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Must-Learn Tips to Open Your Garage Door Without Power

opened garage door

Going home to a malfunctioning garage door can be disappointing. Whether it’s a run-down battery in the remote or a power outage, you should understand how to open and close your overhead door manually.

Learning the right procedure to open your garage door without power will be a significant help. To open it successfully on your own, you will have to recognize the usual causes, typical series of steps, and safety pointers.

Here are the Steps to Open Your Garage Door Without Power

1. Ensure all the springs, cables, and the rest of your garage door system are unbroken.

If the door is already harmed, you might end up impairing it more during the procedure. A broken spring or cable could harm you as well. Once you find any garage door issues, it will be best to contact a specialist for a garage door service and repairs.

2. Ensure your garage door is in the down position or fully closed before trying to disconnect the door opener from the garage door.

Trying to disconnect the opener during the time that your door is in the open position is immensely hazardous and not recommended. If the spring is impaired or not well balanced, letting go of the opener could lead to the garage door shutting with a crash to the ground. It could cause a lot of damage and bodily injury.

3. When you have checked and confirmed there are no issues that need professional repair, you will want to locate the emergency release cord.

This cord has a red handle and will hang from the heart of the overhead door mechanism. If you do not see a red cord, but notice a cord hanging from the heart of the door mechanism, it is possibly the emergency cord. You may use a ladder to get to it.

4. Pull the emergency release cord until the lever goes into a down position.

This process will cause the lever to disconnect from the door opener carriage. Once you released the lever, you can now lift the garage door without any electricity. Move the door up until it’s back to its end. Ensure it’s fully open to avoid having it fall on your car or yourself.

5. If you cannot easily lift the garage door from the floor, you will have to consult a professional.

Have them inspect the door to see if there are any broken parts. A smooth opening shows that the springs are properly balanced, and you can be sure you are not impairing your garage door by opening it without power.

6. Once the door is totally open, you can drive your car into the garage.

Then, you can close the garage door the way you wide-opened it. Push the lever upward and pull the cord towards the garage door motor until you hear a loud mechanism click to reengage the carriage and have your door work electrically again.

More Tips to Cautiously Open Your Overhead Door Manually

Aside from the above-mentioned steps, you may also do the following precautions to ensure safety while manually opening the garage door:

1. Before opening the door on your own, disconnect the power cord from your garage door first even if there’s a power outage.

2. Never attempt to move manually an impaired garage door. Call a professional in this case.

3. Read the owner’s manual to acquire some crucial information about lifting your garage door manually.

4. Never repair broken cables or springs on your own. It’s highly risky.

Need a Professional Assistance? Call Inland Overhead Door

It is indeed frustrating to see your overhead door malfunctioning due to several reasons. If you notice your overhead door is malfunctioning and you are unsure of the exact cause, consult Inland Overhead Door Company at once.

We assure you that our team of overhead door specialists can handle all garage door issues you have. Our services are available even in emergencies, 24/7.

Any questions about our services? Feel free to call us today.

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Check Out the 10 Parts of a Garage Door

garage door

Garage doors are a necessary part of your property. Aside from the convenience they can give, they are an important part of your property’s security. They make your property and possessions safe and protected.

In addition, part of having a good relationship with your garage door is knowing and understanding its parts. This will give you more years of faithful and quality service from your door.

Learn the parts of a garage door so you can easily point out the issue and extend its life. Please read the article below and be familiar with the parts of the whole system.

Why You Need to Know the Garage Door Parts

  • You will be able to better spot worn-out and defective hardware.
  • To understand when you will need door repairs, maintenance, or replacement.
  • You will be able to communicate more completely and effectively with garage door specialists or professionals.

Parts of a Garage Door System: Get to Know Them

A garage door is made up of several different components that are interconnected to perform essential functions. In addition, these components or parts help your door to work well.

Familiarize yourself with the parts of a garage door by reading below. Once you know the different parts and functions, you can understand the whole system.

1. Automatic Door Opener

The operator on your opener is a box that is mounted to your garage ceiling. It has pulleys that lift and lower your garage door. This requires electricity and has a logic board to operate. In addition, the opener is any remote or button that gives a signal to open the door of your garage.

2. Door Tracks & Rollers

The garage door rollers and tracks set the path and keep the door from crashing or lurching in another direction. The rollers are small wheels set up along the two sides of the door. As the door opens and closes, the tracks help the rollers to keep the movement of the door straight and down.

Moreover, they are essential parts and serve as a safety feature. If the garage door comes off the track, it will not be able to open.

