First things first, size up your technician's business ethics. Are they up-selling you so you will be duped into buying more than you need or do you really need more than you thought you would? Make sure you feel comfortable with your technician, that they are being honest with you, and that they have the competence and experience to do the job right. Don't be afraid to know as much about your garage door's problem as the technician. A good Armstrong Garage Door Repair technician will bring a price book of all parts for garage doors and motors so they can point out the parts and prices. Any parts that are new to you or an upgrade should have a description of the parts and its functions. Be aware of warranties and exclusions as well. The technician should be able to tell you whether the parts are in stock or not, so you know if they even have the product or how long it would take to obtain them. Nothing is worse than having to abandon a project for weeks, even months, because you are playing the waiting game. An experienced technician has parts on hand as well. Springs, rollers, weather-stripping, motor operators, and hingers are common parts that technician carry so they can treat a problem on the spot and not have to charge you to come back.
Make sure when the technician is resolving your garage door's problem that they are treating the cause and not just the symptom. Many homeowners have been tricked into resolving the symptom. The technician is pleased to come back when the band-aid falls off the stab wound. This is one instance where up-selling is a better deal in the long run and mutual profit can be obtained. Get as much information from the technician about your problem and not just the best solution but alternative solutions as well. Make sure you fully understand the problem and the solutions since you, the consumer, ultimately make the final decision. If you feel the technician is pressuring you to make the decision they want you to make, take some time to decide on your own. Telling them "I need time to think about it", is not rude and certainly understandable in regards to your personal money and investments. Some technicians have back to back appointments. How can you trust your technician when they are checking their watch while they are giving you a sales pitch? You deserve to be the most important person when they are with you and for them to be with you as long as is truly needed. When it comes down to it, you decide what is best for you. Always trust your instincts. If it doesn't feel right and technician is telling you something your gut doesn't like, please forget it and find a different technician. Your family's happiness is more important than being polite. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/3011736
0 Comments
If your home has a garage door, it is unlikely the thought of maintenance ever comes to mind. Most of us just go about our day - press the button, door opens, we drive in, press the other button, and the door goes down. Simple, effortless, thoughtless. What happens the day you press the button and your door doesn't open? Panic time! How do you get into your house? Where do you park the car? Many of you are so used to entering and exiting your house through your garage that you forget you even have a front door. Or if you do remember you have a front door you have no idea where you house key is. You say, "my house key is my garage door opener"! Well, don't panic. I thought I would share with you some tips to consider before you have issues or if you are currently experiencing problems with your door. You can trust that what you read is accurate, as I have extensive knowledge of garage door repair.
There are a few common things that are the cause of garage doors malfunctioning. In the next few paragraphs I will discuss them and what you should do. If you ever experience the panic-inducing scenario I mentioned before where you press the remote and nothing happens, there are a few likely causes. The first thing to check is if your door functions properly by pressing the wall-mounted keypad or button inside your garage. If your door opens with this button you probably need to reprogram your remote. Sometimes they just stop working for no apparent reason, but this is rare. If you find that the button inside your garage also does not make your door open or close, first check and make sure the power to your house is not out. If you have power, there is possibly a problem with your motor. In this case, you should contact your local garage door repair expert to come inspect your motor and determine what the issue is. They should be able to get you fixed up quickly. If your door is sticking or catching when it goes up or down, this is likely due to your metal rollers and hinges needing a re-application of lubricant. Like any other moving object with hinges, your garage door needs to be lubed in order to keep the moving metal parts operating smoothly. Dirt or grime build-up in the tracks can also cause your door to stick or catch. While this is a task you could try yourself, you will be much better off if you contact a local garage door repair expert to perform the correct procedures in the right order to ensure you get the longest lasting benefits. Some houses have manual (non-motorized) garage doors, and will find that over time they become harder to keep up in a raised position without holding on to the door. This is certainly not an ideal situation! This is likely due to worn out extension springs, which have lost their tension and can no longer support the weight of the door. Warning: Do not try to replace these yourself! This procedure is very dangerous as these springs are very powerful and can cause some serious damage to you or your stuff in the garage. Call a local The Local Garage Door Repair, Elgin specialist that knows what they are doing to come perform this work for you. As you can see, with most instances I suggest you contact a professional. There are several components to a garage door and unless you are trained in working on them it will usually cost your more to have someone undo what you have attempted to fix yourself than to call a professional in the first place. Most importantly, make sure to properly research local companies in your area. Finally, be sure to: Pick a company that has been in business for a long time as they will likely understand the industry best and have some little tricks up their sleeves that can save you money. Work with someone that will send their own insured and trained technicians to your home, not subcontractors that they have little or no control over. Choose your company carefully by seeing what other customers have said about them. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4493779
People use their garages for storage, hobbies, woodworking, car repair and whole a lot more. It would be nice to be able to take advantage of this extension of your house all year long but if you live in a cold winter state, it's usually not practical. However, there is an easy fix which most people don't even realize: garage insulation.
