Clueless About Fixing Garage Door in Norristown? Contact Secure For Sure Today!

Garage_dealer-200x300Fixing things around your home may seem fairly simple, but you might find yourself a bit more challenged when you tackle something difficult, like your garage door. Whether it’s the springs, the tracks, the door, or the opener itself, all play a part in the proper functioning of the door as it rides up and down. A malfunctioning door may cause irritation and may even lead to certain accidents that are why whenever you suspect that something is wrong with it; you should address the problem right away. No doubt, we expect our doors to work perfectly each and every time and when they don’t, we find ourselves in a frustrating situation to know what needs to be fixed. On the bright side, there are a number of common problems which you can learn to troubleshoot and fix yourself. These problems include:

  • The motor running without anyone telling it to
  • The motor running but fails to engage the door
  • A door that will raise but not close
  • The motor working in reverse when trying to close the door,
  • A door that fails completely to open or close,
  • An opener that does not respond

Look everything over carefully to see if there are any obvious causes for the malfunction. Once you’ll come to know where the problem lies, you can fix it and if it doesn’t seems your cup of tea, calling in professionals is the best decision. If you are looking for a reliable company, then look no further than Secure for Sure. Their team of technicians perform all kinds of garage door spring repair and replacement, cable repair and replacement, door off track repair, door extension spring replacement, fix garage door in Norristown. To get the best value for your money, get in touch with us in Norristown for your emergency garage door needs! Visit http://www.securegarages.com   CALL (888) 691-4045 FOR 24HR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Top 10 Preventive Maintenance Tips for Garage Door Owners

garage-door-maintenance-mesa-arizona

Your garage door is the largest moving part in your entire home, and is used multiple times per day at any hour and in all seasons. To keep your garage door operating smoothly for decades to come, it’s very important that you take the time to perform regular preventive care and maintenance. Here are 10 things that all homeowners can do:

1. Look and Listen :-

The most important preventive step you can take is to observe your garage door in action every time you use it. Is it moving smoothly or is it jerky in places? Does it operate silently or does it make grinding or scraping noises? Do both sides of the system (springs, pulleys and cables) look symmetrical?

2. Tighten up the Hardware

The average garage door moves up and down more than a thousand times a year. That’s a lot of movement and vibration, which can loosen the hardware. Examine and tighten all roller brackets and bolts with a socket wrench.

3. Test the Garage Door Balance

If your garage door is not properly balanced, the garage door opener will have to work harder, and it won’t last as long.

After you disconnect the opener by pulling the release handle (usually a red cord), manually move the door about halfway up. If it doesn’t stay put, the counterweight system (springs) are improperly balanced. Garage door spring adjustment is best left to the professionals.

4. Inspect and Replace the Rollers

The rollers, whether steel or nylon, need to be inspected twice a year and replaced every seven years or so, and even more if you use your garage door many times a day.

Worn, chipped or cracked rollers should be replaced as soon as possible. You do this by removing and reinstalling any roller brackets that are not directly attached to the cable system.

5. Replace the Weatherstripping

If the rubber weather seal strip on the bottom of your door is brittle or cracked, replace it right away to keep the elements out of your house. Weatherstripping is sold by the foot at hardware and home improvement stores. Just cut to size and insert into the grooves with the wide angle of the flange inside the door.

6. Lubricate the Moving Parts

Keeping your garage door parts greased up will add years of seamless operation to your system – and it takes just 10 minutes a year! Use white lithium grease on the opener’s chain or screw, and a spray lubricant, available from your garage door specialist, to coat the overhead springs.

7. Check the Cables

You should never tinker with the high-tension cables that lift your door because they have enough force to maim and kill. But you can check their condition so you know when to hire a pro. Check for broken strands and damage near the bottom roller bracket.

8. Test the Auto-Reverse Safety Features

There are two mechanisms: mechanical and photocell. In order to test the mechanical feature, place a piece of wood or a brick on the ground in the path of the door. When the door coming down touches that object, it should reverse direction and go back up again. To test the second, the photoelectric system with beams at each side, close your door and just pass your leg in the door’s path. Your door should reverse.  If your opener is more than 20 years old, it may lack this basic safety features – and so it’s time to buy a new garage door opener.

9. Clear the Tracks

Make sure the tracks on either side of the door are free from debris and, if you are so inclined, you can use a level to check the plumb. Any major adjustments to tracks must be done by a professional garage door technician.

