El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Author: Tony M

  • Fireproof Safety Tips for a Safer Garage

    If you’re like most homeowners, your garage is multi-purpose. (That’s probably why insulated garage door installation is so popular — people aren’t just storing cars, but actually using their garages as living spaces.)

    Many people also use their garages for storage. But a mass number of items, especially when it comes to flammable and other hazardous materials, poses a serious fire safety issue. There are nearly 6,600 fires in residential garages every year, resulting in nearly $457 million in property damages, 30 deaths and 400 personal injuries.

    And since garages are in compacted and enclosed spaces, the danger is more pronounced — fires can spread with greater destruction and deadly force than anywhere else in a home.

    To prevent fires, establish proper safety routines — especially when it comes to the safe storage of potentially flammable materials.

    Never Store Flammable Materials in Your Garage

    Avoid storing highly flammable materials in your garage, including gas cans, propane tanks, paints and varnishes. It’s better to store these items in an unattached shed, not in a garage that may have a potential heating source.

    One Appliance Per Outlet

    Avoid plugging more than one appliance — such as refrigerators, furnaces and hot water heaters — in an outlet. Don’t use an extension cord. Overheated outlets can cause a fire. In fact, burned out outlets are the most common cause of fires in American homes.

    Also, make sure to keep all appliances, lights and outlets maintained.

    Professionally Inspect Your Garage

    Have a professional inspect your garage for any fire safety issues. Make any necessary upgrades when it comes to safety codes. These codes are in place for a reason. Even for a residential home, proper adherence to safety code is a must. Hire an electrician to give you a personal inspection.

    Install a Functional Heat Alarm & Sprinkler System

    Install a functional heat alarm that comes complete with battery backup and smoke alarm interconnectivity. It should be rated for temperatures between 175 and 250 F. Also regularly check your smoke alarms in your garage.

    Make sure you have a functional sprinkler system in your garage. Many fires happen in the middle of the night where you might not be aware of a fire until serious damage is done.

    Keep Your Garage Door in Great Repair

    Finally, make sure your garage door is functional and in great repair. If a fire does occur, you’ll need to be able to open your garage door for ventilation.

    If you are considering installing a new garage door, consider a fire rated garage door. This is especially handy given the current wildfire crisis in California, El Dorado Hills in particular. Be safe!

  • Never Store These 8 Items in Your Garage

    Wish your garage was better organized? Join the club. In a garage industry survey, 1 in 4 people reported being frustrated with the state of their garage — and these frustrations had little to do with garage door repair. Most people use their garages for storage, and the mess gets out of hand, fast.

    This summer may be the perfect time to get the mess under control. There are some things you simply shouldn’t store in your garage: they may be too hazardous and pose a safety issue, may be bulky and take up extra space, may be just plain useless, or could get in the way of a closing garage door, causing your door to go off track and need expensive repairs.

    Here are 8 things you really shouldn’t be storing in your garage. Clean them out, and you’ll be amazed how roomy your garage suddenly feels. Who knows? Maybe you’ll actually get all your vehicles to fit safely inside, with room for a lawn mower.

    Hazardous Materials

    We sometimes don’t think about the things we put in our garage. That can be a mistake, especially when it comes to hazardous materials like flammables and toxic materials. Take that propane tank you use for your grill. That’s practically a bomb waiting to go off. Other things like rat poison really shouldn’t be stored out in the open (especially if you have pets) , even if you’re trying to fix that rat problem. Keep propane, gas, and other flammable materials stored safely outside. Rat poison should always be stowed in a place pets won’t be able to reach.

    Leftover Paint

    Anytime you paint something, you’ll probably have a little left over paint. Let’s face it. That paint can come in handy when you need to do touch ups if you burst a pipe in a wall, a kid destroys the paint in the living room, or the paint on your garage door is starting to chip and could use a touch up or repair. But extreme temperatures like what we often see during the summers in El Dorado Hills, California can ruin the consistency of paint. In fact, if it gets hot enough, you might even ruin the unopened cans. Always store paint in a cool dry place. If your garage isn’t temperature controlled or you don’t have an insulated garage door installed, you’ll need to keep that paint stored safely somewhere else where it’s dry and cool.

