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Learn These 4 Steps to Get Rid of Garage Door Rust

Learn These 4 Steps To Get Rid Of Garage Door Rust

A garage door is like a double door that fits within a wall structure or frame and is more durable than sheet metal doors. It protects and secures your home, increases home value, and creates the first impression of your home. It is, however, not exempted from having rust that could lead to wearing out and worst—replacement. 

Rust can spread not only to the garage door opener but the door itself, too. If you begin to see signs of rust, treat the issue right away to prevent it from spreading and being serious. Garage door rust isn’t only unpleasant but can lead to damage if not properly cleaned and taken care of.

Garage Door Rust: Causes and Effects

Rust is nature’s way of reacting to the environment and a form of corrosion. Moreover, rust can appear in anything that is made of iron, steel, or metal, especially if exposed to elements for longer periods and if not coated with rust-inhibitors.

Find out what could cause a metal garage door to start creating rust and its negative effect, too. 

  • Environmental issues can contribute to garage door rust. If you live in the mountains, near industrial areas, or in humid climates, you’ll likely have a tough time dealing with rust.
  • If you live in coastal areas or in the snow belt, saltwater damage can cause rapid rusting of your doors.
  • Another fast rust contributor is when your garage door is exposed to acid or other industrial chemicals.
  • If your garage door lacks regular cleaning, dirt, dust, and grime will begin to accumulate due to impurities. Cleaning at least once a month can help alleviate rust issues. 
  • Pollens can also be mistaken for rust but they can also accelerate rusting. Don’t panic, just give a good wash to your garage door twice a month.
  • The wrong type of paint can cause rust development. A high gloss paint that is easy to clean is necessary. Using a primer first will protect your door’s bottom layer and paint that has a solid protective layer can help prevent rust. Ensure that paint is evenly spread in all areas and parts of the door.
  • Poor quality doors that are often inexpensive are more prone to rusting than good quality doors.

Rust can make the surfaces or components of your door become weaker. It can also cause holes in sheet metal, and interfere with electrical components. Therefore, rust will have an effect on the safety, durability, and effectiveness of your garage door and its components.

Getting Rid of Garage Door Rust

Clean first to stop the oxidation process from going any further. Rust can easily spread so here are a few simple steps to ward off the rust on your garage door.

  1. Eliminate rust by cleaning. Begin with closing your door first and preparing a bucket with warm water and nonabrasive soap. Using a large sponge, scrub the door from top to bottom. Get rid of any accumulated dirt, dust, pollen, or other debris onto your garage door. Then rinse all the soap and towel dry the door before going to the next process of removing garage door rust.
  2. Wipe all the rust-affected parts with a rag or cloth soaked in white vinegar and allow it to sit for 10 minutes. The vinegar reacts with rust, initiating it to disperse. You can use a steel wool pad for scrubbing off the rust on your door. For stains that are tough, you can use other cleaning agents like baking soda or bleach.
  3. Use sandpaper to sand the affected areas and fix the holes usually seen in the lower corners of garage doors or between panels. You can patch up smaller holes by using auto body filler to fill in the gaps. But if the holes are extensive, it’s best to ask for help from garage door specialists.
  4. The final step is to protect against future garage door rust. Make sure to use rust-resistant primer and paint to prevent further damage and preserve your door.

Seek Help From Professionals

Taking care of garage door rust right away will not only boost the curb appeal of your property but can save you from the hassles of replacement. Our professionals can assist you with any kinds of environmental issues affecting your garage doors, particularly those showing signs of rust.

Contact Overhead Door Company of the Inland Empire, for any commercial garage door services.

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What Causes A Garage Door Opening Slowly And How To Fix It

What Causes A Garage Door Opening Slowly And How To Fix It

One of the most common questions we get from Inland garage door owners is, why is my garage door opening or closing (sometimes both) slowly. Every single day, garage doors need to do a lot of heavy lifting. This can cause the door to wear out and eventually open or close slowly. In some cases, it may require simple fixes and maintenance. Others may be due to the previous opener setting.

In this article, we will give you a better understanding of what causes garage doors to move slowly as well as possible solutions. Let’s also take a look at how long a garage door should take to open and close.

Average Opening and Closing Time Period of a Garage Door

In general, a garage door will be able to fully open or close between 12 to 15 seconds, though there are exemptions; like when your garage door is really heavy or it is made of a certain material. If you notice your garage door is opening or closing for 20 seconds or longer, then it’s time to get your door professionally checked. 

Why Does Your Garage Door Open Slowly

Here are the most common reasons your garage door is opening and closing slowly.

  1. The garage door is old 

Your garage door is not opening properly because of an old or outdated garage door and garage door parts. Old or worn-out torsion springs, rollers, hinges,, and others can affect the full working condition of your door. 