I recently started exercising after a long lapse. I have found the garage to be the perfect location to do my running in place and jumping around. No, it's not the most aesthetically pleasing area but since I exercise at 6 am, I am more concerned about finding a spot where I wouldn't have to worry about making noise and waking anyone in the house. For me, it was ideal temperature-wise: cool in the fall and in the summer, I could open the doors if it was too hot. But, now it is winter and way too cold to do anything out there. After a little research, I found that our garage walls are already insulated although there are no heat or cooling ducts in the area. But the doors were not insulated. That turned out to be our biggest source of cold air coming in (and the ruination of my exercise area). Thankfully, this was an easy fix. Installing the door insulation is a beginner do-it-yourself project. You can purchase the materials separately or in a kit. Basically, all you need to do is cut the pieces provided to fit your particular door and then glue it or staple it in place. It couldn't be much easier! Besides restoring my exercise area, this improved garage insulation has allowed me to complete some woodworking projects (instead of taking the whole winter off) and made getting down Christmas decorations a lot more pleasant. We hope to see some improvements in our energy costs but even without that it was worth the additional insulation project to be able to use this space more comfortably all year long. Lincoln is a resource for homeowners seeking to save energy, lower their utility bills with attic insulation, and improve the life of their HVAC system. As an experienced residential carpenter, Lincoln gained firsthand experience with improving the quality and efficiency of homes in his Midwest community. Seeking a more effective way to heat and cool his home, he discovered radiant barrier foil insulation and now spends his time helping others do the same. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5527054
Long Island Garage Door Repair which are offered by companies send a technician who will insure that the door is secure to keep valuables located safely inside while the door is closed. Technicians will come to homes and check if the homeowners are having any problems with their remote controlled garage door. For example, if it isn't closing or if it has moved off its tracks, a technician will figure out what is wrong and make the appropriate changes. Repairs include fixing frames that are making it difficult to open or close.