    Important Documents

    Do you store tax records, banking statements, and financial documents in your garage? Keep in mind you are exposing these documents to vastly changing temperatures, potential leaks and mold issues. The last thing when you pull out an important document or treasured photo memory is to see it warped, chewed up by mice, or soaked with water and mildew.

    Store these documents inside where it’s cool and dry. Buy yourself a filing cabinet where you can not only store it safely but it’s much easier to organize.

    Wooden Furniture

    If your garage isn’t temperature and humidity controlled, you’re playing a risky game by storing wooden furniture in your garage. Extreme temperatures can cause the wood to crack, warp and mold.

    Are you planning to refinish that chair, bookcase or dresser? Keep the item stored in a cool dry place like an extra bedroom or basement. Otherwise you’ll be hauling that item to the trash because your garage absolutely ruined it.

    Electronics

    Got some old electronics — TVs, computers, stereo equipment you’re holding onto just in case that new one suddenly dies on you? Because of the fluctuating temperatures of a garage, those electronics may turn out to be pure junk when you’re ready to use them. Always store electronics inside, perhaps in a closet, attic or basement.

    Wine

    Wine is a sensitive thing of beauty. Extreme heat or cold can cause wine corks to expand and even pop, ruining the precious wine inside. That expensive wine you’re saving for a rainy day may be a pure mess by the time you decide to treat yourself to a special occasion. Always store wine in a cool dry place like a closet, wine rack, or basement.

    Second Refrigerator

    We get it. A second fridge comes in handy, especially if you have a family. But if you store your fridge in a hot garage, that fridge will have to work extra hard during El Dorado Hills intense heat waves. You’ll see it in your electric bill. To avoid paying out the nose, always store the fridge inside your house in an out of the way place like a basement.

    Food

    Canned food may seem perfectly safe, but the temperature fluctuations in your garage can do a number on expiration dates. Anything over 85 degrees can make the food go bad — even Grandma’s canned peaches. Keep food safely stored inside. If you have too many cans, it might be time to donate to a local food bank.

  • How to Slash Your Electric Bill with New Garage Door Insulation

    Who likes electric bills? As more people consider the benefits of a green home, the incentive to reduce their environmental footprint is matched by a desire to reduce their monthly spend to the electric company. The good news is you can do both quite easily with an energy efficient garage door.

    So if you’ve been sitting on the fence about installing a new garage door, consider this: You can reduce your environmental footprint and do your part to save the earth while slashing your electric bill at the same time. How cool is that?

    How a New Garage Door Slashes Energy Costs

    There are numerous upgrades to consider to reduce your environmental footprint. A better insulated garage door is a perfect example. You might think that living in the warm weather of Sacramento, California this wouldn’t be a concern. But keep in mind that an insulated door keeps the hot air out as well, so your air conditioner has to do less work during the summer.

    Another way a new door decreases your electric spend is if you install a smart garage door opener that has geofencing technology. This technology can automatically kick your heating or air conditioning on when your vehicle gets within a certain range. You’ll spend less heating or cooling your house because your systems don’t have to be on when you aren’t home.

    Insulation Options: What is R-factor?

    When it comes to insulation, the most effective materials are polystyrene and polyurethane. Insulation will vary naturally on the amount and quality of insulation in a garage door. This is measured by R-factor — an imperial measurement of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. R-factor measures of resistance to the flow of heat. It indicates the energy efficiency of your garage door.

    If you are using your garage to store your car, an R-factor of 10 is sufficient. If you use your garage as a living space, perhaps as a yoga studio or meditation center, then you probably want an R-factor of at least 16.

    If you live in a particularly hot area like Sacramento, California, you might want to consider installing a garage door with an R-factor of at least 12 to 16 to ensure superior insulation.

    Installing a New Garage Door? Call Us!

