New Year’s Resolutions for Your Garage

Now that the decorations are safely stowed away and the in-laws are back in their cozy homes, it is time to honor your yearly home maintenance resolutions. Some people opt for cleaning out their closets, while others focus their attention on fine-tuning major home appliances and exterior features. Garage doors are the workhorses of the household. For being the largest appliance, garage doors are mostly overlooked. When you consider how much wear and tear these heavy-duty doors endure on a daily basis, it’s easy to see why it is important to conduct a yearly check-up. Garage Door Maintenace Check List Let’s face it. Home improvements and monthly upkeep isn’t all that fun, but rather a labor of love. Whether you are transforming your garage into a man cave, or simply giving it a tune-up, Incorporating your garage door into an annual maintenance routine will keep it running smoothly into 2021. Improve Security – According to law enforcement, the garage is one of the most vulnerable entries in any household. Thieves can gain access to your garage in under six seconds. What’s even more troubling is that most homeowners don’t lock the interior door that leads to the garage. So if an intruder were to gain access to the garage, they’d also have access to your home, which is no good. To keep your belongings and family safe, there are both high-tech and old school solutions for burglar-proofing your garage. Try mounting cameras in the garage and syncing them with your smartphone. That way you can monitor the activity in your garage from anywhere in the world. You can also go the obvious route and lock your garage door from the inside at night. If your garage door didn’t come with a latch that can be locked, you can drill a hole just above the rollers and secure it with a padlock. Tighten up the Hardware – On average, a garage door will open and close more than a thousand times in a year. In the midst of all this heavy lifting, the hardware can loosen and create real problems. To keep your garage door on track and operating smoothly, give your garage door a once over and tighten the roller brackets, nuts and bolts with a socket wrench. Be careful not to strip any of the hardware. Test the Garage Door Balance – Balancing your garage door is more important than one may think. If your garage door is off-balance, the opener will be forced to work overtime to compensate for the off-kilter garage door. Eventually, your garage door opener will buckle under the strain and you’ll have to call a garage door technician to come in fix it. There is one way to check to see if your garage door is off balance? Try to manually lift the garage door up halfway. If it doesn’t stay put, then the counterweight system is improperly balanced. Adjusting, calibrating and even possibly replacing garage door springs should be left up to a professional. Inspect and Replace the Rollers – Without rollers, your garage door would cease to function. No matter what material your garage door wheels are crafted from, they need to be checked on at least twice a year and replaced every eight years. This is something that most homeowners overlook. When you are inspecting your rollers, if you see any that are chipped or cracked, it is time to replace them. Replace the Weatherstripping – Every garage should have proper weatherstripping, regardless of where you live in the country. Quality garage weatherstripping will keep out the frigid air during the winter, and also helps sand, dust and other particles of debris from wafting in your garage. If you notice that your current weatherstripping is cracked or crumbling away, it is time to replace it. Weatherstripping can be purchased rather cheaply at your local hardware store and is easily installed. Measure the length you will need prior to going to the home improvement store. That way they can cut it to your exact specifications right there on the spot. Easy enough, right? Clean And/Or Update Your Garage Floor – An oil-stained garage floor is not a pleasant sight. If your garage doubles as a workplace or chill spot, you’ll want to make sure the floor is looking good this year. You’ll be surprised to find out that you can give your garage floor a major facelift for under $20. There are special chemicals that can really give a polished look to the grossest of garage floors. This can be accomplished in less than three hours, and will surely make a lasting impression. Be sure to have all the tools you need to execute this task safely. You will need a stiff brush, towel, protective goggles and gloves before you begin. Pressure Wash Your Garage Door – This is fairly straightforward. Washing off all of 2019’s dirt from your garage door will be gratifying. If you do not have a pressure washer gun, you can easily rent one for a day from any Home Depot or hardware store. Once you’ve tackled the garage door, if time allows, you should pressure wash the driveway and walkway to your home as well. Create New Year’s resolutions that you can easily execute. Ensuring that your garage door is in working order is actually a pretty simple task. Start this new year by incorporating garage door maintenance into your yearly or bi-monthly routine. By doing so you will save money, secure your valuables and keep your family safe this year. Precision Garage Door Las Vegas are experts at fixing any garage door problem in less than 2 hours. For assistance, contact us directly at 877-301-7474. Our garage door installation experts can answer your questions or schedule a free in-home estimate.
