How to Open your Garage Door when your Power is out

How to Open your Garage Door when your Power is out

When wind storms cause big power outages. This is the most difficult situation  that we face during bad weather if our garage door is closed and suddenly electricity gone . All electronic or automatic garage doors have a bypass that will allow you to open it manually. This becomes necessary when there is a power failure or, for some reason, you lose your remote. The bypass disconnects the door from the powered carriage, but it stays on the track. Once you disconnect it, you can then lift it manually. When the power comes back on or you locate your lost remote, you can lock the bypass and use the door normally again.

So, there are some steps that will help you yo open the garage door when your power is out .

  1. First step :

Place a ladder under the chain that operates the garage door. Locate a red cord hanging from a bracket on the chain. These cords are almost always red, but if there is only one cord and it’s not red, it’s probably the right one. The cord will have a plastic red knob on the end. Most often, the cord is located close to the door.

  1. Second step :

Jerk on the cord using the knob. The cord is hooked onto a small lever. The lever may be tilted at a 15-degree angle or pointing straight down. You will feel that the lever is spring-loaded; pull the cord until the lever locks in the down position. Step down from the ladder.

  1. Third step :

Grab the door with both hands and lift it. If the door will not budge, pull the cord harder until it locks open. If the door is too heavy for you to lift, don’t hurt yourself. Get an assistant to help you lift it.

  1. Fourth step :

Do not let go of the door once it’s off the ground. It is free on the track and it will fall if you let go. Prop the door open using a two-by-four or have someone hold the door open for you while you drive your car in or out. When you’re finished with the door, ease it down by hand.

  1. Fifth step :

Pull down on the cord hard to lock it in place again after the power comes back on or you find your remote. Pull on the cord and watch as the bracket slips back into the chain bracket, locking the door into the powered carriage. Try the remote. If the door won’t open, but the chain is moving, pull on the chain again until the bracket locks. Test and pull the cord again if necessary to lock it .

WARNING :

Never pull the bypass cord if the door is stuck in the open position. The door will come crashing down with enough force to damage anything that gets in its way. So, there are some tips that can help you in bad weather when suddenly power is out hope it will help you. Be safe.

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!

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How to test your Springs to make sure they are Balanced

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The most important things that can be done for your garage door will be periodically check the balance of your respective garage door. This will likely tell you if the door is now ‘heavy’ over time, which can little by little destroy your current opener. It will tell you when there are virtually any obvious scrubbing points inside the door. In any other case, the garage doors opener may just perform overtime and you will not know before the opener stops working!

For the purpose of this exercise it is important to make sure that your garage floor is clear of debris (boxes, cars, lawn-mowers, etc.) around the door itself, allowing you to move freely across the length of the door. We are also assuming that you have an opener attached to your garage door that opens and closes it because if you don’t the only thing that will suffer as a result of a ‘heavy’ door will be your sore back!

When I talk about the garage door being balanced, what I mean is: how well are your springs counterbalancing the weight of the garage door? If they are old and worn-out the door will be heavier than if the springs were working perfectly. The problem with an automatic opener is that it will often times still open and close the door, even though the springs are bad and the door is heavy. This can cause the opener to strain/overwork and some of the plastic parts will strip or break.

That is why it is important to check the balance once per year, so that when the springs do start to go bad- you can have a professional come out and replace them. This will increase the life of your garage door opener.

So, let’s start to make sure that you garage springs are balanced:

  1. Pull the red-handled emergency release cord which should be hanging down 1-2 feet from the closed garage door. This cord will DISCONNECT the garage door from the opener so that we can move it by hand. This is the red cord you would use if you had no power or the opener is malfunctioning and you needed to open the garage door.
  2. Raise and lower the door by hand a few times to see if there is any excess friction (you can usually tell). Listen for any squeaking or squawking, which could indicate that your hinges need to be lubricated (also once per year).N
  3. Next, with the door all the way down, raise it up to until the bottom is up to about knee-high. What we are looking for is the second roller from the top to be in the radius of the track. This is the curved part of the tracks as they transfer from vertical to horizontal. Most of the door’s weight is wanting to come down with gravity, but if the springs are good they will keep the door’s weight from sliding down to the ground.
  4. If the springs are balancing the door, it should hover about knee-high from the ground by itself. It may slide down just a little bit, but not too much. If the door is really heavy or threatens to slam down- you need new springs pronto! Otherwise if your opener is not sensitive enough to stop on its own (the opener’s only way to tell you something is wrong) it will destroy itself trying to open and close your garage door.
  5. Finally, make sure you re-engage your garage door to the opener. If you are not sure how to do this, refer to your opener manual. You can also find a description with pictures (and video coming soon) at my website.

Typically, torsion springs can last anywhere from 5-15 years depending on their quality. Extension springs don’t usually last as long, not to mention most do not have safety cables.

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!

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How to Choose the Best Commercial Garage Door for your Business

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Many business owners worried about the safety of their business. That’s why, commercial garage doors are designed to be hard enough for the everyday beatings that comes with running a business. Experts  believes that selecting a commercial overhead door for your business is not as simple as you think. There are many things you need to think carefully before taking steps in the market. There are many overhead door options are available for you to choose from. But, if you consider below points in your shopping then it will guarantee to give you the best performance.

The first decision will be what type of garage door is the best garage door suited for your business. This will depend on the type of business, the frequency of vehicles going in and out.  Types that are worth considering are:

  • Roll-up Doors: These types are ideal for areas where space is a premium. Since they roll up, these garage doors do not get in the way, and work well in areas where a sectional couldn’t work due to space constraints. g. CLOPAY ROLL-UP SHEET DOOR 160c
  • Sectional Doors: With sectional garage doors, you get beauty along with security and energy efficiency. g. EZIROLL EZI MESH PANEL ALUMINIUM SECTIONAL
  • High Speed Doors: Interior high speed doors are the ideal solution for separating critical interior areas. For the exterior of your building, high performance doors are the ideal solution for lowering energy costs in high-traffic areas. These secure, high speed doors can handle a wide variety of conditions. g. RITEHITE FASTRAX
  • Rolling Steel Doors: These are fast acting doors that can handle around 20 cycles per day of opening and closing. A good feature of these doors is the space they save by coiling up tight above the door. This allows more space inside the facility. Rolling steel doors are great for those in the construction industry because it allows for easy access to machinery and vehicles. g. B&D SERIES 2 COMMERCIAL ROLLING DOOR
  • Insulated Doors: When separating the outside climate from the inside, it is important to get insulated doors. Insulated doors can be rolling or sectional. To ensure your facility stays on top of climate control, getting insulted doors is a great step. If you’re in the food industry or receive shipments of any type of perishable product, insulated doors can ensure that extreme weather conditions don’t get the best of your materials.

E.g. SYSTON SD600 INSULATED SECTIONAL OVERHEAD DOOR

  • Ventilation Doors: If your loading dock or other facilities need good air circulation, opting to put in sliding screen doors is a good choice. This type of commercial garage door adds airflow to your facilities while also keeping unwanted guests such as insects outside where they belong. Sliding ventilation doors are perfect for businesses located it hot or humid climates. g. GAVO SG31 DOOR

Even though, you probably haven’t thought of it, you commercial garage door says a lot about your business. Commercial garage doors are also useful to keep things like equipment, people, climate control, and other important essential elements inside your business and keep things like weather, and other threats to your business outside. Commercial garage doors also protect your assets, money and many other things, and since it’s probably best to keep those outside as well.

The stylish design and highest quality you and your business deserve. So, don’t compromise with it and do not also take any chance with your business safety. Pick the one that extend the life of your commercial garage door and avoid pricey issues that may occur without proper precautions.

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!

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How to Fix your Garage Door Sensors if the Door Keeps Opening by Itself

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Garage door sensors are safety devices that prevent the door from closing on people, pets or objects in the doorway. The sensors are located above the floor at each side of the door opening and generate a low-voltage beam that completes the electrical circuit when the door is activated. Garage doors may display a variety of symptoms when the sensors need attention. In most cases you can troubleshoot the system and correct the cause of problems. Before you begin, make sure the electrical cord from the opener is plugged in and the electrical circuit is active.