3. Garage Door Torsion Springs

The springs that are usually placed at the top of the opening make it moves easily. They keep the garage door balanced and help the rollers glide easily on the tracks.

4. Cables

The cables assist your door in moving up and down without difficulty since these cables are located on both sides of the door. They will also help in the safe operation of the springs and prevent possible injury once they break.

5. Drums

The drums are pulley wheels that are fastened to the tube shaft ends. They will rotate once energy is released from the springs. And because the top cable is connected to the drum, it will make the cable roll up and eventually lift the door.

6. Tube Shaft

Another important component is a bar inside the door frame which runs above the door and holds the springs in position. This part helps the springs to function well and prevents your door from being damaged during operation.

7. Photo Eye Sensors

Since garage doors are heavy and quite large, they can cause accidents if not monitored properly. That’s one main reason why these types of doors come with safety sensors that are located at the bottom of the opening, one on each side. When something or someone is blocking one of the sensors, it will halt the door from opening or closing.

8. Hinges and Brackets

To keep the mechanism of the door connected, hinges and brackets play a part. Hinges are usually placed in the middle of the door itself. Since the door has different panels, hinges will help the door to fold when it opens. Furthermore, brackets which are metal parts keep the rollers and cables attached to the sides of your garage door.

9. Emergency Cord

The emergency cord is another safety part of your door. It is usually a rope that hangs from the door operator or trolley with a red tag or handles at the base. This feature disconnects the carriage from the trolley so the door will just slide along the railing. Moreover, this will also allow you to easily lift the door manually and walk up to it without worries.

10. Door Seals

Garage doors come with weather seals that are found along the sides of the opening and the bottom as well. These seals link small gaps between the walls and the door and serve as insulators of your garage from the outside.

Professional Garage Door Installation and Maintenance

Whether you need a new garage door or just replacement parts, Inland Overhead Door Company got you covered. We also offer garage door repair and maintenance services to make sure that your doors function well.

You can contact us around the clock and our team will be happy to assist you.

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9 Tips On How To Adjust A Garage Door

garage door tracks

A garage door is quite essential and so convenient, be it automatic or manual. However, if you cannot maintain your door and its components, issues might arise. If ever this happens, maybe you just need to adjust the garage door to properly function. Though some are pretty easy to solve, others may need the help of an expert.

Knowing how to adjust a garage door is crucial especially when some issues strike. Trying to solve it yourself first will spare you from spending bucks on repairs! So please read the full article below should your garage door stop functioning.

How To Adjust A Garage Door

  • Prepare your safety paraphernalia such as safety glasses, thick gloves, and a hard hat. Other tools that you may need are a C-clamp, adjustable wrench, ladder, rag, moistened cloth or old toothbrush, and a sweeping brush.

1) Check and assess your door’s situation.

  • You need to know first what’s causing the problem. This will help you identify the appropriate solution for your garage door.
  • Issues might be the tracks, springs, or cables.
  • You may begin examining the garage door tracks first. Problems arise if they aren’t aligned correctly or if they are dusty or dirty. Then move to the next step, otherwise move to the 3rd step.

2) It’s time to fix if there are any damaged tracks.

  • For dirty tracks, sweep then clean with a moistened cloth. You may also use an old toothbrush to scrub the grime from the tracks.
  • Wipe the track with a dry rag if it is not that dirty.
  • After cleaning, try to open and close your door to see if it will operate smoothly.
  • For warped tracks, replacement is necessary.

3) Check what type of spring your door has.

  • Check the springs if the tracks seem fine. The two types are torsion and extension (side-mounted) springs.
  • For bigger doors (with a width of more than 10 feet), torsion springs are widely used. The springs are located over the door and along the shaft and parallel together with the upper door rim.
  • For safety reasons, it’s best to call a garage door specialist especially if you have torsion springs. It can be very risky if you get it wrong.
  • The extension springs are positioned above the track on each side of the garage door to run parallel to the track. Moreover, they are attached to a pulley and are held in place by a cable.

4) Identify the adjustment you need to make to the spring tension.

  • The kind of adjustment you’ll make to your springs will depend on your door’s action.
  • If the garage door isn’t closing all the way or if it’s opening too fast, try decreasing the spring tension.
  • The door is not closing evenly, try adjusting the spring tension on the side wherein you can see a gap.
  • If the door is not easy to open or if it closes too fast, increases the tension.

5.)  Prepare your workstation.

