How to Remove Rust from a Garage Door
If your steel garage door has rust, it has already begun to corrode. It is not uncommon for a garage door to start rusting at the bottom where contact with rain and corrosive materials is more likely. Don’t procrastinate if you see evidence of oxidation. It can spread quickly, reduce curb appeal, and possibly lead to expensive repairs. Fortunately, you may be able to remove the rust. Continue reading to learn how to remove rust from a garage door in Las Vegas. Removing Rust from Your Garage Door If you have a modern garage door, it is most likely resistant to rust. Older steel doors, on the other hand, tend to corrode over time. When you inspect your garage door, start at the bottom where rust is most likely to appear, and look elsewhere for any spots of corrosion. To remove rust safely and successfully before there’s a serious problem, follow these steps: Close the garage door and turn off the electrical supply to the garage door opener. Clean the door with a cloth soaked with warm water and soap, starting at the bottom or where you see the most rust. The door should then be allowed to dry. Soak a cloth in white vinegar and wipe the rusty section. Then use a steel wool pad to scrub the rust and help it dissolve; it’s important to be thorough as any leftover spots can spread again. Using sandpaper, sand down any part of the garage door where there is rust. Continue sanding about 2 inches around areas of oxidation. Use a metal bonding agent to fill any holes in the door and wait for it to dry. Sand the filled area with a fine-grit sandpaper. When the process is complete, wipe off any dust to make sure the surface is smooth and clean. After the door is sanded and filled, apply a zinc chromate primer to prevent additional rusting, and wait until it is dry to paint the garage door. Using a rust-resistant paint that matches the color of your garage door, apply a coating that protects it from future corrosion. It’s best to paint the entire door to prevent freshly painted areas from standing out, or flashing. Some types of doors may require specific painting products or rust-removal/painting methods. Check with the manufacturer or owner’s guide if there are any specific requirements for your garage door model and brand. Spray painting is commonly used for garage doors. If applying a spray paint, use painter’s tape and newspaper to protect areas surrounding where you applied the primer. You can also apply the paint directly using a paintbrush or roller (but be sure the paint is applied smoothly to avoid drips). When Should I Not Remove Rust? If there’s so much rust attempting to remove it risks damaging the garage door, consult a professional first. Another reason is if the door is protected under a warranty that covers rust removal. Proceeding yourself then risks voiding the warranty. Your garage door manufacturer will fix the problem at no cost anyway, so it’s best to have a skilled contractor handle the job. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas Trusted to repair all brands of garage doors, we provide all the service you need to keep your garage door in top shape. We’ll take care of any rust issues as well. Our company is providing garage door repair, replacement, and installation during the coronavirus pandemic, having implemented social distancing, sanitization, and mask/PPE recommendations to protect our customers and technicians. Schedule no-contact Las Vegas garage door service by calling us at 702-637-2700 today.
Garage Door Decorative Hardware Options
Installing garage door decorative hardware is a great way to upgrade the look of your garage door. Decorative elements include a variety of ornamental parts and accessories, whether for the purpose of updating the design, adding functional elements, or increasing visual curb appeal. Such an upgrade doesn’t have to mean replacing your entire garage door. Here are some options for decorative hardware that are worth considering. Types of Garage Door Decorative Hardware There are many garage door decorative hardware options. For these most common types, you’ll find hardware with different designs, materials, and finishes. Most are generally suited for steel and wood garage doors and can typically be installed as a quick home DIY project. Some of the more popular options include: Handles: Popular for carriage house garage doors and any door that opens from the center, handles add both charm and function. On that level they should be securely fastened. You don’t want a handle below shoulder height. Alternative types include lift handles, which attach to the bottom-center of the door and are not functional, and pull handles. These include curved and L-shaped handles that can provide a more vintage look for your garage door. Hinges: When installed on the side of a garage door, hinges can create a rustic look. Decorative hinges are usually placed on the top and bottom where the door’s normal ones are, adding to the charm of carriage house or barn-style garage doors. Corner brackets: Are two components joined at a right angle or wider angle that attach to the corners of the door. Like hinges, they help to add some visual definition. Clavos: Bolt-like studs/nails used to decorate rustic or industrial garage doors. They are popular for doors with arched tops as well; numerous shapes, finishes, and materials are available to customize your