As doors are used frequently, they have to move up and down number of times in a single day. This would result in wear and tear of these heavy structures, so lack of regular repair may ultimately make these gates difficult in handling. Here are some tips to understand when these parts may need a repair: As your garage is frequently used, there are chances that the tracks of these structures may get damaged. If the gate does not move properly, it may mean there is something wrong with the tracks. In case of a minor damage then with the help of a hammer you can pound them back in shape. However, if it is a major damage then you need to get them replaced. If you are checking your garage gate, then make sure to check the springs part as well. This is important especially if you have a roll up garage. Most of the times these springs just need to be readjusted. If you decide to do the replacement job of your garage door yourself, then there are certain things to keep in mind, such as, These heavy structures come with some safety measures that prevent them from causing any harm to you. However, if you mess about with certain parts of these gates, like the torsion springs, then it may cause damage to you. It is always best to let a professional deal with these kind of things. If you decide to replace your garage door, then chances are that the whole thing may not happen properly. Although, you may follow the user's manual to the very best, you may still find that the gate is not functioning as you may have thought it to work. This is the best way for proper Long Island Garage Door Repair. Customers who need a repair can speak with companies to determine how much it will cost to fix the problem. Repair companies can offer advice on how to extend the life of garage door by providing proper maintenance and guidelines. Most Long Island Garage Door Repair companies will have replacement parts with them so they can fix common problems without having to come out on a different day to finish the job. These companies can give an approximate estimate on how long the repairs will take. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5811832 A garage door is one of the most vital components of your home in many ways. Not only does it provide one of the most visible components of your property, being one of the forward-facing aspects of your house, but it also serves as an entryway into your household and a means to express the individuality of your property. As such, the garage door should be treated as importantly as your front door or lawn, and maintained similarly. Given the fact that the garage door is also the most prominent entryway into your home, a lot of care should also be taken to ensure that it functions properly and both lets people into your home as well as keeping unwanted intruders out. Every installation has a couple of universal methods to keep it in good working order. Garage doors have hinges and rollers which require lubrication every so often to keep movement smooth between the parts, and this lubricant can be purchased from your local hardware stores at inexpensive prices. Additionally, basic preventative maintenance would involve checking the bolts and screws to ensure they are tight and that the balance of the door is not off. An improperly-balanced door will cause stress on the parts and necessitate repair that much faster. These steps do require a bit of knowledge, though, so be sure to call a professional garage door repair technician if you're not completely sure of what to do. Another point to keep in mind is if your door is made out of good, keeping it properly painted and waterproofed is important as well. Over time, sunlight and rain will cause cracks and damage to the wood which will result not only in an unsightly appearance but reduce the structural integrity of the door, making it possible for it to get damaged or even for people to break in. This isn't as applicable with metal doors, but depending on the moisture and humidity in your region, rust can be a possible issue to keep on top of. The main failing point of a installation, however, are the springs. Springs are high-tension and have a limited lifespan by design, and as such require replacement when they are on their last legs. Typical garage door springs last 10,000 cycles while extended lifespan springs can go up to 100,000. Of course, the specific lifespan depends on a number of factors, such as how often you use the door, how long the spring's been around before you moved in, and so on. If you know a spring is nearing the end of its lifespan, it may be best to replace it to avoid the risk of being locked in your home in garage door repair the woodlands.com. Unlike lubricating the tracks and rollers, spring inspection and replacement is fairly dangerous for the inexperienced or untrained consumer. Springs are tightly wound up and are under a considerable amount of pressure, making them dangerous to work with without proper equipment or training as they can cause physical injury if not handled correctly. Unless you are properly educated in garage door spring maintenance, it's best to consult with your local repair technician instead to handle all tune-ups and maintenance work. So what happens when maintenance is not performed? To start, your door probably won't open if a critical component, such as the springs or the opener, malfunction or break. Depending on your household's vehicle arrangement, this can leave you stranded inside your home and unable to drive anywhere you need to. In more severe situations, the track or roller may end up bending or breaking, potentially causing damage to whatever is underneath them or causing structural damage to the garage. These sort of situations can get expensive to repair quickly, even if addressed early on. Hiring a garage door technician to perform regular maintenance on your installation is the best way to prevent a lot of the common mishaps that lead to huge inconveniences such as this. Most garage doors only need to be serviced once every 6-12 months, so a small bit of time and money spent can go a long way to preventing potentially crippling damage to your home. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/7537142 Homeowners expect their door to open and close each time they use it. There are times when doors malfunction and will need to be fixed or replaced entirely. Some of the most common problems with garage doors can be handled by homeowners. Here are some common door problems and possible solutions: Garage Doors Sticks Closed or Open Garage doors that stick closed or open can be caused by some minor issues. Homeowners with remote garage openers should check the sensors, switches, and batteries first. For homeowners who open their garage door manually, they will need to first check for any obstruction in the wheel track. The lubricant used for lubricating the moving parts of the door may have been affected by temperatures and weather conditions. Making use of quality lubricants can help with sticking doors. When a door hangs unevenly, this causes the door to get stuck. The length of the springs and cable that holds the door must be of equal/even length - a professional will need to be called to get this particular task done right in garage door repair santa monica.com. The Door Shifts Unevenly The simplest way to solve an unevenly opening door is by getting rid of the debris or obstruction in the tracks. The tracks will need to be cleared and cleaned first to see if this will solve the problem. If this does not help in any way, the quality of the springs should be checked. The springs should be the same length and have the same stretch capacity. Garage doors with automatic openers may have problems with the motor and may need to be replaced. Loud Sounds when the Door Opens and Closes Loud squealing, grinding and screeching sounds coming from the door are signs that the tracks are not properly lubricated or the track is filled with debris and dirt. The whole track where the door wheels run should be properly cleaned without the use of harsh chemicals to get rid of the dirt build-up or anything that may get in the way of the door's seamless operation. Oils specially manufactured to lubricate garage doors should be used. The door should be run a couple times in order to ensure that the problem has been solved. The Remote Control Door Opener Does not Work The batteries and switches should be checked in order to ensure that the device is properly powered; the door may still have problems closing or opening correctly. If checking the cables and clearing the tracks does not work, then the next step may be to install new sensors or garage opener motor. The Garage Door Falls Rapidly when it is Being Lowered Rapidly falling garage doors pose a great risk of injury to homeowners and members of their family. This particular problem is typically loose springs or broken cables. The door should be inspected while closed to assess the real problem. Homeowners are highly cautioned against replacing broken cables on their own, as injuries from garage door DIY repairs can be quite serious. A professional door repair technician will be able to replace a broken cable effectively and safely. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8316437 If you have been thinking about remodeling your garage and converting it into a family room, or another bedroom, there are some factors to consider first. Eliminating your garage space to expand the square footage of your home may sound like a good idea at first. But any and all remodeling projects should not only meet your current and present needs, but also have a positive impact on the long term value of your property in doremi garage door repair bloomfield.com. In other words, when you go to sell your house in the future, will that extra square feet add to the value of your home? Some homeowners might tend to think so. However, in many areas, the value of having a private attached garage is more important to potential home buyers than the additional bedroom or family room that you were thinking about converting the garage into. Can you just make up for the loss of the garage by simply adding on an attached carport? Your money is best saved. Whether a house has a carport or not will generally not make a difference to a home buyer who really wanted a garage. As an example, Amy Williams, a reputable Real Estate Agent in the area of Dallas, TX for the last 10 years comments: "I just had a client last week who went to look at a house that met every one of his criteria on paper. But as soon as we drove up to the house and he noticed that the garage had been converted and no longer was a garage, he wouldn't even get out of the car to look at it. An attached garage with a garage door in good condition and a working garage door opener is not a luxury. For most of my clients, it is mandatory, and they wont even consider a house without it. If you are thinking about converting your garage- don't! You will never recoup the money." Another factor to consider is the tax appraising district where your home resides. Many tax appraisers for the city consider whether your home structure has an attached garage or not, and the home will definitely appraise for considerably less without the garage. If your home appraises for less, then when you go to sell your home in the future, it will be difficult for you to sell the house for more than the reduced appraised value. Check with the city appraisal district where you reside and ask them what they estimate the reduction in your home value will be. It is