10. Groom Your Garage Door

Don’t forget to examine the door itself. Wood doors will need to be checked for water damage and warp, as well as chipped and peeling paint. Steel doors may have rust spots that need to be sanded, primed and painted. Wash your garage door regularly with a mild all-purpose cleaner at the same time you do your car.

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist.  The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution.  Feel free to contact us any time for help.  Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal!  Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers!  Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!

CALL (888) 691-4045 FOR 24HR EMERGENCY SERVICE

Opening Your Garage Door During A Power Outage

LiftMaster Opener

 

 

 

 

 

 

Those who have experienced the convenience that an automatic garage door offers will likely never go back to a manually opening door. Especially in bad weather, there’s no better feeling than a simple click of the button keeping you and your belongings dry. That being said, that same storm might bring with it power outages that could leave your garage door incapacitated and you stuck out in the cold. On the flip side, when you’re inside the garage with no power and you need to get out for work it’s important to understand these tips on how to open a garage door manually.

Trip the Trigger

Virtually all garage door openers have a bypass switch for situations such as when the power goes out, a motor goes awry, or the remote opener dies. On most garage door openers there is a rope with a handle on the end (usually red). This manual release handle disengages the trolley from the attachment point to the rail. Pulling on this rope will put the garage into manual mode so if the door is up, it might come crashing down. To be safe, always activate the handle when the garage door is closed.

Staying in Manual Mode

The red rope controls the spring attachment in the trolley. If the power is going to be out for a long period of time or the opener motor is malfunctioning, then you may have to stay in manual mode. When you want to continually open the door in manual mode it’s important to pull the rope down and towards the back of the garage (or the motor) so that it doesn’t get caught on the tracks.

Reattaching the Door When Power Returns

After utility crews have restored power in your house, you’ll likely want to take full advantage of the conveniences of an automatic door again. To reengage the trolley attachment, simply pull down on the cord but this time towards the garage opening to keep the lever from engaging. Pull up on the door until it snaps into place and you’re back in automatic mode. If that’s too confusing, simply hit the button on the remote opener and the track will force the spring attachment back into place.

Things to Remember About the Release Cord

Something to keep in mind about using manual mode is that even though some components in the track or door may be corrupted, the automatic system will keep the garage functioning. Weak or broken springs and cables are aided by the track, making the garage one cohesive unit. Of course, when you disengage the track, bad things can happen.

  • If possible, only use the release cord when the garage is in the down position. This might not be an option if a power outage occurs when the door is up, but when the handle is released the door will come crashing down.
  • If the door must be disengaged when in the up position, use 2X4’s to prop open the door for safe closing.
  • Clear the area of people and objects when releasing in the up position.
  • Don’t hang from the cord if it doesn’t release. It takes some force to disengage the lever but hanging from it could cause damage to the rope or lever.

If you find there is damage to a cable or the door opens unevenly, make sure to contact one of our experts. Tension springs and other garage features can be dangerous to work with and doing a DIY project could result in irreversible damage. Our certified professionals have the tools and experience at their disposal to repair your garage opener safely and efficiently.

Opening Your Garage Door from the Outside

It’s important to get familiar with the layout of the garage door opener spring mechanism in non-emergency situations. If you’re locked out when the power is out and the garage is your main way of accessing the home, it may be possible to release the lever from the outside. Placing a shim in the weather stripping near the top of the garage and sliding a bent clothes hanger in to flip the lever will enable the door to be opened manually. Of course, this is a great security risk, so you’ll have to weigh the options on whether installing a secure shield or being able to engage your door manually from outside is more important.

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist.  The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution.  Feel free to contact us any time for help.  Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal!  Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers!  Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!

How to get your garage ready for the winter

winterize_your_garage

It’s that time of year again! Just when you were enjoying the warm weather, fall and winter decide to come along and spoil the fun. Time to put all those Halloween and fall decorations away and get ready for winter! One might ask what are the things that must be done to prepare for the holiday season? You’re in luck! We are here to help you prepare for the winter season. Below is a list of things you might want to consider when preparing your garage for this season. Hopefully this helps you to get ready and be prepared for Santa!
The first step is to clean up your whole garage. Take advantage of the weather before it gets too cold. Sort through everything in your garage, tossing items you don’t need and moving those that could be stored elsewhere. Once you’ve cleared the area, wash the floors and scrub the walls. This seems like a big task, but it will make your garage look more spacious and organized.
Part of your cleaning process should include some steps to prevent damage to the garage. Your floor will undergo damage through the season as your tires track snow, gravel, and salt chemicals.