  • Open the door of your garage as far as it will go before it’s halted by the stop bolt or stop tab.
  • For automatic doors, you need to disconnect them first from the opener.
  • Shut off the power to your door. Then pull the cord positioned on the backdown and backward to maintain the spring locked open. This will remove tension on your springs and will allow you to open your garage door all the way.
  • Don your safety gear such as safety glasses, hard hat, and gloves.
  • Put the C-clamp under the roller located at the bottom of the door.
  • You can also use locking pliers and put one under each of the rollers at the bottom.
  • Make sure that your door is held securely in place while working.

6.) Adjust the tension on your garage door springs.

  • Once secured, remove the spring hook that is attached to the track hanger. Make sure that there is no tension in the springs before doing anything.
  • Prepare the ladder and loosen the screws or the nut using an adjustable wrench.
  • This will now allow you to move the spring hook to a different position of the hole on the track hanger.
  • The movement of the hook changes the tension in your door’s springs. If you move the spring to a lower hole, it will decrease the tension. Moving it to a higher hole increases the tension.
  • As mentioned in step 4, if the door closes too fast or is not easy to open, move the hook up one hole. If the door is not easy to shut or closes too quickly, try moving the hook down one hole. Then change the nut and use the wrench to tighten it.

If it’s closing evenly, you can make changes to the door springs on both sides. If only one side of the door has a gap, only adjust that spring.

  • For your safety, be steady and slow in handling the hook and avoid moving it more than one hole at a time.

7.) Check the adjustments you made to your garage door.

  • You can now detach the clamp from the roller. Then lower the door.
  • If the adjustment hasn’t fixed the issue, repeat steps 5 & 6. Make sure you re-clamp the door before moving the hook again. Remember: move it up or down one hole at a time only.

8.) Adjust your door’s spring tension.

  • If lowering or raising the spring hook doesn’t get the appropriate tension, make better adjustments. You can calibrate the cable that is located inside the springs.
  • In adjusting the cable, adjust the knot or clamp attaching the cable to the track or hook. If you want to augment the tension, make the cable shorter. Making it long will reduce the tension.
  • Take off the clamp. Try to test the door again and continue fine-tuning the cable inside the spring.

9.) Once it’s set, you may use your door again.

  • Remove the clamp or locking pliers than pull the emergency cord. This will release the spring and reattach the door to the opener.
  • For an automatic garage door opener, try switching the power back on. The spring tension usually affects the motor. If it’s too tight, more power is needed to shut the door. Furthermore, looser springs mean less power is needed to raise the garage door.

Time to Fix Your Garage Door. Our Team is Willing to Help!

Having regular maintenance will prevent you from having expensive repairs. After doing your part and your garage door is still facing some issues, safer to call in a garage door professional.

Overhead Door Company of the Inland Empire has a team of experienced technicians who can assess well, make adjustments, and do major garage door repairs. Please contact us today.

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Learn More About Garage Door Flood Vents

Learn More About Garage Door Flood Vents

Flooding and the use of garage door flood vents are two essential topics that need proper discussion if you own a commercial property. You may desire to scrutinize your flood policy if you have flood insurance and your place is in a flood area. Expect water damage to your property during severe storms and violent flooding. Thus, updating your flood insurance and elevation certificate, and placing Engineered ICC Flood Rated Vents could be more efficient to protect your property throughout a flooding incident.

Know What A Flood Vent Is

FEMA-compliant and ICC-ES Certified Engineered Flood Vents safeguard homes and buildings throughout floods by inhibiting hydrostatic pressure accumulation. This can knock down walls and foundations. The mitigation method known as Wet Floodproofing lets floodwater flow openly through a crawlspace or garage.

What are the Types of Flood Vents?

Flood vents that are constructed out of marine grade stainless steel (T316L Stainless Steel) are able to stand up to usage in severe marine and chemical environments.

1. Engineered Flood Vents:

  •  ICC-ES certified
  • Have attained the needed regulations, design guidelines, and performance standards
  • Have been proven as flood vents and have a flood coverage rating depending on the performance

2. Non-Engineered Flood Vents:

  • Not appropriate as flood vents
  • Have not undergone any of the needed tests to certify as an engineered flood vent
  • Only act as an air vent

Garage Door Insulated Flood Vents

Application

The overhead garage door models are designed for typical overhead doors and other entry doors that close and open daily. A built-in CAM system permits the garage door to function as usual, while the flood vent remains locked. Owners use this sequence for a garage where flood protection is necessary, but do not want an air ventilation system.

Flood Protection

The door vent stays fastened closed until it encounters flood water. Entering water raises the internal floats which unfasten and let the door turn around open. This system permits the floodwater to enter and exit through the opening, alleviating the pressure from the foundation walls. Validated flood debris clearance is shown with a 3″ diameter vent when the flood door is triggered.

