El Dorado Hills Garage Door Repair

Tag: garage door safety

  • How To Keep Animals Out Of Garage

    You walked into your garage to head to work this morning, only to see a mouse and some kind of bug with way too many legs scurry out of sight as you stepped in and turned on the light. Chances are, bugs and rodents are not your favorite creatures, and they certainly are not ideal roommates. And if you find them pesky and kind of gross just like many other people do, there are actually legitimate reasons for you to feel this way.

    Bugs are a Nuisance and Mice Carry Disease

    Field mice and white-footed mice are particularly prone to carrying diseases that have the ability to pass to humans. So besides the unsanitary factor of mice droppings, and the damage they cause by chewing through things like insulation or power cords, they’re also a health risk. Bugs are more of an issue purely because of damage they can cause. Any bug that can burrow through wood is a risk for your home’s structure, whether it’s termites, carpenter bees, or wood borers. But there are some simple steps you can take to seal off your garage and prevent these guys from entering your home.

    Things to Check and Remedy to Keep Vermin Out

    • Clean out your garage and check for signs of any creatures currently inside. Remove them yourself or call a pest control company to eradicate them for you.
    • Inspect the garage for cracks, especially near the ground where the foundation meets the walls. Definitely include your garage door in this inspection- the weather stripping might be loose and leaving gaps between the door and the wall.
    • Lay traps and take preventative measures. There are ant traps, bug sprays you can do around the perimeter of your garage and home, and mice traps. And if you feel bad about killing the mice, don’t worry. Not only are there humane mouse traps easily available, but there are also little units you can plug into an outlet that emit a frequency that mice don’t like, keeping them away for as long as that unit stays plugged into the outlet.

    Make sure to keep your garage clean so you can regularly inspect and prevent any further pest issues.

  • 5 Rules to Follow to Avoid Expensive Garage Door Repairs

    Garage doors are amazing modern contraptions of convenience. When they work, we hardly think about them. One press of a button and the safety and the security of the garage opens before our very eyes. It’s one less thing we have to worry about as we leave for work and when we come home. It’s a luxury that’s easy to take for granted.

    But garage doors can be surprisingly easy to damage if we’re not careful. And many garage door repairs can be very expensive. Follow these 5 rules to avoid expensive garage door repairs.

    Keep Up on Regular Repair

    So many people never think about their garage doors until there’s a problem. This is a mistake. Regular repairs and maintenance help your garage door run more smoothly and they extend the lifetime of your garage door. Regularly oil all the moving components of your garage door with an approved garage door lubricant. Tighten down any loose bolts every few months to keep rattle to a minimum.

    Keep the Garage Door Clear

    Misplaced objects, say a rake or a broom, can easily jam a garage door. In most cases, the object is so small you hardly notice it. Sometimes the obstruction can be as small as a pebble or a stick. But when something gets lodged in the track with the full force and weight of the garage door, it can be difficult to pull out. Sometimes removing the object may even require the services of a garage door professional.

    There are garage door problems that can wait, such as if your door doesn’t open or close all the way. And then there are garage door emergencies, say if your door completely jams and won’t move one way or the other. This is when you need to stop and call us. Forcing the door could cause serious and expensive damage to your door and tracks. It can also result in serious injury.

    Look for Worn Out Rollers

    Like everything else in life, rollers wear out overtime. They can chip, crack, fall off the door. It’s a good idea to inspect them occasionally so you can spot worn rollers before they break. If a roller breaks, your garage door might not open, which means you have a garage door emergency. Worn out rollers are one of the many things we look for in our professional garage door inspections. It’s worth examining your rollers every few months.

    Inspect Garage Door Springs

    Garage door springs will also wear out. Each spring has a lifecycle, meaning the number of times a garage door is opened and closed. Most springs will last between 5 to 7 years, depending on how often you use your door. Take a close look at the springs. Look for signs of rust, looseness or slack. If there’s any concern, contact a garage door professional right away for a more thorough inspection.

    Be Proactive with Garage Door Repairs

    The bottom line is its important to take a proactive approach to garage door repairs, especially if you have an older door. Don’t let break downs catch you by surprise. Have a pro inspect your garage door for any issues you might be overlooking. Your door will run smoother, quieter, and lasts a long time.

  • Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup?

    Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup?

    Is Your Garage Door Opener Installed with Battery Backup

    It’s official. Come this July, all newly installed garage door openers in El Dorado Hills, Sacramento — in fact throughout the state of California — will require battery backup.

    But the truth is it doesn’t matter if your garage door opener is installed this year or 20 years ago — battery backup is still a good idea. In fact, it might even save your family’s life.

    The New Reality of Climate Change

    Wildfires are what spurred the bill to become law — a new climate change reality in California that aren’t going away anytime soon. If Malibu can be devastated by a fire, so can El Dorado Hills. And when the evacuation order comes, you need to be able to open that garage door — even if there’s a power outage, as there typically is in a wildfire.