If your door won’t close, it is likely that something is either covering one side of the sensor unit or has caused one side or the other to move off-center. In either case, the light beam cannot travel cleanly and in a straight line from the transmitter to the receiver. Below are some basic steps through which you can fix garage door sensors on your own.

  • Remove any debris, dust or cobwebs from the electric-eye lenses on each sensor with a clean rag. Cycle the garage door through the opening and closing actions using the control on the garage wall or the remote unit from a vehicle. If the door does not close completely without hesitation, proceed with adjusting the sensors.
  • Loosen the small nuts that hold each sensor to the L-brackets with a small adjustable wrench. Loosen the nuts just enough so the sensors remain facing each other and can be moved by hand.
  • Adjust each sensor in small increment by hand until the green or red power-indicator lights on each are illuminated. This indicates the electric eyes are aligned and the circuit is complete. Tighten the nuts on each sensor.
  • Cycle the garage door open and closed as before. If it does not close completely and without hesitation, proceed to troubleshoot the electrical circuit.
  • Raise the garage door using the control button on the garage wall or the remote control unit from a vehicle. Inspect each sensor to make sure the green or red power-indicator lights are illuminated.
  • Stand a stepladder at the area of the garage door opener unit. Unplug the power cord from the outlet at the ceiling. Remove the cover at the back of the unit. Identify the connection terminals where the ends of the low-voltage senor wires attach. Reattach a loose wire to the appropriate terminal. Tighten the terminal screw with a small screwdriver. Plug in the power cord and observe the lights on the sensors. If both lights are not illuminated, proceed to the next step.
  • Inspect the double-strand insulated low-voltage wires from each sensor to the back of the garage door opener. Use the stepladder to inspect the wires near the upper part of a wall and at the ceiling. If no damage is noted, one or both sensors must be replaced. Proceed to the following steps if any wires are bare, burned or broken in one or more places.
  • Loosen the terminal screws that connect the faulty wires at the back of the overhead unit. Start at the ceiling and pull the wires out of the insulated fasteners at the ceiling, walls and along the side of the door opening to the sensor. Disconnect the ends of the wires from the terminals on the sensor.
  • Determine the length of a replacement wire using the faulty wire. Cut a piece of new double-strand insulated low-voltage wire to length with electrical pliers. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the both strands at one end. Attach the ends to the appropriate terminals on the sensor.
  • Start just above the sensor. Feed the opposite end of the wire through the fasteners at the side of the door, the wall and the ceiling. Strip the ends of the wires as before. Connect the wires to the appropriate terminals and tighten the screws. Plug in the power cord to the opener unit.

Contact a professional if troubleshooting or wire replacement does not correct problems with the door closing properly. Do not work on electrical or low-voltage circuits unless the power cord is unplugged or the appropriate breaker is turned off at the electrical panel.

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!

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How to Measure Your Torsion Spring When it Breaks to Replace it

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If you have a broken garage door torsion spring, and you are considering replacing it don’t worry we’ll guide you through.

What is the torsion spring? It is a device that lifts most of the weight of the garage door when using the electric opener. Torsion springs are wound up on a rod, and are for heavier doors, and there are typically one or two along the wall above the door. Don’t confuse the torsion spring with the extension spring, which is often used on lighter weight doors, one either side of the track.

When you are replacing one torsion spring, it’s a good idea to replace the other one as well, since the strength of the new one will almost certainly take out what’s left of the old one, and it’s much easier to do both at once than one at a time.

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Measuring the old spring and ordering the correct spring to replace it. If you have one broken spring and one still working, measure the broken one, since a spring under tension will not measure correctly. If possible, try to find out the correct spring size from the manufacturer. If that isn’t possible, you will need to measure it yourself. You can find tables of standard spring sizes online, so once you measure, you can check your measurements to the table data. In order to order new springs, you will need to measure (as accurately as possible) your current spring(s).

