Preventing Garage Lock-Outs

October 23rd, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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When you upgrade a manual garage door in favor of one with an automatic opener, the last thing on your mind is likely to be emergency management. When the power goes out, your automatic garage door opener fails or the remote is lost, however, you could find yourself in a tight spot if you don’t know how to bypass those features. 

To prevent garage lock-outs due to a power outage or electrical issue, look into back-up battery features. This option will ensure that you’re able to get in and out of your garage even if the electricity in your neighborhood is experiencing an outage. When a storm is powerful enough to interrupt electrical service, it stands to reason that you’d rather have your car in the garage than out in the elements. That’s where the back-up battery comes in handy. You’ll be able to open and close the door by using battery power, and you won’t find yourself out in the cold. 

Even the most organized homeowners can misplace a garage door opener remote, which is only inconvenient if you haven’t opted for a keypad entry feature. These will allow you to enter a code in order to open the door. While you will have to exit your vehicle to enter the code, you won’t be forced to park in the driveway until your remote is recovered. 

Contact a garage door installation and repair technician in your area to discuss back-up options for opening your door to make sure that you’re never denied access to your own garage. Even when there’s no electricity or your remote goes missing in action, a consultation with a garage door professional will eliminate the chances of you finding yourself locked out of your own home.

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Security Options for Garage Door Openers

September 25th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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If your garage is connected to your home, it could be the most vulnerable point of access for any intruder. Too often, it becomes the main entry into the house so interior connecting doors are left unlocked, even when the garage door is open. The simple ease of entry and exit through our garage doors have left us unconcerned about its safety.  

Fortunately, today’s advanced technology has also found its way into improving garage door openers with additional security features. If you still have an older garage door opener, then it is time to upgrade. Today’s openers utilize random revolving numbers for their remote openers. Mini remote openers are available that can fit on a key chain, so as to enable them to be carried at all times instead of leaving it in the car. That means, if your car is stolen or burglarized, your garage and home are still secured. Another addition option is to install a keyless entry pad, wherein you manually enter a code, much like a security alarm.  

Your local garage door service professional should be aware of the very latest in garage door opener security options and will certainly be able to steer you in the right direction for your particular needs. Furthermore, your service company will be more than happy to walk you through additional tips to make sure that your garage is as safe from intrusion as is possible. There is no need to allow your garage door to threaten the safety and security of your home. Having your garage’s remote opener and entry system inspected, as well as updated with today’s available security technology, will help ensure the safety of your home and family from unwanted intruders.

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Consider Replacing Your Garage Door Opener

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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Garage door openers are typically durable, require relatively little maintenance, and possess great longevity. Really, just consider their reliability, functioning multiple times per day (up/down, up/down), every day, over a period of years, if not decades. Your garage door opener is operating just fine; so, why should you consider replacing it? With the advent of technology, newer models offer features that could mean increased safety and security for your home, as well as convenience. 

All garage door openers sold in the US since 1993 are equipped with a safety mechanism that causes the door to stop when closing and automatically reverse if something is in the path of the closing door. Most older model openers operated with a chain-drive system, which can noisy and disruptive. Newer models operate on quieter screw-drive or belt-drive systems. Newer garage door openers also come with remote controls that utilize a rolling code feature. This means that the code changes whenever it is used, preventing hackers from stealing the code.

Another security enhancement of new models is the option of mounting a keypad outside of the garage, allowing the convenience of entry without a key. There are even models today that do not require the memorization of a code; they operate by fingerprint detection. Also, rather than being stuck at home or outside because of a thunderstorm resulting in a power outage, you can now purchase a new garage door opener with the additional feature of a battery backup system that will automatically activate when power is lost. 

As you can see, newer garage door openers do come with quite a few advancements. It is always a good idea to consult with your local garage door service professional to ensure that your specific needs are met by the system of your choice.

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Types of Garage Door Openers

August 1st, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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Consumers have a choice of several types of garage door openers available in the marketplace, with the differences between the openers centering upon the type of drive mechanism that the opener uses to mechanically lift the door.  The options available include chain, belt and screw driven openers, all of which are mounted on the ceiling of the garage.  A qualified garage door contractor can provide professional guidance on which opener will meet the individual needs of each property owner. 

The most popular type of garage door opener is the chain driven opener, which utilizes a chain to raise and lower the door.  While they are very economical and reliable, they tend to be noisy, which is their main disadvantage.  As with all chain driven mechanical devices, the chain does require periodic lubrication to keep the links in the chain operating freely. 