    The bill was launched by a California register whose neighbors had difficulty evacuating during a wildfire because of garage doors that had lost power.

    The Sacramento Bee reports:

    “At least five died during the Northern California 2017 wildfires because they were unable to get their garage door to open after they lost electrical power, according to the supporting language of Senate Bill 969, which California Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law Friday in an effort to prevent any more such deaths from happening.

    Under the new law, automatic garage doors sold in California after July 1, 2019, must include a backup battery that can provide power in the event of a power outage. The bill also provides for a civil penalty of $1,000 for ‘every offending garage door opener,’ according to a legislative analysis of the bill.”

    Avoid Tragedy — Be Safe

    The language of the bill documents numerous tragedies from people who couldn’t escape. An analysis “recounted stories of neighbors stopping to help raise garage doors, elderly people who didn’t have the strength to manually open their garage door and a mother who struggled to get her disabled son into a car because their custom van was in the garage they couldn’t open.”

    As garage door professionals, we’d like to reiterate the importance of battery backup is not just about following the law. It’s about your family’s safety. Even outside of a wildfire scenario, power outages can be common. It’s nice and convenient to be able to access your door no matter what — even if your late to work and it’s raining cats and dogs in the middle of February.

  • How Childproof is Your Garage Door?

    How Childproof is Your Garage Door?

    How-Childproof-is-Your-Garage-DoorKids will be kids, but garage doors are dangerous heavy objects. Childproofing your garage door is important to their safety. There are a number of safety features you should be sure your garage door has, especially if you have an older door. Avoid injuries, or even worse, fatalities, by childproofing your garage door and teaching your kids about safety.

    Garage Door Auto Reverse

    Modern garage doors have an auto reverse feature. Check to make sure yours does too. Any door installed after the early 90s is required to have it by law. Sensors are placed to detect if something is in the way — say an object or a running child or pet. The door will automatically reverse.

    Older Door? Consider Photo Eye Sensors

    If you do have an older door, you can set an auto reverse by installing photo eye sensors. These monitor movement and will cause the door to stop or reverse if something runs underneath.

    Seal Door Panels

    Little fingers are curious and they love cracks. Seal the door panel gaps with rubber seals to avoid injury. Custom seals can be designed if necessary. Talk to your local El Dorado Hills garage door company.

    Lock Your Door

    If you are concerned about younger children playing with your door, consider locking it from the inside. You could purchase automated locks you can unlock from your opener controller or a phone app when you need to open the door. This also provides added security against theft.

    Reposition Your Door Opener

    Kids are curious. Place the garage door opener in a place they cannot reach. You can also get locks and codes that prevent children from opening the door if they push the button.

    Teach Garage Door Safety

    Take your children aside and teach them how to be safe around the garage door. Teach them never to play on it or climb its components. Explain the danger of the springs and cables. Garage doors may inspire curiosity, but they are not toys. Go over the different parts with your children and explain the risks.

  • 3 Risks to DIY Garage Door Repair

    3 Risks to DIY Garage Door Repair

    3 Risks to DIY Garage Door RepairSure, some garage door repairs fit into the DIY category if you’re fairly handy with tools and can Google it. But remember a garage door weighs hundreds of pounds. It raises and lowers with amazing ease because of the incredible tension in your torsion springs, a withheld force that also makes them extremely dangerous. Plus, a garage door costs thousands to replace.

    If you don’t know what you are doing you can do some serious damage to the door and yourself. Tread carefully. If you’re in over your head, call in a professional garage door service. Let’s take a look at 3 major risks you’ll face doing garage door repairs yourself.

    Serious Bodily Injury

    Your garage door works as safely as it does because of its security features that are designed to protect homeowners from injury. If you tinker with the wrong part of the door, say the springs, and don’t know what you’re doing, it can be extremely risky. You could end up in the emergency room. The injuries can even be fatal. Any complicated repair, especially involving springs or cables, should always be left to a professional.

    You Can Cause Expensive Damage to Your Door

    Most people attempt their own DIY garage door repairs to save money. But you can just as easily do some expensive damage to your door. Even shoddy repairs can put unnecessary strain on your garage door or shorten its lifespan. You can expect to get at least 15 to 30 years of quality use out of a garage door. But that depends not only on the quality of the door, but how well you take care of it. If you don’t repair a door correctly, you might shorten its lifespan, even if you don’t realize it at the time.

    You Could Damage Vehicles, House, or Other Possessions

    As we mentioned, that garage door weighs hundreds of pounds. If it comes crashing down, you could seriously damage lawn equipment, bikes, or cars. And if you mess with the springs or put undue strain on them, they could snap, damaging vehicles, your home, or even people.