Here is what you will need to measure, in inches:

  1. Wire size
  2. Inside diameter (90% of doors have a 2.0″ inside diameter)
  3. Spring length (how long each spring is)
  4. Spring orientation if ordering just one spring (left wound or right wound)

How to Measure for Wire Size

The only way to measure this accurately is to measure 10, 20, 30, and 40 coils and find a match on this chart. It is okay to round if you are very close. Wire size is the most important measurement. This determines the strength of the spring. It is not recommended to manipulate this to try and get a longer life or stronger spring.

 How to Measure for Inside Diameter

It is very likely that, like 90% of Americans, you have a 2.00″ inside diameter. Please double check by measuring just the inside (interior) diameter of the spring. You can measure this while it’s still attached.

How to Measure for Spring Length

Spring length is the most flexible measurement, but you should do your best to be within 1-2 inches. The spring length may change slightly after years of use, weather, etc.

How to Determine Winding Orientation (left-wound or right-wound)

A general rule is that if the spring is marked with RED paint, then it is RIGHT wound. Furthermore, if the spring is on the left side when looking from within the garage, it is RIGHT wound. If you have a 2-spring system, you should replace both springs and you can skip this step.

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The easiest place to find the new springs is to look for Garage Door Torsion Springs on Amazon.

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!

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How to know when a Garage Repairman is Giving you a Good Deal

 

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Choosing a local garage door professional to service, repair or install your garage door is little different than hiring any other home improvement contractor: Make sure they have good reviews, check licenses and insurance, and ensure you read the contract thoroughly before you agree to any work.

One aspect of hiring a garage door professional that differs, however, is emergency service. If you need after-hours or weekend service for a damaged or malfunctioning garage door or opener, be sure to ask your garage door contractor upfront about emergency service call fees, which can cost hundreds more than regular services. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, you may save significant money by scheduling garage door repairs and services during normal business hours.

Cost vs. Value

When replacing a garage door or getting it fixed, most homeowners are cost-conscious (i.e. they’re worried about the upfront cost of materials and labor). This focus on price is understandable. After all, garage door replacements are usually an unexpected expense. One day the door is working fine, and the next day, it isn’t. However, as with most home improvement projects, you should be value-conscious.

Be prepared to pay a little extra for quality and experience. The higher price is well worth the added expense, since a properly installed garage door essentially pays for itself. According to experts, the average return-on-investment (ROI) of an upgraded garage door is a whopping 83.7 percent. But the true returns don’t stop there:

Given their size and exposure to the elements, garages often result in excessive heating charges in the winter and exorbitant cooling expenses in the summertime. By installing an insulated door, you can dramatically cut down on your monthly utility bill, helping to speed up the payback period of your investment. Garages also represent a major security risk. A well-fortified garage door can reduce the likelihood of theft.

Getting a Good Deal by a Garage Door Repairman

So value (and not price) should be your primary focus. Fair enough. But how much should you actually budget when replacing a standard residential garage door or getting it repaired?

Costs vary considerably. The exact price depends on any number of factors, including:

Materials: Garage doors come in all shapes and sizes, using a wide range of different materials. A basic, un-insulated steel door costs less than a higher-end, custom wood door.

Labor: It’s possible to replace a garage door on your own (as a weekend project). However, DIY garage door replacements often end up costing more in the long run. You’re almost always better off hiring a professional to complete the job. Ask about what warranties are available.

Location: Prices also vary by region. This makes a lot of sense given the major differences in architectural styles and climate that exist throughout the country. A typical home in Vermont has very different requirements than a stucco home in Arizona. To get a better idea of pricing ranges according to the place you live in search online and save money by comparing different deals.

The best deal from a door repairman would be the Value he delivers, because Value is more important than cost. But if you’re still worried about budget, the best tip of all is to keep your garage door in optimal condition for as long as possible. In addition to the annual maintenance tips, you can also conduct an annual DIY checklist. At the first sign of trouble, you may be able to make minor fixes on your own before the problem requires a professional garage door expert.

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!