Belt driven garage door openers use a non-metallic synthetic belt to raise and lower the door.  They are also economical, very quiet and reliable as well.  As with any other mechanical item, the belt may need to be replaced periodically. 

Openers using a screw drive mechanism to raise and lower the garage door are a great option as well.  While generally a bit more expensive than chain or belt driven openers, they are especially quiet and a perform very well in cold weather as the components of the screw drive is more tolerant of extreme cold than the chain and belt driven openers. 

All three types of openers are excellent choices and a qualified garage door contractor will be happy to recommend the best option for the individual needs of each homeowner!

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How Secure Is Your Garage Door?

June 19th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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Is your garage door your primary place of entry into your home? If so, do you typically leave your garage door open and unattended for periods of time? Do you keep the intervening doors, from your garage into your house, unlocked most of the time? Do you lock those connecting doors when you leave your house? Your answer to these questions may reveal just how unintentionally vulnerable your home has become. Few of us tend to recognize the importance of the security of our overhead garage doors. 

Always keep your garage doors, interior as well as exterior, closed and locked. Be aware that potential intruders can hide in your garage, waiting for an opportune time to gain access into your home. Another overlooked portal for entry into your home is your garage windows, if they are in disrepair, have them repaired and, then, make sure they remain locked.

You may want to upgrade your garage door opener if it is an older model. Newer technology in today’s garage door openers make it more difficult to break the code on remote openers with revolving random numbers. You can also purchase a mini remote opener that fits on your key chain, thus ensuring the safety of your garage and home, even if your car were burglarized. 

If you have any concerns about the security features offered with your garage door opener, be sure to contact your local professional service technician. A thorough inspection of your garage’s operating system and a review of the newest technological advances will go a long way in providing you with peace of mind, knowing that your garage and your home are safe from unwanted intruders.

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How Safe Is Your Garage Door?

June 19th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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This is certainly the time of year when everyone seems to be running in and out of the house, usually through the garage door. Not only has it become the standard mode of entry into your home after parking the car, but with the “busyness” of summer activities it seems to be the main area of high traffic; the ins and outs of getting the yard tools and supplies, bird feeders, pet supplies, tools for various household projects, barbeque grills, bicycles and other recreational items. Your garage door in the summer might as well be a revolving door, for you, your kids, the neighbors’ kids, and pets. So much more important, then, becomes the safety of your door. 

Since January 1, 1993, to prevent doors from crushing objects in their path, all garage doors with an automatic garage door opener have been required by federal law to have optic sensors that can detect a person or object below the door, prompting it to reverse. This can be tested by placing an object directly in line with the door, which should reverse immediately upon contact or  by using an object to break the electronic eye beams on either side of the door. Your garage door should also be balanced; meaning, you should be able to lift your garage door smoothly and easily with one hand. If the door is out of balance, it could be using excessive force to close, which could pose a safety hazard. 

If your optic sensors are not working correctly, the automatic reverse feature or door balance seems even slightly off, it is a good idea to have your garage door inspected by your local overhead door technician. Checking these few items will ensure the safety of your garage door.

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Is Your Home’s Garage Door Secure?

May 9th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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While we may keep our overhead automatic garage doors well maintained and repaired when necessary, few of us look at that modern convenience as a weak link or vulnerability when it comes to our home’s security. It is one of our most vulnerable places because it can provide intruders with easy access to our home. Furthermore, garages are often targeted because most of us Americans typically keep many of our expensive valuables there such as cars, motorcycles, sporting equipment, and tools, to name a few. 

One of the major things you can do to ensure the security of your garage is to keep the door closed. As simple as it sounds, people often habitually leave their garage door open when they are home, in the neighborhood walking the dog, or a quick trip to the corner store. Leaving your garage door open, for any length of time, is an invitation to a potential intruder. This can be especially true if you are in the habit of leaving your internal entry doors into your home from the garage unlocked, thinking that they are safe as long as the door is down. If this is familiar to you, check to make certain that your garage windows are secure from easy access. 

You may also wish to call your local overhead garage door professional to check on the technology of your garage door opener. Since automatic garage door openers first became the “must have” item in most homes, technology has made some advancements that make it harder for would-be intruders. For instance, the code used to unlock automatic garage doors today is usually a revolving random number that cannot be obtained by another remote.