Install a protective coating to give a fresh look and protect the floor.

After cleaning, look at the space and what you have decided to store. Be creative as you organize. You may need to buy new storage containers or install wall racks to keep things out of the way. If you have out of season items, consider storing them in containers on the ceiling.
• Rotating storage bins. As you get ready for decorating, find a place to put those storage bins so you have room and space available to move around in your garage.
• Move freezable fluids into the garage. If you have any fluids outside, move them into the garage. If those fluids are needed (such as gasoline for a kerosene heater), it would be extremely difficult to get them thawed out and ready for use when you need them the most.

• Sealing the gaps. Even when your garage door is shut, wind and snow can still come in through the gaps. Make sure those gaps are sealed nice and tightly to prevent your electronics from freezing overnight.
• Heaters. With how crazy the past winters have been, you may want to consider purchasing a space heater for the garage. A heater can help make the garage warmer and also keep the cars warm.
• Insulation. Another way to keep the garage nice and warm would to be hire a contractor (or you can do it yourself) and install insulation into the walls of your garage.
• Setting up a mudpuddle. If your garage is attached to the house, you should designate a specific place to place your shoes (and family members) so dirt and snow does not track in the house.
• Snow blowers and shovels. With winter being around the corner, not every snow plow will be available. It would be a wise decision to purchase a snowblower, or shovel, to help with the driveway and sidewalks around your house so you are able to get to work or other events on your agenda.
Follow these simple tips to make sure your garage is ready for the winter. With a little planning, you’ll have your garage clean and be able to store everything you need this season. If you have any tips for garage organization and maintenance, we would love to hear from you!

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist.  The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution.  Feel free to contact us any time for help.  Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal!  Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers!  Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!

How to avoid scratching your car from your garage

car scratched from garage

As most owners of a garage may know, getting your car in and out of it doesn’t always go according to plan. Unless you’re the proud owner of a swanky extra wide garage, the risk of bumping or scratching your vehicle is relatively high. Obviously, the longer one has owned and used their garage the less likely it is that accidents will occur, but while you’re settling in to a new way of parking, or if your garage is situated on a tricky slope or corner, it’s best to be extra vigilant about garage accidents. Read on to discover what the most common garage accidents are and how you can take step to avoid them – after all, parking your car in a secure garage can take £££s off your insurance premiums; you don’t want to undo all of those savings because you have to claim for body repairs!

Use your Garage

If you have a garage, use it! It is the best way to protect your car. There are many benefits of covered parking, including protection from hail storms that can come with costly deductibles. In the winter, parking in a garage keeps ice and snow off of your vehicle, getting you on the road quicker. Garage parking also keeps your vehicle out of direct sunlight, which over time, can fade the appearance of leather or other aspects of your interior. Parking outside of the elements is the number one way to avoid hail and prevent car dents caused by it.

Driving Into Your Garage Door

A common mistake that many people make – particularly those with an automatic garage door such as a roller, tracked or sectional – is driving into the garage door itself. Of course, those with single panelled, up & over garage doors are not spared of this; a common mistake here is driving into the garage door when pulling up to it. This is particularly troublesome when the garage is situated on a slope. The key to avoiding this accident is patience. If you are waiting to drive your car out of your garage and the door is slowly being opened by the garage door motor, try to relax and wait until the door is in the fully open position. To risk driving into it is to risk damage to both your car and the garage door – neither of which are likely to be inexpensive to fix. Adding some outdoor and indoor spotlights which are trained to come on when the garage is being used can help to illuminate the door and increase your chances of stopping in time.

Driving Into The Side Of Your Garage

When driving in and out of your garage – particularly if you tend to reverse in – taking your time and ensuring the car is going in straight can save a lot of hassle in the future. Even the most experienced of drivers, who have used their garage a thousand times can dent or scratch their vehicle whilst manoeuvring in or out of the space. Generally speaking, a narrow garage entrance, a large car, or a complicated angle can make this a very genuine hazard, but even if your garage is wide enough, it’s something to keep in mind. Paying attention and seeking assistance if you’re struggling are the best ways to avoid an accident like this. Ensuring that your mirrors are pointing in the right direction, and even installing a convex mirror within or just outside the garage can help you to see what’s happening. It’s also worth noting that it’s easy to open your car door onto the wall of the garage or onto something being stored there without thinking.