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The Best Brands for your Automatic Garage Door Opener

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The best garage door opener is the one you install and then never think about again. After that, it fades into the background of your life, offering years and years of hassle-free service. Here are the criteria we used to rank the best garage door openers:

  1. Chamberlain Premium MyQ 1/2 HP

Chamberlain’s Premium MyQ 1/2 HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener is an all-purpose garage door opener. It has an industrial-strength chain for long-lasting performance. It includes two visor remotes and a keypad – perfect for the family on the go. It is enhanced with MyQ technology thus allowing you (with purchase of additional accessories) to monitor, control and receive alert notifications for your garage door opener and household lights from anywhere in the world via the MyQ Application. Features a 1/2 HP motor for easy lifting of heavy doors Chain drive system opens garage doors smoothly and quietly. Patented security plus 2.0 rolling code technologies along with multi-frequency transmitters help eliminate interference, providing consistent performance over a long range. Home link compatible – the in-vehicle remote control system (may require an external adapter depending on the make, model and year of your vehicle). Allows for up to 200-Watt of lighting and is CFL compatible

  1. Chamberlain WD832KEV Ultra Quiet and Strong 1/2 HP

We have ranked WD832KEV Ultra Quiet and Strong 1/2 HP Belt Drive garage door opener is durable and noiseless product. The attractive hardware, coupled with the smart security system makes it second in our list. If you forget to shut your garage door, it will automatically shut it using its feature ‘Time to Closure’ that allows you to shut the door after 5 or 10 minutes. This high performance door even does not produce any noise while the door is being opened or shut. Power saving, and battery support are not the mere highlighting features of the product, but there is another eye-popping feature as well. You can operate your garage door even with your smartphone.

  1. 8550 LiftMaster Elite Series® Wall Mount

8550 LiftMaster Elite Series Wall Mount Garage Door Opener is second in our list of the top 5 best garage door openers as per our garage door opener reviews. This garage door opener ensures safety and security as well as a greater level of ease for the user. It is a smart garage door opener, which constantly monitors the atmospheric conditions, and the height of the garage door and the amount of force required to lift or shut the garage door. It provides the variant force feature that helps enables your garage door opener to adjust the speed of opening / shutting the door at different level of garage door position. Its battery timing and power consumption is also superbly user-friendly and economical. It also uses the highly encrypted codes to open and shut the door that change each time the door is opened or shut. The door can be handled manually if the power is off. It also provides lifetime motor warranty and 5 year warranty of the product parts.

  1. Craftsman 3/4 hp Chain Drive

The Craftsman Keyless Garage Door Opener Lifts Fast and Locks Tight More powerful than most, the Craftsman 3/4 HP Garage Door Opener was built to make short work of heavy doors with a smooth cranking action that’s quiet and reliable. An extra 1/4 horse of muscle raises your garage door 25 percent faster than traditional motors, so whether you’re in a hurry or trying the keep the cold out in the winter, this opener operates quickly to get you in and out of the garage without wasting time. With a pair of Security+® remotes and a handy keyless entry pad included, this powerful opener delivers a level of convenience, that even if you lose your keys, will open for you every time. And if you’re worried about thieves, don’t be. Its main features are Craftsman 3/4 HP Garage Door Opener features a rugged chain drive for smooth, dependable operation. Security+® anti-burglary coding. Keyless entry so there’s no need to fumble for keys or a remote control. Motion-detecting control console automatically turns the opener lights on when you enter the garage. Homelink compatible – open/close door from vehicles that have the built-in visor remote for convenience.

  1. Chamberlain WD962KEV Whisper Drive

Chamberlain’s another great product ranks third in our top 5 the best garage door opener. Chamberlain WD962KEV Whisper Drive garage door opener at the top, because it has everything that you can expect from a garage door opener including the beauty of the design. It is well trusted because of superb, durable and attractive hardware design. Furthermore, it comes up with 2 remote controls instead of 1, it has a large button which you can hit even holding many bags in your hands. It scores 10 out of 10 star rating in security and safety category as well. It uses codes to command the system to open and shut the door that are different each time a command is sent, so it is quite safe from the code hackers. In addition to this, this garage door offers manual control access that can the remote control access if you lose your remote control.