If you need to upgrade your garage door and its parts, contact the Overhead Door Company of the Inland Empire. We have a wide selection of modern garage doors and parts. 

  1. The garage door opener’s speed setting is too low.

Another possible reason your garage door is moving slowly is when the speed setting is switched to slow. Check the setting of your opener speed. Or, check the owner’s manual for a safe and easy way to adjust the door opener’s speed setting. 

  1. Improper lubrication

Poor lubrication is the most common cause of a garage door that won’t open or close fast enough. A garage door has different connected components and they create friction when they move together. To limit the friction and allow smooth operation between these components, it is important to lubricate your door.

If the garage door is not properly lubricated or it has worn down, it can slow down the opening and closing of your door. Also, over time, pulleys can wear out and springs can lose tension which leads to slower operation. 

Lubricating your Garage Door

It is crucial to use the right type of lubrication when lubricating your garage door. Use a silicone or lithium grease spray instead of WD-40. WD-40 can damage the lubricant needed for your garage door to operate properly. 

To lubricate your garage parts, spray the hinges completely, except the plastic hinges. Also, spray the springs, locks, and rollers. For nylon rollers, lubricate only the bearings and not the wheels. Clean and clear any debris on the tracks by wiping it with a wet sponge. 

Professional Garage Door Service 

If none of the issues above seem to be the cause of a slow garage door, it’s time to call a professional. A professional garage door service provider, like Inland Overhead Door Company, can assess your door and identify the main problem immediately.

Inland Overhead Door Company provides the best products and repair services in the entire Inland Empire. We have a team of experienced technicians who can immediately identify issues in your garage door system. Once the problem is identified, they will perform the necessary garage door repair. We also provide preventative maintenance. So, keep your business running optimally at all times with help from Overhead Door Company of The Inland Empire’s Preventive Maintenance Service Program.

To know more about our Preventive Maintenance Service Program, call us today. 

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Commercial Garage Door Maintenance Tips Business Owners Should Know

Commercial Garage Door Maintenance Tips Business Owners Should Know

Commercial garage doors play an important role in keeping a safe working environment, as well as ensuring the safety of the materials you store in your warehouse or workplace. Though garage doors are prone to get damaged or malfunction due to improper usage or lack of maintenance, there are several steps you can do to take care of your garage door. A well-maintained garage door can help ensure seamless performance as well as prevent costly repairs. Learn here the commercial door maintenance tips that can keep you from spending money on expensive repairs.

Commercial Garage Door Maintenance Tips

Aside from yearly maintenance visits, managers or even employees can perform visual inspections and basic tests to identify any potential problems with the commercial garage door.

1. Visually Inspect Your Garage Door

Check the door springs, rollers, pulleys, and any other hardware for any signs of damage. Look for frayed cables, bent hinges, loose screws or bolts, worn rollers, rust, and corrosion. If you suspect any problems, contact professionals at Inland Overhead Door immediately.

2. Lubricate The Moving Parts

Keeping the rollers, hinges and all other moving parts well-lubricated can extend the life span of your garage door. Apply a good amount of lubricant like white lithium grease and make sure to wipe off any excess grease. If any of the hinges or rollers are stuck, you can use a penetrating solution to free them. Spray the solution to those parts, clean them off and apply the lubricant. Furthermore, it is also a good idea to lubricate the spring system. Spray the grease on the garage opener’s chain or screw. If the torsion spring becomes rusty, wipe it off with oil.

3. Clear the Rollers Tracks

Accumulated debris can make it difficult for the rollers to slide smoothly every time your door operates. In other instances, larger debris can cause your rollers to pop off the track. So make sure to inspect and clean your rollers to ensure that they will work efficiently. Use a level to make sure the tracks are properly vertical along the vertical sections.

4. Tighten The Hardware

Over time, the hardware on your commercial door loosen up because of their consistent movement. When loose, your door jostles or even falls off its tracks completely. To prevent a more serious problem, tighten all the hardware. Use a socket wrench and a screwdriver to tighten any loose bolts. If you notice any damage to the hardware, call for professional help.

5. Test the Balance

Testing the balance of your door is very crucial to ensure the safety of your door and its opener. An unbalanced garage door will have to work harder and can shorten its lifespan. To test the door, pull the release handle on the automatic opener, then use the manual mode function. Lift the door until it is about halfway. If the door is in proper balance, it should remain in place without your help. If it is the other way around, carefully set it back down and contact professionals. When it comes to spring repairs, it is best to trust professionals.

6. Inspect the Auto-Reverse Feature

Modern commercial garage doors are now equipped with an auto-reverse feature. This safety feature is designed to stop and reverse the direction of the door every time it detects an object in its path or has hit an object while the door is closing. This system is triggered by a pair of photocells located on each side of the door or by a pressure sensor.