    Face It — You’d Rather Be Doing Something Else

    What’s your ideal Saturday? Be honest. Chances are, repairing your garage door is not at the top of your list. You could be watching the game, reading a book in a hammock, going for a hike or even go hang gliding. And one thing you can be sure about garage door repair: It will always be harder and more complicated than you expect. Things will go wrong. No job is as simple as it first appears. Save yourself the trouble and hire a professional. Weekends for relaxing, not garage door repair. Go live your best life and let us take care of the hard stuff.

    The bottom line is if you aren’t sure about a repair, call a professional that can do it safely. It’s just not worth the expense or the safety risk.

  • The Worst Place Possible to Leave a Garage Remote

    Prevent Theft By Safeguarding Your Garage Door Remote

    Thieves are particularly attentive to details we tend to not think so much about. One bad habit that could result in both a garage and home break-in is leaving your garage door remote clipped to the visor in your car.

    Conceal Your Door Opener’s Remote

    Would you hang the key to your front door in your car for all to see? Probably not – but that’s exactly what most people are doing when they leave their garage remotes visible in their car. Consider investing in a small garage door opener remote holder or pouch that can attach to your keychain. This way, you’ll always have your remote with you, just like your house key, and reduce the risk of it falling into the wrong hands.

    Your Inner Garage Door Is Your Last Wall of Security

    If a thief were to break into your vehicle, they now also have a way to partially enter your home. To make matters worse, many homeowners leave their inner garage door unlocked, leaving your home completely vulnerable. Treat your inner garage door as a crucial layer of security for your home. Never leave it unlocked, as it provides direct access to the interior of your house. Always lock your doors when you’re not in the garage, even if you’re just stepping inside briefly.

    Reinforce Your Garage Door to Keep Your Home Safe

    Reinforcing garage door security is essential to safeguarding your home. A high-quality garage door made of sturdy materials like steel or reinforced wood can deter break-ins. Smart locking systems, such as keypad entry or smartphone-controlled access, add an extra layer of protection. Taking proactive measures ensures that your garage remains a formidable barrier. But it all fails if you lose your garage door opener’s key.

    A word of advice? Bring your remote inside with you and keep your doors locked.

  • Leaving Your Garage Door Open May Not Be a Good Idea

    Overhead garage doors are under immense amounts of pressure. Thanks to quality engineering and a variety of intricate parts that work in tandem, garage doors can automatically be opened thanks to a push of a button. While this makes opening and closing doors easier, it doesn’t change the fact that overhead doors are extremely heavy and can be dangerous. It’s not just the act of leaving the garage unattended that’s worrisome. Homeowners also have to keep in mind that a door needs reinforcement if it’s expected to be open for a prolonged amount of time. 

    One thing we notice while driving through neighborhoods for service calls is how many garages are left wide open – with no one in sight. Even late at night, vacant garages are a plenty. Just as you wouldn’t want to leave your front door open all day, you shouldn’t leave the garage open either!

    An Open Overhead Garage Door Is a Security Risk

    If you leave your garage door open, be aware that thefts should be an expected possibility. Anyone from a nosy neighbor to nefarious thief could stumble into your garage and take your pricey belongings or worse, enter your home, disturbing your family. But don’t take our word for it: theft via open garages is a real risk. Police have also been warning residents to keep their garages closed when not in use. Don’t take chances by leaving your garage door open while it’s not occupied. For enhanced protection for you and your family, consider installing a security door between your garage and your home. A security or safety door can prevent even the most experienced thieves from entering your home after they’ve made their way into your garage. One of the best safety tips is to stand by the door until it completely closes, especially late at night when someone could be watching for a window to enter. 

    Keeping Your Overhead Garage Door Open Is a Safety Risk

    As stable as garage doors appear to be, there’s an extremely strong chance that your door doesn’t have the reinforcement necessary to be open for a lengthy amount of time. You might spend considerable time in your garage tinkering away on projects, which means it’s possible you’re keeping your door open to let fresh air in. While you might think it’s alright to leave your overhead garage door open as long as you’re in the room, think again.

    Stress-Free & Safe Ways to Keep Your Door Open

    To ensure your garage door’s springs don’t snap and that it doesn’t come crashing down, you should install garage door reinforcement struts. These helpful garage door parts will allow your door to stay open far longer without causing significant wear or tear, as well as damage that could lead to a costly replacement. If you have an average sized double garage door, it’s recommended that at least three struts are installed, though it’s best to consult with a garage door installation company depending on your door. Remember: the best garage door repair and installation only comes from licensed professionals who have years of experience. 

    While keeping your door open for a long period of time is never recommended, it can be a must for some homeowners. Always stay inside your garage while it’s open and don’t hesitate to close it even for a few moments if you’re stepping away. To increase security, consider installing cameras near your overhead garage door so you can always keep an eye out for intruders.