Insulation

The garage door vent contains a 2″ insulated core with an R-value of 8.34. Also, it has a weather stripping that lines the whole door vent frame. It helps keep the garage cool and the door vent insulated.

Contact Inland Overhead Door

Indeed, installing garage door flood vents is crucial to prevent much damage to your property during severe flooding. If you have further questions in mind about garage door flood vents or you have other overhead door issues that you cannot solve on your own, do not hesitate to get in touch with Inland Overhead Door Company.

We have a team of experts who are knowledgeable enough to handle any garage door problems. Inland Overhead Door is available to serve you, even in emergencies. Contact us today for more info.

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6 Reasons Why You Need Garage Door Specialists

6 Reasons Why You Need Garage Door Specialists

Residential and commercial garage doors are not for aesthetic purposes only but for security purposes, too. And since most Americans have cars, they use garage doors as their home entry point. Aside from natural wear and tear, opening and closing your garage door frequently may lead to malfunctioning and involve necessary repairs. There’s a tendency for a homeowner to make the garage door a DIY repair project. However, it is still the best option to leave any garage door issues to garage door specialists. They are more familiar with the mechanisms and ins and outs of garage doors. Thus, they can make proper repairs and maintain a well-functioning garage door.

The Need for Garage Door Specialists

If you are wondering why you need to hire garage door specialists in handling garage door repairs, check the following reasons below.

Expertise and Experience

A garage door has several components and mechanisms that only an expert can handle and fully understand. All components of your garage door function consistently and uniformly with each other. Altering just one element can damage or weaken another part without knowing. This may potentially cause harm and danger in the long run.

A garage door professional has both the expertise and years of experience in handling dangerous parts or components of your garage door.

Right Tools

Garage door specialists not only have the skills to repair garage door openers or any garage door issues. But they also have the right tools and equipment for any repairs. Hiring them may prevent expensive and huge repairs in the future. Moreover, this can also prevent you or your loved one from getting injured!

Safety Risks

Since a garage door is large and has a significant weight, neglecting a malfunctioning one can cause several injuries and DIY fixes increase the risk of injuries. Examples are pinched fingers or fingers getting caught in hinges while doing DIY repairs, cuts, and bruises, or even unexpected falls.

Engage a professional in handling your garage door issues to ensure the protection and safety of everyone.

Save Money

You may think at first that the DIY approach to repairing is cheaper. But in reality, it will just make your garage door problem worse and more expensive in the long run.

Furthermore, if your garage door is well-maintained by a professional, it won’t need frequent fixes. This will prevent you from unnecessary expenses and help you save in the long term.

Convenient and Save Time

Garage door specialists are experts in handling repairs for any garage door issues. With their years of experience, they are skilled and qualified to explain issues, assess, and solve your garage door problems quickly. Allow them to do the job and you’ll have more time to do other necessary things.

Insurance and Warranty

Processing insurance can be exhausting and insurance companies only require professionals to handle garage door repairs and maintenance. The same goes with manufacturer warranties, a qualified professional should do the repairs. There would be no additional cost to the homeowner if ever an issue reoccurs.

Moreover, hiring garage door specialists will help you provide the necessary documentation needed for home insurance.

Contact Garage Door Specialists

Leave your garage door worries to our highly skilled and compassionate garage door specialists at Inland Overhead Door Company. We provide garage door installation and repair services and emergency garage door services around the clock!  Give us a call and we get your back! Let our experts help you.

 

 

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What is the Lifespan of My Garage Door Opener? –  An FAQ

What is the Lifespan of My Garage Door Opener - An FAQ

“How long do garage door openers last?” – This is a frequently asked question by home and business owners. Like other mechanical items, makers do not design garage door openers to last forever. Generally, the lifespan of a garage door opener is 10 to 15 years, depending on the usage and regularity of maintenance.

The most reasonable thing you can do to lengthen the lifespan of your garage door opener is sustaining professional maintenance, such as:

  • Visual inspection of the springs, rollers, track, pulleys, and cables
  • Lubrication of moving parts to ensure your garage door opener works properly
  • Making sure that the garage door is adequately balanced
  • Performing a reversal test
  • Garage interior maintenance – must be cool, dry, and free of objects that may impair the door opener

Reasons to Consider When Deciding to Replace Your Garage Door Opener

1. Age of your garage door opener

Age is the main factor that owners change their door opener systems, even though they are still operating fine. Indeed, taking note of when the opener system was installed is a must. The actual age of the door opener is an excellent basis for deciding whether you need to replace it.

Many owners prefer newer models with improved safety, security, and convenience features. Consult a certified overhead door specialist if you are uncertain of your door opener’s age or wear.