How to Change the Batteries in Your Garage Door Remote

Your garage door is one of the heaviest and most frequently used appliances in the household. Weighing in at anywhere between 180 lbs, all the way up to a whopping 400 lbs, garage doors have a lot of moving parts and tend to malfunction from time to time. Fortunately, most mechanical and electronic related issues are typically easy to correct. You can either fix it on your own, or a simple call to a garage door specialist should do the trick. When the garage door fails to open, most people panic and begin to envision a huge repair bill or begin watching DIY garage door repair videos on YouTube. Before you go ‘jumping off a cliff’ and calling a professional, or dismantling your garage door opener, the best way to troubleshoot a finicky garage door is to investigate the quick fixes first. Square one: The batteries in your garage door remote. Changing the Batteries in Your Garage Door Remote Dead batteries are the #1 cause for garage door remotes not working. The lifespan of garage door remote batteries is about two years, depending on how often your garage door is going up and down. Another factor is what type of garage door remote and battery you’re using. One of the telltale signs that your garage door remote is running low on juice is that you have to click it several times for it to successfully open your garage door. So let’s take a closer look at what kind of garage door remote batteries there are and how to change them. Step 1: Opening Your Garage Door Remote Chances are you won’t need any tools to open the back cover of your garage door remote. At most you may need a Phillips-head screwdriver or smaller, but with newer remotes that is highly unlikely. Start by turning the garage door remote over. There you should see a cover that can be removed. Slide the cover down with your thumb to expose the battery housing. If no back cover is visible, it may be that the entire remote pops in half at the seam and splits into two pieces. Best case scenario you have an owner’s manual to show you exactly how to open the garage door remote. Step 2: Identify the Battery or Batteries As with most handheld devices, there are a few different types of batteries that may be needed. Typically, your garage door remote will have a circular battery that looks like a coin. With batteries like this, it is important to notate the numbers on the battery so you can properly replace it, the sequence will usually start with a ‘C’. In rare cases, your remote may require a smaller alkaline battery like a AAA battery. Larger remotes will call for AA, but that is uncommon with garage doors installed in the last decade. Once you have established what kind of battery needs replacing, it’s off to the store to buy two sets. One to replace the old batteries, and another to have on standby for the next time this happens. Step 3: Replace Batteries and Reprogram Your Garage Door Remote Once you’ve purchased the right battery for your garage door remote, follow the above steps to re-remove the back cover. Simply pop in the new battery or batteries and replace the cover. At this point, you may need to reprogram your garage door remote. This is easier than it may seem. If your garage door was installed in the last 5-8 years the remote will typically have a one-button pairing option. Find the pairing button, hold it down for 3 seconds (you may see a blinking light) and release. This should have successfully paired your garage door remote with the garage door opener. If you are having trouble pairing your remote, go online and search for the model number of the remote. There will likely be an instruction manual available to successfully walk you through the process. Ideas for Making Your Life Easier There are a few ways to make your life easier, even if your garage door remote is being difficult. It may require you to do a little more reading or even making a call to a garage door professional, but if you’re looking to simplify things in the future, refer to the below tips for streamlining the process. Look for an Online Manual – Almost everything has an online PDF user’s manual now. If you can find out what garage door remote and/or garage door brand you originally had installed, there is a great chance they have lengthy instructions for you to follow online. There may even be visual aids and other troubleshooting methods for problems that arise in the future. Use Your Cell Phone as Your Garage Door Remote – In the era of smartphones, it is no surprise that you can now have your garage door open with the simple flick of a finger. If you are like most people, you usually have your smartphone with you at all times. Ask your garage door installer if they can outfit your current garage door system with this feature so you always have access to your garage without the use of a separate remote. Keypad Garage Door Entry – This is a great idea, secondary to the handheld remote. If you lose your garage door remote, or in this instance the battery dies, and you need immediate access to your garage, installing a keypad on the exterior of your home may be a great solution. Keypad entry systems are affordable and moderately easy to install. Contact your garage door installer to find out if they can help you find the best fit for your garage door system. Precision Garage Door Las Vegas are experts at fixing any garage door problem in less than 2 hours. For assistance, contact us directly at 877-301-7474. Our garage door installation experts can answer your questions or schedule a free in-home estimate.