  1. Sommer 3/4 hp Direct Drive

Direct Drive offers Europe’s leading innovative technology – made in Germany. Lifetime warranty on the entire unit and 2-year warranty on all accessories. Rail length for up to 8′ tall garage doors with standard radius, no additional extension kit required. Ideal for garages with adjacent living spaces, it is considered the quietest opener on the market. The motor glides silently along a stationary chain embedded in a sturdy steel rail – no maintenance or lubrication required. Direct Drive 3/4 HP provides maximum lifting force that is strong and durable like a chain drive. Safety sensors and sensitive obstacle detection ensure the highest level of safety. Easy assembly and installation, quick rail assembly kit.

  1. Direct Drive 1042V001 3/4 HP

The garage door opener technology is at its peak when it comes to the Direct Drive 1042V 001 ¾ HP garage door opener. This superb appliance gives you much more than you can imagine to have out of a garage door opener at an affordable price. It is the only of its kind, as it does not belong to the conventional garage door openers family. Unlike to the belt, screw, and chain drive garage door openers, it has only 1 moving part operated by the motor. It is durable, quiet, and really very strong. However, you shall require the services of professional for installing this unique garage door opener. Not only for the garage, but you can also use it for your home doors as well. The things are not confined to the above mentioned features only. Direct Drive 1042V 001 ¾ HP garage door opener comes up with lifetime warranty and offers battery timing of up to 30000 hours.

  1. Genie QuietLift 800

The Genie Company QuietLift 800 1/2 HPc* Power Plus DC Motor Belt Drive Garage Door Opener is ideal for installation in attached garages with adjacent living spaces as it delivers a quiet and smooth operation. Features a 1/2 hp comparable*, Power Plus DC motor for easy lifting of sectional doors up to 350 lbs. in weight. Opening/closing speed smooth and powerful at up to 7 in. per second. Accessories included: two 3-button remotes, multi-function wall console, wireless  keypad. 3-Piece rail assembly and factory-assembled belt for added strength and quick installation. Safe-T-Beam sensor helps reduce the risk of accidents; stops and reverses door when beam detects objects in door way. Manual release handle for unpowered doors due to loss of electricity or operational issues. 2 bulb lighting system for added convenience and security; accommodates 60-Watt bulbs (not included). Electronic limit settings position the door for a full opening and tight close. But a German thing is defiantly a good made!

  1. Chamberlain PD752D 3/4-Horsepower HP Chain Drive

This low priced, but competitive garage door opener is perfect for any type of garage door and therefore it has been ranked 5th in our list of top 5 best garage door openers. The amazing combination of price, quality and performance, Chamberlain PD752D garage door opener has proved it is worthy of the 4.6 / 5 star rating on Amazon. You are not supposed to hire the services of any professional to get it installed alongside your garage door, because it is fast and easy to install. Its smart security system protects user from accidental closures, and break-ins and theft. While closing the door it transmits invisible light beams to the floor. If anything is in the way the door itself reverse back to avoid damage. As per the garage door opener reviews, this product is more reliable than any other present in the market. Therefore, its 1 year limited parts warranty and limited lifetime motor warranty are quite sufficient for the users’ satisfaction.

  1. Decko 24300 3/4 HP Heavy Duty Reduced Noise Chain Drive

Decko garage door opener is one of the best chain garage door openers available in the market today. It’s a huge improvement over earlier chain drive openers that shook houses and squealed. This one is not the quietest chain drive opener, yet it’s relatively pretty quiet and has smooth operation. The reviews rave about breezy installation and excellent customer support from Decko. The opener has a very powerful chain system with 3/4 HP which makes it ideal for heavy door lifting.  The garage door opener has wireless keyless entry, optical safety sensors, button remotes as well as reverse safety sensors that can reverse the action if the garage door encounters an obstacle when it is closing the door. The system is also compatible with Home Link. Main features are   Easy installation featuring non-polarized wiring making installing the wiring error free. Can handle garage doors 7 feet tall and 18 feet wide. 8 foot extension is available to accommodate larger doors. Need to be bought extra. Auto reverse safety system. Optical sensors.