2. Safety reversing feature

Modern types of garage door openers have a safety reversing feature. This mechanism has two sensors on both sides of the overhead door, about six inches above the ground. When any objects obstruct the sensors while the garage door is closing, the door instantly halts and reverses direction.

If your door opener system does not have a safety reversing mechanism, it is best to replace it as a precautionary measure.

3. You want a more peaceful and quiet door opener operation

The first style of garage door opener usually opens and closes with a chain drive. Every time it moves up and down, it creates unwanted noises. Consider replacing it with a belt-drive or screw-drive opener.

Although the latest version of the chain drive unit is quieter than the old model, screw drives are much softer, and belt drives are the most noiseless.

4. More improved security feature

Burglars know that older garage door openers are more unprotected because their remote controls perform with a specified code. These people are clever enough to use a particular gadget to break the code, letting them open the garage door.

The latest models of door openers consist of a ‘rolling code’ mechanism that alters the code every time the owner uses the unit. It means robbers cannot get and copy the code to break into your garage.

5. Door openers with battery backup system

It is very inconvenient to see your overhead door suddenly stops working due to a power outage because your door opener does not have a battery backup.

New versions of door openers already have battery backup features that will start operating automatically when your area unexpectedly loses electricity.

6. Homelink feature

If your car has the Homelink feature and a newer garage door opener, you can link the two together. From there, you can program and manipulate your garage door using the car’s controls without needing a remote control device.

7. Door openers with wireless or smart-home characteristics

The newer door openers provide WiFi and mobile-phone connectivity through a designated app that lets you monitor and control your garage door’s movement from a distant place. This feature also notifies you when your overhead door is open, no matter where you are.

Signs of a Faulty Garage Door Opener

Owners should pay attention to the following signs of a faulty door opener:

  • You notice a lagging or disengaged opener.
  • When your garage door operates, you can hear strange noises from the door opener.
  • The unit shows an unstable opening or a change in movements.
  • Your door opener strongly vibrates.

Consult with Inland Overhead Door Company for Door Services

Even if you are proactive in doing door opener routine maintenance, there will still be a time that you need to replace it. If your existing overhead door opener system needs a tune-up or total upgrade, do not hesitate to consult a certified garage door company.

Our garage door specialists are consistently reachable to assist you in identifying the appropriate choice that works with your door unit. You can count on us 24/7. Contact us today!

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Check Out Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close All The Way

Check Out Why Your Garage Door Won’t Close All The Way (1)

Having a smooth functioning garage is so important especially if you opt for safety not only for your property but for your staff, too. Unfortunately, garage doors are not exempted from experiencing issues. And these issues can be an inconvenience to you and others! Understanding the cause is one best ways to solve garage door issues. So please read this full article to find out several reasons why a garage door won’t close all the way. In addition, learn some tips on how to fix them.

Causes and Tips

A garage door consists of different components that can help to have a quiet and smooth door operation. However as mentioned earlier, garage doors are not equally created and are subject to having problems, too. It might be due to a blocked part, out of alignment, or other issues, that prevent the door from closing and being stuck.

Check the following reasons why a garage door won’t close all the way together with their simple fixes:

Check the Outlet/Power Source

The opener sometimes does not operate because of a disrupted power source. Check the outlet for issues such as blowing of fuse or tripping of the circuit breaker. Aside from these sources, also check the GFCI or ground-fault circuit interrupter to ensure a functioning outlet.

Your garage door has a cord or a disconnect switch so you can operate the door manually. If it won’t shut, check if the release cord or switch has not been disconnected accidentally.

Check the Sensors

A safety sensor called photo eye in your garage door detects that something is blocking your door (e.g. person or object) and preventing it from lowering all the way. Moreover, even dirt and dust can sometimes cause a clog to your sensor and can lead to malfunction.

Check if the photo eye needs to be readjusted and try cleaning the eyes with a tissue or a soft cloth. Ensure that nothing is stopping or blocking your garage door from opening and closing.

 Check the Track

If your garage door is crookedly hanging, making unnecessary movements together with an irritating grinding noise, it might have come off its track. Stop using it and let an expert handle the problem.

Moreover, do not forcefully pull if your garage door appears jammed. This could make the vertical tracks bent and the rollers pop out. Leave the fix to the professionals.

Check the Springs

Torsion springs are responsible for lifting your garage door up and down easily. In the long run, the springs will start to weaken and becomes gradually heavy for them. A broken spring can be dangerous and make your door fall without notice. Avoid opening or repairing them yourself and instead, consult a specialist.

