper working order lowers the risk of you or your loved ones becoming one of these statistics.

If you want a trusted professional to repair your overhead garage doors in Salt Lake County, contact Affordable Garage Door Repair today!

The post How Often Do Garage Doors Need to Be Serviced? appeared first on Affordable Garage Door Repair | affordablegaragedoorfix.com.

A garage door that does not close properly is not just a safety hazard; it also compromises the security of your home. If your garage door doesn't close fully, there are several small issues that may be causing the problem. At Door Power, we know how important it is that your garage door functions safely and provides protection for your home. To help you better understand why your garage door won't close, we've listed a few of the most common reasons behind the issue. Take a look.

The Photo Eye Is Blocked

If your home has a modern garage door, it likely has two photo eye sensors that will prevent the door from closing when obstacles are present in the door's path. If an unknown object is blocking the photo-eye sensor, your garage door will refuse to close.

If you don't find an object in the path of the sensor, dirt and dust accumulation may be blocking the sensor's beam. If you've cleaned the photo-eye and the door still won't close, your sensor or its power cord may be damaged. If that's the case, we can inspect your door, locate the damage, and perform a garage door opener repair.

The Garage Door Opener is Malfunctioning

If you're operating your opener within range of your garage door, but the door doesn't respond, it's time to inspect your garage door opener. First, verify that the unit contains operational batteries. If new batteries don't fix the issue, the antenna on your opener motor may be damaged or otherwise blocked from the signal. Make sure the antenna hangs downward so it can recognize the signal from your remote. If all else fails, it's time to contact us for a garage door opener repair or recalibration.

The Limiter Needs Recalibration

A garage door's limiter controls the up and downward movement of the door, along with its movement speed. If the settings are not accurate, your door may close, hit the ground, and reverse upward because the system perceives a collision with an obstacle.

To reset your limiter, you'll need to locate the limit switch adjustment dial. If the door doesn't close fully, adjust the limiter down; if it doesn't open fully, adjust the dial up. Keep in mind: you'll need to make tiny, incremental changes to avoid over adjusting the door and causing it to slam open or shut.

The Rollers Are Misaligned in the Garage Door Track

If something has caused the rollers in your garage door track to become misaligned, your door may move slowly, become stuck, or may not move at all. Misaligned rollers and misaligned tracks can also cause grinding or rattling sounds during door operation. If you've recently noticed odd noises while attempting to close your door, a garage door track problem is likely your issue. We can inspect your rollers and tracks, clear any debris, and, if necessary, perform repairs. If the tracks are bent or damaged, they may need to be replaced. 

Need a Garage Door Repair? Contact Door Power Today

At Door Power, we've been servicing garage doors since 1967 for homeowners throughout the Twin Cities metro. Whether you need a door inspection, a garage door spring replacement, a new cable, or recalibration of your opener, our experienced team is here to serve you. We pride ourselves on our friendly, prompt, and transparent service, and we'd love to make you our next satisfied customer. To learn more about our products or repair services, give us a call at 952-467-3199 or feel free to message us on our contact page.

This post first appeared on https://www.doorpower.com