Photoelectric Eye Maintenance To Avoid Garage Door Entrapments

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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A garage door is the largest, heaviest moving object in your home.  Garage doors weigh hundreds of pounds and when operated with an automatic garage door opener, they can exert deadly force when they are closing.  A person or child trapped under a garage door can be seriously injured or killed due to crush injuries or by asphyxiation.

Incidents of garage door entrapments have declined since the mid 1990’s when all garage door openers sold in the United States were required to have safety reversing systems such as a photoelectric eye that reverses the door when an obstruction is detected in the path of the door.  However, the danger of entrapments has not been completely eliminated.

Unfortunately, photoelectric safety eyes are one of the most common problems with garage doors.  They are easily knocked out of alignment or blocked by insects, dirt or debris, all of which causes the garage door to become stuck in the open position.  As a result, they are frequently seen as an inconvenience by many homeowners who then attempt to bypass the sensors.

Bypassing the photoelectric safety sensors on your garage door is very dangerous and can lead to injuries or death due to garage door entrapment. If you are having problems with your garage door photoelectric eyes, do not attempt to bypass the system.  Instead, call your local garage door repair service.

Properly installed and adjusted by an experienced garage door technician, the photoelectric eyes are a reliable and important safety mechanism.  Your garage door repair technician can adjust and align the sensors to ensure that your garage door operates smoothly while protecting against garage door entrapments.

 

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Garage Door Installation: Not a DIY Project

May 15th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Many homeowners enjoy handling home improvement projects themselves.  In addition to saving money, doing your own home improvement projects can be rewarding.  You can learn a new skill and enjoy the satisfaction of a job well done.  However, some home improvement projects including replacing a garage door should be left to the professionals.

There are safety concerns that make tackling a garage door repair or a garage door replacement yourself a bad idea.  These include safety issues during the replacement process itself and also safety concerns dealing with the operation of the door after it is installed.

The main safety concern during the replacement process is that garage door springs are very dangerous if they are handled improperly.  Garage doors use torsion springs or extension springs to help lift the door.  These springs are under a lot of pressure and can cause severe injuries or death if the spring is mishandled.  The typical homeowner simply does not have the knowledge or experience to safely handle the garage door springs.

In addition, garage doors with automatic openers are equipped with various safety features designed to protect against a person, especially a child, being trapped under a closing garage door.  Many children have been seriously injured or killed in garage door entrapments.

These safety devices include reversing mechanisms and photoelectric safety eyes to detect obstructions in the path of the door.  If these safety devices are not properly installed and adjusted, there is a possibility of serious injury or death due to a garage door entrapment.

Finally, if the garage door is not properly installed and adjusted, there is a chance that it can jam in the opening or even come off of the tracks and fall, potentially injuring a person or damaging property.

Due to the safety concerns and the risk of severe injury or death, replacement of a garage door by the homeowner is not recommended. Garage door replacement is best handled by a trained garage door repair technician.

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When to Call A Garage Door Service

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Modern garage doors and garage door openers are designed to work great for years, but with daily use parts can wear out or go out of adjustment and when they do, the garage door will need professional attention.  Some garage door problems can be addressed by the homeowner, but most garage door repairs should be performed by a professional garage door service.

For example, a broken spring is a very common garage door malfunction.  Most garage doors are equipped with either torsion springs mounted over the garaged door opening or extension spring mounted along the tracks.  These springs help lift the door and are under a tremendous amount of tension.  They can cause serious injuries or even death if mishandled.  A homeowner should never attempt to repair, replace, or adjust the garage door springs.  Let the pros handle garage door spring repairs.

Repairing bent door tracks is another example of a garage door repair that is best handled by a trained technician.  Garage door tracks are frequently bent when they are accidently struck by a vehicle.  Homeowners who attempt to straighten and align the track generally experience poor results and run the risk of the door falling off the tracks. An experienced technician can quickly replace and align the door track and get your garage door working smoothly again.

If the door is already off the track, you should immediately shut off the power to the opener to prevent inadvertent operation of the door and then call your garage door repair service.  Garage doors are much heavier than most people think and a garage door that is off the tracks poses a serious risk that it will fall  and injure someone or cause damage to your vehicle or other property.  Stay well away from the garage door until your garage door repair professional arrives and reinstalls the door on the track.

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Steel Garage Door Maintenance

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Modern steel garage doors are designed to require very little maintenance, but there are a few things you should do to keep your garage door and garage door opener working smoothly.  First, steel garage doors have a long lasting baked on finish, but an occasional cleaning with a soft sponge or rag and a little mild soap will help keeping it looking like new.  Once you are done, rinse it with a hose and let it dry.