    We do garage door insulation in the Greater Sacramento area, including Davis, Gold River, Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Rocklin, Granite Bay, Roseville, Fair Oaks, Arden Arcade, Carmichael, and Citrus Heights.

  • Top 6 Home Improvement Projects to Optimize Equity Value

    Looking to sell your home? Don’t assume resale value is a fixed figure you have no control over. In fact, there are numerous improvements you can make that can dramatically raise your home’s equity. That’s why a home is an investment. And if you play your cards right, it’s one that can play off handsomely.

    Here are 6 upgrades you can consider to boost your home’s equity value and cash in on your next big move. Many of these improvements not only increase your home’s value but your enjoyment as well. Your home is your castle. Live like a king (or queen)!

    Refinish Your Basement

    Refinishing your basement into a cozy living space can dramatically increase the living area of your home. Not only that, but it essentially provides an extra guest space for visiting in-laws, family members and friends. Nobody can complain about additional square footage. And for this very reason, a refinished basement will also boost your home’s equity substantially.

    Repaint or Touch Up the Paint On Your House

    Paint wears off, chips, fades, or goes out of style. By repainting your house, you give your home a facelift. Since curb appeal is so important to a home’s resale value, a repainted house boosts your equity. Can’t afford to repaint the whole house? Then touch up areas that are chipped or faded. Surely your house could use a little love.

    Remodel for an Open Layout

    Have floor plans that are only partially open around the living room, dining room or kitchen? Have useless barriers or walls that only serve to make the house claustrophobic? Reopening these areas around your home make the whole place seem roomier and more comfortable. It gives a more spacious feel to your living area. Not only is this more comfortable, but a more open floor plan can substantially increase the value of your home.

    Repaint Your Garage Door

    As far as garage door repairs go, repainting your garage door gives the front of your house a facelift and can increase the value of your home. If the paint on your door is flaking, faded, or just out of style, a paint job may be just what it needs.

    Install a New Garage Door

    Depending on how old your garage door is, a paint job may only go so far. You may be better off installing a brand new garage door. It might not seem to make sense if you are planning to sell your home, but listen to this: A new garage door has one of the highest returns on investment for nearly all home improvements, 97% — virtually dollar for dollar. This is because a new garage door will substantially boost your home’s resale value. It’s like money in the bank.

    Install a Smart Garage Door Opener

    Another way to boost the value of your home is to install a smart garage door opener. This increases what you can do with your garage door by giving you remote access from any Internet connection. It’s a great way to boost your home’s value without making the full investment of a new garage door.

  • Geofencing & the Smart Garage Door Revolution

    What is Geofencing? It’s the latest tech advancement for smart garage door installations. Geofencing creates a virtual geographic boundary defined by GPS or RFID technology. It then performs a set of actions, issues alerts, or helps you manage smart routines.

    Many people who have smart garage door openers installed are using geofencing to automatically open their garage doors as they come home.

    Don’t worry — only administrators have control over geofencing coordinates and actions. Often the application needs to be open and set on your phone. But you can establish that before you start your after work commute. Then you don’t have to fumble with your smartphone when you pull in the driveway after a hard day’s work.

    Getting Started with Geofencing

    Geofencing is a feature in most smart garage door openers. Sometimes, it is voice controlled. Once it’s installed on your smart garage door opener, download the app onto your phone and connect the two. It’s fairly user friendly. The app walks you through each step. First, you’ll login and create an account.

    You can also connect additional devices, program your perimeter’s coordinates. It’s a good idea to set notifications so you don’t get hammered with every notification and you only notice the important ones. You can also use geofencing to monitor and control your garage door, including setting automatic closures. You’ll never leave the garage door open again!

    “If This, Then That:” How Geofencing Will Change Your Life

    Geofencing establishes a If This, Then That (IFTTT) protocol. This connects your garage door opener to other smart devices in your home. That way when you come home, your AC goes to a desired temperature. Perhaps you program your favorite song to welcome you on the stereo. House lights can be turned on. Maybe you turn on the crockpot to start dinner.