Why & How to Lubricate Your Garage Door

Coming home to a noisy garage door is irritating. Nonetheless, annoying screeches, and even groans, don’t always mean you need to rush and call a repair professional. Oftentimes, lubricating your garage door can solve the problem. But it’s important to use the right lubricant and follow the right procedures to make sure your garage door is properly maintained. Lubrication can help your garage door run more smoothly and even extend its life. Part of regular maintenance, it should be completed about every six months. There are a few simple steps to follow. Close the garage door by remote or manually; tracks and moving parts will be more easily accessible. Disconnect the door from the power source; turn off the circuit breaker if the opener is hard-wired or difficult to reach. Use a damp rag to clean out the tracks. Don’t use lubricant here, but if it’s hard to remove dirt and grime, vacuum them out. What Lubricant to Use A lithium-based grease is best suited for garage door parts. It can be purchased at a hardware store or online in the form of an aerosol or spray can. When you are ready to lubricate your garage door, focus on the following: Hinges: For each hinge, insert the thin hose attachment into places metal rubs together. The larger the door, the more hinges it will have. Then slowly lift the door manually and spray each hinge as it reaches the bend. One or two sprays per hinge is enough to keep each lubricated. Rollers: The rollers are located at the edges of the door, inside the tracks and attached to each hinge. Lubricate exposed ball bearings inside the rollers by spraying the grease inside. Excess lubricant can cause the door to become unbalanced, so wipe it away carefully. Bearing plates/springs: You’ll find the circular bearing plates on both sides of the springs. Using a step ladder to reach them, spray the outside of the springs and close to the center of the bearing plates. Open/close the garage door to spread the lubricant. Insert lubricant into the garage door lock (in the keyhole) to reach moving parts. This can resolve an issue if your lock is hard to open or the key sticks, and it can prevent rusting as well. Also, spray the lubricant on the armbar at the top of the door. The rail, which the chain rides on, can be found along the ceiling. Lubricate the top part of the rail where the chain comes in contact with it. Then use a rag to spread the grease around. There’s no need to spray the bottom of the rail or the chain. Call a Garage Door Professional for Help This guide provides a general explanation of how to lubricate your garage door. The owner’s manual that came with your garage door and opener should provide instructions on lubricating the system. Garage door lubricants generally cost only a few dollars. If you have any difficulties greasing any parts, or are concerned about noise or other symptoms you find, contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas to have a technician visit your home and inspect the garage door. We can do a thorough inspection, perform a tune-up if needed, or repair your garage door—most of the time, we can fix the problem within one hour. Call or contact us online to schedule same-day service or a free safety inspection. We are available 24/7 for emergencies, while live operators can always be reached. Precision Overhead Door of Las Vegas is a locally owned and operated, and is a part of the nationwide Precision Door Franchise established in 1987. This means our customers get the local support and attention they deserve, while having the peace of mind of a nation-wide company. PDS Las Vegas was established locally in 2000 and has served over 100,000 Satisfied Customers in the Las Vegas/Clark County, NV Valley. Make sure to watch our Youtube video above to see how to lubricate a garage door! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
Holiday Garage Door Covers and How to Install Them

Garage door covers come in many forms. This holiday season, you can decorate your garage door to make your home more festive. Just as covers are available for various other holidays and special occasions such as graduations, various options are available as winter sets in. Some people even cover their garage doors to be more patriotic or be more connected with nature. Each cover is like a banner or mural that is reusable and lets your garage door open and close as usual. How to Install a Garage Door Cover Installing a typical garage door cover takes about 30 to 60 minutes. You only need a few items to get started. These include a tape or folding rule, felt-tip pen, scissors (or a carpet cutter), dry cleaning cloth, a cleaning agent, and a level. To start, unpack the cover and take accurate measurements of your garage door. You might have to cut the garage door cover to size, so it will fit properly. Basic scissors are usually all you need. Next, thoroughly clean your garage door with a clean cloth, so the surface is smooth and the mural will securely adhere to it. Turn the poster over so the rear is facing up. Now is time to prepare the surface to stick to the garage door. Stick the loop tape around the edges, making sure to apply it evenly and cutting the edges precisely where they meet the sides of the poster. Next, secure the hook tape to the edges of the garage door, matching the dimensions of the cover. Now you’re ready to attach the garage door poster. Match the edges and gently press along the length of the tape so the poster sticks to the door. Then find the door handle and mark where it is; cut an opening so you can access the handle to operate the garage door. Can I Attach a Garage Door Cover to a Sectional Door? The process of attaching a garage door cover to a sectional door is similar. Make sure the door is clean and the poster is trimmed to fit. Hook tape must be attached to the edges of each door section. The fuzzy side of the tape is then stuck to the back of the poster. However, each section of the poster will have to be trimmed for each individual door panel, before it is attached. Like before, mark where the door handle is and cut the poster for it to fit through. Continue attaching the cover section by section. When you’re done, the door should open and close normally without damaging the cover. Garage Door Cover Considerations When installing a garage door cover, make sure the outside temperature isn’t too cold or too warm. For the best results, attach the hook strip to the garage door first. Wait 24 hours before securing the cover to the door. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas for Garage Door Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance You can trust Precision for any repair or maintenance task, no matter what brand or style of garage door you have. Our technicians specialize in garage door service in Las Vegas. If the panel under your garage door cover has begun to fade or warp, we can repair it or replace the unit. In addition, we service garage door openers and can replace springs, cables, rollers, and other components as well as adjust garage door tracks. For more information, call us at 702-553-4621 to speak to a live operator—24/7.