Closing The Door On Your Bonnet or Boot

If you have a manual garage door, then you’ll know how heavy they can be, even if they have strong opening mechanisms and springs to hold most of the weight. Closing your garage door onto your car, therefore, is clearly not a good idea and can cause an awful lot of damage. Automatic doors will stop when they feel resistance due to safety laws, but manual doors will exert weight and force when closed on a car bonnet, roof or boot, so caution should be used if your door tends to be slammed a lot! If your door is automatic, one good way to prevent it from touching your car at all is the photocell kit, which can be found in our garage door accessories section. The photocells are placed on either side of your garage opening, either just inside or just outside the frame. They transmit an invisible beam between them, and if this beam is broken, the garage door will stop moving downwards until it has been manually overridden. If you can place these photocells so that they’ll catch your vehicle at the correct height, then you won’t have to worry about dents.

Overcrowding Your Garage Space

Having too much stuff stored within the garage is something that most garage owners and users will be familiar with. Garages, whilst not being truly ‘livable’ rooms of the home, tend to become a dumping ground for anything which doesn’t fit, is no longer used, or simply ‘doesn’t go’ with the house. Having some garage clutter is obviously not a problem, but when the stuff overrides the space and you still want to put your car in there, you raise the risk of running something over, or damaging your car. Try to keep your garage area neat and tidy, or at least ensure objects are stacked in boxes or on shelves at the back of the space, in order to keep a safe, open space for your vehicle.

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist.  The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution.  Feel free to contact us any time for help.  Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal!  Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers!  Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!

Why you shouldn’t have windows on your garage door

garage_door_window_panels

Debate has been raging on whether to have or not to have garage door windows. It’s wise to look at the two sides of the coin in a bid to understand which side holds more weight. Read what installing windows could really mean to a garage door.

There are number of factors that suggest not to have windows on your garage door:

  • You can take a look outside without having to open the garage door with the help of garage door windows, while you can have them installed garage door but will surely compromise your privacy. It would not be appropriate for a person concerned about nosy neighbors or even theft in the area to have garage door windows. The disadvantage of garage door windows is that, depending on the size and height of your window, there may not be any privacy offered.
  • Glass is not a very good heat and sound insulator. Therefore, having garage door windows can reduce the heat insulation in your garage. Heat can be lost through the windows which means more energy is consumed to keep the garage adequately heated.
  • Cost is one drawback when considering glass for garage doors. Adding glass can tack on an extra two hundred to five hundred dollars to the total bill.
  • It is advisable for some homeowners to have windows installed on their garage door. For one, you can open them during those warm days and let in fresh air. This way, you can avoid leaving your garage door partially open for ventilation, which can damage it.
  • Home security is another issue to think about. Glass makes it easier for criminals to peak into the garage to see whether or not you are home and if there is anything of value inside.
  • Energy efficiency is usually lower whenever you introduce glass. You can certainly buy insulated glass, but it is rarely as air tight as an insulated garage door without glass.
  • Garage doors with glass also can take more time to produce, adding a few extra days to your order.
  • For repairs, glass is breakable and may require more occasional replacement of panes due to downed tree limbs or stray baseballs.

So if your garage is a big part of the curb appeal of your house, or you want a custom-coordinated look, or you use your garage part-time as a workshop, consider the beauty and light of a garage door with glass. On the other hand, if you have a tight budget or timeline, are concerned about security or heating bills, or don’t want the headache of the occasional broken pane, skip the windows in favor of a solid door for a long lasting investment.

To be safe and lower risks, it is best to hire a professional garage door specialist.  The specialist can determine and address the problems of your garage door and propose a feasible solution.  Feel free to contact us any time for help.  Call Yuval at (215) 805-9209 or visit SecureGarages.com – don’t forget our Awesome Amazon Local Deal!  Garage adjustment, reconditioning + safety inspection. and for another $34 we will replace up to 8 rollers!  Mention Code: Secure4Sure10 to get another 10% off your order!