    How cool is that? Geofencing will change your life. If you have a smart garage door, install it today. And if you don’t already have a smart garage door opener installed, what are you waiting for? The 21st century is calling your name.

  • Coming Soon: Tesla’s Console Will Open Smart Garage Doors

    Coming to a Tesla near you — the ability to open your smart garage door, right from the vehicle’s control panel.

    If you’ve had a smart garage door opener installed, you’ve already said goodbye to your automatic garage door opener. And with this latest feature expected soon from Tesla, you won’t even have to fumble with a smartphone as you pull in the driveway to open the garage door.

    Automatic garage door opening currently available through Homelink, but not everyone has a smart garage door opener installed that’s compatible with Homelink. Many instead use an internet connection through WiFi to operate.

    Twitter Inspired Innovation

    Ryan Knapp, a Twitter follower of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, asked the CEO in a Tweet if the company could add an icon for a WiFi garage door opening feature to Tesla’s infotainment system.

    “Elon, any way we could get a WiFi garage door opening icon. For users that do not have Homelink and do have a WiFi enabled garage door, this would be a very useful feature,” Knapp asked Musk.

    Musk announced the feature is coming soon.

    Look, Mom! No Cell Phone!

    The feature would come in handy if you come home and your phone is out of batteries with no charging available in the vehicle. It also allows drivers to access their garage doors from their cars without a smart garage door opener that’s compatible with Homelink.

    It’s all part of Tesla’s embrace of the “smart home,” which includes smart garage doors.

    Teslarati reports:

    “Elon Musk’s idea of a ‘smart home’ development was reiterated in late March, as the CEO stated he would love to develop a home HVAC system that uses HEPA filters for clean air and quiet and efficient technologies to reduce energy usage. The development of the WiFi-based garage door opener could add to the Smart Home idea, as it would allow more owners of the company’s vehicles to enter automatic garages without having to change to systems that are compatible with Homelink.”

    A Smarter World

    That’s good news for us. If you are thinking about installing a smart garage door opener and own a Tesla, now Homelink compatibility is no longer a requirement. You’ll conveniently be able to open your garage door from the console, no fumbling around with your smartphone required.

  • 3 Garage Door Repairs that Are Not DIY: Hire a Professional Technician!

    You can save money on DIY projects — sometimes. Garage door repair is not one of those times. Trust us. You can cause serious and expensive damage to your garage. And more alarmingly, you can put family members and pets in serious danger. Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds. They are not to be messed with. Save that repair job for a professional.

    Some garage door repairs are more dangerous than others. Here are a few garage door repairs you should definitely leave to a professional technician. Safety counts!

    Broken Torsion Springs

    Understand that torsion springs under tension can be incredibly dangerous. These springs have a certain lifecycle, typically 10,000, meaning your garage door can go up and down 10,000 times before they need to be replaced, give or take. Assuming that the average door is used 1,000 times a year, most springs will last about 10 years. When it’s time to replace them, always hire a professional.

    Frayed or Broken Cables

    Lift cables work with torsion springs, whereas retaining cables work with extension springs. Like springs, cables are under incredible tension. These are dangerous to work with and require specialized tools to repair safely. Always call a professional to repair cables.

    Roller Replacement

    Rollers are the wheels the garage door moves on to go up and down the track. Shaking or noise in a garage door can be a sign you need new rollers. You’ll need to hire a professional to replace rollers effectively. Ball bearing nylon rollers are your best bet. These rollers are quieter and will help your garage door open smoother.

  • How Much Will My Garage Door Repair Cost?

    Aside from your car, your garage door is probably the heaviest moving object in your home. We use it thousands of times per year, and it weighs hundreds of pounds. So, is it any wonder your garage opener tends to wear out over time?  

    With this in mind, one of the first questions that’s going to go into your head when the garage door breaks is: How much are these repairs going to cost?

    The answer is… it depends. Garage repairs can range anywhere from less than $100 to over $700, depending on the nature and complexity of the repair and condition of your garage door. Generally, the more preventative maintenance you do on your garage door, the better shape it will be in, and the less you’ll spend on garage door repair overall.

