Why Backup Batteries for Garage Openers Are a Good Idea
Do You Need a Garage Door Opener Backup Battery? That new garage door Las Vegas homeowners choose to beautify their homes and make them more convenient will often include an opener. Openers are generally wired to the home electrical system, and many opener brands offer a backup battery as an optional upgrade that can kick in when main power isn’t available. How an Opener Gets Power An opener will generally draw power direct from the home electrical system just as your lights, stove, refrigerator and so forth. If your home has an integrated backup generator, then it will draw power from that system when it kicks in. If power is out and there’s no generator, you always have the option to open the door manually just as you would with a traditional garage door. Whether or not that is inconvenient to you and warrants a backup battery depends on many factors. Do Openers Include Backup Batteries? It depends. Practically all openers on the market support a backup battery. Some products will include it but may brands opt to offer it as an add-on instead. This keeps the price of the primary purchase down for people who don’t need backup batteries, such as those who have home generators. Can Batteries Be Purchased After the Fact? Absolutely. If you choose not to purchase a backup battery now but may purchase it later, you do have that option. Perhaps the best option is to contact the company that installed your door since they will be able to identify the exact battery that you need. Do Backup Batteries Need to Be Replaced? Yes. Even if you never have to use your battery because the power went out, it will eventually lose its ability to hold a charge. The industry average is about three years. However, it isn’t generally necessary to replace these batteries proactively. They usually have an alert system that will beep to let you know that it’s time.
Helping Kids Understand Proper Garage Door Usage
Teaching Children About Garage Door Safety Garage door repair in Henderson is often necessary because children used the door as a toy or left a bicycle in the wrong place. Kids will be kids, but parents who’ve never introduced their children to the system and how to use it should consider doing so. That kind of knowledge leads many children to behave in the way you want. Introduce Them to the System Show them the system and how it works. Kids are curious by nature, and most will find it fascinating. Demonstrate how the system is enabled and disabled. Explain the bypass trigger that lets the door be used in manual mode. If the opener has a backup battery or is connected to a home generator, explain that aspect as well. Be sure to emphasize the photo eye and mechanical safety mechanisms too. Point Out What Can Hurt Them This will vary from one configuration to the next, but in general, the areas to highlight are the spring system and the lifting cable. Springs can hurt people when moving, and the kids ever see a broken spring, they should tell you immediately. The cables are under extreme tension and should never be touched because if they’re ever compromised, they can hurt people really badly as well. Teach Kids How to Access the Garage Explain the remote. If the garage is accessed through a smartphone, give them that responsibility on their own phones. If you have a keypad, give them the code and show them how to enter it. Stress how important all of this is to the safety of your family and home. Emphasize That the Garage Door Is Not a Toy Even with this knowledge, riding up and down may seem like a lot of fun. Explain to children that regular maintenance costs you time and/or money and that their fun time would be make your expenses go up.
Four Leading Causes of Off-Track Garage Doors
Why Garage Doors Come Off Their Tracks After garage door opener malfunctions, many Las Vegas garage door repair calls have to do with doors coming off their tracks. The leading reason for this is that people sometimes forget that the door is closed and accidentally hit it with their vehicles. That cause is obvious, but there are also causes that are less obvious but can usually be spotted in advance. Improper Track Alignment Track alignment is very important since it ensures proper weight distribution and also avoids unnecessary wear and tear. Alignment can shift over time as brackets and other equipment loosen through use. Proper alignment is why it’s so important to perform routine visual inspections as well as schedule professional inspections from time to time. Minor adjustments can extend equipment lifespan considerably. Tracks Bend Under Weight Although less common than alignment issues, tracks can bend under the weight of the doors. It’s possible that there was a manufacturing flaw in the track, which a warranty will usually cover. More commonly, when this occurs, it happens because the homeowner or installer chose tracks that were not properly rate for the door and other equipment installed. Rollers Wear Out Even in an optimized, well-maintained environment, rollers will wear out over time. Inspections can reveal when these items are succumbing to wear and tear and should be replaced. However, many professionals recommend proactively replacing them about every two years, which just about as long as what the usual roller warranty covers. Broken Lift Cables Modern lift cables generally don’t break unless they are very old. If there was an imperfection introduced during the manufacturing process, then they will tend to break early and will therefore be covered. Although breaks are rare, it’s a good idea to inspect them visually at least every three months and replace if there’s any indication of fraying.
Does It Take Much to Repair a Garage Door?