Check the Sensitivity and the Limit Setting

The sensitivity of an older door or a newly installed one can either be set too high or too low, leading to malfunction. Check the manual for the manufacturer’s instructions to reset or adjust the sensitivity.

The limit settings determine how far your door will be moved to shut off properly and in the long run, it may also need a tune-up. You may also adjust the knobs if needed until the desired performance has been reached.

Check the Cables

The lift cables counterbalance the door’s weight and hold the tension spring. Like any other part of the garage door, lift cables may also lead to excessive wear, rust, fraying, and corrosion over time which can make your door operate unsmoothly. For this issue, call a specialist as soon as possible and avoid using the door.

Check the Remote

Another safety feature is using a remote for your garage door. If the remote is not working properly, you may need to fix or troubleshoot it.  Travel limits the function of the remote so if you are out of range, you may not be able to use it. Moreover, if the signal is blocked, or the antenna is damaged, the remote may not work properly.

For this problem, ensure that the antenna is visible and apparent and you may need to change the remote’s battery. And as a last resort, you can try to reprogram the remote.

Get Help! Inland Overhead Door Company

It is sometimes easy to repair a garage door that won’t close all the way. However, other issues may need a team of garage door experts like Inland Overhead Door Company. We will help you throughout and get your garage door working again.

We will be willing to serve you 24/7. For garage door repair and services, Contact us today!

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Garage Door FAQ: What is the Lifespan of my Garage Door?

Garage Door FAQ What is the Lifespan of my Garage Door

Every property’s central part such as the roof, water heater, HVAC system, electrical controls, and the garage door has a standard life expectancy before replacing it. And you can prolong their lifespan by doing efficient and regular maintenance and picking first-rate materials.

Your overhead door is a magnificent feature of your home or business. Primarily, it is your property’s entry point and indeed, strikes its curb appeal. An excellent garage door operates appropriately, gives security, and continues to function for a long time.

Having knowledge about your garage door’s lifespan will help you find out when it requires maintenance and restoration. As you read this article, you will learn more details about the life expectancy of an overhead door.

Particular Lifespan of an Overhead Door

A usual garage door will last for about 15 to  30 years. However, there are certain factors that affect its longevity. These are:

  • Weather and Environment. Your garage door may encounter unexpected damages due to storms, floods, and other unpleasant weather or environmental causes.
  • Usage. The particular number of your garage door’s operational cycles (open and close) depends on the kind of torsion springs it has. The more you utilize your door, the nearer it will reach the end of its lifespan.
  • Garage Door Maintenance. Your door naturally goes through some wear-and-tear as time passes by. So, regular door maintenance is necessary to likely increase its life expectancy.
  • Door Type. Purchasing a high-quality door from a credible company ensures a longer lifespan.

Tips to Enhance the Lifespan of Your Garage Door System

Nobody knows the exact time you’ll have to replace your garage door, but you can do extra methods to ensure it will last a long time.

So instead of doing a constant garage door repair when it gets broken and paying a lot, consider trying some of the following tips to prolong its lifespan:

1. Replace the door parts and apply door lubricant whenever necessary. Inspecting all parts of your overhead door is a must to ensure they are functioning properly and decide whether you need to change them.

Check the rollers and weather seals, garage door panels, and torsion springs. When replacing them, buy quality ones to improve your door’s life.

2. Keep track of your door’s performance. Many people use their garage door more frequently than the front door to get in the house. So you need to ensure it’s functioning suitably.

Every time you open or shut the garage door, pay attention to any visible changes such as:

  • The door opens unevenly
  • Unusual sounds from the motor or when the door opens and closes
  • The door goes up or down at an intermittent speed

If you notice any of these signs, you should ask assistance from a certified door specialist for repair or maintenance.

3. Know thoroughly your door’s warranty. Read through your garage door’s warranty coverage. It will give you an idea about the door’s life expectancy and help you keep up with the maintenance especially when the warranty period is at an end.

4. Monitor your door’s spring function. You should know the kind of springs your garage door has to determine their cycle amount. It will help you measure the replacement timeline of the springs in case they start slowing down. It is best to hire a professional if you need to replace them.

5. Properly maintain your garage door’s exterior as part of a business or home improvement. The method to apply when caring for your door depends on the type of garage door you have.

If you own a wood door, inspect for the warping of the panels or cracks. You may want to repaint it if you notice any peels or its color becomes dull.

Check for cracks or bends if you own a vinyl or an aluminum door. Steel overhead doors may require sanding and painting on the exterior panels to correct any rusty parts.

6. Know the average lifespan of your garage door opener. The life expectancy of your door opener may not be the same as your garage door.

