Garage Door Maintenance Any Homeowner Can Do
The unfortunate side of a lot of professional Henderson garage repair is that it could’ve been avoided with a little TLC from the homeowner. It doesn’t take much more than a visual inspection each month and a little elbow grease, and if you do need a professional, then that early call can save you quite a bit. Visual Inspection Each Month Set a date to visually inspect your garage doors each month. You’ll want to do this from inside the garage. Note the doors, handles and seals for any signs of wear. Pay particular attention to springs, cables, pulleys, rollers, tracks and so forth. Ensure that everything is tight, and tighten as needed. If you have looseness you can’t diagnose or something just doesn’t feel right, then call in a professional. Open and Close the Doors It’s also a good idea to open and then close the doors or vice versa. Listen to how the movement sounds and look for unusual or particularly heavy vibrations. You don’t necessarily have to do this each month. If you use the doors throughout the week, then just do it then on an occasional basis. Clean and Oil as Needed Clean your garage doors and any pertinent hardware as needed. The goal here is to not let grime build up over time. Simply use whatever cleaning method makes the most sense. Sometimes you’ll need running water from a hose, and other times a leaf blower or air compressor will work better. You’ll also want to oil all tracks, chains, and other movement parts on a semi-annual basis and whenever you hear squeaking or other signs of friction. Semiannual Inspection Your semiannual inspection should be performed by a professional at least once every several years. The three main tests during this inspection are the balance test, the reversing mechanism test and the force setting test, which should all be discussed in the user manual for your garage doors.
How to Prepare for a New Garage Door Installation
A new door and opener for a garage installation in Las Vegas takes a few hours to perform. In order to allow the installers to do the installation as efficiently as possible, you can do a few things to prepare. Taking the time to perform these tasks can help to ensure the safety of the installers and speed up the project. Keep Kids and Pets Away If you have children or pets, keep them away from the work area. The installers will be using ladders and power equipment in order to do the garage door installation. The garage will be open during most of the work, and unsupervised pets or kids could get out and run into the street. Keep pets secured on a leash or in a crate. Children should be kept away from the work area until the cleanup is completed. Remove Clutter Many people use the garage as a storage area for things that do not fit inside of the house, such as seasonal decorations, sports equipment, bicycles and tools. The installers will need a large, clear area in which to do their work. You will need to remove any boxes, equipment and other items out of the way before the work can begin. Parking Your Car You will have to park your car and other vehicles elsewhere while your garage door is being installed. This is because the installers need full access to the area in the center of your garage’s ceiling where the opener and its tracks will be installed. They will also be testing the door several times to make sure that it works. The cords of their equipment will also be on the floor of the area. For the safety of the workers and to protect your car, you will need to park on the street until the work is done.
Unique Uses for Your Home Garage
While you can certainly use the garage in your home to store your vehicle when not using it, there are many other ways in which you can make use of your garage. If you treat this area as an extra room in your home, the possibilities are endless. Home Gym One of the most common uses for a garage is a home gym. If you’re looking to work out on a regular basis, this area can easily be outfitted with all the gym equipment you need for your exercise routine. Extra support might be needed for the garage walls in order to accommodate heavier exercise machines. It’s important to note that you shouldn’t overcrowd the room. Make sure to leave enough space for getting around. Home Theater or Game Room A garage is a perfect place to use as a home theater. All you need for this is an HDTV, a DVD, or Blu-Ray player, a sound system and cozy seating. A mini refrigerator can add a lot to the experience. You’ll likely want to set some rugs down to ensure that the area is as comfortable as possible. During the wintertime, a portable heater does well to reduce the cold air let in by the garage door. You can also use this area as a game room. Outfit the garage with a desk, plush chair, gaming system/computer and large monitor and you will be well on your way to gaming in luxury. You might want to also include a small cabinet nearby to hold your games and accessories. Home Office If you work at home a lot, a garage can double as a home office. Simply place a desk somewhere inside the room, along with a printer, copier, mini fridge and Wi-Fi. It’s important that you keep your garage door secure at all times, so as to safeguard against any valuables being stolen. if your garage door is ever damaged, garage repair services in Las Vegas will address the issue quickly and efficiently.
Helpful Tips for Cleaning Your Garage Door
Most homeowners don’t pay attention to their garage doors until they break. However, your garage door plays a big role in improving the curbside appeal of your home. This is why it’s so important to keep it clean. Also, cleaning your garage door also gives you a chance to search for problems before they escalate to a point where you need a company that offers garage door repair in Henderson. Check out the tips below to keep your garage door looking good for years to come. Removing Stubborn Dirt and Stains A bit of water and soap is typically enough to get your garage door clean. However, some stains left behind by oil can be tough to remove. In cases like this, try using diluted bleach. While bleach is great at removing stains, never mix it with other cleaners because it can release harmful fumes. With your bleach solution and a little elbow grease, you can easily remove stains from your garage door. Dust Those Tracks How often do you dust the tracks on your garage door? Unfortunately, most homeowners never do this, but it’s an important step in caring for and cleaning your garage door. As dust and other debris build up on the tracks, it causes your garage door to derail. You can usually remove dust from the track with an old rag or broom. If there’s mud on the track, you may need to use a wet rag to remove all of the foreign debris. Repaint and Refinish Once your garage door is clean, you need to search for areas where the paint is damaged. It’s important to repaint these areas to keep your garage door looking good and to help protect it from corrosion.