design. Ring Pullers: An alternative to handles, these ring-shaped knockers fit in the decorative/functional category. They can add charm that helps your garage door, and home, stand out (simple or more ornate ring pullers can achieve the desired effect). Whether you prefer a subtle or more sophisticated visual upgrade, these are all good ways to update the look of your garage door. And you don’t need too many accessories to do so. Garage Door Decorative Hardware Design Tips Unlike with the basic components responsible for the operation of your garage door, there are no musts with decorative hardware. The options and designs chosen are entirely up to you. But here are some design tips to keep in mind when selecting hardware: Choose one or two decorative elements; when installing decorative hardware, it is best to be simple and not overdo it. Consider the design of your home and garage door; a handle or bracket should be consistent with the style of its surroundings (rustic, modern, etc.). For functional and aesthetic purposes, carefully consider the placement of decorations. Contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas If you feel you could benefit from garage door decorative hardware, our Las Vegas garage door service company can help you plan and install a variety of different elements. We offer decorative door handles, hinges, and panels as well as other parts and accessories. Preview what specific products would look like using our garage door designer tool. We are proud to serve Las Vegas and surrounding areas during the coronavirus pandemic, providing no contact service and adhering to mask/PPE, sanitation, and social distancing practices. To request garage door repair or assistance with decorative options, call 702-637-2700 today! [/fusion_text][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
What Is a Jackshaft Garage Door Opener?
Most people envision a garage door opener as an overhead system. A jackshaft garage door opener is an exception that, instead of mounted near the ceiling, it’s installed on the right or left side of a garage door. It is typically placed at the attachment points of the garage door springs and provides as much power as more familiar belt-, chain-, or screw-drive models. Jackshaft openers work by turning a torsion bar. The force of the bar on the garage door springs raises and lowers the door on its tracks. This setup can be used with any type of garage door (except single panel doors), even those up to 14 feet high. Residential models are therefore quite versatile. Although you might spend a little more, jackshaft garage door openers come with a wide range of benefits. Some of the greatest advantages include: Suitability for All Garage Designs: Whether your garage has a low height, sloped ceiling, cathedral ceiling, limited depth, or ceiling-mounted pipes, a jackshaft opener provides a convenient alternative when you don’t have the minimum 48 inches of clearance for an overhead trolley system. More Storage Room: By installing a jackshaft opener, you free up space for storage of items such as bicycles, camping equipment, canoes, and other large items. You can get as creative with storage as you want, as garage ceiling space won’t be taken up by so many garage door components. Quieter Performance: Jackshaft garage door openers are very quiet compared to other common models. You can expect virtually silent operation. This is great if your garage is located near a bedroom or other living space. Are Jackshaft Garage Door Openers Safe? Jackshaft openers include all the latest modern safety features such as photo-eye sensors and automatic reversal systems. Some models include lights for added safety. All can be manually operated in an emergency and use rolling door codes each time the system is operated. Like with other types of garage doors, this prevents thieves from copying the code to gain entry. Can I Link My Jackshaft Opener to My Smartphone? Many jackshaft models have the latest connectivity features. It is quite common to find Wi-Fi connectivity and remote smartphone control and monitoring. With LiftMaster jackshaft openers, the free MyQ app allows control of your garage door from anywhere with an Apple or Android device. You can even synchronize the door with other home automation and security devices/systems. Other Benefits Jackshaft garage door openers are easy to maintain. There’s no need to reach up to the ceiling to inspect or adjust one. They also offer peace of mind, as there are no motors or metal components hanging above your head or car. In addition, some openers have an optional backup battery that kicks in when the power goes out. Choosing Your Jackshaft Garage Door Opener You want to select a jackshaft opener that is properly sized for your garage, delivers an appropriate amount of power, and that has all the features you need. There are different models, features, and configurations to consider. Other than cost, there are few downsides. The exceptions being a retrofit may be required for installation, an electric outlet must be located within six feet of the system, and adequate space is required. Clearance requirements include at least 7 inches on the side and 3 inches above the torsion rod. If you need assistance choosing or installing a jackshaft garage door opener, contact Precision Door Service of Las Vegas and we’ll be glad to help. Call us at 702-637-2700 today!