Does it Take Much to Repair a Garage Door? You may have been putting off a quick repair due to the wrong expectations. The engineering of modern garage doors makes fixing them simple and affordable. You just need the right direction. There’s a lot that can be done in little time, so why waste any more precious moments? Take a quick look at the integrity you inevitably receive with professional help. The Proven Science in Garages It’s okay if you look at the components of your garage door with awe. You can learn about the intricacies of your door, but you don’t have to. The fundamental design of your garage brings no new technology to the forefront. You’ll even be surprised at how common your situation is likely to be. Why Time Brings in More Innovation Fixing your garage door in Las Vegas is possible with modern innovation. The engineering of your components has been improved upon over the years. This is why asking for help won’t invite any complications. Your parts and pieces may already meet high standards regarding modern innovation. To get your garage repair Las Vegas, a professional can provide specialized knowledge in repairing your garage and before a small issue becomes a large one. The Dangers of not Using a Professional Some of the troubles faced with your garage door are so sensitive that a wrong turn of a screw will put you worse off than where you began. You can avoid this all-together. Your biggest concern can be solved by strategically finding help at the onset. By all means, don’t brush off simple problems, or they might become large ones.
Four Ways to Improve Nearly Any Garage
Upgrade Ideas for Any Garage If you’re in need of Henderson garage repairs because your old garage door opener breaks down a lot, then you should definitely consider replacing it. While an opener may be the most obvious way to upgrade your garage, it isn’t the only way, and there are options that are cost-effective and can have a big effect on the ways in which you enjoy this space. Ceiling Storage If like many homeowners you use your garage for storage, then you know that you can never have enough space. Ceilings in garages tend to create a lot of space that’s goes to waste, and ceiling-mounted storage is a great way to make use of it. It’s ideal to eliminate the items you only use seasonally or on an infrequent basis. Stuff you use a lot can be kept in wall-mounted storage. Heavy-Duty Storage Use storage cabinets and shelves at the walls and preferably mounted so that there’s no risk of tipping over. Sure, this will eat some usable space, but you’re eating space anywhere by using the area for storage. Cabinets can be tall or tiered three or four levels high and can last for the life of a home. Epoxy Flooring Epoxy flooring is among the best garage upgrades a homeowner can make because it’s a one-time investment that can last many decades and stave off much cleaning and maintenance down the line. An epoxy floor also makes your garage more attractive and convenient to use. Smartphone Integration Finally, ditch your remote, and use your smartphone instead. It’s a much more versatile and convenient approach. You don’t necessarily have to purchase a new opener either. Depending on the age of your equipment, there may be add-ons available that work with your existing opener and let you open and close it even over the Internet.
What Are the Common Ways for a Garage Door to Break?
Common Causes of Garage Door Damage Since an automated electric garage door has moving parts, these parts will inevitably break. That is why they must be maintained, examined and installed properly to prevent accidents from happening. Of course, it is preferable to have a professional do any repairs or maintenance work. Not enough oil Hinges and other moving parts of the door’s opening mechanism need to be lubricated in order to function. A clear sign of a lack of lubrication is your garage door gets squeaky and harder to open or close. This can damage shafts or cables and cause the door to drop down hard. If regular lubrication is properly applied, you will have a garage door that functions perfectly for years to come. Worn down by oxidation As many parts of a garage door are made out of metal, there is always the risk of severe oxidation damaging them. This is especially true if you live in a humid or tropical climate. Most metal parts will have a protective layer of paint, but it is not guaranteed to last forever nor can it completely protect the part from rust. If essential parts become rusted, like springs or hinges, you can count on your door malfunctioning. You should avoid washing with pressure washers or harsh chemicals so that any protective finishes don’t strip off. If rust does appear, it can be safely washed with vinegar and a cloth. Incorrect installation The most important step in preventing downtime of your garage door is having it installed properly in the first place. This may especially be the case with the intricacies of an automated garage door opener. Hiring a company experienced in garage installation in Las Vegas is recommended over doing it yourself. The professional touch is definitely noticeable years later and will give you peace of mind.
Homeowners Utilize Their Garages in Different Ways
Making a Garage More Than Just a Garage That new garage door Las Vegas homeowners often want can add color and design elements to a home. It can also make a home more convenient and functional, and those kinds of enhancements aren’t limited to the door and can be incorporated in the interior and elsewhere as well. Integration with Your Connected Home A smart home is a viable option for practically every homeowner. Equipment has gotten more affordable, and perhaps more importantly, installation requirements have become much less invasive. A powerful home-wide mesh is possible with no new wiring at all, and most brands offer inherent support for garage door openers and other garage-related equipment. The Garage as an Extension of Your Home Many homes have attached garages with significant square footage. If your home lacks a laundry or the current space isn’t large enough, for instance, you can transform part of your garage into an area for cleaning clothes. Likewise, garages are a great space for secondary refrigerators and freezers. Making Better Use of Available Storage Space Using garage space to handle overflow from the home isn’t exactly a new idea, but there are ways to make better use of that storage. Ceiling storage is great way to add storage space in home garages without actually taking away space you actually use. If you need more, then cabinets and shelves connected to the walls can make optimal use of the garage space you do take up. So What About Vehicles? Many homeowners use so much of their garage space for other purposes that they actually lack space to maintain vehicles in them. There are other ways to protect your vehicles, however. Portable carports and garages can be erected to make better use of driveway space or even other areas of a property. Some of these products are designed to be erected and taken down as needed, and others are made for the purpose of putting them up and keeping them up long-term.