Protecting Your Garage Door in Cold Weather
Weather conditions can take a toll on the structural integrity of your garage door. Temperature fluctuations in the colder months can cause screws, springs and other metal parts to contract, which can make it difficult for your garage door opener in Las Vegas to function properly. Here are some tips for winter-proofing your garage door. The Importance of Regular Garage Door Inspections Try to do a complete inspection of your garage door’s moving parts in early autumn. This is easily accomplished by disconnecting your automatic garage door opener and opening your garage door manually a few times. If you identify any problems, it’s best not try to fix them on your own. Garage door cables, rollers and spring assemblies can be tricky, so contact a garage door professional if a repair job turns out to be necessary. Winter Maintenance Tips While Las Vegas has relatively mild winters, other parts of Nevada can be severe at times. Shoveling any snow or ice that’s accumulated around the outside of your garage is more than just an aesthetic measure. Ice and snow can freeze your garage door shut, which can permanently affect the way it opens and shuts. Applying a silicone-based lubricant can protect moving steel parts from rust. If you live in a location where temperatures dip well below freezing, you may also want to think about insulating your garage door. Foam board is a relatively inexpensive insulation material that can easily be cut to size and applied to wood, aluminum and steel doors. Prolonging Your Garage Door’s Life Protecting your garage door against inclement weather will help protect the value of that investment. Regular inspections and routine maintenance will go a long way toward helping you save money on repairs and may even be able to prolong the functional life of your garage door.
3 Tips to Keep Your Garage Door in Good Working Order
The garage door is the biggest moving element of your whole home. If you are like most homeowners, it is used several times a day, during all times of the year. If you want to keep your garage door operating smoothly for years down the road, it is important to perform some preventative maintenance and care. Three things that any homeowner can do themselves to keep their garage door in good, working order, can be found here. Listen and Look One of the most important preventative steps you can take is to watch your garage door as it opens and closes. Does it move up and down smoothly, or does it appear jerky at times? Does it operate relatively quietly, or are there loud or unusual sounds coming from it? Do the cables, pulleys, and springs look symmetrical? You can usually tell there is some type of issue if you pay attention to the door as it is moving. Tighten the Hardware An average garage door will open and close more than a thousand times each year. This is quite a bit of vibration and movement. As a result, the hardware may begin to loosen. Be sure to examine and tighten the bolts and roller brackets with a socket wrench a few times a year. Test the Balance of the Garage Door If the door is not balanced properly, the actual garage door opener will have to work harder, which means it will wear out faster. After you have disconnected the opener by pulling on the release handle, which is typically a red cord, you can manually move the door to the halfway open position. If it does not stay put, the springs (counterweight system) are not balanced properly. At this point, it might be necessary to call in the professionals for a new garage door in Las Vegas.
Decorating Your Garage Doors for the Holidays
If you enjoy decorating your home during Christmas and other holidays, then you should take advantage of the opportunities provided by the garage doors at your Las Vegas home. Think of it as a giant canvas that gives you ample chance to create your personal expression of the holiday spirit. Wrap a Bow Around It Perhaps the simplest way to decorate your garage doors is to put a bow on or around them. Large bows are a specialty item but not particularly difficult to find due to how popular they are for cars and other large gifts. Bows with an extended ribbon are especially effective because you can wrap them around the door and then tie them off inside the garage, so there’s no need for adhesives. Cover It With a Sheet Material Some sort of sheeting material, such as foil, plastic or even craft paper, is also an excellent option. Just a covering of red foil can really make your doors pop, and depending on the material you choose, adhering it to the doors should be relatively easy. If you want to create a collage or an array of other decorations, something like craft paper can also provide a good basis for that. Hang Wreaths and Other Ornaments With Care Whatever decorations you choose, hang them with care. Securing a tight fit and then tying into a knot or onto existing hardware is the safest option whenever possible. If you need an adhesive, then choose something washable. Something like poster tape is a good choice because it won’t damage your garage door surface, and while it won’t last as long outdoors, it doesn’t need to. Ensure Proper Clearance Decorating your garage doors for the holidays doesn’t mean you can’t open and close them throughout the season. Just be sure that decorations are thin enough for the clearance between the doors and the molding. You should have several inches to work with at least. Also, be sure to avoid edges that may catch when the door is moving and therefore cause decorations to be torn away.