Next, check to make sure all of the safety features are working properly. With the door in the open position, activate the garage door opener and check to see that the door reverses and moves to the fully open position when the photoelectric light beam is broken.

Now, with the door in the open position, place a block of wood such as a 2 X 4 flat on the garage floor in the path of the door and activate the door opener.  When the door reaches the wood block, it should reverse and go to the fully open position.  If there is a problem with either of these safety mechanisms, you should have the door serviced by a trained technician.

Be sure to keep the area clear of children and pets and be very cautious when working around a moving garage door.  Be very careful not to get your fingers pinched in the hinges, rollers, or tracks.

Finally, with door closed, lubricate the hinges, rollers, and springs with a non-silicone based spray lubricant.  Remember, the springs are under very high tension so any garage door repairs or adjustments related to the springs, cables, or pulleys, should only be performed by a trained garage door technician.

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Wood Or Steel For Your New Garage Door?

May 10th, 2012 Posted in New Garage Doors
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When selecting a new garage door, you will have a wide range of styles to choose from.  When it comes to materials, your choices are likely to be limited to either steel or wood.  Although there are garage doors made from other materials such as aluminum or plastic, wood and steel are the most popular.

Twenty years ago, wood garage doors dominated the market.  Nowadays, most garage doors are steel except for high end and custom garage doors.  Steel doors are very strong and durable.  One problem with older, low end wood garage doors was their tendency to begin rotting at the lower edge where water could seep into the wood.  In addition, they needed to be painted every few years to stay looking nice.

Modern steel doors solve both of those problems with high tech baked on finishes that mean the door will not rust and never needs to be painted.  Some steel doors also have excellent insulating qualities that can be important if your family uses your garage for more than just parking the car.  If your garage serves as a laundry area, children’s play area, or workshop, an insulated steel door can help maintain a comfortable temperature in the garage.

Insulated steel doors have a layer of insulation applied to the back of the steel panel.  In addition to its insulating qualities, the insulation has sound dampening effects that make insulated doors quieter than non-insulated single panel steel doors. High end steel doors sandwich the insulation layer between an inner and outer steel panel for the ultimate in safety and comfort.

Wood doors occupy the high end of the market along with top quality steel doors.  If you want to achieve a certain look or need a custom made door to fit your garage, a wood door may be right for you.  High end wood doors are made from fine hardwoods and can be painted or stained to add elegance and beauty to your home.

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Repair Or Replace Your Garage Door Opener?

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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Most garage door openers are very reliable and when they are properly installed and maintained, they generally give years of good service.  However, like any mechanical device, they can sometimes have problems and when they do, you are faced with the decision whether to spend money on repairing the garage door opener or applying that money towards a new opener.

Garage door openers range in price from about $150 to $400 plus installation.  In many cases, a broken garage door opener can be repaired for much less than the cost of a new opener.  That generally makes going ahead with the garage door opener repair the smart move unless there is some compelling reason to take the opportunity to replace the opener.

For example, if your opener is more than 15 years old or lacks modern safety features like a photoelectric eye that reverses the door to the open position when it detects objects in the path of the door, you should seriously consider replacing the opener rather than repairing it.  All openers sold since in the United States since 1993 have this safety feature and for good reason – hundreds of people, especially children, were being seriously injured or killed when they were crushed under a closing garage door.  This important safety feature alone is worth the cost of a new garage door opener.

An important security feature found on all new garage door openers is the use of rolling codes for the remote control.  Older garage door openers used a fixed code that is easily cracked by criminals.  These older openers leave your garage, home and family vulnerable to criminals.  Consider replacing rather than repairing your garage door opener if it lacks this important security feature.

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Inspect Your Garage Door Pulleys and Cables

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Repairs
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Good garage door maintenance includes a thorough inspection of your pulleys and cables.  Most people are under the impression that their garage door opener does most of the work when opening the garage door.  In fact, garage doors are equipped with a counterweight system that helps open the garage door.

An average garage door weighs between 200 and 400 pounds and without the lift assistance provide by the counterweight system, the opener would need a much stronger motor and the door would virtually impossible to open manually.

Large springs act as counterweights to help open heavy garage doors.  These springs are connected to the door through a system of cables and pulleys.  The springs, cables, and pulleys are under a lot of tension so it is important to inspect them regularly and call your garage door repair service when you notice any signs of wear.

