Does Your Garage Door Opener Have A Battery Back-Up?

August 15th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Does Your Garage Door Opener Have A Battery Back-Up?

Fall and winter storms are right around the corner, often resulting in extensive power outages. What happens when you come home in the middle of a storm and your power is out, disabling your garage door? Do you have a key to get the garage manually? Will you need to stand outside in severe weather trying to get your door open, or run inside to open the garage from the interior emergency release feature? If you have a battery back-up for your garage door opener, you won’t need to worry about the occasional power failure. You garage door will be ready to open or close, even when the rest of your home is left in the dark. 

How Effective Are Garage Door Battery Back-Ups?

Battery back-ups for your garage door openers are an easy and affordable option which can make your life easier and safer in the event of a power outage. These rechargeable batteries can last for 24 hours during a blackout or storm, allowing you to open and close your garage door when you really need indoor access. There are a variety of options in back-up batteries, with some offering capabilities of up to 50 cycles in the 24 hours after a power outage. This ensures you will be able to get into your garage, even if your power has been out for several hours. 

Some of the newer garage door openers come equipped with battery back-up systems as an added benefit. However, even older garage door openers can be hooked into a battery back-up system. To learn more about adding a battery back-up or purchasing a new garage door opener with this option, call your local garage door company for more details.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

, ,
Read More

Is Your Garage Door Inviting Thieves Into Your Home?

August 15th, 2014 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Is Your Garage Door Inviting Thieves Into Your Home?

One of the common ways for thieves to break into homes is through attached garages. For a clever thief, a garage door can be an easy way of quickly entering your home if you don’t have the right safety and security measures in place. However, most newer garage door openers offer many security features which can stop thieves from using your garage door opener as a way to get into your home. Here are a few features to look for in a new door, plus some security tips to keep intruders out of your home and garage.                             

–        Rolling codes. Newer remote controls for garage door openers feature rolling codes which make them difficult for thieves to manipulate. If your garage door opener is older, you may also have old technology which is easy for thieves to bypass in order to open your garage door.

–        Vacation protection. Some garage door openers offer features which allow you to disable all remote function. This is especially important when you are out of town or on vacation, and during times when no one should be accessing your garage door.

–        Smartphone applications. Many newer openers now integrate smartphone technology which allows for control and management of the garage door through the owner’s cell phone. This allows you to be alerted if the door is left opened or opened when you are not at home.

–        Remote theft. Always keep close tabs on your garage door remote. Never leave it sitting in open view in your vehicle. This is an open invitation for thieves to break into your car, steal your remote and head to the address on your vehicle’s registration to rob your home. 

If you have an older garage door opener, it may be time to upgrade to a model with higher security features. Not only are these features designed for convenience, they are vital to keeping out thieves and intruders who are savvy enough to bypass your old system. Call your local garage door company today to learn what new features are available in garage door openers.

Posted on behalf of Habpro

, ,
Read More

Update Your Garage With An Automatic Garage Door Opener

December 20th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Update Your Garage With An Automatic Garage Door Opener

Looking to add value and curb appeal to your aging house? You’ve probably thought of having a landscaper put in some new shrubs, or having a crew show up to add a shiny new coat of paint to the exterior of your home, but have you considered the value of having a state-of-the-art automatic garage door installed? 

As part of an overall remodel project to add attraction for would-be buyers or for added convenience, installing a new garage door and automatic garage door opener will bring your house up to date. Living with an outdated manual garage door can be such a hassle that homeowners will actually park in their driveways to avoid the physical exertion required to wrestle with their old garage door each time they leave or arrive. We’ve all been there, struggling with the handle, trying to lift properly in order to avoid back injury only to worry about a sudden fall when the door is finally in place. With an upgraded automatic electric garage door, these issues are a thing of the past. 

A professional garage door installation technician can have a new automatic garage door installed in no time. Make the call, learn about the options available for your garage and schedule the installation. You can open your new automatic garage door from the safety and convenience of your car or garage with your remote opener and keypad. Drive directly into your garage and shut the door behind you without any physical effort at all. No more worries about injury, damage to your vehicle or depreciating property values. A local garage door installation professional can make this dream a reality.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

, ,
Read More

Control Your Garage Door With Your Smartphone

December 17th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Control Your Garage Door With Your Smartphone

How often have you forgotten to close your garage door, or even wondered if you remembered to close your garage door?  Have you ever gone out in the morning and found that your garage door had been left open all night?  Or maybe you have come home from work and discovered that your garage door has been left open all day.  It’s easy to get distracted and forget to close your garage door.

For most families, leaving a garage door open is more than just an inconvenience – it compromises the safety of your family, your home, and your personal property.  Many families use the garage door as the primary entrance to their home and if the door between your garage and your home is left unlocked, criminals can gain easy access to your home through a garage door inadvertently left open. 

Even if you keep the door between your garage and home locked, an open garage door provides criminals an opportunity to steal anything stored in your garage or to break into your home without being seen by the neighbors.

A feature of garage door openers that is becoming increasingly popular allows you to control your garage door opener via the internet or your smartphone.  No matter where you are, if you can connect to the internet you can check on the status of your garage door using your smartphone, tablet, or computer and open or close the door remotely.  This feature is not only useful if you forget to close the garage door, but allows you to remotely allow access to your home for trusted service providers such as your plumber, exterminator, and other service providers.  Some garage door openers will even notify you when your garage door opens or if you forgot to close your garage door.

Posted on behalf of Legacy Garage Doors

, ,
Read More

Consider Replacing Your Garage Door Opener

August 15th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Consider Replacing Your Garage Door Opener

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.

, ,
Read More

How Secure Is Your Garage Door?

June 19th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on How Secure Is Your Garage Door?

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.

, ,
Read More

Garage Door Opener Malfunctions – What to Do

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Garage Door Opener Malfunctions – What to Do

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.

, ,
Read More

Is It Time to Buy a New Garage Door Opener?

March 26th, 2013 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Is It Time to Buy a New Garage Door Opener?

Stopping your car to get out in order to open a manual garage door every day gets old very quickly, as does dealing with an automatic garage door that’s noisy or slow to open and close. There are plenty of reasons why you may be in need of a new garage door opener installation, and just as many excuses for putting the chore off for another day. 

A garage door opener that’s functioning properly and in good repair is not only a convenient feature, but also one that can be integral to the security and safety of your home. Older models that are still operating may be good candidates for replacement if they were installed before 1993, as they may lack the automatic safety reversal feature that became compulsory that year. These sensors can prevent injuries sustained by children or pets attempting to run under a garage door as it closes, and are highly recommended for all homeowners that have not yet upgraded. 

Another drawback of older garage door openers is that the remote controls may function with a fixed code, which means that the code can be duplicated by would-be intruders. Newer openers use a rolling-code system that generates a new code each time the door is used. New models may also feature a battery backup system that will allow you to operate the door during a power outage. 

If you’re considering the replacement or installation of a new garage door opener, be sure that you contact a licensed and experienced garage door installation and repair technician in your area today to discuss the many options and features available.

, ,
Read More

Garage Door Opener Drive Types

May 10th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Garage Door Opener Drive Types

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.

, ,
Read More

Increase Home Security With a New Garage Door Opener

May 9th, 2012 Posted in Garage Door Openers
Comments Off on Increase Home Security With a New Garage Door Opener

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.

, ,
Read More
Older Entries

Find Local Company | Garage Door Directory | Find Local Garage Door Service Companies