So this sums up our list of top ten Garage Door Openers. Do let us now if we missed any garage door openers.  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!

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Basic Garage Door Problems and Quick Fixes

Another happy customer.  We removed his old door and we installed a brand new door Model 4050 Clopay!

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New garage doors work like a charm. Yet, every year we find a few more situations that even surprise us due to aging garage door parts. While there are times that you need to call for help, many problems simply require knowing what’s wrong to fix the problem yourself. To help you troubleshoot the common garage door issues, here are the top 10 reasons your garage door won’t work.

  1. Transmitter Batteries
    It may sound cliché, but people still forget or fail to realize that the transmitter requires power to work. And this can sometimes include the transmitter on the wall in your garage too. You should also realize that if the battery goes in one place, it may have run out in others at the same time because you probably installed them on the same day.
  1. Your Photo Eye is out of Alignment
    On either side of your garage door are photo eyes. Between the two eyes is an invisible beam that when broken, prevents the door from closing. If your door won’t close, check to make sure these photo eyes are not misaligned or dirty. If they are, here’s a guide for cleaning and inspecting a garage door photo eye. 
  1. Track is out of Alignment
    If you’re garage door track is out of alignment, it can be a serious issue. The metal track that your door runs on needs to be aligned properly for the door to move. If you see gaps between the rollers and rail or bends in the rails themselves you have a problem. The weight for the door can compound these issues over time until it becomes dangerous to operate your door so call for help. 
  1. Garage Door Opens/Closes Randomly
    If you discover your door opening or closing at random times, even when you are not home, it can be a little disturbing. The first thing to check is your transmitters. Make sure they are not stuck under something that can inadvertently depress the control mechanism. For example, they could be under a pile of papers on your car seat or in the dog house. You may also want to test your transmitter’s frequency. It is possible that a neighbor has the same frequency and is opening your garage along with their own. 
  1. Garage Door Closes Part Way, Then Opens Again
    Garage doors are designed with a reversing mechanism that prevent them from crushing objects in their path. This can be triggered by objects on the ground blocking their path such as garbage cans or toys, but could be caused by a buildup of debris on the tracks that prevents the rollers from moving forward. This could include small items like coat hangers, mud or gum. (Testing Reversing Mechanism of Your Garage Door).
  2. Door Won’t Go Up
    Garage doors can be very heavy and despite what most people think, it is not the garage door opener that does the heavy lifting, but rather the springs of the door. Doors come with one or two torsion springs. If either spring is broken, the garage door opener may struggle to lift the weight of the door or fail to open the door at all. If the spring is broken, call a professional for service as these can be very dangerous to work with. 
  1. Door Goes Down All the Way, Then Opens Again
    If this happens, the most likely culprit are the open and close limit settings of your garage door opener. This range tells the garage door opener how far the door should move before it is fully closed. If your settings are too high, the door will hit the ground before the opener thinks it should and assume the door is hitting something in its path. It will then automatically reverse to prevent crushing it. Check your operator’s manual for how to set the open and close limits. 
  1. Automatic Garage Door Opener Runs but Door Doesn’t Move
    Every garage door opener comes with a disconnect switch in case the power fails to allow you to open or close the door manually. This switch is usually attached to a rope or knob that can be accidentally unhooked. Close or open the door all the way and then reattached this hook secure. Then try opening or closing the door again with your transmitter. 
  1. Automatic Garage Door Opener Runs for a Few Seconds then Turns Off but Door Doesn’t Move
    This normally happens when the door is closed and the motor is trying to lift the door and it won’t move. First check the springs (see #6 above) and if that isn’t the problem check the track for obstacles (see #5 above). If neither of these issues exists, check to make sure your garage door doesn’t have a built in lock that has been engaged directly. These are very common in older doors and can be easily engaged by accident. 
  1. The Garage Door Closes Very Quickly, Often With a Bang
    There are two possibilities here. The first is a broken tension spring that should be countering the weight of the door and the second is broken cables connecting the tension spring on some doors. In either case, you should have a garage door profession service your door as these can be dangerous components to work with.