Test the photoelectric system by starting to close the door, then passing your leg in the direction of the door. If the door goes up again, then this system is in good condition. Furthermore, to test if the sensor is working properly, place a 2×4 board flat on the ground in the direction of the door. When the door closes and touches the board, it should reverse direction and go up again. If you notice any problems with your auto-reverse feature, schedule the repair with a professional.

Commercial Garage Door Preventative Maintenance Services

Keep your business running efficiently with Inland Overhead Door Company quality preventative maintenance. Our preventative maintenance service ensures that your door will function properly all year long. We have skilled technicians both minor and major repairs on doors, openers, and other hardware malfunctions. Contact us today to schedule inspections.

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5 Easy Ways To Prevent Floodwater From Running Under Your Garage Door

5 Easy Ways Prevent Floodwater From Running Under Your Garage Door

Flooding, as one of the most common natural disasters in the U.S., can be a nightmare not only for you but also for your property. It can result in serious damage and costly repairs. One of the areas of your home that can have the hardest-hit is often your garage. With its direct exposure to the exterior of your home, your garage is often the first area floodwater seeps through your home. However, the garage is mostly used for storing personal belongings and other important valuables. Thus, it is important to take ways to protect your garage from getting flooded.

Most types of garages are not designed to be fully watertight. And, because of their proximity to the exterior of a home, water can easily creep, seep and run into your garage.  Ignoring the problem does not only lead to damage to items stored in the garage, but it can also cause wear to the garage door itself. Thus, it is necessary to find a solution to prevent water from running under your garage door. 

 

How To Prevent Rainwater From Running Under Your Garage Door

Fortunately, several solutions can go a long way in protecting your garage from rainwater. Depending on the location of your garage concerning the driveway as well as other kinds of problems included, there are simple steps you can take to solve the problem.

1. Replace The Door and Floor Seals

On the lower part of your garage door, there is a flexible seal that extends from one side of the door to another. This seal helps ensure that the door is tightly pressed to the floor when it is closed; keeping snow, rain, sleet, and other weather away from your garage.

However, over time,  these seals become deteriorated. The tape stripping starts to pull off from the door. The rubber begins to crack and brittle. When the seals are damaged they are no longer functional because water, pests, and insects can seep under the garage door. 

Luckily, replacing the door and floor seals is an inexpensive repair. If you notice water seepage in your garage, check the seals first. Replacing the seals should be done every year. 

2. Guttering

Aside from installing gutters around the perimeter of your home, it is also important to have one installed up around your garage door. 

Gutters allow rainwater to direct away from your home. Thus, adding gutters to your garage is necessary to keep rainwater, that comes from the roof, from seeping under the garage door. 

Consider installing gutters along each edge of the garage roof. Make sure that there are attached downspouts that will carry the rainwater away from your garage. Also, you can add some extensions that will help direct water away from the foundation of your garage. 

3. Landscape Your Yard

The landscape around your house plays an important role in the flow of the water. If the soil near the driveway is above the level of the driveway itself, the water will accumulate around your garage instead of draining away from it. When this happens, the water tends to seep inside the garage. 

If this is the cause of the problem, change the landscape of your yard, making rainwater to direct naturally away from your home. Though rearranging the landscape of your home requires a lot of effort, it is relatively cheap and straightforward. 

4. Install A Trench Drain

If you have a yard that slopes down to your garage and not away from it, then you are forced to deal with a serious problem. This will lead the rainwater to pool around your home and eventually seep inside your property. The best way to deal with this is to install a trench drain along your driveway or in front of your garage door. A trench drain channels water elsewhere and helps ensure that you won’t have flooding issues inside your garage. 

This is a complex solution but using a trench drain is effective for keeping rainwater away from your garage. But, keep in mind that when installing a trench drain, it should not direct runoff towards your neighbor’s yard, a sidewalk or to dirt slow without vegetation protection. 

 

5. Use Sandbags

Another defense in the event of low-level flooding is to create a barrier using a sandbag. Though a sandbag may not fully seal the area, it can help redirect floodwater away from your property and/or keep you from dealing with serious water damage. 

Line the sandbags in your property creating a sturdy pyramid-shaped barrier. Remember not to set the sandbags around your home or in front of your garage as it can cause a water trap between buildings and lead to additional damage. 

 

For Garage Door Weather Protection Services, Trust Inland Overhead Door Company

 

The above steps can help prevent water from running into your garage. But, if you are concerned your garage door cannot withstand severe weather conditions, Inland Overhead Door Compay is here to help you. We offer free garage door inspections to ensure that your garage is safe from flooding. We will also inspect your garage for any signs of damage and recommend necessary repairs.

If your garage door needs replacement, we have a broad selection of garage doors. This includes hurricane-proof garage doors that can protect your belongings and your garage from destructive elements. Schedule an appointment with us today to have your garage door and garage inspected. 

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