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Garage Door Reversing Mechanism

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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If you’re like most homeowners, you probably don’t think of your garage door as a potential weapon. But you should. Garage doors are one of the heaviest objects in your home, weighing sometimes as much as 600 pounds, and they do cause thousands of injuries each year in the United States alone.  

While garage doors and garage door openers are much safer than they used to be, things can still go wrong. People can be careless about safety around them, particularly where children are concerned. They can also neglect important maintenance. 

One very important safety aspect on a garage door is the reversing mechanism. After several children were killed by garage doors in the early 1980s, the industry adopted standards by the U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission requiring reversing mechanisms on all newly manufactured garage doors.  In 1992, those voluntary standards became mandatory. 

Now, every new garage door is equipped with a reversing mechanism which consists of two parts: 

Garage Door Opener – The garage door opener’s motor senses resistance, and reverses the door’s direction if a certain amount of resistance is met. 

Infrared Sensors – These are usually mounted on garage door frame about six inches high. If anything comes in contact with the sensors, the door won’t work. 

The CPSC recommends installing a new garage door opener if your existing opener predates 1982. CPSC also suggests checking the reversing mechanism every month to see if it is working properly. This can be done by placing a block of wood on the floor under the door. If when you operate the door, it does not stop and reverse at the wood, the mechanism should be adjusted or repaired. You could do this yourself using your operator’s manual, or you can contact a reputable garage door service technician.

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Troubleshooting Garage Door Opener Problems

March 28th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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Garage door openers are relatively uncomplicated devices driven by an electric motor. This makes them fairly easy to fix and fairly easy to diagnose when something goes wrong. Following is a short list of common garage door opener problems and how to fix them: 

Problem: The door opener does not respond to commands. 

Fix:  This usually indicates a power issue. Check to see if the electrical cord to the garage door opener is plugged in. Check also to see if the remote batteries are weak or spent. 

Problem:  The opener raises the garage door, but won’t close it. 

Fix:  This could possibly be the beam sensor. Make sure it is plugged in, and it is aligned properly.  

Problem: If the garage door opener runs, but doesn’t open the door. 

Fix: This may indicate a problem with the worm gear or chain sprocket, problems usually best fixed by your professional garage door opener repairman. 

Problem:  The garage door opener operates on its own. 

Fix: This also may be a problem best addressed by a garage door opener service company. Sometimes, it can be a simple solution such as a stuck button on the remote, while other times it may indicate a faulty circuit board, which may need to be replaced. 

Problem: The garage door opener opens the garage door, but then stops and reverses itself, or the garage door opener stops with the garage door partially open. 

Fix:  Most modern garage door openers have a safety sensor that forces the door to reverse if something is in the way. Check to see if the area is clear. Also, check to see if the sensor is adjusted in accordance with the owner’s manual. 

Of course, if you encounter a problem with your garage door opener and the problem persists, it is best to consult a professional. Garage door opener experts can either fix the problem, or replace the opener if necessary.

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Garage Door Opener Malfunctions – What to Do

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
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In a perfect world, your garage door opener would never malfunction or need repairs. While many can last for years before a problem arises, garage door openers are just as prone to failures and problems as any other piece of mechanical equipment on your property. 

Some general garage door repairs, like cleaning and lubricating garage door rollers and tracks, can be completed with relative ease. The majority of garage door opener repairs, however, will require the expertise and safety knowledge of a licensed, experienced garage door opener installation and repair technician. 

Your garage door opener is essentially a motorized, electric appliance that lifts and lowers your heavy garage door. Just like any other electric appliance, it may begin to malfunction or behave strangely over time. You may notice that your opener is running but the door isn’t actually opening, that the door reverses during closing with no disruption to the automatic reversal sensors, that the door doesn’t open or close all the way or that it simply does not respond when the wall button or remote control is pressed. 

For the most part, the only repairs that you can safely perform on your garage door opener yourself is the replacement of remote batteries, motor or controls testing and mechanism lubrication or alignment. Parts that are worn, broken or compromised often require the experienced eye of a professional to spot, and most repairs to your garage door opener simply aren’t safe for the inexperienced homeowner to tackle. 

Be sure that you contact a local, licensed garage door opener repair technician with plenty of experience to diagnose and solve problems with your garage door opener so that you can rest assured that the work has been completed properly, with all safety features and functionality left intact.

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