Hopefully these DIY problem cures would have helped you, if unfortunately not then don’t waste time and contact professional garage door service.  Don’t forget to call us at (215) 805-9209 for fast and affordable service or visit www.securegarages.com

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16 Helpful Tips and Tricks for Garage Repair

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Electric garage doors are a great convenience — until, of course, they break. The bad news: a dozen things could be to blame. The good news: many are easy to fix yourself. No surprise that they often need attention. They also have the most moving parts. Parts can wear out or break, things can get out of alignment. All it takes is one item that is not working and the whole door can be rendered useless.

The garage door springs do the heavy lifting. When the door is down they are stretched. When you lift the door, the springs recoil and lift the weight of the door for you. The door follows tracks and uses rollers to stay in place. The moving parts need to be lubricated and the tracks need to stay in alignment. There are also hinges that hold the panels together. If any of these items fail, you will need to make an overhead garage door repair. You can get the know-how, to repair garage doors without too much difficulty.

Here are a few tips and tricks:

  • Check plug See if the opener’s cord is plugged into a working outlet. Of course it’s a ‘duh’ — but it’s also the most common reason electric garage doors don’t open.
  • See if lock is on now check the second most-common stupid reason that an electric garage door won’t open—the owner inadvertently activated the ‘lock’ feature. Many people aren’t even aware of this feature—consult your owner’s manual.
  • Turn off and on Try unplugging the garage door opener and then plugging it in again; this sometimes does the trick by resetting the sensors.
  • Try new batteries See if dead batteries in your remote control opener are the problem.
  • With a garage door opener, you have no lifting at all, just push a button. It does not eliminate the need for springs. It has moving parts and is also an electrical device. A garage door opener is one of those things that can have some simple problems that cause it not to work.
  • Reprogram the remote if the batteries are fine, the remote might have become deprogrammed. Consult your manual for instructions on resetting it.
  • Check beam next, make sure the beam sensor is plugged in. Clean the sensor clean the sensor’s eyes—usually located in front of the on/off button—with a wet cloth. When these eyes get dusty, it can block the signal that turns on the motor. Cleaning the sensor every season can reduce problems.
  • Check the chain next, check to see if the chain is broken or loose. Unfortunately, if it needs to be tightened or replaced, you’ll need to contact an electrician.
  • Verify that your garage door springs are in working order.In order to check the spring tension, roll down the main gate and release the emergency pull. This allows manual operation of the door.  When the door is raised by hand, does it feel heavy, or come back down again instead of staying open?  If so, we recommend that you get a spring replacement ASAP.
  • Keep all parts lubricated. Keeping your system well-oiled is vital to its life expectancy. Ensure that you oil not only the rollers, but the track, springs, and pulleys as well.
  • Ensure that all fasteners are tight. Verify that all nuts and bolts are tight, being careful not to strip or over tighten them in the process.
  • When the door is out of alignment it can bind and not work correctly. Adjusting the garage door may be an inexpensive solution to your problem. Before you call the repairman, find out if an adjustment is all you need. Find out what you can to adjust the door without doing a complete overhaul.
  • The garage door rollers allow the door to move up and down in the track. They can break or seize up. You can either lubricate them or replace them as needed. Replacing them is not that hard, they are less than five dollars. Ten minutes and you’re done.
  • The garage door hinges are used to allow the door panels to move independently of each other. On the sides of the door, they have a sleeve for the rollers built into them. Hinges can rust, seize up or break. This is also an inexpensive and simple repair.
  • Open manually if none of your quick fixes have worked, pull the red release cord to free the door so that it can be opened and closed manually. Consult your owner’s manual — older systems may not have a red release cord.
  • Get help Operate your door by hand until you can have the unit fixed. Contact either an electrician or the service department of the store where you bought your unit.

Hopefully these tips and tricks help you with your garage!