    Factors that Affect Garage Door Repair Cost

     Garage repair costs depend on a number of factors. There are normal failures, such as a worn-out torsion springs, which tend to be a bit less expensive than breakage caused by catastrophic damage such as a car running directly into the garage door. Parts are usually a big part of the expense, especially during routine replacements such as springs or rollers. Labor costs can also rack up when there are additional problems diagnosed while your garage’s repairs are underway. A garage repair professional is really who you want to talk to when assessing the specific cause(s) of your garages door’s problem and how much those repairs are likely to run.Reasons for Garage Door Repair

    There’s as many reasons to repair a garage door as there are working parts in it.. One common issue to think about are the tracks being out of alignment, which could then cause the whole garage door to come out of alignment. If the door or track are not damaged in the process, garage door tracks alone are a fairly inexpensive repair that will mainly cost you labor. However, if over time the garage tracks break, or the door goes completely out of alignment, the additional labor and parts can add up. Noisy garage doors on the other hand could be simply the result of worn rollers. The cost to replace rollers is not expensive, so most of the cost will again be related to labor.

    Spring repair is another common need for garage door repair. You can pretty easily identify worn garage springs visually, however this one absolutely does not fall in the DIY category. These springs are under tremendous tension. They can easily cause severe bodily injury if they suddenly snap.

    Common Garage Door Repair Costs

    As mentioned before, the costs of garage repairs are unique to each individual home’s situation. However, we can ballpark some of the costs for individual parts with their labor to give you a general gist of how much your garage’s repairs are going to cost you: 

    1. Springs $150-$375

    Your garage’s torsion springs work as a counterbalance for your door, allowing it to easily open and close. You’ll know your springs are failing if your garage door is shaky while opening and closing or making straining sounds. Complete failure may even see the garage slam shut while in use. Not recommended for DIY repairs, as the springs are under heavy torque.

    1. Cable $100- $375

    Garage cables attach to your spring to allow the garage to move up and down. Cables can generally be visually inspected to see if they are failing, fraying for instance is a bad sign. If a cable snaps while in use your garage door may slam shut on who or whatever is unlucky enough to be below. As cables are part of your spring system it is also not recommended for DIY repairs.

    1. Track $125-$400

    Garage tracks guide your garage door to ensure all weight and pressure is properly balanced. Grinding sounds are a common symptom as your roller tries to smoothly move along your broken track. Mentioned earlier, garage tracks aren’t particularly expensive to repair. The caveat here is that the cause of the track’s damage will likely have to be rectified as well. Garage repair professionals have the experience required to quickly diagnose these additional issues.

    1. Roller $90-$200

    The wheels of garage rollers move along the track as you open and close your door. The aforementioned grinding noise is characteristic of issues with your roller, though this could involve an issue with your track as well.

    1. Sensor $110-$200

    Garage sensors are wired to the opener and ensures that the door will not close on top of anyone or anything. Often issues with the sensor wind up being a misalignment or dirt issue that can be rectified with a bit of DIY work. However, if your sensor is indeed broken a garage repair professional is a good call as an improperly installed sensor can be a safety hazard.

    Need Garage Door Repair in El Dorado Hills?

    Need garage door repairs in El Dorado Hills? Don’t hesitate to call! We offer 24/7 emergency garage door repair on both residential and commercial overhead doors. We also do garage door installation and maintenance. All of our work is certified, insured and guaranteed.

  • How to Determine Space & Size Needs for Your New Garage Door

    Are you building a new garage? Or are you renovating an existing garage? Size matters, obviously. And not just the size of the garage itself, but the size of the garage door you install. Should you get a standard size door or would a custom option fit your needs better?

    Let’s take a look at standard sizes for garage doors according to vehicle type.

    Garage Doors for Standard Vehicles

    Most cars are between 6 and 6.5 feet wide, and just under 5 feet in height. That’s a good starting point when determining how large you want the entrance of your garage to be.

    A single garage door tends to be 8-10 feet by 7 feet — enough to accommodate most compact cars, sedans, small pickup trucks, vans, and smaller utility vehicles.