Five Types of Garage Doors You Can Add To Your Home In Las Vegas
Enhancing the look of your home does not only include the house itself and the landscape, but it also includes your garage. The garage experiences the most traffic in your house, and having the right door type will not only give you the convenience you desire, but it will also add value to your home. Since the garage is one of the most used entries to the house, it is crucial to consider the type of door to have. Residential homes in Las Vegas mostly use rolling, one piece, and sectional styles. Depending on your preference and budget, most door installations are quite affordable. Below are five types of garage doors you can add to your home in Las Vegas. Swing Hand Door This is a traditional door that functions just like your typical door. The entrance is joined to the garage by its hinges. This type of door is not appropriate for homes that have narrow driveways since it requires a bit more space at the front of the garage when the door is open. Roller Door This one is made of metal and rolls upwards when opened. Although it’s not as appealing as other types of doors, it is a practical one to buy. It functions using a remote control that opens the automatic roller opening without the need of getting out of the car. It is suitable for short driveways since it does not need a lot of space. Overhead Door This is probably the most common garage door type especially for residential homes. It comes in sections that move around the bend of tracks to lift the door over the opening. It is designed to open with a mechanism at the top that pulls up the door then moves it to a horizontal position. Retractable Door This door requires a lot of garage space. The garage door moves outwards and then pulls back into the ceiling of the garage. It is easy to install and is the simplest garage door to operate with an electric opener. Sectional Door This one is somehow parallel to the retractable door when it comes to use and function. The entryway moves up and then folds back into the ceiling. The sectional opening is made up of steel and therefore makes the garage more secure. It is easy to install and takes a few days to assemble. Before buying a garage door, make sure that you measure the space between the overhead framing or ceiling and the top of the garage door opening. Most standard tracks need a headroom of around 14 inches. Luckily, you can also get tracks that are made for garages with cathedral ceilings or unusually high walls.
Why Maintenance for Your Garage Door Is so Important
Garages are an essential part of a home that can house your vehicles during inclement weather or even act as a workstation. No matter what reason you use your garage for, garage doors can become damaged under a variety of circumstances. These doors can be costly investments, which is why it’s important that you keep them maintained in order to sustain their condition for years to come. Helps With Convenience and Safety If you keep your vehicles in your garage, you likely understand just how important it is for the garage door to be operating effectively. When the door is having difficulties opening and closing as quickly as it should, this can really affect your schedule. By making use of regular maintenance, you can avoid these problems. It’s also important to note that the failure of a garage door can cause it to fall at any time. While this is a rare occurrence, the best way to ensure the safety of you and your family is by having the door maintained on a regular basis. Allows You to Avoid Costly Repairs Seeking regular maintenance for your garage door allows you to avoid the hassle of costly repairs. A serious emergency with your garage door can occur if you haven’t had the door maintained recently. Without maintenance, small problems will fester until they’ve become damaging enough to require repair services to fix. For most of the common issues that affect garage doors, such as a faulty spring or misaligned track, maintenance will be able to identify the problem and fix it before it more severely damages the garage door. Is Quicker Than Extensive Repair Work Once a small issue in a garage door becomes a problem that requires extensive repairs, your door could be out of service for a lengthy period of time. With regular maintenance, these small issues can be quickly identified and repaired without taking up too much of your time. If your garage door has recently become damaged, seek Las Vegas garage door repair services immediately.
Understanding Everyday Garage-Door Repairs
Your garage door may reliably open each time you press the opener, but this mechanical wonder will break down over time. In fact, there are several common repairs that are inherent to roll-up doors. With a two-car garage door weighing about 200 pounds, these doors need perfectly aligned tracks and a strong opener to keep them moving without fail. Take a deeper look at everyday repairs that might affect your door’s operation. Large Spring Malfunctions Above the garage door along the interior wall is a large, horizontal spring. This component literally pulls the door up and down as necessary. It’s under a lot of tension as a spring, however, so it can snap over time. You might hear a loud cracking noise when you activate the opener, and the door won’t open at all. You’ll need a professional to replace that spring as soon as possible. Backup Battery Issues Garage-door repairs also include the opener itself. Inside the opener is a large battery meant to provide reserve energy to the system if the main electrical panel goes out. However, the backup battery doesn’t last forever. Professionals can replace it every few years. Frozen Rollers The wheels attached to the garage door will move repeatedly through the years as they glide against the track. These items can freeze, however, from rust and other residual buildup. Professionals can clean or replace them as necessary. Track Alignment Your garage door rides along a track that’s built in sections. It ultimately has a rough “L” shape, but it can become misaligned. Any misalignment places unwanted pressure on the door, which leads to its decline. Ideally, ask professionals to align and verify the track on a yearly basis to keep it in prime shape. Sensor Concerns Sensors that flank the garage door will require repairs at times too. These sensors tell the door when it’s all clear to open or close. If they’re misaligned, the door may not work at all. Professionals can quickly align them with specific troubleshooting actions. Be mindful of the door’s weight if you try to open it manually. Most modern openers offer you a manual pull-string in order to disengage the door from the mechanical components. Pull the garage door open by hand when the system is offline, but keep children and pets away from the opening. Call today for professional garage repair in Las Vegas.