Inspect the cables carefully for any signs of fraying or corrosion.  Wipe a soft cotton cloth gently over the cable to locate any broken stands.  A broken strand will snag the cloth and is a sign that cable is wearing out.  Visually inspect the pulleys for wear and damage.

If you find any damage or wear on the pulleys or cables, have them replaced by an experienced garage door technician.  Never try to replace garage door pulleys, cables, or springs.  These are all under very high tension and can cause severe injuries and even death.  Your garage door repair technician has the experience and training to safely replace worn garage door springs, cables and pulleys.

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Garage Door Opener Drive Types

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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When choosing a new garage door opener, the first consideration is the type of drive system used by the opener.  There are traditionally three different types of garage door opener drives:  chain drive, belt drive, and screw drive. There is also a new type of garage door opener called a jack shaft.

Chain drive systems are the least expensive type of opener and use a long chain similar to a bicycle chain to operate the door. Chain drive systems are noiser than other types of garage door openers which can be a concern if there is living space over the garage.  Also, the chain needs to be lubricated periodically.  They are otherwise a reliable, economical design and can provide excellent service for years.

Screw drive systems use a long threaded steel rod to open the door.  The drive motor spins the threaded rod which moves the lifting mechanism along the rod to open and close the door.  This is a very powerful, sturdy design, but it is the slowest type of opener.  If speedy opening and closing is important to you, consider a different design.  Screw dive garage door openers have fewer moving parts than other types and need little maintenance other than occasionally lubricating the drive screw.

Belt drive systems use a long rubber belt to open and close the door.  These are the quietest and most expensive type of garage door opener.  These openers are usually higher end models and have advanced features.  They need a moderate amount of maintenance, but they are typically well built and provide great service for years.

A jack shaft is a newer type of design that works well when the opener cannot be mounted overhead.  A jack shaft opener mounts next to the garage door instead of on the ceiling.

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Increase Home Security With a New Garage Door Opener

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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When you are beefing up your home’s security, don’t forget the garage door. According to the Department of Justice, in about one third of all residential burglaries the perpetrator gains access to the home through an unsecured outer door or garage door.

Burglars tend to look for easy targets and experts say that “hardening” your home by installing good locks and detection systems will generally cause a burglar to look elsewhere.  Even delaying a burglar about four minutes is enough to make most burglars abandon the effort to enter your home.

Your garage door is no exception.  By making it more difficult for a burglar to enter through the garage door, they are likely to give up and move to an easier target.

Older garage door openers are a weak point in many homes and offer easy access to criminals.  Older garage door openers were equipped with remote controls that used a fixed code to operate the door.  Criminals quickly learned how to defeat these security measures by using “code grabbers” or electronic devices that quickly transmit all possible codes.

New garage door openers have remote controls that are far more secure because they use rolling codes that prevent copying by criminals.  They are also designed as miniature keyring devices that you take with your rather than leaving the opener clipped to the visor of your car.  This prevents criminals from breaking into your car, stealing your remote control, and getting your address from the registration.  While you are at work the criminal simply drives to your home, opens the garage door with the stolen remote control, and has all day to clean out your garage and your home. With a miniature keyring remote control, you keep the remote control with you and not in your car where criminals can get at it.

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Garage Door Safety Guidelines

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Springs
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An average garage door can weigh up to 400 pounds which makes it the largest, heaviest moving object in virtually every home.  Garage doors have come a long way in terms of safety, but you can provide even more protection for you and your family by following these safety guidelines.

First, never attempt to bypass or disable the garage door safety sensors.  The photoelectric sensors mounted near the bottom on either side of the garage door opening are designed to detect an obstruction in the path of the garage door.  When an obstruction such as a child, pet, or vehicle is detected, the garage door opener automatically reverses direction and opens.

Second, the springs are arguably the most dangerous component of any garage door.  Garage doors springs are under very high tension and garage door spring repairs and adjustments should only performed by a trained garage door service professional.

The same goes for the cables.  These are attached to the bottom of the garage door and are connected to the springs through the lift assist system.  Have these cables replaced by a garage door professional when they become frayed or worn.

Garage door replacement and new garage door installation should only be performed by a trained garage door technician.  Not only are the garage door springs dangerous to handle, but an improperly installed garage door poses a serious risk of severe injury or even death.  The garage door can come off the tracks and injure someone, and even on the tracks, improper installation or adjustment can lead to a falling garage door.

Finally, have your garage door serviced annually by a professional garage door repair service.  Regular service will help keep the garage door operating smoothly and ensure that the door’s safety features are working correctly and adjusted properly.

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