    Large Vehicle? Consider a Double Garage Door

    If you have a considerably large vehicle such as a hauling truck or a semi, you’ll need a double garage door. It provides extra space and allows enough room to store more than one vehicle in a garage. The height is roughly the same, though width can vary, depending on how much room you need. Standard widths include 12 feet, 16 feet, 18 feet, or even 20 feet wide by 7 feet. It’s certainly nice to have plenty of elbow room. What you don’t use for vehicle storage can always be used for other storage, motorcycles, or tractors or other lawn equipment.

    Options for Recreational Vehicles

    RVs are about as wide as your biggest truck, but are much taller. To adequately store an RV, you’ll need a garage door that’s at least 16 to 18 feet tall. That can be a mouthful, but there are advantages to storing your own RV. You don’t have to pay for storage, nor do you risk violating suburban zoning codes that are common in El Dorado Hills.

    Measuring Space for Your Garage Door

    You’ll need to determine how large a door you’ll need for the opening. Measure end to end, as well as the floor to the top of the opening.

    But if you want a garage door opener (which is critical since this door will be heavy), you’ll also want to leave enough room to accommodate the overhead opener itself. Measure the space from the top of the opening to the actual ceiling. You’ll also want to measure wall to wall inside as well as how deep your garage is from one end to the other.

    Custom Garage Doors

    For semi trucks or RVs, you’ll need a larger door than what’s standard on the market. This requires a custom approach. Fortunately, we offer all sorts of garage doors for the El Dorado Hills area, including customization.

    We can come out and visit your space, discuss your needs and ambitions, and give you a free estimate. We’ve been providing quality garage door service to the Greater Sacramento area for a long time.

  • The Pros & Cons of Steel Garage Door Installation

    Want an affordable option for garage door installation that’s highly durable and low maintenance? Then you can’t go wrong with a steel garage door. Though the exact price can vary depending on the gauge of steel door you choose, these doors are budget friendly. If you buy one with a thick gauge, they’re pretty tough too. And you can buy fortified doors, which can be especially handy during hurricane season.

    So here’s everything you need to know about steel garage doors, the pros and cons and everything in between.

    Technically it’s possible to dent steel, but they are certainly stronger than wooden doors and even aluminum doors. Unlike vinyl, steel is highly puncture resistant.

    Minor dents are easily repairable. More substantial dents may require the expertise of a garage door professional, however.

    Visual Aesthetics

    Steel may not have the natural beauty of wood, but it’s not necessarily an eyesore either. It’s visual appeal is entirely dependent on its paint job. These doors are highly versatile. With the right color combination, you can have a new garage door that delivers curbside appeal.

    The catch is the paint on steel doors is surface only, so it can be prone to scratches. Weather and sun exposure can cause the paint to fade. Steel doors will need to be repainted more often than your typical wooden garage door.

    Energy Efficiency

    Steel doors tend not to be energy efficient. Steel is naturally conducive to heat. You can help mitigate this by choosing an insulated door. Keep in mind you might want to go for a higher R-value for a steel door because of its natural heat transmission properties.

    Environmentally Friendly Steel Garage Doors

    Steel tends to be a green friendly option. You aren’t chopping down trees to make your door after all, nor are you introducing plastic like vinyl. The beauty of steel is its easily recyclable. In fact, you can even install a new steel garage door that’s made from recycled materials. And decades now when you are done with the door, you can recycle it instead of sending it to a landfill.

    Pest Free

    The other advantage of steel doors is they are pest free — unlike wooden doors that can be feasts for termites or other insects. Steel doors won’t fall apart, so you don’t have to worry about pests getting into your garage.

    Rust Concerns

    The main drawback to steel is rust. While steel tends to be fairly maintenance free, you’ll need to watch out for rust. This includes updating the paint job, looking for rust patches and removing it as soon as it begins.

    Questions? Call Us!

    Think steel might be the garage door material for you? Call us! We’d be happy to help. We install all sorts of garage doors in the Eldorado Hills area.