Why You Shouldn’t Let Garage Door Problems Linger
The Dangers of Not Fixing Garage Door Issues If you notice that your garage door is crooked, is not closing properly or is experiencing pest or water damage, have it inspected. Doing so could save you from having to replace it before it is otherwise necessary to do so. It could also result in avoiding property damage or bodily injury to a guest or family member. Insurance May Cover the Cost of Replacing Your Door Depending on the reason for damage to your garage door, your homeowner’s insurance policy may help to pay for some of the cost to do so. However, if the damage was caused by neglect, your homeowner’s policy may not cover any of the costs incurred to repair or replace it. Furthermore, your auto insurance policy may not cover damage to a vehicle caused by a door closing on it if the incident occurred because of owner neglect. You’re Liable for Protecting Your Guests Let’s say that you had a client meeting in your home office that could only be accessed through the garage. If the door accidentally closed on that person while walking into the garage, it could cause significant injury. The same is true if a child that you were babysitting were hurt by a malfunctioning door closing. Even if you aren’t worried about liability, you likely don’t want to see anyone get hurt while on your property if you can prevent an accident from happening. Emergency Service Can Be Sought No matter when you notice a problem with your garage, a technician can be at your home within hours to perform an inspection of your garage doors in Las Vegas. If necessary, work to any repair problems with your doors can be completed soon after. This makes it easy to ensure that your home is safe and secure for those who live or otherwise spend time in it.
A New Garage Door Can Update Your Business or Home
Garage Door Repair Offers Home Update Opportunities Damage to the garage door of your home or business can offer an opportunity to update the look of the structure. Garage door design has come a long way since the 1950s and 1970s, two of the last building spurts of the 20th century. Many 21st century designs offer diverse designs in hardier materials that update the look of existing structures. Choose a replacement garage door instead of repairing the existing one. When you have Las Vegas garage door repair and replacement needs, service technicians can give your home a whole new look with a replacement garage door. Modern Looks Structures featuring long, slender, rectangular windows or glass houses benefit from a garage door featuring smoked glass door panels framed in black or white. These doors come with glass panels in a variety of sizes. They also often eschew the square door design, opting for a rectangular design. Regal Looks Natural wood garage door designs compliment both brick and wood structures. Whether solid wood or with smoked glass upper panels, these richly enhance the exterior. They can provide a less utilitarian look when featuring arched top panels. Natural wood carriage doors with squared or arched tops also create a rich looking exterior. Country Home Looks Barn style garage doors open out rather than up. They complement rustic exteriors. Try wood garage doors painted in contrasting colors to match the structure’s exterior on a Victorian style structure.
Top Reasons to Install a Steel Garage Door on Your Home
Benefits of Installing a Steel Garage Door Steel garage doors are popular with homeowners who want a product that can withstand the elements and offers security. Although wood garage doors have been commonly used in past decades, steel doors prove to provide more protection on the house and have a variety of styles that are available. If you’re looking to boost the appeal and functionality of your home, there are a few reasons to install a garage door that is constructed out of steel. Durability The durability of steel garage doors makes them favored by professional technicians and homeowners. You won’t have to worry about the garage door suffering from damage in the middle of a storm or during high winds for a product that can be worth your investment. The construction of the product will reduce the risk of garage repair Las Vegas, which can allow you to save more money over time and maintain the quality of the door. Steel is also resistant to rust, which will prevent it from becoming hard to open or squeaky when exposed to moisture. Energy-Efficiency Not only are steel garage doors durable but they’re also energy-efficient, which can allow you to reduce your carbon footprint and save more money each season on your property. Polyurethane or polystyrene play are often used to insulate steel garage doors to control the temperature of the garage and protect the temperature in the home from fluctuating. You can spend more time in the space without feeling uncomfortable despite the low or high temperature outdoors. Customizability You have the option of customizing the garage door that is installed to ensure that it complements the surrounding architecture on the building and also fits your style or taste. Steel garage doors often include windows and decorative accents to ensure that you can choose a product that looks contemporary, modern, or traditional. Steel garage doors can also include the look of natural wood and are ideal because you won’t have to deal with an authentic wood door.