The standard lifespan of a door opener is around 10 to 15 years. And many factors affect its durability. Appropriate care is necessary to keep your garage door opener working well for a long time.

Hire Inland Overhead Door Company

Your garage door is an essential part of your property. So doing the correct ways to maintain it is a must. However, there are door issues that only a professional can solve. In that situation, you can count on the highly-skilled technicians at Inland Overhead Door Company.

Indeed, we have a team of professionals who can handle any garage door services like garage door installations, repairs, and others. To request an estimate, feel free to contact us today.

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Learn These 11 Tips on How to Secure Your Garage Door

Learn These 11 Tips on How to Secure Your Garage Door

The summer season is the best time for more outdoor activities like picnics and other gatherings. But unfortunately, summertime is also the finest period for burglars. And unsurprisingly, front and back doors (particularly garage doors) are the most familiar entry points for thieves. It only takes a short time for a burglar to break into your property. Re-evaluating how secure your garage door is must be a priority to help make your own place safer and a less appealing target for stealers.

How to Secure Your Garage Door

You can secure your property from break-ins with the following proactive garage door security measures:

1. Put Yourself Into a Burglar’s Shoes

This first tip might sound strange, but why not give it a try? In the evening, make time to walk around outside your garage and the rest of your property. By doing this activity at night, you can get a finer idea of how adequate your exterior lighting is. Then imagine how a thief might get into your own place.

Start creating questions like, “Which areas of my property seem the most at risk?” or “How safe is my garage?” It could be useful and informative to try to look at your own place from a burglar’s perspective.

2. Lock Your Overhead Doors and the Door Between Your Own Place and Garage

If you have a manual garage door, you should always keep it locked no matter what.

However, most homes and businesses nowadays have automatic overhead door openers. Still, it’s a good point to use a padlock clamped on one of your door tracks to keep them closed.

Also, it is a good practice to always lock the door between your home or business and your garage. It may be inconvenient, but helpful to make you feel at ease.

3. Cable Tie Your Emergency Door Release

Automated garage door openers contain an emergency release lever. Typically, it has a red cord connected to it. Its main function is to let you open or shut your overhead doors when there’s a blackout.

A cunning burglar, however, knows what to do. They can make enough space on top of your door to access the lever or cord using a wire hook and pull it. Once they have tampered with the release lever, they could open the door and enter your property.

You can secure the release lever with a cable tie to ensure it is safe from intruders. If there is an electrical failure and you have to utilize the emergency lever, cut off the cable tie and replace it when electricity returns.

4. Remember not to Leave Your Garage Doors Open

Indeed, do not leave your garage doors open if it isn’t necessary, because if you do, you seem to send an invitation for unwanted guests to intrude on your property. People passing by can also easily see your stuff in the garage.

Keep your overhead doors closed even if you’re doing something within your property or living in a safe area. Please, take nothing for granted.

Smart garage door openers allow you to monitor your doors whether they are closed or open using a smartphone app. It may be a bit costly but very convenient in securing your property, particularly while you are away.

5. Upgrade Your Obsolete Garage Door Opener

If your door opener is out of date, your garage is more unsafe and prone to a break-in. Clever burglars could gain access to your garage using a device that could simply crack your older opener’s access code.

Moreover, if your neighbor has the same access code as yours, they could open your garage door by accident using their remote button.

So, it would be best if you had a modern automatic garage door opener model that uses the latest technology. Its ‘rolling code’ system generates a new code each time you press the remote button, so it is much more secure.

Also, it’s much less noisy and energy-saving than the old models.

6. Place a Cover Over Your Garage Windows

Intruders could get a good look inside your garage through the overhead door windows, side windows, and even the outer garage service door window. So covering the windows entirely is one good option.

You could also install blinds or curtains exactly made for garage windows. If you prefer getting some light from the sun in the garage, you could put a frosted design over your windows. It allows sunlight in while concealing your stuff inside.

7. Improve Your Property’s Exterior Lighting

A property with deficient exterior lighting becomes a more choice target for thieves. You must ensure that all entry points into your own place are well-lit to keep your property secure.

Today, motion-sensor lights are the best choice for home or business owners. It’s both an energy-efficient and cost-effective method to protect your property.

Ensure to strategically install them around your garage and within your property, approximately 10-12 feet above the ground. A quality motion-activated exterior lighting can detect movement up to 26 feet away.

Do not forget to include your outer lighting inspection on your maintenance checklist.