also good to put yourself in the place of future home buyers who will be looking at your home. How does it compare to the majority of the other houses in your area? If every single house in your neighborhood has a converted garage, then it might not hurt your chances of resale to also convert yours. However, you will not recover the investment of the money you spent in the conversion, and you are discarding a distinct advantage that you would have in selling the ONLY home with a garage in your area. More than likely, though, if you live in a regular single family residence dwelling, all the homes in your area WILL have garages, and you would have a definite disadvantage competing against them. Not only would it take you longer to sell your home, and be more challenging to find a buyer, but your offers will almost always be on the low end. Does this mean that if you need more space and do not have room on your land to build out from your home, that you are just stuck with the way things are? Absolutely not! Consider building ABOVE your garage. The untapped area above your house offers the potential of providing a means for adding on that additional bedroom, that game room, media room, or family room that you have been dreaming of. Plus, you get to keep the garage and you truly are adding value to your home in the best possible way....additional square footage without the loss of a valuable commodity such as your garage. Other people have found creative ways to capitalize upon the open space their garage provides, without having to build new construction or tear out the garage door. For instance, perhaps they were looking for a work out room. Some home owners have added to the back of their garages window unit air conditioners if they live in areas with unbearably hot summers, such as in Dallas, TX. They may add a ceiling fan to the light fixture in the garage also, and insulate the inside of the garage door. Perhaps they go ahead and finish out the inside of the garage with tape and bedding on the sheet rock, and then a nice painting job. They may put down some green turf or inexpensive carpet. Or, they might stain the concrete and seal it for a nice finished look. They can hang curtains, tapestries, or a folding screen room divider in front of the garage door. Then they bring in their exercise equipment and are ready to go! No construction was necessary. You didn't have to eliminate the garage or the garage door. From the outside, it will still be apparent that you have a working overhead door. Yet, when you get ready to sell your home, you will have a very nice garage to show off! Meanwhile, you can enjoy the extra usable space you have created for your family. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6466395 Anyone who has bought new garage doors will know that the task is not as straightforward as many would assume it to be. Here, we consider some of the major decisions you need to make when choosing garage doors. Do you Roller Door or Up-and-Over Door? Firstly, and most obviously, you need to decide upon the type of garage door you require. There are various types, but most fall into one of two major categories, roller garage doors, and up-and-over garage doors (also referred to as tilt-up doors). Each type of door has its own merits. An up-and-over door is more cost-effective, yet takes a little more effort to open and close. These have a single pivot and so the door needs lifting and guiding manually along the pivot points in doremidoor riverside area.com. Roller garage doors come in sections, with each part hinged to the adjoining sections. These doors simply need lifting a little and then open and close mechanically, each section triggers the movement of the adjoining sections. Because these doors roll up, they also take up less space, thus allowing more space within the garage. They also have a higher mounting, so if your car is fairly high, this style of door is probably the better option. Materials All doors, regardless of the particular style, come in a variety of different materials, although they generally come in steel, aluminium, or wood. There are several considerations to bear in mind when choosing the material. Firstly, from an aesthetic point of view, you need to select a material that suits the style of the overall property. If you are unsure about how to match the doors with the property, seek the help of a professional door fitters (a link is provided at the bottom of the page), alternatively, stick to wood, because this is a classic type of material, it tends to suit most styles of property. However, it is important to ensure that wooden doors have adequate protection from the elements, as they may warp with excessive heat or damp. If you need a high security door, with little risk of warping, then steel is the superior option. Although steel doors tend to cost more, they also tend to last longer and maintain their integrity better. Again, make sure that the doors have adequate protection, and opt for galvanised steel. Maintenance Both Up-and-over garage doors and Roller garage doors need regular maintenance checks to ensure that they continue to work to their optimal capacity, and that they maintain a decent level of integrity. This means lubricating and cleaning mechanical parts on a regular basis. You should make sure that not only the doors function correctly, but it is equally important that they keep their looks too. Attractive garage doors add value to the property, so keeping doors in a good state is essential. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6072094 Finding the best garage doors services company for your new home or business can be a problem for many people. Looking at the different ratings of garage doors can also be misleading as well. One of the most important things you must do prior to beginning your search is to make a list of the features that you feel are important. Once you have this list you will be able to make a more logical selection. In terms of garage door pricing the all metal garage doors are probably the cheapest door on the market today. In many cases these doors can be purchased and installed for as little as $500. The most expensive doors on the market are custom made wooden garage doors that may exceed $5000. As you can see the ratings of garage doors using price alone is generally not a good Idea. Modern garage doors are constructed using a number of different materials. One of the most popular garage doors is an all wood door. The beauty of wood will accent almost any home. The most common woods used include Cedar, Hemlock and Redwood with Cedar being the most popular. Cedar is not only light but also very rot resistant. Be aware that all wood doors have two major deficiencies they being lack of overall strength and requiring a relatively high degree of maintenance. The rating garage doors that are made of wood should include the type and look of the wood, door design and the required maintenance and care that is required. Metal and composites materials should also be included in your ratings of garage doors. In terms of strength and durability steel garage doors are pretty unbeatable. The galvanized steel frame along with a quality maintenance free surface will provide protection for many years. Always pick a door that features panels that use at least 25 gauge or heavier rating. However steel is a poor insulator and if you are heating or cooling your garage your energy bills will most likely be unacceptable. Better ratings of garage doors include those with an all steel door that has panels constructed of two or more steel sheets that sandwich some form of insulation in between them. The best designs include polyurethane foam that is sandwiched between two layers of galvanized steel. Your ratings of garage doors should include the fact that metal doors also allow you to select a wood or composite exterior finish if you are looking for the look of a custom door. When considering your ratings of garage doors you should consider the various styles including the popular carriage door designs as well as the window options that are available. It would be wise to visit one of the big box home improvement stores such as Lowes or Home Depot and ask the qualified staff what the best ratings of garage doors are for their products. In most cases they will provide you will valuable insights on picking the best garage door that will meet your home construction design. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1696463 With violent home invasions making headlines all over the country, the importance of home security is becoming more evident. It used to be people could leave their doors opened and unlocked, letting friends come and go as they please. Sadly, those days, at least in most communities, are over. Keeping a home as safe as possible is now key to peace of mind and this is where a good garage door opening system can come into play. Although just part of an overall security plan, the doors are a main area of concern, or should be, for homeowners. Garage doors don't seem like a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but they are. Consider a mother comes home alone with a newborn and a load of groceries in the car. It's pouring down rain and she has to get inside. A garage door opener san francisico will allow her to enter the home, close it back up, and ensure security all without having to truck the baby out in the rain and all without having to leave valuables exposed in the car, too. Garage doors are important features in a security system for a number of reasons and those who use openers, however, need to be mindful of a few things. They include: * Security when opening and closing a door. A garage door is much larger than the front door. When opening the door from the outside while pulling in, pay attention to the surroundings. Keep hedges and other visual obstructions trimmed so no one can hide behind them and do look before opening. More than one bad guy has snuck into a home through an opened garage door. They've even managed it a few times by following a car in. Look before you leap. * Functionality of the garage door. Make sure your garage door works correctly along with the opener. A good door opening system will have an automatic set up for returning to its open position if there's an obstruction, such as a person, in the way. These doors can be dangerous, so safety features are a must. * Lighting. To help a person be mindful of the first point, lighting in the garage and outside of it should be activated either by the garage door opener remote, motion sensors or a combination of both. A dark driveway that leads into a dark garage is an invitation to disaster. Many garage door opening systems come with lighted control panels for the garage. These panels illuminate the entire room and can be worth their weight in gold for minor accidents, such as trip and falls, they can prevent and the fact they help keep bad guys at bay. The element of surprise is seriously jeopardized when a bad guy's standing in a fully illuminated room. Garage doors should absolutely be considered as part of an overall security plan. Remember to use common sense when opening and closing doors. Inspect opening systems to make sure they work properly. Always use a smart combination of lighting both inside and outside of the garage to ensure you can clearly see your environment. And never, ever leave a garage door open that's unattended. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/249159 |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2019
Categories |