8. Always Inspect if Your Garage Doors are in Good Shape

Worn garage doors put your property’s safety at risk. Burglars could simply break into your garage through any gaps or openings they see. Hence, inspecting the condition of your doors regularly is a must.

If you are much concerned about your property’s security, do not hesitate to replace your outdated garage doors with modern ones. Feel free to consult a garage door expert to know which door option is best for you.

9. Re-enforce Your Property’s Entry Points

Check all entry points into your home or business, including garage service doors or side doors, the door leading into your building, the front and back doors, and all the windows. They should be sturdy, with a deadbolt lock.

Ensure to keep your garage doors locked, even when you’re present in your building.

10. Never Leave Any Valuables in Your Garage or Cars

One simple tip to bear in mind is to avoid leaving high-value items, including your garage door remote, in your garage or inside your parked vehicles. Store them in the most secured area in your building.

11. Install A Garage Security System

According to experts, properties with an established highly-visible security system are less likely to be picked out by burglars. Thus, placing an alarm system in your garage makes as much sense as having an alarm system in your home or building.

Placing security cameras above the entry points of your garage is another great choice. There are high-quality but affordable motion-activated cameras on the market these days. They start recording as soon as someone approaches or a vehicle pulls into the driveway – even at night.

You can sync your security cameras with your smart home systems as well as smartphones, so you can monitor your garage even when you are away.

Schedule a Consultation with Inland Overhead Door Company

There’s no more unpleasant feeling than discovering your garage or another part of your property has been broken into. Thus, making your garage and garage door more functional and secure is a top priority. No worries, the Inland Overhead Door Company has your back.

Our highly-trained door specialists know how to handle any of your overhead door concerns. If you have further questions about our garage door security system or any of our services, feel free to call us today. Our team is available to serve you in emergencies, 24/7.

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Get Useful Tips on How to Fix a Squeaky Garage Door

Lubricating garage door rollers

Are you annoyed and tired of hearing your noisy garage door or that squeaking garage door of your neighbor? That is a sign that the garage door is calling your attention for its maintenance. Opening and closing your garage door may cause stress and friction on parts such as the bearings, supporting garage door tracks, and other mechanical parts. In this article, we will outline the cause and tips on how to fix a squeaky garage door. A handy guide that will help you make your garage door operates smoothly and quietly.

What’s Causing a Squeaky Garage Door?

Knowing the root of the problem is the first step to helping you determine the right solution for your squeaky garage door. Find out the following probable causes:

  1. You might have an old garage door opener that’s more than 25 years. Garage doors and their parts wear down with age and create grating sounds that are unpleasant to hear.
  2. Worn rollers and hinges can be the culprit. They often cause squeaky sounds and the rollers tend to shake when opening and closing the garage door. Moreover, the rollers produce sound too when they have bent accidentally.
  3. If nuts and bolts of your garage door become loose, they produce rattling and vibrating sounds.
  4. A garage door that uses steel wire and chains often produces annoying loud noises. This is due to loose chains which cause the rollers to rub or hit against the tracks.

How To Fix a Squeaky Garage Door

It’s necessary to at least learn some basic knowledge of fixing issues with your garage door while other issues may require a professional. Please continue to read the following tips on how to fix a squeaky garage door.

Clean Dirt, Debris, and Dust

Wipe down all the pieces and parts of the garage door such as springs, track, hinges, and wheels. They can collect dust, debris, and dust that cause your door to wear down slowly and produce a squeaky sound.

Tighten Loose Parts

Garage door parts like nuts and bolts can get loose in the long run and detached from other parts. Tighten up those nuts and bolts and check if that’s causing a squeaky garage door.

Replace If Needed

Some garage door parts such as hinges, nylon rollers, and torsion springs are often easy to break first. If you aren’t sure or understand how the parts work, it is best to call a garage door expert. Replacing parts as necessary will prevent injury and further damage.

Use Garage Door Lubricant

The simplest maintenance tip to help you from having a squeaky door is lubrication. You can use white lithium grease or silicone-based lubricant to lubricate the track, springs, wheels, or roller shafts, joints, and other moveable parts.

Use the appropriate lubricant for your garage door and its parts. You may use lithium or silicone spray to provide a thicker coating for the moving parts.

Check the Garage Door Opener

In some cases, your garage door is squeaky because there are loose parts on the garage door opener. Inspecting your door and its parts is key to preventing some issues.

Contact a Garage Door Specialist

If your door still squeaks after doing everything you can, don’t hesitate to call a specialist. Don’t wait for more serious garage door issues. Contact Overhead Door Company of the Inland Empire, our technicians are ready to handle your repair needs and concerns. We provide garage door services 24 hours a week, 7 days a week.